"I'll Be Home for Christmas" played softly in my mind during the weeks and days leading up to our trip. The meaning of 'going home for Christmas' was rewritten this year for our family. Being separated, by thousands of miles, is a constant reminder of just how precious every moment is with the ones you love. For an entire week, the Anderson family was complete.
Candles were lit, one by one, as the congregation sang "Silent Night" during the Christmas Eve service. Even Caleb participated with Daddy's iPhone candle app! The sunrise was beautiful Christmas morning as we sipped coffee and waited for everyone to wake. We gathered around the tree and enjoyed coffee cake and stuffin' muffins. Caleb repeatedly asked, "Does this say Caleb?" It really didn't matter, he assisted with the opening of all gifts. We laughed. We cried. We were together.
Snow covered the ground and continued to fall throughout the week, cardinals filled the trees, and the air was crisp and refreshing. We had days of play, days of discovery and days of connecting with family and friends. Evenings were spent in the living room enjoying the warmth of the fire, the lights of the tree, candy cane cookies and the closeness of family.
Caleb enjoyed playing trains in the basement and making laps on the Big Wheel Gram found for him. He enjoyed being out in the snow sledding and throwing snowballs at Millie. He could often be found playing with Gram's teddy bear or Papa's firetruck. He loved giving Millie hugs and sampling cookies from the kitchen. If Mark and Mike were home, Caleb was never more than a few feet from them.
We spent a day at The Henry Ford and a day at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. At The Henry Ford, Caleb climbed aboard a steam locomotive, changed his first tire and stood in awe of Lego creations constructed from millions of blocks. We sat at the diner counter for lunch where we enjoyed Faygo pop and Better Made Chips, neither of which can be found in Arizona! The hands-on museum was yet another day of discovery. Caleb was in his glory in the Preschool Gallery where he found a fire engine, water table, colorful balls everywhere and oh so much more! The other highlight was when he got to climb in a full size ambulance! Discovery also took place at home where we had fun digging through family history. Matt also uncovered three very special bunnies and one wind-up bear from when he was little. Caleb is now the proud keeper of Daddy's childhood treasures!
We had the pleasure of connecting with extended family and friends throughout the week and during the open house on Saturday. It was wonderful to catch up with cousins and longtime family friends, if only for a minute. Caleb had a blast playing with his cousins, especially his older cousin Bella! In addition to connecting with friends and family, Matt and I reconnected with one another, enjoying two dates throughout the week! This also gave Caleb some quality time with Gram, Papa, Uncle Mark and Uncle Mike!
A picture perfect week.
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| Watching as they prep our plane |
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Gram and Papa, here we come!
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| First on the agenda, setting up the train |
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Big Wheelin'
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| Bring on the snow! |
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| Mr. Boots |
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| Getting ready to make a fire |
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| Tear and crumple, I can do that! |
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| Papa's childhood firetruck |
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| That's one big train! |
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| Have you ever seen so many Legos? |
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| At the controls of the Thomas train |
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| We just had to stop and check out the green sports car |
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| Taking a peak under the hood |
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| Changing his first tire |
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| The lunch counter at Lamy's Diner |
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| Faygo, yum! |
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| "I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener" |
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| A house just my size |
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| Ford Field built entirely of Legos |
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| The Chicago skyline |
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| Building their own Lego creations |
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| Fun times at the Henry Ford |
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| Caleb behind the wheel of this New Holland combine |
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| Souvenir penny |
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| Parisa & Mike |
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| The Cheerios boxcar, Caleb's favorite |
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| Daddy's bunny |
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| Christmas morning sunrise |
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| Merry Christmas |
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| Morning snuggles with Gram's teddy bear |
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| Christmas hugs for Millie |
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| My Christmas Elf |
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| UFO Solar Balloon, perfect for Arizona |
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| A diploma frame for his master's degree |
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| Uncle Mike demonstrating his gift to Caleb |
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| Caleb's gift to Uncle Mark |
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Books on wheels, cool!
Thanks Uncle Mike! |
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| Belle, a rescue tank engine with water cannons! |
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Jake and the Never Land Pirates!
Thanks Uncle Mark! |
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| Big smiles for Flynn The Fire Engine |
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| Sporting his MSU slippers, a surprise from Mommy & Daddy |
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| Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus |
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| At the controls of the family Christmas present |
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So sweet
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| Taking a stab at Wii Bowling |
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| Taking a swing with Papa's piggy bank |
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| Fishing up some fun |
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| Experimenting with the water table |
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| The fun never ends in the Preschool Gallery |
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| The awe and wonder of a child |
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| Fire Chief Caleb and his crew |
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| Don't worry; I'm on my way! |
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| The one and only time I want to see any of these guys in the back of an ambulance |
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| Getting a helping hand from Papa |
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| Concentration is key |
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| Fun times at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum |
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| Couldn't stay away from the fire engine |
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| Sun and snow, oh yeah! |
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| Hard at work |
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| Pull me up the hill Daddy |
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| His face says it all! |
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| It wouldn't be right to let Caleb have all the fun |
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| After a big day of play |
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| Tonight's opening act |
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Just chillin'
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| Uncle Mike's best Wilbur impression |
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On campus feeding the ducks
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| Who's hungry? |
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| Ducks, ducks and more ducks |
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| Making friends |
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| Daddy reunited with a snow shovel |
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| Puzzle time |
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| My dear friends, Dana & Annette |
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| Caleb sharing his backpack of treasures with his cousins |
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| Caleb & Bella |
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| The Plaid Shirt Club |
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| Making memories at Gram's |
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| Blessed to love and be loved |
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| Caleb and his girl Millie |
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| Cheese please! |
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| Kung Pow! |
