Christmas with the Kohrings!

What a week! We just returned from the best family vacation! Last Monday morning, we packed up the car in Nashville and set out on our 10+ hour journey to Arlington, Texas. We were headed to spend a few days with our friends, Wes and Cristal Kohring, and their two boys Jonah and Micah. They moved to Texas from Colorado last fall when Wes took the Youth Minister position at the North Davis Church of Christ. The Kohring crew came to our house last January, and we were excited to see their new place.

Since neither Jackson nor I like to be in the car for too long, we decided to split the trip into two days. After our first day of travel, we checked into a La Quinta Inn and headed off to pick up dinner. We went by Sonic and brought it back to the room. Jackson loved eating on the bed with his Daddy. I had to capture a few pictures of their bonding time!

Who knew you could get a banana in the Kid's Meal at Sonic?

The drive from Little Rock to Texas was very easy. When we pulled up at the Kohrings, Cristal, Jonah, and Micah were there to greet us. Jackson was so glad to be out of the car and even more excited that he had two people to play with! Cristal gave us a tour of their house (AWESOME!) while we waited for Wes to get home from work. That night, Wesley and Wes went to an ACU recruitment reception at the church, and Cristal and I were able to catch up.

The next day, Wes took the day off, and we all went to the mall. One of the highlights at the mall was this interactive TV screen on the mall floor. The boys loved playing around on it!

Here are the boys playing on the Interactive Screen.

I love this picture because it pretty much sums up the week - the two younger boys following Jonah!

We found a fun play area for the kids though we didn't stay too long here because we had a diaper malfunction with one of the kiddos :)

That evening, after long naps by all three boys, we went to church. The teens were hosting a dinner that night in the Family Life Center (isn't that the proper "Church of Christ" phrase for a gym :) The boys were not interested in eating, but they loved playing basketball!

Wesley and I were able to sit in on Wes's class that night. I think Wes is such a talented speaker & teacher,and he did an excellent job in his class.

Thursday was the day I was looking forward to the most. Cristal teaches part time at a preschool. Micah and Jonah attend that school, and I asked Cristal if she thought Jackson might be able to go one day while we were there. She asked her supervisor and she graciously said "yes." So Thursday morning, we packed up all three boys and took them to school.

While the kids were away, Cristal and I played! We went Christmas shopping, had a yummy lunch at Pei Wei, and were just able to catch up on life. It was so good to be with her!

After school, we went home and let the boys play. They had a blast. Jackson and Micah are only 5 weeks apart and already are big buds. Look! They even know how to share!

Here is the story behind this picture: Cristal was trying to get Micah to sit on his bottom in the chair. Every time she would say "Micah, on your bottom" he would make this face! Too cute!

Jonah took this picture of Jackson and me. I am holding the ornament Jonah made for me. I already have it on my tree. Thanks, Jonah!

The boys were so tired by the end of the day, we put them down at 6:45 and enjoyed some adult time!

It was so sad to leave the Kohrings Friday morning. Usually, we have a "next time" in mind, but we aren't sure when we will see each other again. Hopefully, it won't be too long! We already miss them!

Though we were leaving Wes and Cristal, our trip to Arlington was not done. Wesley found out that one of his friends, Michael, recently moved to nearby Ft. Worth, TX. We made plans with Michael and his wife Ruth to eat lunch on Friday. It was too short of a visit. It was so good to see this special couple and hear their special news - they are expecting a little one in July!

Take a look at Jackson in this picture - He figured out that the cup Wesley was holding had Coke in it. He would poke his finger into the straw hole and sneak a taste. We caught him in the act!

The drive home was a little longer than the drive out there because we had to go by Chattanooga to pick up Flash. We decided to stop in Jackson, MS for the night. We didn't have a hotel room booked so we looked up a few hotels on Wes's phone. We found a nice one and Wesley called and somehow worked up a deal on a great room!

Saturday was spent driving home. It really wasn't a bad drive at all. Jackson entertained himself by finding creative things to do with his blanket. A few times, I would look back and he would be hiding!

We arrived in Chattanooga around 5:00 and were able to visit with Joel and Abby. A HUGE thank you goes out to them for watching Flash for us for a week! They are so awesome!

Isn't this a fabulous picture?!

We got home around 9:00 Saturday night. Jackson woke up as we drove into the driveway (he had fallen asleep at 7 when we left Chattanooga) but quickly went back down. We had already decided to take it easy on Sunday, and I am glad we did. Jackson slept until 11:00!! I guess he had just worn himself out playing with his friends!

Thank you Kohrings for a wonderful family vacation!