Christmas round one

This weekend marked round 1 of Christmas celebrations with the family. Timing for the weekend and the snow that blessed us with its presence complicated travel slightly, especially for Jinny & Justin, who spent the better part of the day on Friday traveling. But they did remember to thank the Iowa DOT for creating such a nice parking lot for them to spend a few hours hanging out on during the afternoon.

Needless to say, when they finally arrived we met them at the door with drinks and positive attitudes! The girls were very helpful for this task as there really is never a moment when they aren’t in super good moods. And of course with so many Christmases to celebrate in the near future, they couldn’t be happier.

The celebrations began with the Benton family Christmas on Friday night:

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-klsfBvgXcqc/UNh7wHQH7wI/AAAAAAAAFgY/5M3gyk9KCh0/s144/DSC_0750.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/Christmas2012#5825542184514350850″ caption=”Grace unwraps her first Barbie” type=”image” alt=”DSC_0750.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hwyHPbgYiTw/UNh8hewI5II/AAAAAAAAFg4/TAD7HWm_2mc/s144/DSC_0756.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/Christmas2012#5825543032636236930″ caption=”Madelyn feeding her baby from her cup” type=”image” alt=”DSC_0756.JPG” ]

[pe2-gallery album=”aHR0cDovL3BpY2FzYXdlYi5nb29nbGUuY29tL2RhdGEvZmVlZC9iYXNlL3VzZXIvMTAzMzY5MTE1OTg2MjE3NTE4NjYzL2FsYnVtaWQvNTgyNTUwNjQ3Mzc0MjMwNTY2NT9hbHQ9cnNzJmFtcDtobD1lbl9VUyZraW5kPXBob3Rv” tags=”Benton Christmas”]

The evening was a great success and both girls were already completely spoiled. But the weekend was far from over. The next celebration was with Great Grandpa Bob and Great Grandma Bea and the rest of the Millhollin family.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S4eO6VMj0Ho/UNh_2ITK4xI/AAAAAAAAFjI/xYfaqKhLGeA/s144/DSC_0837.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/Christmas2012#5825546685921288978″ caption=”Our little reigndeer” type=”image” alt=”DSC_0837.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8S6OkWXLmnc/UNiA5lPz_II/AAAAAAAAFj4/pMCOoXUmRN0/s144/DSC_0868.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/Christmas2012#5825547844743068802″ caption=”Grace opens her new slippers” type=”image” alt=”DSC_0868.JPG” ]

After the girls took long naps recovering from all the present opening, it was time for Ron & Donna’s Christmas, and even MORE presents!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BCfTo2-_VhE/UNh-3-CvRFI/AAAAAAAAFig/arGpNDVLgvM/s144/DSC_0808.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/Christmas2012#5825545618016126034″ caption=”CHEESE!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_0808.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yEjv4qfAFvM/UNh_sPvupzI/AAAAAAAAFjA/xpZUGuQJu4c/s144/DSC_0831.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/Christmas2012#5825546516121429810″ caption=”Cheese!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_0831.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HjULWd6rTO4/UNiCAYteuRI/AAAAAAAAFkY/vUlbDTeGI20/s144/DSC_0883.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/Christmas2012#5825549061148555538″ caption=”Opening even MORE presents” type=”image” alt=”DSC_0883.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1Xl-PPhSBbY/UNiDtfHk8dI/AAAAAAAAFlw/E5jG1PLBUCc/s144/DSC_0911.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/Christmas2012#5825550935474368978″ caption=”I'm a princess!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_0911.JPG” ]

Finally, Sunday morning meant a trip to Grandpa Paul and Grandma Darla’s house for more good food and yet another Christmas.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NZjEpwwiIlQ/UNiFvefOdgI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/sWTKsHbZxY8/s144/DSC_0963.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/Christmas2012#5825553168688117250″ caption=”I made that Grandma!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_0963.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZwwQ_9OfW4A/UNiGVSTl_2I/AAAAAAAAFno/MFNHDkAsSKM/s144/DSC_0971.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/Christmas2012#5825553818253131618″ caption=”I collected all of those things myself, Grandpa” type=”image” alt=”DSC_0971.JPG” ]

The girls couldn’t have had a better time this weekend with constant attention from all of their loving family, great food, lots of cousins to cause trouble with, and plenty of spoils. As we look forward to more celebrations we remember how blessed we are to have such a wonderful family.

View all of our Christmas photos as we continue to post more to Google+.

SNOW!

Santa & Christmas Day