2,600

2,600 Miles to be exact. That is how many miles we traveled over the 2 week holiday break. Normally this is not so much for the Kudlas traveling crew, but doing this for the 3rd time in 6 months was a bit much. The first 450 were to my parents house and back home for a day, before leaving for Michigan for a week for yet another wedding. Although it has been a lot of traveling and quite a bit of money spent in gas, we have enjoyed every minute to spending all this time with family. I also couldn't ask for better traveling partners...I would have to say they are the best. Our little rascals have put up with sore bumms, having to change into jammies at 11pm at a rest stops, eating lots of McDonalds, and the best part is playing with their 8 cousins. We won't be returning to MI for a while and we only hope we will have some visitors come our way in the next year! First stop was Grammie and Papa's in SC. All 3 of the kids battled the flu bug for 8 days while all this went on. With high temps and low appetites, we spent most of Christmas enjoying many movies, lots of popcorn and sleep. Many of our traditions had to wait until next year. Here is what we did do.... We did exchange jammies on Christmas eve. It is so nice to wake up on Christmas morning in nice new jammies. I even found matching ones for the girls babies. They were thrilled!

Christmas morning is so much fun to watch the kids faces. We started a new tradition last year that worked out great. We take the kids skiing sometime around the holidays. That is their main gift from us and then they get a few others. Carsyn got some dress up shoes.

The three of them got a key board. We are going to be searching for a good piano teacher! The best part of these is in that blue box. Can you tell what they are?

Notice anything new on Aidan's face?

The family.

Mom and Dad with Allie Gene and my brother with his new baby, Stuckie.

While GA got a white Christmas...SC stayed dry until the 26th when it finally snowed. The kids were out that morning to play.

The result...

After returning home for one day, doing laundry and then headed out for Michigan. Our first stop...a ski resort. Sunset skiing is the best and is the best deal! Carsyn stayed with my cousins, Mom and Dad. I think next year she will be able to join us!

My best childhood girl friend was back in MI visiting family. Her and her husband are pastors in Florida. It was great to catch up with her and her family.

The one thing we ventured up to Michigan for was my cousins wedding. They got married on New Years Eve. It was kind of surreal to see my little cousin Sarah get married. I remember being able to see Sarah two hours after she was born. There were a lot of happy tears shed that day. We are so happy she found a wonderful guy like Josh. He is an officer in the Army and will be deployed to Afghanistan this time next year. They are both in our prayers as the next couple years of their life together will bring lots of happiness along with lots of trials. This is my favorite shot as Josh sees Sarah for the first time.

The whole fam. No that isn't my dad's hair...just a goofy hat. Many of the kids had enough of the pictures.

Father daughter dance. My Uncle Steve has such a wonderful speech...made us all cry. When Brad and I were leaving the wedding, we only pray our relationship will be that strong with our daughter when the time comes to give them away.

Later on that evening we went to my Aunt Shelly and Uncle Rob's. The kids love to play at their house and LOVE Great Aunt Shelly's goodies she always has made for the kids.

Before we left at midnight on New Years, we let the kids get some energy out and play with their cousins while the adults played games and hung out. Sadie and Brenna are the best of friends. She misses her so much!

We arrived home at 1PM the next day, just in time to watch Michigan football get beat! What a fun filled 2,600 miles!