Leading up to our departure, we had been tracking the weather forecast for Indiana. We were so excited to see SNOW predicted for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday....that would mean a white Christmas...and time for playing in the snow there! While it didn't turn out to be a white Christmas, it did snow on Saturday and Sunday and there was enough snow to go sledding on Monday before we left on Tuesday! :) We found the best hill in town, which happened to be private property...so, Brenden knocked on the door and explained we were from South Carolina where it doesn't usually snow and that we had 7 children that were hoping to go sledding....and well, how could anyone say no to that? :) They had a great time! (Pictures to follow in Part 2.)
So....we had lots of fun while at Grandma and Grandpa Mac's. We went to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the World's Largest (and best) Children's Museum (pictures also to follow in Part 2).
We spent one evening making gingerbread houses...a favorite tradition. The four younger kids (Quinn, Ammon, Cali and Raquel) worked together with Grandma in the kitchen on one.
And, the older ones (Elise, Kylie, Chet and Savannah) worked on one in the dining room. Grandma had made special gingerbread men aprons for the kids to wear...so cute! They were all having a great time when....
The kitchen crew's house came tumbling down (I think the kids must've loaded it with too much candy :) )....the kids didn't seem to mind, though, as they had fun eating their creation.
The dining room crew completed their house over two days...it was absolutely beautiful.
Christmas morning was lots of fun. This photo was taken as everyone enjoyed discovering the contents their stockings. What a houseful we had...and there were 6 more that aren't in this picture. 
I gave Grandma soft, warm jammies and made a special fleece lined knitted cap and scarf for Grandpa. I was happy to learn that he wears his cap faithfully each night as he sleeps to keep him warm. :)
We have a family tradition of taking a family photo on the Sunday near Christmas....so here's 2009 Christmas Sunday photo. It's difficult to get Brooke to look at the camera these days...especially when we're shooting with a timer. Happily everyone else is looking at the camera and smiling! :)
This was our Sunday dinner....beautifully set table, beautiful family. (Stephen and his family were with Juli's family that day. Elise is holding Sierra, Maggie's daughter. Both Sierra and Raquel spent Christmas with all of us there. Not sure where Raquel is for this picture....)
We also got to see our good friends the Larson's while in Indy. We got to see a spot of land just down the street from them where there are plans to build a stake center....and hopefully a temple sometime in the next few years or so! This picture was taken at the Larson's home...I did get a photo with Cheryl, but it's turned sideways...so, I'll have to fix that and post that later.
Our time in Indiana always goes so fast! I so enjoyed the visit...got to sew with Mom, read some old letters from my Grandfather Chet and others, and just being together for Christmas....we now have wonderful memories to cherish!Here is our traditional photo that we always take just before climbing into the van and driving away. It's fun to look at these "concluding" photos over the years....
We love our family so much and look forward to visiting them again! Life is good.
We love our family so much and look forward to visiting them again! Life is good.
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