Bailey's First Christmas

We went to Michigan to spend a couple of weeks with my family over Christmas. We decided to drive rather than deal with airports. It takes about 12 hours to get there. We split the trip into two days, so it wasn't bad. Bailey did pretty well overall. The first night was a little rough. We left at 6:00 in the evening and drove until midnight. I thought she would sleep most of the way, but she only slept for one hour the entire night. Towards the end, she was crying so hard because she was exhausted and just couldn't sleep. Once we got to the hotel, she was SO happy to be out of her car seat. She sprawled out on the bed and kept putting her face in the pillows and rolling around. It was so funny. Once we got to Michigan, there was plenty of snow there waiting for us. It was so nice to have some snow for Christmas.

Bailey had a lot of fun being around her grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Here she is with Grandma Kellogg. Bailey doesn't usually let anyone but Skigh and me hold her, but she was really happy with my mom. I guess my mom has the special touch.

When Beth, Eric, and Lincoln flew in, they didn't get their luggage. So, Lincoln had to borrow one of Bailey's onesies. At least I packed a turquoise one, but it still had flowers on it. Only a baby who's confident in his boyhood could pull this off. Lincoln's a tough kid.

Uncle Skigh and Lincoln.

Beth and Lincoln taking a break from the festivities.

Aunt Lauren and Lincoln.

There was plenty of baking going on in the Kellogg home before Christmas. Here we are frosting our traditional sugar cookies.

I've never tasted a sugar cookie that is better than these.

We were all getting ready for our Christmas Eve party. Bailey was very excited.

On Christmas Eve, we always have potato salad (made by my Grandma Miller--the best in the world), pigs-in-a-blanket, shrimp, and plenty of chicken from KFC.

Zach, Beth, Lincoln, and Tyler.

Lauren, Grandma Miller, and Mom.

Eric and Skigh.

Bailey was enjoying her own Christmas Eve dinner. She was quite the entertainer that night. She would laugh a little, and then everyone else would start laughing. When she noticed she had everyone's attention, she milked it for all it was worth. She would do her little fake laugh, we would all start laughing, and she would do it again...over and over again. It was honestly the funniest thing. She was hilarious.

Here we are with Grandma Miller. It was really nice having her over on Christmas Eve.

Lincoln was really getting into the Christmas spirit with his sweet red knee-socks.

It's a tradition in our family to open our Secret Santa gifts on the night of Christmas Eve. Tyler had us and got us a great picture frame.

Meagan, John, and Kaylee flew in on Christmas Eve. They weren't sure if they were going to be able to make it, so we were so happy that it worked out for them to come. The whole family was finally together.

Christmas morning, we were the first to wake up (thanks to Bailey). The tree and presents looked beautiful.

Santa had eaten his cookies and drunk his milk.

Three stockings for me, Skigh, and Bailey.

We hung out for a while waiting for everyone else to wake up. Bailey insisted on wearing the Santa hat. She really gets into Christmas.

She totally rocked the hat.

Grandpa was the first to join us. Bailey loved all the time she got to spend with her grandpa.

Finally everyone else was awake. We opened presents in our stockings while we waited for the stragglers.

Bailey opening her first Christmas present.

Yeah! A toy for the fridge.

Skigh and I decided to split the money we were spending on Bailey and each buy our own presents for her. We didn't show each other what we got her, so we were surprised, too. Skigh got Bailey a fun toy stroller that plays music. She loved it.

I got her a little music table.

My parents got everyone a Wii for Christmas. We were all very excited.

I got Skigh Mario Kart. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find! It was ridiculous.

Bailey loves babies, and she had so much fun with Lincoln and Kaylee. She gets so excited around little kids. You can see Lincoln has his body guard protecting him here.

We spent Christmas day with the Kellogg side of the family. We went to my Aunt Terri and Uncle Bill's house for Christmas dinner. Afterwards, we had a ping-pong tournament. Skigh and Tricia made a pretty fierce team.


My dad and Uncle Bill.


Here we are with my Grandma and Grandpa Kellogg.


We had a great Christmas. It was so fun to see everyone again and to be with family.



Later on in the week, we all went to Applebee's for dinner. What's a trip to Sturgis without going to Applebee's?

John, Meagan, Skigh, Berkley, and Bailey.

This is what Meagan does in her downtime. While we were waiting for the food, she convinced someone to blow air through a straw at her while we took pictures. If Meagan and John are ever strapped for money, at least they've discovered Meagan's secret talent. She could totally have a career in modeling for...I don't know...straws or something.

When we first got to Michigan, there was a lot of snow and it was negative 28 degrees (with windchill) outside. It was ridiculously cold. It doesn't usually get that cold. By the time we left, we were having 60 degree weather. It was crazy. So, when we realized the snow wouldn't last long, we went outside so Bailey could have her first sledding experience.

She actually didn't enjoy it as much as I thought she would. Skigh pulled us around the house, and she really didn't like it too much. She's not crying here because of the dog, but because she wants out of the sled.

Beth joined us for a little snow action.

Grandma visited us that day so she could meet Kaylee for the first time.

Here are all the guys hanging out before they went to go play basketball.

Our husbands sharing a tender moment.

Here's Bailey with yet another ornament off the Christmas tree.

Bailey had a lot of fun with her Uncle Zach. She was so intrigued by him. Here she is having fun pulling his hood over his head. He did a good job entertaining her.