For the first time in 3 years, we made the trip back stateside to spend the holidays with family, and it was WONDERFUL! The trip was a bit hectic because it didn't just include relaxing with family and catching up with friends - but also included house hunting, car buying, baby registering and PwC meetings for Josh.
Josh had a quick 48 hour stop over in Dallas and got to enjoy our nieces and see the new downtown park that Dallas has to offer. He was surprised with a mini 30th birthday celebration and got to soak up the sun and warm weather...apparently I bring cold and rain with me everywhere I go!
We met in Ohio and kicked off the festivities with a reunion lunch with college girlfriends, then a 60th and 80th birthday celebration, Christmas Eve and finally Christmas Morning. Then right as we were trying to fly out to catch Christmas Evening with the Sieger/Hanratty clan, a massive snow storm hit Dallas and then moved right onto Dayton, leaving us stuck for an extra two days in Dayton. Thankfully, mom and dad Parks' is not a bad place to be stranded!
Finally we made it down to Dallas and completed the Christmas celebration, just a few days late - didn't seem to bother the nieces! Dallas kept us busy with dinners out, a carriage ride, a Mavs game, a wonderfully chef-ed up NYE, and all the necessary things to help us with our return back in a few months.
Josh had a quick 48 hour stop over in Dallas and got to enjoy our nieces and see the new downtown park that Dallas has to offer. He was surprised with a mini 30th birthday celebration and got to soak up the sun and warm weather...apparently I bring cold and rain with me everywhere I go!
Learning Grandma Parks' famous meatball recipe
Reunion!
Celebrating the birthdays at Brio. Mom Parks turned 60 and Grandma Sherman turned 80.
Christmas Eve at Carol & Gary's. The birthday celebration continued.
Time to tear into this tree, around midnight :)
Christmas Day- Grandma Parks with all her grandchildren
Reenacting the coal picture.
The winter wonderland...
Finally we made it down to Dallas and completed the Christmas celebration, just a few days late - didn't seem to bother the nieces! Dallas kept us busy with dinners out, a carriage ride, a Mavs game, a wonderfully chef-ed up NYE, and all the necessary things to help us with our return back in a few months.
Christmas, Round 2
Stans 2nd stockingof the trip- already spoiled
A fun surprise- a bassinet filled with goodies!
A wonderful lobster dinner after hours of gift opening.
Date Night at the Marquee, followed by a carriage ride around Highland Park Village.
New Years Eve- donuts for breakfast...clearly keeping the health kick going. And that evening, a mini NYE celebration with the Hanratty crew before heading out to enjoy time with friends and a 4 course chef cooked dinner.
2012 was very good to us! Now on to the next chapter in our lives...Dallas, a baby, a home and a passport that will most likely go unopened. Glad we spent the last 2 1/2 years getting the traveling out of our system. Now time to grow up!
This made me smile!
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