Christmas with the Kenneys

It's a weird thing, splitting time for Christmas for the first time.

It's a normal thing, not blogging about Christmas until almost a month later.

My former high school theology teacher articulated things really well here. For those of you who won't venture over to Verily, she essentially talks about how the best thing you can do for holidays with your in-laws is to be fully present. To accept and embrace their traditions. And as hard as it might seem, to refrain from thinking of what you would do differently had you been with your family or what your family was currently up to. Wise words from an even wiser woman. Though I think it would be easier to live by all of these things if Tim and I weren't going back and forth between families every few hours. It's an interesting juggling act, spending the maximum amount of quality time with loved ones.

Tim's brother and sister-in-law picked us up from the airport of all airports (O'Hare of course) and graciously brought us to the greatest dinner place. If you are ever in Evanston, IL please please please go to the Peckish Pig, I promise you won't regret. 

Stolen from the gram. Planes, trains, automobiles, busses, street cars, etc. to get home to South Bend. 

The most worth it.

Because South Bend greeted us with our favorite pup.

I need to formally apologize that I have almost no pictures with the Kenneys at Christmas. With so many wonderful people around, I was completely ignorant of the camera that was begging to be pulled out for blogging purposes. 

On Christmas, my mother-in-law started this new tradition of birthday cakes, for everyone. This family continues to grow in the most loving way but it makes it increasingly difficult to celebrate birthdays, so why not have the Country Bake Shop cake when everyone is in town?

The most heartfelt thank you to the Kenney family for inviting me into their pajama wearing, board game playing, Christmas Caroling, Game of Things Marathoning, Bananagraming, Christmas Special watching, Wining, and loving kind of Christmas.