Ski Vacation

While my students used their February Break to ski, Gemma and I headed to warmer climates. 

Perks of the comforts of home now being in the sunshine state.

Nana spoiled Gemma with countless photoshoots and even more bows.

The best part about vacationing home is that we got to see Uncle Shafers baseball game (left) and Uncle Thomas' track meet (right).

And if you follow the Gram you already know that we spent the whole week in the pool. My parents pool has a little hot tup section that we kept heated to a bath temperature.

Gemma wasn't overly thrilled and she didn't hate it. Just like whatever mom... Is it too early to start personality tests?

And more photoshoots and beautiful views.

Tommy was always up for a night swim which I loved because it was guaranteed to put Gem to sleep.

You put this lady on her stomach and she will roll.

We got to see Meg which was the best... most obviously.

And she got some quality guy time in with Papa and her uncles.

Did I mention that Nana loved it?

Kyle and Alejandra

I love weddings and family weddings are even better. It's so great to party all night with loads of extended family members all because we added another to our number. And with the beautiful sacrament they celebrated we are so glad that Kyle added Alejandra to our mix.

And that they provided a great excuse for a California family reunion.

The classiest couple getting ready for the family photo... I had to wear a dress I could nurse in and Gemma *literally* pooped all down Tim's jacket necessitating the sweater cover-up.

And here we are: the Evanston Kenneys, the Weissbergs (to-be), the California Kenneys, the Boston Kenneys, and the Memphis Kenneys. It'll be so fun to use this picture as a base and see how we grow to fill the frame over the next ten years or so.

And photo-bombed ever so subtly. 

Have you ever met a Grandma who loves her Gemma down by the bay!

I don't think I really realized how difficult is would be to raise our daughter away from family. When I say we FaceTime the grandparents every day I mean it might even be twice a day. I think if we were living in the same town I would be the kind of daughter-in-law to just show up unannounced... frequently.

Great Grandma Lois got to met our not-so-photogenic Gemma.

Which required a generations picture.

Owen may have put Gemma to sleep and ran off with her...

But of course let's not forget the reason for the celebration, a beautiful couple. Thanks for sharing you day with us!

California Vacation

We rounded out our Christmas Vacation by heading to the other coast to see the Kenney side and celebrate Christmas, New Years, Birthdays and a Wedding.

We got in a lot of good family time for Gemma and she got to meet her Uncle Owen for the first time!

We celebrated Christmas with a Secret Santa and Gemma helping Santa deliver a few gifts as well.

For Katie's birthday we headed to the Mountains for wine tasting at Testa Rossa.

Gemma was pretty bored by that.

But mom and dad were thrilled. Especially mom because I was able to consume alcohol this time.

Testa Rossa is in a really beautiful old Jesuit Seminary/ Formation House.

The ND game called for stadium seating.

We love to see Gemma cuddled by all her family and it breaks my heart that we can't live closer to family.

Tim and I got to California before the other siblings and we took advantage of the free baby-sitter (grandma) and went to wine tasting/ horse-back riding with John.

The majority of the Kenney extended family was in California for the New Year and it meant Gemma got to meet her Great Grandma Margaret and most of her crew.

Kenney Family Christmas included delicious food, fantastic people, an epic game of White Elephant, and tutus. You can't go wrong.

We were so lucky that Judy was able to stay with us for a few weeks right when I went back to work and even more lucky that Gemma loves and knows and trusts her so much because of that.

We were originally worried how Gemma would do without the swing she was accustomed to sleeping in but she was a champ in her pack-n-play at both locations. It was so good to get to the other coast to see the rest of the family. We also had a sub-trip within the CA trip for a wedding/ to see extended family and I'll blog that in a sec.