Holidays

This year was a special Christmas. We traveled out to see my parents, who are serving a mission in Adam-Ondi-Ahman. We figured if we didn't get back to Missouri now my parents wouldn't be able to see Addison till she was a year old. So we loaded up the car and set out on our adventure. We love road trips and Addison was such a great road tripper! We drove to Texas and stayed at my cousins place who "coincidentally"(I think not) lives half way between us and my parents. Then we traveled the rest of the way the next day. We picked my sister Angie up from the airport along our way and then arrived at my parent's around midnight. I can't even describe how excited we were to get there. When we arrived we knew we were at the right house. Dad had really gone to town with the Christmas lights on the outside of the house. Mom had waited up for us and it was so good to see her and give her a hug.

Then we got to introduce Addison to her Grandma Permann. There are few joys that compare to seeing your parents hold your own children. Then next day she got to meet Grandpa as well.

This is a Christmas we will never forget. We would wake up and look out our window and see everything sparkling from the frost that covered it. It's hard to explain what you feel when you are on the grounds. Mom and Dad told us that people will drive through Adam-Ondi-Ahman because they love the way it feels, not knowing what that feeling is.

There are a total of six couples that serve there during the winter and we love these missionaries as if they were family. We got to spend time with them during scripture study, firesides, church, Christmas parties, and more. They took Addison in and loved her as if she was their own grand daughter. We had the Christmas party at mom and dad's and everyone came over including Santa! Addison LOVED him. She sat on his lap just as content as could be and when it was time for him to leave...well her face says it all in these pictures

Christmas morning was so fun. Even though Addison is still to young to know what's going on Christmas is just special when you share it with children. Poor little thing was so tired she didn't even make it through all the presents.

The hardest part of this visit was when it was over. Addison just fell in love with Grandma and Grandpa right away. We had so much fun playing games, singing around the piano, and of course eating.