Unfortunately there were a few delays so an already sick Connor ended up getting home around 8:00pm (an hour after bedtime) and then put to bed around 8:20. We put him down and he immediately started crying. At first I thought he was just ramped up from the flight and everything, but then we realized he just didn't feel well. We gave him tylenol and some ear pain drops in case he had an ear infection and eventually Jeff rocked him to sleep by about 9pm. Poor guy. Welcome home to us.
At this point I was soooo glad I had a doctor's appointment already scheduled for the next day. Thank goodness. As I said before, it turned out he had pneumonia and a slight ear infection, so it was definitely good we went and our trip to College Station would have just been miserable had we tried to power through. As soon as he started taking his medication he really started improving.
On Tuesday during the day, besides going to the Pediatrician's office, we also unpacked our bags from Amarillo and repacked for College Station. It was a little hectic, but we got it done and by 6pm we were back on the road. We had a fabulous dinner in College Station that night and let the celebrating begin. It always seems like a party when my family is all together, especially now that there are 7 adults. We certainly follow the saying, eat, drink, and be merry.
We decided that with 4 kids, the best way to keep everyone sane, was to keep them really busy. That seems to make everyone happy. So on Wednesday, we decided to take the kiddos to the Bryan College Station Children's Museum. The kids and the adults had a blast. For being such a small town, it was actually a really cool place. We really enjoyed it.
Wednesday night, my parents were able to secure a babysitter, so after we put the kids to bed, the adults went out to a yummy dinner at a Mexican restaurant on Northgate, which is where a lot of the fun bars are in College Station for the Texas A&M students. After dinner, we went to a local Irish Pub, had a few drinks, and played darts. Then we went to the Dixie Chicken and had a pitcher of beer, since it's such a College Station institution. It was a really fun night out, which we don't often get to do.
Thursday for our family was Christmas day. Before we opened gifts, we decided to do a candy cane hunt in the back yard. It ended up being a total success and even Connor and Libby found a few. Martin and
Winnie of course liked it the best and were just overjoyed when they'd find one. It was adorable.
We all agreed from the past couple of years, that it works best to let the young kids open their gifts in the morning and then let the adults open their gifts at night, because it just gets too crazy trying to do both. The kids loved their gifts and the adults could just help them open and drink their coffee.
During the day, the kids played with their toys, which mostly involved trucks (sorry Libby). After naps, we spent almost 2 hours at a local park and Connor got to try out big boy swings. He liked them a lot.
Thursday night, the adults opened gifts, drank wine and laughed a lot. We like to drag out the process and open one gift at a time so it takes forever, but we wouldn't want it any other way.
On Friday, the activities continued as the kiddos went to check out an entire field of trucks. My Dad golfs with someone that owns a diesel fuel company and they have lots of different trucks and he said the boys could come out and check them out. All the kids LOVED it. They got to climb around all sorts of trucks and at the end, a garbage truck even came and did its work. For truck loving little boys, that was the icing on the cake.
The day got even more exciting for Connor and Martin as they got to go to their very first Aggie basketball game. My Mom and Jeff took them and of course they expected that they might have to leave early, but the boys loved it. Apparently Connor just sat on Jeff's lap the whole time watching in amazement. I guess he really is a sports fanatic.
Friday night was New Year's Eve. We stayed in and toasted the New Year together as a family. We did our traditional New Year's poppers, complete with crowns and fun prizes. We also did a fun white elephant exchange that always gets really silly. Jeff's gift was the biggest hit. The item can't be more than $20, so he got 20 items from the Dollar Tree. It was hilarious.
We also finally told my Mom the big surprise that we were all leaving the very next morning and going to the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort outside of Austin to celebrate her 60th birthday. Again, I took a million pics, so that will be another blog post, but stay tuned. We had a blast.
Until then, it was a very Merry Tivo Roach Christmas. Check out the pictures and see for yourself.
Before we left for College Station, Aunt Julie got some precious alone time with her nephew Connor at our house in Sugar Land.
Partners in crime, the two men who married into the Roach family were enjoying their time in the pub as they waited for dinner to be ready Tuesday night.
I had to take a picture of our ever-growing group of stockings hung by the chimney. It's getting pretty crowded. I hope Santa has enough stocking stuffers for all of us. Hee hee.
Here is a close up of Connor's stocking.
Here we all are sitting down for our first meal together.
Having fun with my family. That's for sure.
It was a chilly night, so we warmed up by the fire pit.
The next day, we went to the Children's Museum. Of course Connor found a truck right away.
He also played with legos. Wait, is that Daddy playing with legos?
He also made beautiful music.
He got to climb in a really fun room.
He also got to make a big mess in the craft room. It was a big hit with all the kids.
If you need to keep Connor occupied for a little bit and he's getting a little anxious, you can always get him to watch trucks on You Tube. He loves it. He becomes glued to the computer.
Daddy and Connor being silly.
On Wednesday night, Grandpa read the kiddos "Twas the Night Before Christmas." It was a little difficult keeping them all wrangled, but he did it.
I didn't take a camera out with the adults when we had a babysitter later that night, but we sure had a great time.
Before we opened gifts on Thursday morning, we had a candy cane hunt. Cousin Winnie had a blast.
We offered some assistance during the exciting candy cane hunt.
Here Connor is looking carefully to find candy canes.
Unfortunately though, once he found one, he just wanted to eat it. His outfit makes him look exactly like a candy cane so I guess it's appropriate.
After the candy cane hunt, the kids were ready to open gifts, so they dug right into their stockings.
Then we had our traditional HBBJCC (Happy Birthday Baby Jesus Coffee Cake) and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. Libby helped to blow out the candles.
Martin excitedly opened the biggest gifts first.
Connor finds his favorite truck amongst the wrapping paper debris.
After the kids opened their gifts in a hurried frenzy, they took their favorite trucks outside to play. We on the other hand enjoyed coffee cake and coffee while we watched them play.
The cousins having fun together.
Connor and Uncle Arthur bonding.
Martin showing off his cool toolbelt.
We went to the park after the kids got up from their naps and of course they had to take their trucks with them.
Connor and Libby climbing on the playground.
Grandpa pushing Connor on the big boy swings.
He looked so cute in the big boy swing and he seemed to like it.
Libby liked swinging on her belly.
The whole gang hanging by the swings.
My Dad put on his Santa suit and talked to the kids to ask them about their Christmas. Martin and Winnie were excited, but Libby and Connor were hysterical.
Santa is terrifying.
That evening, the adults opened gifts and had a great time.
Martin is very proud after completing his lego boat with his Dad.
Libby doesn't have much hair, but we were able to make a mini pony tail. It was pretty cute.
On New Years Eve, all the ladies, including little Libby, gathered for a picture.
Now the men get together. What a happy group.
Julie and Jeff ringing in the New Year in College Station. We sure had a blast this Christmas.
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