The Christmas Vacation...that almost wasn't???!!!

So, we had quite the weekend...settle in for a good ole Brown Family story =).

Friday afternoon, we loaded up the kids and what seemed like half our home and drove to Branson to spend the weekend with all of the Brown Family. We decided instead of buying gifts this year, we would just get away together and have a weekend about the kids and family. Shane and I went back in October and stayed at this awesome condo, so we went back to the same place. It is only an hour and 45 minute drive, so not too bad. Owen slept and watched Christmas movies, Claire was absolutely GIDDY and beside herself to get to Branson.

When we arrived, Claire was sooooo excited!! We had chili, watched movies in the Media Room and played board games (love BALDERDASH). We had such a great time, the kids were enjoying it sooooo much. That night we put the kids in the media room with sleeping bags and pillows to sleep. Shane and I had Owen in a pack and play in our room. Now if you are a loyal follower, you know that Owen is not fond of sleeping. We knew we were in for a long night, but we knew that we would just have to deal and then maybe sleep the next day and let grandparents take over. Well we were right, Owen was up ALL NIGHT! Shane swears he is an insomniac!! It is one thing to not sleep at home, but we can always get him back down in his OWN bed, but there he was confused and not happy with his sleeping arrangements. About 5am, Owen was passed out across my chest (all 40lbs of him) and I was getting the first full 30 minutes of sleep all night. Shane was down in the media room with Claire as she had come upstairs much earlier in the night a little freaked out and he had a bad cold and was sleeping in a recliner. Claire comes in our room, crying and wakes me up. I know by looking at her exactly what is fixing to happen, she throws up all over me...and Owen...and the bed. I jump up, toss a screaming Owen over on the bed and start damage control...all while not quite awake and trying to figure out why she chose to come all the way upstairs to me when her Daddy was down there with her. Nonetheless, I go get Shane, we have no idea what is wrong with Claire. This was the third morning in a week that she had woken up and thrown up. The other two times we tossed to a short virus as she only did it a couple times and then was fine by the afternoon. But now, I am concerned. So...we decide that it is best that we load up and take her home. Yes, at 530am, we load up half our house again, on NO SLEEP, and drive back home.

On the way home, Shane and I laughing, mainly because we are hysterical and completely out of our minds, about how it all went down. He even said, "Hey, it will be a great blog!"... and then I am practically in tears as I realize that I did not get a single picture while we were there. It was a long drive home...and both kids slept like babies. We did decide on the way home that Claire has an issue with congestion, and without grossing all you non-parents out there out, she is making herself sick from it. No virus, just a bad gag reflex...

We get home and Shane sends me and Claire to bed. Owen is wide awake, demanding a "bibet" or as most of you would know as a "biscuit". Shane was the BEST DADDY and HUBBY ever and took care of him so me and sicky could sleep. She and I slept together all morning, until noon. We wake up and Shane tells me that the family has been calling wanting us to come back. HA! Yeah right! Claire wakes up and hears me and Shane talking about it and says "Mama, I am fine, let's go back to Branson...why did we come home?"....

So you guessed it, we loaded BACK up and drove back to Branson. I drove so Shane could sleep. Claire was a little sickly, but she was so happy to go back! We are so glad that we did! We had such a great Saturday afternoon and night there. Last night, we slept in a different room and Owen slept almost all night. He was completely worn out. Claire is feeling great now and has memories that will last with her FOREVER!

Here are a bunch of pictures from the later half of the weekend! Claire did look a little sickly in most of the early pictures. We all were just bummed out all weekend...just a fair warning =)!

Miss Priss in her Christmas gear...

Claire and Clayton!

Me, Brooke, and LaneOwen LOVED just looking out the balcony at the water..."WAWA Mama, WAWA Mama!!"Then he heard some Christmas music inside and decided to dance =)...Claire chilling out and watching a Christmas movie!The kids practicing pool Claire and BrookePapa, Clayton, Caiden and Sterling in the media roomHeath, Sterling and Claire chlling too... Me and OPapa and ClaireOwen jacking some one's shoes...The best part of the whole weekend - Nana helped the kids make "Salt Dough Ornaments". She used to make them with Chad, Shane, Heath and Brooke when they were little and she wanted to continue the tradition with her grand babies! They kids loved it and it was so much fun. I don't have the recipe (I am sure you can google it), but you just use cookie cutters, decorate and bake.

Claire and Nana Sterling and Claire getting busy...
Where was Owen??? Now I brought him in to join in...My two little elves working away =) Trying to pose...Me and my favorite girl...she was so excited!Even, me, Lane and Brooke made some =)Claire and Brooke decorating our little tree while the ornaments baked...Owen and Sterling lounging =)...Are they not the cutest things =)???? Heath and his boy!My boys!!!The final product!!! All the kids ornaments on their tree!!

We had a great weekend!! We are so lucky to have such great family that are even willing to take us back with a sick baby =)!! We love yall!!

I hope you had a great weekend and are in the Christmas spirit!! If not, come on over to my house...Cooper and Oscar have new Christmas collars on with bells and Shane is about to lose his mind from all the Christmas spirit =)!!!!!!