This Christmas, both the past and the future were on our minds as we anticipate the arrival of our little one. We started the holidays on the farm with my family, where we spent lots of time reminiscing over old family photos. Nostalgia hit me hard as I realized I've celebrated Christmas at the farmhouse every year of my life, and next Christmas we'll start the tradition with a new generation.
We next headed to Manhattan (with a pit stop at Nelson's Landing with Nathan and Sara because you just can't get chicken fried steak like that in Boston) for time with Ian's family, making memories in a new home. Susan and Grandma Marilyn were able to unearth some old photos as well, and we enjoyed a friendly baby-naming competition. No promises on using the winning name, but we heard some great ideas!
We then took a day to drive to Wichita to see Ian's cousin Alli, her husband Austin, and their two adorable kids. We so often miss the Overmiller side of the family over the holidays, so it was especially good to catch up with them. We also squeezed in a coffee date with our dear friend Megan, and dinner with Caleb and Kate (we now have a new favorite pizza: pistachios, rosemary, red onion, mozzarella, parm, and olive oil... soooo good).
We finished up our holiday in Kansas City to enjoy some time together before baby! We stayed at the AC Hotel and enjoyed a fancy dinner at the Reiger Hotel, where Ian has wanted to eat for years. It didn't disappoint! Their bar also came up with some deliciously complex mocktails so I still got to enjoy fancy drinks with dinner. We drove around and reminisced over our mini honeymoon in Kansas City nine years before (and retook our night photo at the Nelson-Atkins Museum).
Next Christmas will be so different in ways we can't even imagine yet. We're savoring our last months as a family of two, but also so excited (and nervous) to welcome a new baby to the family. The grandparents can't wait!