Christmas Recap 2015

Better late than never, amiright?

I'm about three weeks behind, but I wanted to get up a holiday recap before time totally gets away from me.

It goes without saying that Michael and I had the BEST time back home for the holidays. We hadn't been back to the States for a full year, so we were extra excited to spend time with our family and friends over the span of two weeks. Our trip included trips between Omaha and KC, lots of good food, snow(!), time with family, late nights with friends, holiday cheer and plenty of love and showering of baby D. 

A photo recap below: 

Snow!!! (Buddy the Elf voice). We had a surprise, very white Christmas Eve up in Omaha. Toto, we're not in Singapore any more. 

My family has made it a tradition to go to the Durham (where Michael and I got married, aww) over the holidays and check out the massive Christmas tree. The downstairs is also a train museum which my nephews love. 

Luke loves him some Uncle Michael - it's the sweetest. 

Selfie stick time over at my sisters casa.  

During my first weekend back, my godmother Lisa and friends Amy and Neely were so very sweet to host a baby shower for our girl. It was wonderful being able to see so many family members and friends from home over cinnamon rolls, mimosas and tiny little baby clothes (side note, wow babies need a lot of stuff). Thank you all for coming - it was perfect!  

My Millard West gals - 2 full babies + 3 halves :)

One cannot spend time in NE and without having at least one Runza. (Also Valentino's pizza - not pictured)

...to Grandmothers house we go... 

Sending Christmas Eve with my family, we made the pilgrimage out to Yutan, NE for dinner and church at my grandparents. With all of the extended family together for the first time and in a long time, we took the opportunity for a large family photo. How cute are we? :)

The whole Stamp crew of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, spouses and great grand babes. 

Michael and I have also made it somewhat of a tradition to hit up Shirley's Diner for some good ole, down home Midwestern diner food. So. Good. 

Now, headed south on I-29 to Kansas City...

My first night in KC kicked off with a massive holiday party/30th birthday celebration/baby shower at the Duvall's. It was so fun seeing so many of our friends in one place and starting the holidays off with a bang. KKG love ---> 

A big shout out to all of our sweet friends and family friends who were so kind to give to our group gift. Baby D will be rolling around Singapore in style in her fancy new stroller ;)

Random dog photo. I love my Jack-in-law. 

Family photo on Christmas night. [Excels at self-timer photography]  

It's not a trip to KC without a visit to Ponak's. It's the best. Although it's admittedly not as great without the addition of their famous margaritas, it was still just as amazing as I often dream of. Mmmm I'm thinking about it right now... 

While in KC I had one more shower with my best college gals - feeling loved. 

Love you sistas! 

D-awwwww.... 

Annual holiday dinner with these wonderful people. 

Party crasher. 

And on our second to last night in the States we headed to Lawrence to watch the Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse. One cannot visit Lawrence without a compulsory stop at The Wheel. Being 7.5 months pregnant at a bar is a tad embarrassing, but the Wheel is still awesome. (I think I horrified a few college students by accidentally bumping into them with my bump. Ew sorry). 

Hawks win! 

...and finally after two crazy, action-packed, amazing weeks in KC and Omaha, Michael, myself, baby, my compression tights and a huge bag of Cheez-its were ready for the long haul back to Singapore. 

We had such a wonderful time during our trip home. We were reminded just how lucky we are to have such amazing families and friends who love us dearly. We miss you all like crazy. 

We are planning on moving back to the States in the fall, so we look forward to the holidays being a little less hectic (and jet lagged) next year. Thank you everyone for all the love, hospitality and effort in making our trip home so insanely fun and memorable. 

Much, much love! 

XO,

CD

Read More »

Holiday Recap

Is it just me, or do the holidays already seem like forever ago? Maybe it's because we traversed the earth twice, or because suffering from jet lag makes everything seem like a dream, or most likely because we are back to living in a tropical jungle so the cold and snow seem like seasons past. 

At any rate, I wanted to document and share the amazing, memorable, heart warming (and stomach filling) time we spent with our family and friends back in the USA. It's never easy to leave, but we treasure and enjoy the time we do get to spend back in Kansas and Nebraska. We are pretty darn fortunate to be able to make so many trips back home (have you looked at a map lately just how far away Singapore is?!) and to have such awesome, genuine, supportive people in our lives. Whenever we travel back to the states (which is tracking to be about every 6 mo), we have these kind of 'check-in' moments in which we always come away reassured and excited that we are both doing the right thing and embracing this big adventure, but are also looking forward to one day making the Midwest our forever home.   

Lots of photos to share - until next time America... 

We landed at MCI after about 30 hours of straight traveling on Friday 19 Dec at 5:00pm. By 7:00pm we had a house full of our closest friends celebrating Michael's and my birthdays. The Duvall's were so kind and generous to throw us a 'fiesta' birthday celebration and it did not disappoint. Ponak's margaritas, Mexican food and 0ur most fun friends. I can't think of a better homecoming! (the party was epic - I blame my euphoria for not taking more photos).

How cute is this mama-to-be and model child? 

Hi Mary! 

All great gatherings at the Duvall's end (at 3am) on the screened in porch. 

After a full day of recovery, we were on the right time zone and ready to tackle the mean streets of KC. We made a list of restaurants/food we missed and wanted to eat. Winstead's, check!  

How can I get some of that right now?! 

Daily outings with Jack. (If I was an A-list celebrity, this would be my paparazzi photo).

As I was taking 58, 467 photos of Michael and Jack, this teeny old lady walked by and said to us, 'you guys are so cute. Merry Christmas.' Aw, I love Midwestern hospitality. Now Michael, get me a dog stat!

Lunch with Michael's Grandpa Lee :)

It's not a trip to KC without The Peanut - check! (best bar in KC, btw). 

Christmas Eve cocktails with these fun people. Cheers.

Nana makes the most stylish hats and scarves for her favorite gals.  

Christmas morning we were up early and hit I-29 N to make the trek to my parents house up in Omaha. Michael is a pretty good driver for someone who hasn't owed a car in almost 5 years and lives in a country where they drive on the left side of the road. Side note: we got absolutely hooked on Serial during our long drives.  

After a quick drive we were ready for a fun filled Christmas through the eyes and ears of a 4 year old. These two... 

Nothing but sweet, precious, trouble ;)

Christmas morning with little kids is such an amazing, hilarious, ball of sugary, santa-filled insanity. Poor Uncle Michel, he didn't stand a chance. He certainly earned his nap that afternoon.   

Is there anything better than sweet little 4 year old kisses? 

Selfie stick! We purchased one for both our families and they were big laughs. The selfie stick epidemic here in Asia is out of control. 

Ladies day out. 

A few days after Christmas we traveled back to the Durham (look familiar? :)) The little boys were so excited to see the biiiiigest Christmas tree in all of the land! How cute are we?!

Awww...

Love my family.

Diner breakfast, check! 

When you meet your best friend's baby.... 

Heart is bursting. 

Omaha nights. 

Michael joined my dad and played cowboy for a day.

Every true expat needs a hometown Walmart run. So. Much. Stuff!!

And Chipotle, check! 

Sunday evening my parents, Michael and I all went to Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience . It was SO much fun. These 3 brothers know every single Beatles song and take requests written requests throughout the night. Needless to say, Michael was in heaven. We are already looking forward to going back next year. 

Last night in Omaha with these munchkins. 

Selfie stick! (Luke's face) 

Back on I-29 headed South. KC part deux. 

Once back in KC we gathered the crew and headed straight to Lawrence. I can't even remember the last time I was in Lawrence. Needless to say, I was extremely pumped. 

#TWINNING 

Rock Chalk! 

KC BBQ, check! 

And just like that, we were nearing the end of our trip and ready to ring in the new year. 

NYE. 

Love these folks. 

Cheers, 2014, for quite the year! I have a feeling 2015 will be pretty special as well...

This holiday season just wouldn't quit! Barnds/Duvall family Christmas. Grill master Whoosh. 

Selfies! 

Duvey Bros concert. 

And finally, on our last night in town I did two of favorite things: Ponak's with the family, and catching up with my sisters. HBD Whitters! 

That's all folks! What a whirlwind of a trip. We are safely back in Singapore, getting back into the groove and working off all that delicious American red meat. We had such a wonderful time and were able to see so many of our friends and family. We do not have our next trip back planned yet, but are looking forward to a whole slew of visitors in Singapore this coming year. 

Cheers to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2015 everyone! 

XO,

CD 

Read More »