The Cromwell Family: Merry Christmas Part 1

Our holiday vacation started with a "progressive" dinner with our bible study group. This was our first experience with this type of get-together but it was a lot of fun! The idea is to "house hop" for appetizers, main course, and finally dessert. Our neighborhood is excellent for this. It was a nice cool evening so we were able to walk from house to house, enjoying fellowship, and of course good food. Oh, I should mention the attire...Tacky Christmas Clothes!

I feel like I should explain our attire, just in case you guys go looking to copy :). Adam's "Woman's" turtle neck, layered with a Kimzey sewn Santa (crooked and compliments of Goodwill), topped off with Tobiah's Christmas collar from a couple of years ago. Kimzey's Goodwill Turtle Neck, with the classic 80's bell necklace and earrings, finished off with a twisty tie red bow for her hair. Not bad...not bad at all!

The whole group!

This is the house where our main course was served.

Next on the agenda, the Jones' paid us a much NEEDED and WELCOMED visit. Unfortunately we were very negligent and forgot our camera...so I stole some from their blog :). We enjoyed the girls and Gavin got his first kiss...from Josie (I think). But don't worry he snagged one from Piper too :). We enjoyed a quick trip to the DC zoo.

Gavin's favorite by far, the gorillas. It was feeding time and we were able to watch them eat and play, while enjoying the warmth of the inside.

We sure do miss living next door to these guys!

After the weekend with the Jones' they left to fly to Utah and we were set to leave that night to make the 12 hour drive to TN. However Mr. Fever and Mrs. Aches and Pains had different plans for us. Poor Adam woke up on Monday with the worst flu-like symptoms. We decided to delay at least a day to see how he felt on Tuesday Night. He felt good enough to make the drive so we set out for Memphis on Tuesday night. We arrived to Big Momma and DD's house early on Wednesday morning. Gavin was in good spirits despite the terrible night's sleep in the car seat. However, Adam was wrecked again after the lack of sleep. So while he went the bedroom to sleep and recoup, Big Momma couldn't wait any longer for Gav to start opening his presents.

Unfortunately, Adam was getting worse over the next couple of days. We had planned a packed week, visiting family and friends, while we were in Memphis. He opted to miss out on these events in order to try and kick this crud. First stop, was Coletta's. This has become somewhat of a family tradition with the Italian side. Coletta's is a family owned restaurant that we have been going to since we were kids. All of Mom's brothers and sisters were together again, for the first time in 10 years, I bet. Needless to say, Gavin stole the show :).

Aunts Patti and Cindy trying to make Gavin choose who to go to first

Cousins...George Kimzey (His name is Kimzey too) and Shannon

Gavin getting showered with MORE gifts

After dinner, it was time to play hot-potato with Gavin. He was being a trooper being passed from one person to the next. Notice, like a true Italian, he never dropped his bread :).

Big Momma explaining the water fountain

Aunt Patti and G

Cousin Johnny

Aunt Cindy...notice his mood is beginning to change

Next up...Uncle Mike

Giving Gavin advice on Women...I hope/pray Gavin was NOT listening :)

Then goofy Kim (and Yes, his name is Kimzey too) Well...John Kimzey

Last but not least Gavin was back in DD's arms for the rest of the night.

At the end of the night, we held the First Annual HOMEMADE Ornament exchange (Uncle Kim's idea.) It was tons of fun.

We noticed that night, that Gavin was not smiling as much, not wanting to be as social, and really not wanting to go to anyone but me or DD. This was very uncharacteristic of him. Well, it would all be explained the next morning. We woke up and Gavin had gotten what Adam had! After Gavin came down with it, we decided it was best to go to the doctor. But being out of town and having Tricare insurance, our only option was the ER. Thankfully, we were in Memphis, because they have some of the nation's top Pediatric ERs. LeBohner of Germantown did not disappoint. We were in an out of there in an hour. They ran test on both Adam and Gavin. Adam had a severe case of sinusitis and Gavin a touch of Pneumonia! This would prove to be the first of several doctors visits of the vacation :(. Now I have two very sick boys just days before Christmas. The next scheduled event, was the Smith Family Christmas. Needless to say, I flew solo that night. After putting Adam and Gav to bed, I met my dad and sister along with extended family for Christmas Eve Dinner.

Dad and his girls!

Lots of great food prepared by great people.

Of course there was a "friendly" game of Dirty Santa.

For Christmas Eve, Mom made a delicious Italian meal for us. This was our last night in Memphis. It was a great trip, despite the clan being sick. It was so nice to have help.