The weekend BEFORE Christmas, Nevi and mommy flew into Rockford, IL to spend an early Christmas with Grandma Pat, Ken, Aunt Kristin, Uncle Keith and the 2 cousins Gavin and Ella. We stayed there for 4 days and had an absolutely amazing time. This was the first trip where Nevi really played with her cousins - it brought back so many memories of my childhood, playing the basement of my grandma's house with my sister and cousins, mainly reenacting our favorite movie 'Little Orphan Annie'. We hung out in the basement feeling free and creative while the adults were upstairs probably rambling on about their gallbladders and meatloaf recipes. Oh, how the tides have turned. Spending time with cousins and family is one of the biggest gifts I feel I can give Nevi -I was very sad to leave and Nevi was, too. She held on very tightly to Grandma Pat in the airport as we were leaving and I could see the fear in her eyes of knowing that it may be a while before we have play time like this again (at least with the IL/WI crew). This experience really reenforced my desire to replant roots closer to family...we shall see. While in Rockford, we went to the Children's Discovery Museum, to the Rathskellar (my favorite German Restaurant), celebrated my Aunt Lynn's 70th birthday, went on a Luminary walk, and had a very traditional Christmas gift exchange. I left Illinois feeling revived and satiated (and a little bloated from all the wonderful food). I can't thank Gavin and Ella enough for playing SO nicely with Nevi and showing her how fun cousins can be! What great kids! Nevi also had heeps of fun with Aunt Kristin and Uncle Keith - lots of 'I'm gonna getcha games' and the kind of physical play that Nevi just loves!
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