Kaitlyn Kos: A Dakota Christmas

If you remember from my last post, I went up to South Dakota a week before Christmas to help get everything ready. I sure did have a fun time. I was able to spend a lot of time with my cousins, aunts & uncles, and grandma & grandpa. We went to one of Connor's basketball games and we were able to see Kayla dance at halftime -that was pretty cool.

Hanging out with Kayla & Adam.

"My alligator is getting you Liz!"

I spend the first couple of days on the farm with aunt Karen & uncle Bret. Me and Bret would plan the work that needed to be done on the farm and then Liz and I would go feed the cows in the mornings. In the afternoons, it was time to make Christmas cookies.

"Mmm, tastes just right."

Once I had everything on the farm taken care of, I spent a night at aunt Kathy & uncle Brian's. No cows to feed here, so Adam and I were able to eat a relaxing breakfast -with trains of course!

Next, it was on to grandma & grandpa's house. As a perfect surprise, mommy & daddy had driven up to see me.

The weather was so nice this Christmas, that we were able to play outside at the park.

We also had a chance to drive around and look at some of the pretty Christmas decorations that people had put up. Maybe I'll have mom and dad do something like this next year???

With the big Christmas Eve dinner quickly approaching, it was time for me and grandpa to get ready for our guests.

Daddy doesn't have a big family, but what they lack in numbers, they make up for in presents! I sure hope that one of these is for me.

As it turns out, there were a couple of presents for me under that tree this year. A big thank you to everyone!

Now it was time to get serious, for the man in red was expected in just a few hours. I laid out the stockings and made sure that he had plenty of treats for his long night ahead.

Since I wasn't at home, I sure hope that he could find me. On Christmas morning, daddy brought me down from my room...

...and I could see that some of the cookies were gone and the milk was too. Santa must have found me!

All of those trips to the mall to see Santa paid off!

"Thank you Santa!"

The next day was papa's birthday. It was also the day that I had to go back home. Thanks to everyone for making my week so enjoyable and for taking such good care of me.