Christmas Vacation 2008 - STL & Houston

Okay, I know this post is a little overdue I have to warn you it is going to be long...I am going to start at the very beginning. Scott got a call from a firm down in STL and they wanted him to come and interview on December 11th, one week from when they called. We were both really excited/nervous about the interview (he was probably a little more nervous than I was)but it became a little bit of a nuance (Maybe more of a nuance to me then him). We were going to be in STL for Chirstmas break the next week and it was a few days before all of Scott finals. Scott tried to have the interview rescheduled but that was the day that everyone was available SO we got online bought Scott a ticket leaving Thursday morning, reserved a rental car and called our friends Marc & Michelle to see if he could stay with them Thursday night. Everything seemed to fall in to place. We found decent priced tickets, still more than we would liked to have spent 2 weeks before Christmas, but what can you do? I think it is safe to say that Scott had a few "obstacles" that got in his way but after a delayed take off, missing his connecting flight by 2 minutes, rescheduling his interview twice, shaving in the airport bathroom, his luggage not coming out on the belt (that contained his suit) & dealing with the incompetent luggage guy at the airport, he was finally able to get his rental car (which was upgraded to a brand new SUV for free, thank goodness that gas prices went down) and make it to the interview. Apparently the interview went well, because 2-3 hours ater he left they called him back up and extended an offer to him. It's funny, around 4:30 on Thursday I had an overwheliming sense of happiness. I have no idea what brought it on but I couldn't stop smiling. I don't think that anyone could have pulled me off of my high, not even work. I left work to go get Beckett and I got the call from Scott it turns out that he got a call around 4:30 from the partner that was extending the job and they had been discussing more of the details. After talking to me he called his dad and the same thing happend to his dad. Around 3:30 (Texas time, so 4:30 our time) his dad looked at the clock and said that he had an extremely happy and peaceful rush of emotions. I think it is funny how I may have missed that whole experience. I think that it was a confirmation of what we should do. I am so grateful to know that the Lord exists and that he watches over us. Friday morning Scott officially accepted the offer. So STL here we come. Literally, less than a week later, but that was for other reasons. CHRISTMAS!!!!!
The morning of our flight was a little rushed. Somehow when we were planning what time to leave we missed an hour of drive time so we had to condense what we were able to do before we left and rushed off to the airport. Scott's cousin lives about 20 minutes from the airport and we were able to park our car at the place, so that we didn't have to pay for parking....Thank you Courtnie & Matt. We made it to STL and it was so nice to be back where everything was familiar and where all of our stresses seemed to melt away. It was great to be able to see all our friends and family. Michelle planned a murder mystery, so we got to see Marc, Ben, Becca, Natalie& Julia and meet a few new people. The only unfortunate thing was that I sat in the corner and so everytime I needed to get up it was quite a production for people to make room for me. It is really hard not being able to SUCK IN to fit thru smaller spots. It was no use. I would do the movements of sucking in but nothing moved. My sister, Shannon, also hosted a dinner where we got to eat some more yummy food and hang out with a grup of friends. Arinda just had a baby in October, Brynn, so we officially met her. Unfortunately, Scott and I were both feeling a little under the weather that day and so we had to leave a little earlier than everyone else. That night I got super sick and can I just tell you what must be the most miserable thing EVER?!?!? Being 8 months pregnant and puking!!! I assalted santa in the process...Sorry Debbie.
I said that our schedule was pretty full well that next night my mom was planning on cooking our traditional Slovak Christmas Eve Dinner and I STILL felt horrible, as did Scott. I don't think his ever progressed to the point that mine did but we have preferred to stay in bed all day. We got up because this was the only day that all of my siblings, that were in town, were able to get together. We made it to my parents, ate fabulous food, exchanged presents and reminisced about our childhood, which then lead to watching old family videos. The night could not have been better, unless all of my family could have been there. We missed you (Todd, Nayeli, Victoria, Dustin, Misha & Candy). Here are a few pictures from the get-together.

Tia with her fab Eye-Lashes
Avry, Shannon & KD

Andrea & BJ - They are "IN LOVE"

Family Pic

The BIG Kids- Faith, Eric, Shannon & Basil J

We are the 4 oldest and definitely IN CHARGE....However I am the smallest now so all of my "little brothers & sister" are taller than I am, and honestly I don't stand a chance of "being in charge"

Beckett loved Shaggs, a little too much sometimes.

My little twinkies
Beckett doing what he does best - EAT

Scott & the Rhino - I don't have an answer as to why this picture was taken. Just take it for what it is and ENJOY! :)

Beckett represent'n the STL.

It was sad to say goodbye to everyone but we had to get on another plane and head down to Houston, I was however, looking forward to going south, it was in the single digits in STL. I was FREEZING the entire time I was there. I am just glad that I regained all feeling in my toes.

Our flight into TX was delayed but we made it and it was great to be greeted by Tamra, Tyler and Keith. I love my in-laws. I can honestly say that I have never dreaded going to see them and I always look forward to spending time with them. When we walked out of the airport it was beautiful and warm.

Tyler, Tamra & Scott (and Beckett trying to get yet another photo-op)

Beckett & Grandpa looking at the birds

I think Beckett would have stayed outside on the balcony the entire time. He loves his grandpa very much. I get worried sometimes that Beckett won't be close to his extended familiy since he has not been aroud them but it's as if he knows who the important people are and he loves themThis is the chair that Grandpa built.

Beckett jumping off of the chair that Grandpa built.

Christmas Morning with his apple that Santa left in his stocking. I don't know how we managed to do it but we didn't get any pictures of Beckett opening presents we videotaped everything. Hopefully my mother-in-law has some pictures... This has definitely been my favorite Christmas to date. Beckett got it. And I have been super excited to give him his present. We fouund a toy school bus online. HE LOVED IT! He kept saying BUS, BUS, BUS and his little face was filled with AW when he would look at it. His reaction could not have been better. Beckett really loves his grandpa
I know that this was our designated time to spend with Scott's family but my little brother and his family live 20-30 minutes away so they were able to come up and see us. Victoria is getting so big I really do think that she is 3 going on 16. My poor brother is going to have to keep the boys away from her. She is absolutely beautiful.

She was very nice and let Beckett play with her DS. I was really afraid that he was going to ruin it and then she would never forgive him.

But Victoria was so nice and kept trying to teach Beckett how to play the game I don't think that he completely grapsed what was going on.

Scott and his mom plaing Wii.

A trip just isn't complete until something bad happens. The day after Christmas Beck was playing with his new truck and he let it get out from under him and he fell and hit his face on the back corner. He started crying so I went over to check on him and as I pulled him away from my shoulder I realized that he was bleeding...A LOT. We ran to the bathroom and tended to the wound, it was pretty bad, he managed to take a giant chink out of his little lip. I was so afraid that he was going to have a huge hole in his lip so we tried taking him to ER. Well, I say try because it was somewhat of a production. I called the number on the back of my insurance card to see where we could go within our network and they sent us to the "MINUTE CLINIC" inside the local CVS. I was surprised that the "minute clinic" would be able to fix a hole in the lip but I believed the man and he said that was the only location within our network in the city. What was I to do. Well it turns out that the Clinic was just that, a clinic where you could go and get a prescription, flu shot...but they did not do any cuts/stiches. So back to the drawing board, we drove all around looking for a place to take Beckett, the guy was completely unhelpful, finally after an hour of trying to figure where we could go I talked to another lady at my insurance company and she said that we could go anywhere....I don't know what it is about Texas but they have all of these clinics and mini hospitals. It was so bizarre. We finally got to an Emergency care and after the doctor looked at his lip he said that stiches were not necessary and that it would heal fine.

Beckett developed a love for riding bikes over Christmas. We are very excited because he is getting one for his birthday...
Beckett & Daddy
We went to the Body Worlds Exhibit while in Houston. It was amazing. I wich I could have taken pictures but cameras were strictly prohibitted. My absolute favorite thing was the pregnancy part. There were fetuses on display and it is just amazing to me, at 8 weeks it was a little baby. I know. I've seen pictures in books before but it was so much more real to see the actual baby. I cried like a little, overly emotional pregnant woman....WAIT.... Anyway, the people that were around me were all smiling and I am sure feeling lots of sympathy as they too realized that I was super emotional.

Beckett giving Uncle Tyler a little squeeze as Uncle Tyler gave Beckett a ride. It looks like Beckett is enjoying himself A LOT more than Tyler.

We had a great time with Scott's family and were very sad that Kelli, Jason and Ethan couldn't be there.

Unfortunately, our trip had to end. I say unfortunately but I was eager to get home, 2 weeks of living out of a suitcase, missing naps & bedtimes, of not having my own space, was really starting to wear on me, plus I had gotten sick again in TX. I was ready to be in the comfort of my own home. I just wish that home was closer to our familes. On the 30th our flight left at 7am, which meant that my wonderful father in law had to wake up super early to take us to the airport. We flew out of the Houston Hobby airport last year around the same time so we figured out exactly when we needed to get to the airport. It was the strangest thing, but last year didn't even come close to prepare us for what we should have expected. We got through the lines pretty quickly considering that there were a ton of people flying home. We made it home without going to labor on the plane. :)