Christmas with The Hardin's

Friday night Elly and I ventured to Verona to stay over night at Todd, Laurie, Mikaila, Reece & Naomi Hardin's. When I lived in Madison Todd and Laurie were my family away from family. And Mikaila is the one that started calling me AJ (Aunt JoEllen) and it has stuck ever since. It was great fun as Elly warmed right up to her Uncle Todd, Auntie Orie, Bubbie, Bubba & Na Na. You have to love toddler jabber! Elly didn't know what to think of their Boxer, Jordy, as she doesn't care for dogs anyway but by the end of the visit she was down and playing right next to Jordy. As long as Jordy didn't try to give her kisses!

Mikaila, Reece, Naomi & Elly loved playing together. I believe the favorite part for the kids were gift giving (and receiving)! And always the time flew by so fast and it was time to leave but it was also VERY nice to get back home and with Harry. Elly really missed her daddy.

Here are pictures from our trip!

Here is Elly sporting herself in front of the fire place and talking to the kids.
Auntie Orie and Elly petting Jordy. This is right after Elly finally got use to the puppy and realizing that she was not going anywhere. But Elly was not going to let Auntie Orie get very far.
Here is a picture of Naomi or better known as Na Na.
Mikaila and Elly hanging out at the island.
Naomi giving big hugs to Jordy.
Reece opening the family gift from Uncle Harry, AJ and Elly. Barnyard is one of Elly's favorite movies. Therefore, she thought that the kids should have a copy too.
Part of going to the movies is getting the box of candy and popcorn. So Naomi is eating some chocolates from her box of candy that goes along with The Barnyard. Although I think ALL the candy was gone before the movie got started.
Auntie Orie and Uncle Todd got a box of Starbuck's Espresso Truffles. But I don't think that Auntie Orie was going to share many with Uncle Todd.
Mikaila was helping Elly open her gift.
Elly checking out the movie Hermie and Friends "The Fruitcake Christmas" to see if it was acceptable or not.
Elly telling mommy that she really likes her gift.
Mikaila and Reece opening their gifts from Grama & Papa. Cool sticker books!
Naomi loved her John Deere book with wheels on them. I can't believe that Papa allowed Grama to buy John Deere. Farm & Fleet must have been all out of Oliver. Maybe next year, Naomi!
Todd & Laurie got a church to start a village like Grama's. It was a beautiful church and was set up on the mantel before I left.
Elly & Reece took no time at all to get The Barnyard started and enjoyed watching it together!