New Year’s Trip 2019

The day after Christmas 2018, the Traveling Shenks hit the road for a trip out to Dallas to celebrate the New Year with our dear friends, the C Family. We always love an excuse to visit with them!
Shenk Family in the car, road trip ready. Ellie’s hand is in James so she’s represented as well.
After waiting somewhat patiently, I was finally able to give Kerri the quilt I had spent years trying to finish. I quilted the entire thing by hand, so it took quite a bit longer. Plus, I have kids. Thankfully, the woman who has 4 daughters and waaaaaaaaay less free time than me understands and seemed very happy with it.
Kerri’s quilt (front)
Kerri’s quilt (back)
See? She looks happy!
Loving those four smaller C Family girls the way I do, I decided to try my hand at making dresses for them again. Last time, there were only three of them, and I went with the same dress fabric, but different colored trim. This time, I was able to find the same fabric print in four different colors! I was really thrilled with how they came out and the girls seemed excited as well.
Love these beautiful girls!
Evie was so happy to have her “baby Ellie” come to play and loved to hug her.
Sweet James wanted in on those Evie hugs, too.
James shows off his mad chef skills cooking up some eggs for the gang.
Ellie gets up close and personal with Aunt Kerri.
In the midst of a major laundry room DIY project, Uncle Chris
happily takes a time out to brush Evie’s hair.
It wouldn’t be a party without a conga line!
All six kids watching a movie together… makes my heart so happy! (Mads has already claimed the new quilt.)
This adorable little stinker is trying to take a spin in a car made for dolls. 😍
New Year’s Eve included sparklers outside with friends next door and a fun (early) countdown for the kids thanks to Netflix.
Evie discovers the love of fire sticks that we all share. Welcome to the club, kiddo!
Little Miss Independent Ellie wanted to hold her own sparkler, thank you very much.
Ringing in 2019 with these two is pretty freaking awesome.
This guy really lights my fire.
I just adore these two knuckleheads, even if they refuse to simply smile for pictures.
This was their NYE countdown jump. So fun!
Ellie enjoying some time with Uncle Chris. She’s a big fan.
Chris times two working on the laundry room remodel. Who needs HGTV with these two outside?
Ellie and Evie all wrapped up in animal towels after the world’s cutest bath together. 💕
We were lucky enough to get an evening out sans kids and it was SO FUN! Looks like we clean up alright.
On the drive home, we overnighted in Mobile, Alabama and made time to visit the USS Alabama. It was such a neat experience getting to explore inside the ship and learn so much about how life works on a battleship such as that.
Family selfie outside the USS Alabama.
Chris and James explore the deck.
Like father like son, his eyes lit up when he saw that machine shop.
Taking turns steering. Those big wheels are no joke.
Humor can be found in the unlikeliest of places.
Freed from the baby carrier at last, she was eager to explore on her own.
Momma and Ellie enjoying the sunshine. 💗