Shaha Christmas in Kansas

Yeah, yeah, I know it's February and you're sick and tired of Christmas recaps, but you have to suffer through this last one.

Ben got a fancy pants camera for Christmas, so he went a little hog wild and got some fab pics.

The nativity skit took some creative license...  three angel fairies(?) declaring glad tidings of great joy.  BTW, matching pj's compliments of Gramma 

Christmas morning with the princess castle was a hit

For what ever reason, the Shahas are obsessed with fake mustaches.  I know, you could never guess they were fake, right?

Caroline, expressing her enthusiasm to go out in the snow

Ready for sledding

 Em's first time sledding.  She was a fan.

  Also, I'm a huge fan of the Sorrel boots I got for Christmas!  I've worn them almost every day here in Germany.

 The kids played chase in the house time and time again.  

That's C's beloved stuffed octopus... a souvenir from Monterey

Irresistible smile

Natalie and Em on the run 

 What a fun grandpa, eh?

The long-suffering uncles.  Doesn't Ben look like he's about 23 in this photo?

No Shaha gathering is complete without a jam session or two (or fifteen)

Bedtime stories with Uncle Joe

 Em and C's sophisticated uncles, Steve and Joe

Cousins Oakley and Caroline getting acquainted

After the family photo shoot, C lingers, enjoying a cup of tea

 Jack, feeling a little cheated being the only boy in the bunch of six girl cousins

 Dancing with Hailey 

 Beautiful girls... see any resemblance?

Natalie and Em at the bouncy joint... such good friends

Unfortunately C got sick, running a high fever

 

So a visit to the doctor ensued.  Ben is intently listening to the doc's instructions... feeling very secure with himself

A candid shot of Aunt Katie and Jack

The girls waiting for Grandma's homemade cookies

A trip to Union Station... so many awesome train displays 

Gramma and Em searching for Waldo.  Em was slightly obsessed with this book

 And equally obsessed with her "geo cards."  She's a little geography whiz.  Ask her what the capital of Uganda is.  She'll know it.  Ask me, and I'll defer to her.

Celebrating my birthday with my fam back in Utah

Glamour Girls

And saying good-bye to cousins in Utah... the day we leave to the airport for Germany.   

Ricky and Em... Priceless.