Around the World in 60 Days (Part 3: Thailand)

For three wonderful weeks we were able to escape the bitter cold East Asia weather and enjoy the sunnier, warmer shores of Thailand.  Our time was filled with two weeks of conferences and one week of much appreciated vacation.  Eli took his first swim in the pool, we all got to ride on an elephant, and we enjoyed many meals and talks with old friends.  He also sprouted his first tooth and learned how to roll over.  Pictures mean so much more than words....so here are a few shots of our trip!

Cruising, ThaiAir style, in his bassinet!

 4 Months Old!!!

 Taking a little family outing to a water market outside Bangkok!

Eli's idea of sunbathing!


My idea of sunbathing...with a coconut shake in hand!

Eli's first swim!

Enjoying dinner on the beach.

Look guys, I can roll over now!

Snuggling with Dad on top of an elephant.

 Family elephant ride

 

First dip in the ocean!

Around the World in 60 Days (Part 2: Washington)

It was so good to be home!  We were welcomed with great big drifts of beautiful white snow!  We had not seen snow in 3 years and so it was such a treat to fly into this winter wonderland.  Eli was able to meet his Aunt Lindsay, both great-grandmas, and many more family and friends for the first time.  He was spoiled rotten with hugs, cuddles, and kisses and soaked up every minute of it! It was such a blessing to spend his first Christmas with family.

 It was so much fun to be apart of all the family holiday traditions after being absent from them for the last couple of years.  Needless to say the Krupke clan knows how to eat!  I'm pretty sure we both gained some extra pounds due to the endless amounts of sweets, a night of "game food" for the Seahawk's game, Crab dinner for Christmas Eve, and of course Christmas Day breakfast and dinner with all the fixins!  We ate and were treated like royalty for the few weeks we were able to spend with everyone.

 Christmas Morning:

Snuggles, Cuddles, Kisses, and Hugs:

 Aunt Lindsay

Grandpa Steve

 Grandma Cheryl

 Great-Grandma Bundy

 Great-Grandma Mary Jane

Around the World in 60 Days (Part 1: Chicago)

 Spring is on its way and the weather is warming up here.  There are some beautiful rose bushes and flowering trees in our little neighborhood that have been so georgous to look at and a sweet reminder of the promise of Spring.  I have been HORRIBLE about continually updating on Eli's little life.  He is already six months old, rolling all around, almost sitting up, and popping a new tooth out every time we turn around (he is already up to six!).  Here are some photos of the last several months.

  From December to Februrary we logged nearly 50 hours in an airplane, swapped sleeping quarters 12 times, and had to use 4 different forms of currency.  It was a wild and crazy adventure and we are SO thankful for our good little traveler.  He made everything so easy and charmed people all over the world with his sweet smile.  On our flight to America, there were not enough bassinets on board, so Eli spent most of the trip asleep on my tray table!

Enjoying a little nap time on the plane!

Over Christmas, we were so grateful to be able to fly back to the states to spend the holidays with family and be the matron-of-honor in my best friend Holly's wedding.  We started out in Chicago for the wedding where we were also able to see my sister Laura and her family as well as some dear family friends.  Eli met his cousins for the first time!

Cousins! Eli and Hallie....they are around 2 months apart!

Elsie (3) Addie (2) Hallie (5 months) Eli (3 months)

We had a mini-Christmas with them where the girls
 opened presents in our hotel room!

Matt and Laura were sweet to watch Eli
so that we could attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner!
Look at all those carseats! 

SO thankful for these great friends who treat us just like family!

Me and the bride-to-be!

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of her big day and the beautiful wedding...but all in all we had a great time!