Merry Christmas!

Mom is a little late helping us post these pictures.  We had a wonderful holiday and hope you all did, too!

I (Evan) have been asking for this lego set for four months!  Grandma knows me well--she got it for me in early September before I started asking for it!

Grandma and Grandpa have been hard at work.  Grandpa carved these serving platters, and Grandma made the bowls for dipping sauce.  Mom and Aunt Katy are ready to entertain!  (And Mom eventually combed her hair if anyone is wondering.)

Reading our new books.

This picture deserves an explanation, but there really isn't one.  Grandpa had everyone laughing in his Santa get-up.  Aunt Katy has video, which she can probably use to blackmail him for something good--like the house.

Playing Guess Who with Aunt Katy, Elsa, and Grandma.

Opening our stockings on Christmas morning.

Trying out our new scooters from Santa.  We usually wear helmets, but it was so cold that Mom let us go without, just this time.

We wish your families a happy New Year!

LOVE these gals!

It is so rare for these ladies to all get together, and incredibly, this was done without months of planning!  We all met in Leavenworth for a fun-filled night of laughter, food, and joy.  Thank you, Jenny, for hosting us all--17 adults and 13 children, all under 7!  The only thing that would have made it more perfect would be if Mary, Bobby, and their girls could have joined us.  We sure missed you!

Janie and little Lily (wearing Janie's snowsuit from when she was a baby).

Abby, Kate, and Emma.  Abby and Emma ended up being two peas in a pod!

Katy and newlyweds Nicole and Greg.  They've been together for longer than Daddy and Mommy, and we are really happy for them!

Thanks to Jim for keeping the kids entertained for a good chunk of the evening.

What a special evening with incredible friends.  Thank you for taking time out of your families' busy holiday schedules to get together.  We can't wait to do it again, perhaps a weekend get away this summer?

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

We can't think of anything better than time spent in our favorite winter spot.  This was a last-minute, quick trip that ended up to be a great mini-vacation!

In one day we sledded, hot-tubbed, and snowshoed.

Our buried snow angels.

Lots of fun sledding.  No matter where we go, Dad and Uncle Joe can be counted on to make the best sled runs.

Packing snow for snowballs.

It's been way too long since we had a playdate with our favorite brothers.  As usual, it poured rain this morning.  You can predict the weather based on when Mom and Miss Dani plan to get together.  Luckily, they're getting smarter, and planned this day for indoors.  We can't wait to see Owen, Henry, Charlie, and even more friends on Saturday!

This is about as much energy as is in the house when these guys get together.  They have a lot of fun.  Wish we got Sweet Charlie in these pictures.  He's a bundle of energy, too, and as sweet as any boy you've ever seen.

Enjoying the remnants of the first snow of the season!

40 years

Grandma and Grandpa came home from Arizona just in time to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.  Grandma and Grandpa have a marriage based on love, mutual respect, and mutual admiration that is a strong foundation for our family, and a great example for us all.  We feel blessed that both sets of our grandparents celebrated 40 years together this year. 

This was the first time that the six adults had ever been out together without kids.  Though there were years of dinners, vacations, etc. with five adults, it hasn't happened since Daddy joined the family.  Wanting to take advantage of every moment, they all piled into Grandpa's truck to drive to the restaurant.  It was a fun start to a fun evening.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Goofing off with Oma