sledding

It was pretty warm on Saturday, so Becky and I decided to play outside for a while. We were out about an hour. We even found some hills that weren't too bad for sledding. After a couple times of me giving Becky a push, she had it all figured out by herself.

She even got creative with different ways to go down the hills.

celebrating 60 years

Valentine's Day was my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. They decided they wanted to renew their wedding vows. They did that at the very church they got married at 60 years ago, in a snowstorm! It was a beautiful day. So neat to see them so in love after all those years together. Kaitlyn, Becca, and Becky got to be a part of the ceremony. They lit a candle for my mom. They loved it because they got to wear their fancy Christmas dresses again!

they needed just a little help from the pastor to get it lit

the loving couple, Peggy and Elbert

restating their vows to each other

the girls posing by the candle

the happy couple again

a picture of what they have accomplished in 60 years, minus all the family from California who couldn't make it

We had a dinner in honor of them at the Windrow in Creston. It was nice to all be together.

cutting the cake

opening presents

It truly was a fabulous day, and so wonderful to be able to celebrate this with them. I can only hope that Al and I will someday make it to 60 years. Wow!

Valentine's Day

Becky and I drove down to Mt. Ayr on Saturday so we could avoid the snow Sunday morning. She was very excited to open her present as soon as she woke up. And true to form, it was, "Just what I wanted!"

her new "lifejacket" from Grandpa and Grandma

another weekend gone

Not much to report on our end. We enjoyed another somewhat lazy weekend in Des Moines. Becky went over to Emma's house to play and Al and I went on a date. That was nice. Thanks Sarah and Vicky! Larry and Donna came to visit on Saturday and we did some eating and some shopping and playing with them. It's always so nice to see them. Becky told me after they left, "I just miss Grandma and Grandpa so much." Today was sitting around watching the snow fall again, wondering how much we were going to get and eating snacks while watching the Super Bowl. That's always fun to do. And I know this year Al won't be sick all night and have to go to the emergency room and have his appendix out tomorrow. Been there, done that! Gosh, was that really two years ago? Tomorrow it's back to the normal week, I guess. At least we got to enjoy a little bit of our weekend instead of running around crazy.

new doll

Becky, like most of the rest of us, couldn't wait to spend her Christmas money. She saw a commercial on TV that had a doll that could walk and stand up on its own. She knew she had to have it. We found it for half price after Christmas. She has had so much fun playing with it. It's pretty cool what it can do. Al and I are just hoping it doesn't turn into Chucky!

Here it is walking after it stood up all by itself. Wow!

sledding

Becky and Bode managed to get a little sledding in when they were in Spencer too. This is just the perfect size hill for them!

more Christmas fun

Becky in her new roller skates

watching a movie on the couch bed

Aunt Brenda and Becky

Becky, Grandpa Monte, and Bode

Christmas with Larry's kids

We got to celebrate with some of Larry's kids and their families too. We always have so much fun visiting with them, and they love to spoil the kids too. Becky and Bode were even still getting along after a day!

Sarah and Emma

Christmas in Spencer

We got to celebrate with Brenda, Stew, and Bode on the 26th. We sure are glad they made it to Iowa safely (and back now) with all the snow we got. As you can see, Becky and Bode didn't even remember each other. Ha!

Playing games is always fun.

So is opening presents!

By this time, Becky was a pro. With every package she opened, she said, "Mom, it's exactly what I wanted!"

posing in their new pajamas

Christmas Day

We were snowed in all day in Spencer, but we managed to have fun playing games and just hanging out. Thanks Larry and Donna for all your hospitality over the holidays!

Christmas morning

Santa managed to find Becky in Spencer. Good thing she had left him a letter when she visited him at the mall so he could find her! As you can see...she got what she asked for and then some!

Opening presents from Mom and Dad. The only thing missing this Christmas morning were the cats running around playing with all the boxes and paper!

Christmas Eve

We decided to head to Spencer on Christmas Eve to beat the weather. Good thing we did. There was a lot of snow on Christmas Day and no way we would have made it to Spencer. In the tradition of Christmas Eve, Becky got to open one package. Bet you can't guess what it is!

warm pajamas to look nice for pictures on Christmas Day!

Becky showing how they will fit

annual picture in new pajamas in front of tree

Even though we were in Spencer due to the weather, Larry and Donna helped make it just as as if we had been home, down to helping leave the cookies out for Santa. Thanks for letting us come a day early and for helping us celebrate!