mini getaway

I had an ICRA seminar in Council Bluffs on Saturday, so we packed up the mini van and headed there on Friday afternoon.  It was a great little get-a-way and the perfect distance.  The kids were excited to get to swim several times, I got to see some friends, and we got a behind-the-scenes Omaha zoo tour on Saturday.  Now spring break is over and it's back to reality for us all tomorrow!

relaxing in the hotel room

swimming at the pool

Becky quickly made friends to play with

By the third time in the pool, Colby was swimming around by himself in the life jacket.  He had so much fun! Everyone had fun.  Just what we needed to get us by until summer is here and we can swim outside at the pool and walk around the zoo without our coats on!

Since MLK Day was a no-school day for Becky and holiday for Al and I (first time EVER for him!), we decided to go bowling with Becky, along with half the city of Des Moines.  Thankfully we got there early enough that we got a lane and were able to bowl a couple games.

Here is Colby with his hot chocolate mustache at Talon's birthday party.  It was great.  He sported it the whole time and loved the attention he kept getting with it on his face!

Colby, Becky, and Tatum after the hay rack ride.

Having a picnic.

Becky got to sing a solo at church today.  She did great!  She didn't need to music; she had the song memorized.  Guess she felt better making sure she got it right.  Al and I were so proud though.  She sang out so loud and did a great job.

Christmas Eve photo shoot

As I'm sitting here realizing I never got Christmas pictures posted, I found these of Christmas Eve that made me smile.  As is tradition, the kids got to open one package Christmas Eve.  Becky has figured out it's just pajamas, and she's not nearly as excited as she used to be.  Colby, however, couldn't wait for me to snap the picture of them before he started to open his. I think I even took it away from him so I could take the before picture.

And here they are in their pajamas, and I'm trying to get to perfect picture of my perfect children on a perfect evening.  Following is the craziness that ensued....

I even got Al involved.  All I really wanted was a smile from both of them at the same time for the scrapbooks that may or may not some day get done. I'm sure you understand what a daunting task that can be at times!  We settled on the picture below, got a plate of cookies ready for Santa, made a map to the tree so Santa could find it after he came down the chimney, and headed up to read bedtime stories in anticipation of what fun the next day may bring.

And Christmas morning was magical, as it always is.  Here are just a couple pictures to share...the rest are on Shutterfly if you want to look at all of them.  

We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating with our families.  Those pictures are on Shutterfly too.  We are so blessed to have gotten to spend time with family over the holiday season, and we are glad that everyone is close enough to spend time with.

early December

We had a fun, busy December.  The first weekend we had three Christmas parties.  One of them was roller skating.  Even Colby took a time or two around the floor.  He loved it!

By the end of the time we were there, Becky was getting braver.

Then the kids had snow days!  I was lucky enough to get to stay home with them for the first one.  Even though it was bitter cold.....we braved it anyway and went out to the front yard in the morning and as soon as the clothes were dry again, we hit the back yard!   

November in review

Since it's December already....I decided to go ahead and just post all of November's pictures.  It was a busy month, but we sure had a lot of fun!

Holly and her kids came over to visit.  Becky would not smile for pictures, and it was time to leave, but we snapped one of them anyway.  The girls had fun playing, and the boys had fun running around.

Becky blowing out her birthday candles. 

Colby blowing out his candles.  Since we missed a party for him this year, Becky was a trouper and let her brother share her birthday party.

Opening presents

Becky standing with her balloons

Colby and his balloons.  He refused to stand up....he was so tired by this point, but I got a picture of him anyway!

We also headed to Mt. Ayr for a shower for Joel (and Darin and Darla too) It was so much fun, and that new nephew of mine is so adorable!

Closeup of Joel

Becky on her actual birthday....eating her breakfast of choice...powdered sugar donuts!

Becky was so excited to get her Doodle Bear.  She talked all weekend after her party about how she had to go spend her money because she did not get that bear that she wanted.  I was so excited it was what she was getting from us that I had to fight every urge to give it to her early! Good thing her birthday was on Monday!

Eating cupcakes with Emma

Colby didn't eat any cake at the party, so I decided this face would do!

making sugar cookies 

We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with my mom's side of the family on Thanksgiving Day.  We had a good time.  It was nice to see everyone.  (except those California cousins, of course!)

Colby trying to get his legos open

The other present that Becky REALLY wanted.  She tried to buy it with her birthday money, but I told her to wait because I might have told somebody that she wanted it.  She couldn't have been more excited!

I finally got a picture with Joel, and some cuddle time.  Colby actually let me hold him.  He kept coming to check on me to make sure I was okay, but he didn't cry...so that's a good thing.

Becky was super excited to hold him too.  

Becky and I went to Beauty and the Beast at the Civic Center this year instead of our annual trip to Disney on Ice.  It was a good choice.  We had fun getting dressed up....and the show was amazing!

I knew it was worth it when Becky looked at me after one of the dances and said, "Mom, that was awesome!"

And that was our November in a whirlwind. Whew!  Hard to believe it's December.  We've got our decorations up, and the kids are behaving very well, especially knowing that Ronald, our Elf on the Shelf, is watching.  Colby loves that movie.  He watches it at least twice a day.  At least we get a break from Elmo and Barney, I guess!  Becky has really enjoyed having her Christmas movies out as well.  I love that she loves watching Rudolf and Frosty, just like we did as kids.  And now instead of having to wait until it's on that one night, we can watch it whenever we want....and we watch them at least once a week!  Hope everyone has a nice December and doesn't have to run around too much and forget the real reason that we celebrate this wonderful season.  God Bless You All!