More Christmas

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without you playing in the snow! You had your heart set on a white Christmas and even had your boots and snow pants packed because you were certain it was going to happen! So when someone dared your cousins to go down the hill with Jacob you didn’t care if your fresh makeover would be erased once you stepped foot in the snow! And because I wasn’t thinking things through, I didn’t even pack a coat for your brother yet alone snow pants for you! This worked out just as well because then you didn’t last too long!  Instead of one try down the hill like your brother, who landed under the house, you pushed your one trip into 10!


Both of you had a decent night’s sleep and were able to let us wait until almost 8:30 before we had to see what Santa Claus left for you in St. Louis. Too bad about the elves not hanging around any longer...I wonder if they will still have magic next year?

Thank goodness Santa brought a 50 assortment pack of colored pencils for each of you because it gave new life to coloring...this time for a couple hours! Pretty impressive!

Merry Christmas

What will you guys remember about 2017 Iowa Christmas?!!

I’d say mine was Christmas Eve and seeing your excitement when Dad and I got to open our presents. We had quite a few of them too!

How could you bypass the tree and presents and come and snuggle with us from 5:30-7:30? I owe you big time for that one Jacob. I am never ready to get up that early...even on one of the best days of the year!

Will you remember that your sister is the nicest sister ever and gave you the best card that she pulled? I hope she doesn’t forget it and holds you accountable for being the nicest brother ever! Dad and I had a good laugh at your negotiation technique or lack of one! It went a little something like this...after you gave or “traded” Julia a card that she would trade for you handed it to her you said something like...”I would have given you that card because I already have it,Julia.”

Moving onto the bigger presents...you got a floor mat and Jacob got a nerf gun. Dad and I might not forget your request to have it moved up to your room as we were calling it a night...grrr.

Laser tag for you, a Hatchimal for Julia, and a new bone for Buster! Only one of you wasn’t too crazy about sharing!

Your reaction and excitement was priceless, Julia. It was worth most of the cost of the present...ha! Actually, I was a little teary eyed. I finally got it, or perhaps enjoyed the moment. I didn’t care how much it cost...because you are worth it!

Jacob, you bounced from present to present. Most of the time your were patient enough to let one of us help you figure it out. After a few hours of presents and playing with them, we finally got a break by pulling out the new tablets! You two were on them. It was quiet. No one was asking for help. You guys were playing games that were appropriate...it was lovely.

So I was able to finish dad’s start to Belgium waffles, bake a chocolate chip cookie, roll out some dough for poppyseed kolache, and dip pretzel rods. 
Now this was a surprise! You were able to sit down and complete steps 1-35 without an adult! You asked for help when it was too hard to snap together, not because you didn’t understand! Now that’s my kind of LEGO set!


Thanks to Dad, everyone took a break in the tub! This was perfect! I was able to wait on everyone and get some baking done!

The day was peaceful. You two spent over 2 and a half hours coloring while I cleaned up the kitchen for the 3rd time and helped out two wonderful neighbors and made the third and final trip to the store for the holiday season!

Until next time...it was fun watching you two enjoy your Christmas. Your dad is a very good Santa!