Snow, Christmas, and a Bowl Game

 
We finally got a lot of snow!
 
 Nick, Gracie, and Owen pulling kids behind the 4-wheeler
 
Finally, we got a significant amount of snow, which put an early start to our holiday break.  School was canceled for 2 days! On the second day when we had finally dug out of our driveway (we had to have someone come do it) the kids went sledding over by the lake with a bunch of their friends from out here.  It was a really good day, followed by hot cocoa and decorating cookies.
 
 
Uh-oh!
 
 
Gracie taking a ride on the little 4-wheeler
 
Annie and Chad brought their little 4-wheeler up for Gracie and Owen to use.  I don't think either one of them are quite ready for it, but we'll try again when it gets warm out.  
 
 
Christmas Eve with the "Blyth Family"
 
Christmas Eve Day was spent with the Blyth side of our family.  My parents, sister, Chad, Grandma, aunt, uncle, and cousin came for lunch and most stayed for the afternoon.  It was great getting together with our family and Gracie and Owen loved having so many people to entertain!  After everyone had gone, we watched The Polar Express and left cookies out for Santa.
 
 
Christmas Eve
 
 
Santa came!
 
 
Gracie on Christmas morning
 
 
Sledding at Grandma's on Christmas Day
 
 
Amber and Owen
 
 
Ryleigh and Owen
 
 
Gracie and Ryleigh
 
 
Owen in his football uniform
 
After presents were opened at home on Christmas morning, the rest of the day was spent at Grandma Deb's.  Of course the kids love getting to see each other and it was a great day.  We got outside for a couple hours to go sledding.  Owen even lasted for quite awhile.
 

 
Gracie riding the luggage rack in Memphis
 
 
Beale St., Memphis, TN
 
Following Christmas, we made a trip to Memphis, TN for the ISU bowl game.  We stayed for three nights this year and the kids got to take another plane ride.  We arrive on Saturday evening and my parents met us at our hotel.  After getting settled in, we walked down the street to a burger place that was really good.  Our mini vacation consisted of swimming, watching a parade, spending time with my parents, tailgating and finally going to the football game.  It was much different from last year in New York where we had so many things planned for us.  Much of this year was on our own and we had one less day.  Even though the game was cold and rainy, the kids still loved going.  They wore their snow pants and stayed pretty warm.  Owen even took a nap through most of the first half.  It was so nice to have my parents there to help out.  They stayed with Gracie and Owen one night so we could go out.
 
Since then, January has gone very quickly.  Wrestling started up again and we have been going to meets every Thursday and Saturday.  Last night was the last regular season dual meet and we won 65-16.  It was great!  I can't believe that state wrestling will be underway in less than three weeks.  We go to Grimes tomorrow for the conference meet.
 
I have started another class for school and will be doubling up starting in April.  It's amazing that I have been doing this for almost two years already.  Kind of just seems like a part of life right now, although I do look forward to the day when I don't have to worry about reading or writing papers anymore. 
 
Owen is finally out of diapers during the day!!!  That is a pretty big deal.  I think he has gone all week with no accidents.  For a couple weeks we were doing laundry about every day.  It might be awhile until he can go all night, but I'm ok with that.  Owen also loves going into the wrestling room and wrestling with the high school boys.  However, he had his first bout with Impetigo a week ago, so he has been on medication for that.  Dirty wrestlers. :)
 
Gracie is still in dance and looks forward to going every Thursday.  She is getting better with leaps and can do carwheels pretty well now, too.  I watched last night and they are starting to learn their routine for the recital in May.  Graci also likes hanging out in the wrestling room, but has assured me that she is NOT going to wrestle. (sigh of relief)  She asks about our female wrestler all the time, though. 
 
I am looking forward to the next few weeks and hope the weather warms up soon!

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