The Brittons

Finally Christmas is here and we can all just relax, right? Family pic on Christmas Eve after church As we have done for a few years, now, Nick and I hosted my side of the family for Christmas Eve dinner.  This year, just my parents and Grandmas Jeanne attended, but I'm always so glad they can come up to join us.  All were healthy for a couple days and the kids are always so excited to celebrate! Gracie and Owen in their crazy poses for Christmas. Opening their first presents on Christmas Eve.  Pajamas and slippers of course! They also got their very own Christmas trees from us this year.  We bought two of them, and of course, one did not work when we put it together. So, Gracie was in tears because her tree was broken and she didn't have one for Christmas Eve.  Owen was nice enough to share for the night, but there was still a large amount of disappointment.   So...Thank goodness Santa came!  The kids tracked Santa's route...

December was full of activities and preparation for Christmas.  I can't believe how quickly it passes and how much we try to cram into one month.  Here are some pictures of the activities between Thanksgiving and December 23. We actually cut our tree down the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Notice that the kids are wearing sweatshirts...Four days later on Thanksgiving, they were sledding and snowboarding.  Iowa weather is crazy! Somewhere in there we started building the barn.  This is a work in progress.  I think it started at the beginning of October.   All framed up! It has a roof! Owen is such a good helper! The day after Thanksgiving, Gracie, Owen, and I headed to Missouri for Annie's baby shower.  We managed to find Santa while we were there. Gracie and Owen sharing their letters with Santa. Annie and Gracie at the shower. Owen spending some time with Ranger. Annie and I at her shower. ...

Yes, I realize that it has been almost three months since I last posted anything.  It is amazing how I have let the time slip away.  However, we have been keeping ourselves very busy since October with various activities.  It is strange that my fist picture, here, still has green grass with soccer players. That's not so very different from how Christmas was spent, this year, though.    Gracie finished up soccer season and loved every bit of it.  We have yet to try something that she doesn't like doing.  Of course, I still can't get her to try piano lessons. This year we tried a few new things for Halloween.  The first was Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo.  Gracie and Owen loved going there but were disappointed with not being able to see as many animals as they would have during the summer.  It was still fun for them and they loved getting all the candy.  I think we'll probably do it again next year. Gracie, Owen,...