The Holiday Season

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.

The day after we returned from Missouri, Gracie had her Holiday concert at school.  She was so excited and it's fun watching all the kids perform.

Gracie in her classroom

Gracie with her 1st grade teacher.  She loves Mrs. Richardson!

Gracie's first basketball game.  She has practices every Tuesday and games every Saturday.  The first game was pretty entertaining.

Gracie and Owen spending time together at a wrestling meet.  I think this was one of the first weekends in December.

Wish Joslyn a Happy Birthday!

The Sunday School Christmas Program.  I was so worried that Owen would refuse to participate, but the Sunday School Teachers are so good with the little kids.  All went well!  Of course, I never have to worry about Gracie performing.  She loves to be on stage and involved with everything!

Decorating Christmas cookies!

Another basketball game.

December 23 at almost midnight. 

 Nick and I tried twice to do our Christmas shopping together this year.  The first time, Owen got sick, so we had to cancel.  The second time, I ended up with strep throat, and was in bed for almost three days, so we couldn't go together.  I think the stress/lack of sleep finally caught up with me after I finished my final project for this quarter in school.

So two days before Christmas, I finished up shopping around 11pm and I think it was well after midnight before I finished wrapping.  

Owen also tried doing wrestling again this year.  The first few weeks went ok, but he refused to go after an incident in which his water bottle was stolen.  Then we got to practice a different day to do pictures and he had a meltdown, refused to put on the wrestling t-shirt and would not do practice.  We didn't try to go anymore after that.  However, things are going better with dropping him off at preschool.  For awhile, Owen was having a meltdown every morning when we would leave him.  Nick took him in for a week or so, and that seemed to solve the problem.  I think his teacher also started giving him a sticker every time he has a good drop-off, which he looks forward to.  We'll see how it goes after the holiday break.  

Gracie has been doing fantastic, of course.  She had her Holiday party at school and they also have a Polar Express Day that they get to wear their pajamas all day.  She loves reading and math and playing games.  She's not afraid to be involved and try things.  It's hard to get her to sit still and keep her feet on the ground most days.

The past month has been incredibly busy, like I said before.  Leading up to Christmas is always a little stressful, but things always seem to work out and we get through it!