Christmas Season 2017

Once again, it has been a month since my last post.  This will take us through the end of the 2017 year.  The last two weeks in December were quite busy.  Gracie had another basketball tournament, and Owen continued with wrestling practices.  We fit in holiday parties and school activities.  Our break consisted of a lot of traveling, and our fair share of sickness.  Gracie and I visited Iowa twice; Nick had to stay home with Owen, who ended up getting sick when we were to go see Grandma Jeanne and celebrate Christmas with the Blyths.  We were able to be at home for Christmas, then Nick and I spent a couple days in Houston for the bowl game, followed by another trip to Iowa to celebrate with his siblings.

The Magic Tree at The Crossing Church in Columbia.  This is a different tree than the one we visited last year; much bigger.  It was pretty cold and we didn't stay long.  But there was a live band and we found Santa, the Grinch, and we saw Frosty the Snowman walking around.

Gracie and Owen sitting in front of the tree.
Thank goodness for hot chocolate!

Another picture of Gracie.

Owen said that he was going to count the lights to make sure that there really are over 200,000.  He got to about 100 and then skipped to 200,000 to save some time.

Owen found Santa.  He told me later that he didn't think that was the real Santa, though.

Gracie with her friends at one of the many holiday parties she attended.

Celebrating Christmas at Annie's!
Annie and Chad hosted Christmas for us this year and it was so much fun!  

Nick with Kaia

River is "Mogley."  He loves the Jungle Book and believes that he is Mogley when he doesn't wear his shirt.  Love him!

Gracie and Owen at Annie and Chad's

The next day, everyone from our family was heading up to Iowa.  The kids had stayed with Grandma Kate after our evening at Annie's.  But Owen woke up not feeling well on Saturday morning.  He managed to make it with Grandma to Ashland, but when we met my mom to pick them up in town, Owen threw up all over the parking lot.  Unfortunately, he did not make the trip to Iowa and Nick stayed home with him.  However, Gracie and I headed up to visit Grandma Jeanne and have dinner with my side of the family at my aunt and uncle's.  We had planned on spending the night, but with snow in the forecast over night, I decided to drive back to Missouri after dinner.  It was a quick trip, but I'm glad we got to see my grandma.

Finally a little snow on Christmas Eve Day.
I believe there was more snow if Iowa, but I'm glad I made the choice to drive back earlier, rather than try to drive through snow.

We found a church to go to for Christmas Eve Service.
Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia.  We have gone here a few times.  I just wish that we didn't have to drive to Columbia.

Family pic on Christmas Eve.

Opening gifts on Christmas Eve

Gracie's sequin pillow from her brother

Monster clippers for Owen's feet.

As always, we watched the Polar Express on Christmas Eve before the kids quickly went to bed so Santa could come.  Our Christmas was very low key and we stayed home for two days.  It was very different compared to other years when we are hurrying in the morning to get ready to drive somewhere to see family.  All of our family was up in Iowa.

Santa Came!
All Gracie asked for this year was a desk for her room and Santa came through for her!

Lots of cool stuff from Santa!

Christmas Day 4-wheeler ride.

Houston Bowl for Mizzou

Nick and I had the opportunity to join Mizzou staff at the Houston Bowl for a couple days. We spent most of the time there at our hotel.  There weren't any activities planned for staff.  We found a couple places to eat, but overall, it was pretty uneventful.  It was also very strange not having kids with us.  Mizzou's policies are very different from ISU's were regarding who gets invited.  My mom was able to stay with Gracie and Owen while we were gone, as children were not invited to the bowl game.  They had a great time, despite it being so cold in Missouri.

Mizzou ended up losing the game, but it was fun anyway.

Iowa bound again!

This time our destination was Muscatine, to see all of Nick's side of the family.  Most had arrived the day before, but we waited a day to recover from traveling to Houston to make the drive up.  It ended up snowing quite a bit when we got to the Iowa border, but we still made it there in about 5 hours.

Loaded in the truck

Gracie and Owen snuggling with Jack

Owen was so excited for all the snow when we arrived.  Most of the time when we get snow in Missouri, it's not more than an inch.

Snowboarding down the hill.  Owen and Lucas were outside playing for quite awhile.  Luckily when we arrived, it wasn't windy at all and the temperature hadn't dropped yet.  It was a different story the next day.  Good thing they got some time outside that day.

Owen is helping his dad made pizzas for dinner.

Another "Christmas" celebration.  Deb has all of her gifts sent to Stephanie's to wrap when they fly in from Florida.  The grandkids are always so excited.  Well done, Gramma Deb.

Gracie's wall art from Ryleigh

A remote control car from Gramma!
I love the look on his face!

Most of the grandkids.  I think there is only one missing.

Gracie getting some snuggles with Gramma Deb.

Ryleigh and Gracie being silly.

Lucas and Owen

More cousin time

Owen had this put together the day after he got it.
He loves Lego sets!

That wraps up 2017.  We drove back from Muscatine on December 31, 2017 and spent the evening at home.  Gracie made it until 11pm and watched the ball drop in NYC.  She said she thought that this was ok and wanted to go to bed.  After a busy couple of weeks, it was good to be home.  Happy 2018!















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