Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 2014! We are back in Bondurant now and "recovering" from all our Christmas travels...but we truly had a wonderful, blessed time in Storm Lake! I read something on Twitter yesterday and I think it is truly fitting for these post-Christmas days: [Dear God - I want to take a minute, not to ask for anything from you. But simply to say thank you, for all I have.]

We headed to SL on Christmas Eve when Josh got off work...and these two traveled happily with their Snackeez (thank you Jen and Joey)!

Christmas Eve at G & G Barber's house...

Merry Christmas morning!!!

We unknowingly dressed alike on Christmas...how good are we? :)

On Christmas night, we drove to LeMars to spend time with my dad's family...and of course, had to drive by the giant light display outside of town! Typically, there is a guy handing out candy canes...but on this night, they had left the candy canes in a bowl...we made Josh get out on the muddy gravel road to get some for the kids...he was SO happy. :)

The joy of Christmas!

Day after Christmas, drowsy cartoon watching...

And Saturday before we left SL, Josh got sick...awesome...

One last picture with Grandma Petersen!

And can you believe it?? Santa left the kids bikes at our house in Bondurant! Their reaction was priceless!

And just for fun...Christmas 2008...

Christmas 2009...

Christmas 2010...

Christmas 2011...

Christmas 2012...

Christmas 2013...

William Paul {4}

This is a bit delayed...but our baby turned 4 on December 13th.

In the days leading up to the 13th, I kept saying to Will: How is it possible my baby is already 4??? And Will would strongly tell me: My no baby, my a big boy. :) And he is, he truly is. :)

We had a party in the gym at school for Will and 17 of his friends...AAAHHH! It was basically organized chaos for 1.5 hours, but we sent home lots of happy, sweaty, red-faced kids...so I think the party was a success. :) All 4 grandparents spent the night at our house that evening as well - when we bought this house, that was one of things I loved about it...that it had enough room for EVERYONE.

Below are some pictures from the birthday weekend/festivities. We had a great time celebrating our little man. I have said this before...but God certainly knew what he was doing blessing me with a son...I don't think it was something I ever pictured in my mind pre-kids...but man-oh-man, I love you Will. You are a mama's boy through-and-through...and as you get older, I secretly hope it always stays that way. :)

12-13-10

12-13-11

12-13-12

12-13-13

Winter Wonderland

Happy Monday morning (OK...almost afternoon now)!

I have lots of things to blog about...Will's birthday, early xmas parties, just our normal lives...but wanted to share some photos from an event the kids and I went to last Thursday night at the gym where I exercise in Bondurant (Brick House Fitness). They had a Winter Wonderland night for kids...complete with Santa, crafts, cookies, and a movie on the big screen. One of the gym members (who is actually lives on our street) offered their time...they do professional photography...and they took Santa and candid pictures all night long...and SO many good ones of K and W! Link is below if you want to check them out! Thank you ZTS Photo!!

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B0pJ-HxrdRpDa3BmcDZGeTZtRDQ&usp=sharing