Eric, Leah & Baby Dane

We were all really spoiled this Christmas.  Eric and I are spoiled because we have the worlds best kid (how did we get so lucky??) and Dane because Santa visited him a few times this year.

Dane's first Christmas happened at home.  He had Christmas at Grandma and Papa's house.  He put out cookies for Santa and went to bed with dreams of what Santa could bring him.


 "Christmas morning"
 Dane was really good at passing out the presents.

 Our family tradition of eating at the Madonna Inn.
 Yummy Hot chocolate.


 I made a Crepe cake for dessert for our Christmas dinner.  Lets just say it didn't turn out!!
 We bought Dane a train table.  There was no way that would make it in the car to Idaho.
 He also got a Gator from his Papa and Mom and Dad.  He loves it but needs to work on his steering.
 Somebody got into the wrapping.  I thought it was a little too quiet downstairs.  When I came down he was really interested in showing me where frosty was!
 The day before we left for Idaho we got our first egg!  We are all sooo excited!
 We got up Saturday morning early and headed to Idaho.  We drove all day and made it to Salt Lake City to stay at Eric's Aunt and Uncles house.  When we woke up in the morning Dane saw snow for the first time.  He was really interested in it and wanted to step on it!

Then we got to Idaho.  There was alot of snow for him to play with.  He was really excited to eat it and loved making snow balls and popping them.
 On the 24th we celebrated Sharla's birthday and released 6 balloons for her.  It was bitter sweet.  I wanted so badly to honor on this day but by doing so I had to remember that she was gone which is something that is still very hard for me to do.
 Here is my CRAZY brother in law Andy and his beautiful wife Megan dressed up for Christmas.  I couldn't resist adding this picture.  We were all staying at Eric's parent's house and had alot of fun all being together.  I feel very fortunate to be so close as a family.  So happy that Megan introduced me into the family so I could meet my wonderful husband!
 Dane freaked out when he saw all these dinosaurs.  He loves them!
After we opened presents Dane and Eric headed outside to play in the snow.  Dane had so much fun rolling around in the snow.
 He loved the four wheeler.
 The day after Christmas we headed to Island Park to stay in a cabin.  Dane had so much fun riding with Makoy.  They were both laughing the whole way up!
 Dane loved being with so many cousins.  He kept asking me where his friends were.  He always had someone who was willing to follow him anywhere.  His new thing is to say "I want to show you something" and then drag you around and never actually show you anything.

 He called Zac and Hayden his brothers.
 Megan gave Dane and Eric hair cuts before we left.

It was sooo cold there!
 And now for a story... Christmas Eve Sienna started throwing up (but appeared to be doing better).  Anjie started feeling sick the second day at the cabin...that night Sienna threw up and then 10 minutes later Izzie threw up.  They headed home with Keith who wasn't feeling well.  After they left we sanitized the whole place and took baths in hand sanitizer.  The next day we headed back to Shelley.  Asher started Puking in the car.  We were really worried and thought that we should pack up and head home but decided to stick to our original plan and leave the following morning (5am).  I am not sure about the exact time but Andy got REALLY sick that night.  I have never heard anyone make those kinds of sounds and they will haunt me the rest of my life.  At 2:30am Dane told me that he was poopy :( and then pooped three more times... diarrhea! Since this is how everyone's illnesses started we decided to get in the car to try and make it as close to home as we could before Dane started throwing up.  That morning Megan took Andy to the hospital because he was really really sick.  Hayden also started throwing up and Megan got sick too.  I don't think it is done attacking the family.  Word is that Greg in now sick too :(
 After 18 hours in the car Dane is doing just fine sucking on a sucker.  This kid is amazing.  He read books, played with dinosaurs and watched movies.  He only asked to get out of his seat once when we were about 20 minutes from home.
 Happy to be back in his bed.
I need to track down pictures from everyone else.  We had a really cute nativity production and a talent show along with an awesome day of sledding  .  We really had such a wonderful Christmas and we are so grateful for this time of year when we can come together with family and celebrate the birth of our Savior.  We feel truly blessed!

 I am now an Iphone owner and with that means that I can literally document every second of our lives.  I have a camera and my fingertips and I am not afraid to use it!  Ok here goes...

My parents bought this adorable 3 piece suit for Dane.  He loves having a tie like Dad.  What a lady killer!

We bought this awesome breakfast nook on craigslist for a whopping $20 I couldn't believe it.  I love a good deal.  I was looking for a new table for a while now but I couldn't find anything that I liked.  Well I like the price on this one!!

I finally finished Marissa's stocking and got it shipped off to her.  She was so excited to have it.  I was really excited to never see it again.  It was by far the most difficult stocking I have ever made.  I am so glad that I was able to make it for her.  I hope that it is something that she will treasure all her life.

He also loved that he could have an endless supply of soda and popcorn.  Boy this kid is spoiled.

Here is the finished product.  My brother and Eric sanded and painted this table all in one day so we could have it finished in the house.  I love it.  Honestly it looks like it was built for this room.

Can you see someone hiding??  Spooky I know

This year I made an advent calendar for us to do as a family.  I only have it going to the 22nd because we are heading to Idaho that day.  There are lots of fun things for us to do as a family.

Here is our beautiful tree.  It is nice that Eric is just as into Christmas as I am.  We are a good match.  We also have lights on the outside of the house that look great.

Bryan cut down a ton of trees at my parents house so my Dad built Dane a fort out of the branches.  Dane and Gunnar had so much fun playing in it.  I remember my Dad used to do the same thing for me when I was little.

Dane loves to get his boots on and go stomping through the mud.  Good thing Uncle was there to help rescue him when he got stuck.

Dane didn't want to sit on Santa's lap.  He was willing to sit next to him.  When Santa asked Dane what he wanted he told him he wanted a candy cane.  Lets see if Santa brings him any for Christmas.

We had a Grinch night.  Dane helped me make Grinch cookies.  We also had mint and chip ice cream to go along with it.

My Dad read Dane the story

Then we sat back with our treats and enjoyed the movie.  Dane loved it.  I did too!

We have been making lots of Christmas crafts.  Dane is really good with the glue :)

We bought a car off Craigslist.  It is a great car and a super deal.  There were two of us that showed up to check it out and we both wanted it.  The way we determined who got it was to draw one of our names out of a hat.  I WON!!

My Mom bought these adorable dresses for Sharla's girls.  They are just so sweet and I love them so much!

We went to the Madonna in for cake.  Dane loved everything about that place!
 Dane is really good at giving kisses on the cheek.  He will give you one and then say other side.


When we got back to our house they were replacing a power line and Dane just had to get in the middle of it

Getting ready for our small town parade.  Dane loved running out in the street to get candy.  I guess that is a bad thing to teach kids.  He is really good though about being safe.  He always says, "danger Danger"

I can't resist taking a picture of him every day during his nap.  I take one every day.  I love this face!

We decorated gingerbread houses the other day.  We had so much fun and really got creative.
 Then we got silly.  Eric and I drew lips on each other.  Do you notice the beautiful wreath on the wall behind me?? I made that for my Mom for Christmas.
 Who wouldn't want frosting squeezed into their mouth??

Dane loves books.  He will usually spent all his time reading a book of trying to get someone to read him a book.  Papa can never say no to a book...well if it is Dane that is asking.

Here is Dane sneaking a little frosting off of Eric's house.

Dane's new thing is to get comfortable.  He wants to be wrapped up in a blanket all the time!  Funny kid.