Our December was packed with lots of fun things including a John Deere Christmas party, piano recitals at the mall, a ward Christmas party, Jacob's Christmas presentation at preschool, Christmas Eve with friends, a wonderful Christmas day with just our family, a quick trip to Kansas and then Omaha, and New Year's Eve at home.
The work party was OK, but a little crazy. I think it was just fun to meet a few of the people Greg works with and fun for Greg to introduce his family to his co-workers. We did discover at this party that Ben has a fear of Santa (while Jake has none). We also proved that it is possible to squish 5 kids into a photo booth all at once!
Notice the absence of Ben in the picture. He absolutely refused to go near Santa.
The kids take piano at a big studio this year. There are a ton of students but they make the holiday recital nearly painless. Instead of listening to a hundred other kids, the kids sign up for a time to go and play at one of the local malls. We only had to wait for our kids to be done then we could leave. It was quick and easy. That was a nice surprise. Although I really missed our annual duet recital with Ms. Oles (our teacher in Bettendorf) at the beautiful Butterworth Center.
Lizzy at the piano. You can see me in the background.
Anna who is terrified of such things does a great job. I kept telling her no one was really going to pay attention anyway. Some people might be offended by that, but that is just what Anna wants to hear.
Adam is getting to be a pro. I had to do some serious persuading to convince him it wasn't a good idea to wear basketball shorts for a recital.
Our ward Christmas party was great. It was a breakfast. The kids could wear PJs if they wanted. During the breakfast any kids could play holiday songs on the piano. There was a santa and then a short program about the birth of the Savior. I liked having it in the morning. We are still getting to know the people in our ward so it is good to have an opportunity to mingle.
Here is Lizzy taking her turn at the piano during breakfast.
Here is Jake with his buddy Santa. He would always say he wanted a Surprise whenever Santa asked him what he wanted.
This is Jacob's first year at preschool and our first Christmas at a religious preschool. It was great to have them sing songs about Jesus and really focus on that as the meaning of Christmas. Jake was as cute as ever and I really appreciate his teachers.
Jake is the on the bottom row, second from the left. The older class is behind on the stage dressed in costume.
On Christmas Eve our new friends the Wadsworth family invited us for dinner and a program. We really enjoyed the yummy soup and the carefully planned program with songs and scriptures. This was the evening where we really remembered what Christmas was all about. What a gift the Savior is to all of us. The Wadsworths have been so kind to us. It was fun to have someone to celebrate with. After we left their house we came home and opened up our traditional Christmas Eve pajamas. Then it was off to bed for the kids. Greg and I enjoyed preparations for the next day. This is one of the great joys of being a parent.
Christmas was great. The kids obediently obeyed our rule of not getting us out of bed until 6 AM. I think all the kids were happy with their presents and we spent the rest of the day playing games and trying out our new toys. I love that everyone loves to play games. Each of the kids got a game this year and they have been the presents we have played with over and over. I think Clue was the favorite (it's hard to believe it's still around). Games are great family time. It was awesome just having time together as a family. OK, OK, I did get a nap in that day too. And because we didn't do it on Christmas Eve we HAD to act out the nativity that evening. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without that!
Our tree before presents.
Ben and Greg in their new aprons. Notice Anna in the background. Somehow she escaped the eye of the camera and that may be the only picture we have of her this Christmas.
The only picture of Adam as well. I guess you have to be under the age of nine to get a lot of pictures taken of you.
Here is Jacob. Oh how sad it will be when there is no more little ones to enjoy Christmas with.
Lizzy sitting on her balance beam all smiles.
Ben loved his apron and chef's hat.
A few days after Christmas we took the short drive down to Kansas to see Greg's grandma, his brother and his sister and their families. Greg's grandma will turn 90 this year so he is happy any time we get to see her. She does amazing for someone of her age. The kids entertained her with their piano prowess and we even convinced some of them to sing for her. We enjoyed playing games with her, eating Subway sandwiches with her and enjoyed watching her teach Anna some basic crochet. She is a great lady. We love grandma great. We also really enjoy visiting with Greg's siblings. We don't see them very often, but the kids always seem to jump right back into things and play beautifully together. Sandee and Ryan are always willing to let us eat their food and fill their house with 5 more kids for the evening.
Adam playing for his great grandma in the commons room of her apartment building.
Anna and Ben singing while Adam plays.
Greg also enjoyed going to the cemetery where his father and grandfather is buried. He also loves showing the kids where he grew up and where all of his stories really happened. We were also able to visit another cemetery where some of his ancestors are buried. It was a really great trip for him. I sometimes forget that his roots run deep and strong in Kansas soil.
The kids in front of the headstone of two of their ancestors, their great, great, great grandparents to be exact.
After a few days in Kansas we headed up to Omaha to the temple and the zoo. We love the Omaha zoo and it seems we find ourselves there almost every time we go to Omaha. We especially have come to love the Desert Dome that houses a great nocturnal animals exhibit. We are grateful there is something so fun to do for the kids while we attend the temple.
OK, I admit some of these Omaha pics were taken in November like the one below. There was snow on the ground in December.
We made it home on New Year's Eve and ordered pizza and stayed in. We let all the kids stay up until midnight. Even Jake made it. We played games, ate yummy food, and watched a movie. What a great way to say good-bye to one year and hello to the next.
Well, this post has turned into a travelogue, a very long travelogue, and I am just as thrilled it is over as you are. December was an awesome month!
