Christmas in Iowa

Trace and Aunt Shelli

Cousins

Andrew, Aunt Shelli and Matthew

Sisters

Dad's Birthday Gifts

Christmas Cookies with Grandma Sue and Jada

Kids with Jada

New PJs

Dad and Sue with new calendar

Christmas Eve fun

Bruxen with his new ATV

Nana Bear

Kaylee

Cousins

Cook's with their new calendar

Our new sign Becki made us

Rubber band bracelet making fun

Bruxen

Buddies

Bryker and Trace with their new toys

"All I Want for Christmas are My Two Front Teeth"

Grandma's new sweater and scarf

Rylan and Trace

Lego time

Lego time

Our Christmas in Iowa was wonderful and yet exhausting. We had six separate Christmas celebrations with afternoon and evening plans most day. We are blessed with many people to love and who love us in return!

Trip in Review:

• Saturday, Dec 21st- Arrived in Cedar Rapids and spent a relaxing evening with Mom and Dad Cook with a surprise visit from The Langfald family. They were supposed to be up north all weekend, but due to a snow storm brewing they headed back early. Bryker ended up spending the night, which thrilled Trace.
• Sunday, Dec 22nd- Went to church and then headed to Stacie's house to celebrate Christmas with Shelli before she flew back to Florida later that afternoon. Trace got a Superman costume, Kianna got glow in the dark beads she had been wanting and Kaylee got money towards a new scooter. Stacie surprised the ladies with an embroidered Thirty One bag, which I love! The girls had fun making rubber band bracelets with Aliyah, while Trace had fun playing with Rylan. We had a nice time visiting with family before heading over to The Flender's house where our old small group was gathering. Kaylee reconnected with her friend, Chloe and has been anxious to skype with her ever since returning to Michigan. It was fun catching up with friends. 
• Monday, Dec 23rd- Spent the morning with Sam and Bryker at The Playstation. The kids had a blast playing while we enjoyed visiting with Sam. From there, we caught up with my old friend, Jamie Ross and her family. Their family just moved from Mississippi to St. Louis, MO in October. It had been four years since we had last seen each other. After a quick visit, we headed over to my dad and Sue's house for the rest of the day. Sue had sugar cookie dough ready for the kids to roll out, bake and decorate. The kids had fun making cookies with their cousin, Jada. We spent the rest of the day visiting, opening gifts, and playing games. My dad plays a mean game of ping pong. Trevor tried to take him down, but couldn't...
• Tuesday, Dec 24th (Christmas Eve) - Trevor spent the morning doing his Christmas shopping and the rest of the day was spent over at The Langfald's house for our Christmas celebration. Sam had some fun games ready for the kids to play including pin the tail on the reindeer, Christmas bingo, and a cookie decorating contest. We ate the night away, while the kids enjoyed their new gifts. Trace and Bryker each got a Nerf Box-N-Arrow, which they LOVE. The girls each got new Lego kits and rubber band bracelet looms. They wasted no times getting started making rubber band bracelets. 
• Wednesday, Dec 25th (Christmas Day) - Santa filled our stockings while we slept and delivered them from Michigan to Iowa. We had fun opening our stockings and then had some yummy monkey bread. We had a relaxing morning and then spent the afternoon at Stacie's house for more cousin time, gifts, and yummy food. The kids made out big yet again. The night ended with Trace having a sleepover at Bryker's house and Aliyah spending the night with the girls. 
• Thursday, Dec 26th- Aliyah spent the day with us. We did a little shopping and then headed over to spend the afternoon with The Issa family. The kids had fun playing together, while the adults visited. The kids spent the evening with Grandma Becki, while Trevor and I joined up with Anthony and Julie for a night out. We had a nice dinner out and watched the new Hobbit movie. It was a nice night with friends. 
• Friday, Dec 27th- The kids and I picked up Grandma Carie and spent the afternoon at my mom's house. The kids had fun playing with Aliyah and Rylan, while I enjoyed visiting with my mom and Grandma. It was a relaxing afternoon. The evening was spent at the Russell Christmas Party. We enjoyed visiting with family. 
• Saturday, Dec 28th- We spent the afternoon at The Langfald's house for more cousin time. Unfortunately, Kaylee was not feeling well and spent the day lying down with a tummy ache and slight fever. She spent the evening watching movies with Grandma Becki, while the rest of us met up with The Kruid family. We had a nice meal out with them and then headed to The Playstation for some fun.
• Sunday, Dec 29th- Thankfully Kaylee woke up feeling fine and we headed back to Michigan. We had a great time in Iowa, but it is good to be back home. The kids although reluctant to leave Iowa after a week of being spoiled are excited to begin the joy of playing with their new stuff. Legos here they come...