More Snow Fun

Really what else is there to do in the dead of winter??

First a wonderful video of me getting plowed over by Ryan on the tube. Ben had been trying to knock me over (so unsafe but that's Ben for ya) but I always got out of the way. Well this time I had the video camera and was focused on shooting Ryan having fun. Forgot to pay attention to where I was aligned. Ben took full advantage of it. Don't worry no one was injured in the making of this video....I fell in about a foot of snow.

At least the sun was nice and bright....

Jake even got in on the fun

A couple weeks ago Ben heard about this used truck with a blade on it. The forecast was calling for 10 inches of snow so Ben fell into the pressure of having a nice warm place to sit while plowing snow. I wasn't real thrilled about shelling out the dough for a 3rd vehicle but I have to admit, this truck has come in very handy with all the snow we have gotten. So I would like to introduce you to Hillbilly Deluxe the new farm truck, oh wait, I think Ben and Ryan changed the name to Blue Thunder. Boys, they like to name all the vehicles and tractors.



We have been to several playdates lately. I can only stay at home for a minimal amount of time before craving social interaction. Unforunately (for me), Ryan is becoming a homebody like his father. I have to sweet talk him into the Tahoe but once we get out he enjoys himself.

*Sorry for the lack of good quality photos. I have been taking my little camera to playdates but the photos are not nearly as clear as my good camera. Maybe I am just not using the camera right.

Ryan and Aiden playing Hot Shots at the "Have A Ball" playdate.

Driving the train at Recess in Ankeny

Ryan and Treyton navigating the ship up the Mississippi River to get to Minnesota, so Ryan claims.

Ryan and Aiden at our house. They wanted their picture taken.

We had a pizza and movie night. It was really fun. Ryan got to eat in the living room while watching Space Buddies. He thought that was pretty cool because mom never lets him eat while watching TV, let alone in the living room (notice the blankets under him - nervous mama).

2008 WrapUp

Later on Christmas day we headed to my hometown for a 4 day visit. We didn't make it back to Washington (IA) very much this year so it was good to have a long visit.

How did we spend our time?? We celebrated Christmas, did some sledding, family bowling, Ben went deer hunting and I went to supper with a dear friend. We just hung out and relaxed most of the time.

I have some photos from Christmas but Emilee is doing some editting for me so I will post those photos when she is done with them.

My brother, Alex, getting whooped by Ry and Myles

Alex giving Ry a ride

Ben and Ryan sledding on the pond dam

Ben giving Ry pointers....

NEW YEARS EVE 2008

Several families went to Jenn's house for the evening. We had a yummy supper and enjoyed a few drinks. The kids all played together pretty well considering they didn't have much supervision. The adults were all playing games. It was a fun night.

It was also Anna's birthday

Jenn trying to open sparkling wine

The kids who were wake at midnight minus Natalie (Cainan, Maddy and Aubrey all crashed before midnight)

Tired boy!

We made it....

through another holiday season. Kind of sad that it is over.

A lot has happened since my last post so I might as well get started.

Christmas Eve

Our nephew Colt was baptized at the family church while Lynn and Micheal were back in Iowa. Ben and I were more than honored to be sponsers for Colt. We didn't get any photos of Ben and I with Colt but here are a couple others.

Lynn, Michael and Colt

Colt and Ryan

Christmas Eve we spent the evening at Ben's parents house with his extended family. We always have an untraditional Christmas meal - fried shrimp, swedish meatballs, cold turkey, red cabbage salad, scalloped corn, fruit soup and of course pie and cookies.

Ryan and Great Grandma playing cards

Christmas Morning
Ryan must have been on Santa's nice list this year because he visited our house and Ryan hit the jackpot!

Ryan really wanted a cornpicker

He got a combine also

The aftermath

It is way past my bedtime so I will finish our update a little later. Lots more to share!

Welcome to our new readers.

You must have received our Christmas card if you are visiting for the first time. Feel free to come back as often as you would like to see what we have been up too. I try to update the site a couple times a month.

Thanks to all our loyal readers. I do this blog mostly for our own purposes but your attention makes it even more important to me.

December

Even with Christmas right around the corner, we aren't nearly as busy as we are in the summer and fall. So not as much to post about. I am much more likely to stay home when the weather is bitterly cold. I guess I have been busy with stuff at home such as decorating for Christmas, hosting a soup supper, working on Christmas cards, doing some online Christmas shopping and wrapping presents.

We do make it to the important things though....

Ryan's good friend, Aiden, turned 4 at the end of Nov so we went to his swimming party at a local hotel.

Aiden's 4th Birthday

Ryan, Maddy and I swimming

Polar Express - Ryan's favorite movie is Polar Express. He would watch it all year long if we let him. I put it away after Christmas so it will be a fun and exciting again the next year. We did something new this year. We took Ryan to see The Polar Express at the IMAX theater at the Science Center. Oh wow! It was fun and Ryan loved it. He is still talking about it. To anyone who doesn't know, the IMAX theater is dome shaped so the movie is projected all around you. The next weekend we rode the Santa Express Train in Boone. It is based on the Polar Express movie. The kids wore their pj's (just like in the movie) and rode the train to the North Pole. While riding we drank hot chocolate, ate a cookie, read the Polar Express book and sang Christmas carols. The best part is that Santa boards the train to pass out his special sleigh bells.

All ready to go

During part of the ride we went over a high bridge which made it look like we were really flying

Ryan (in the red and white striped hat) up at the front singing

Santa handing out the bells - thanks for the photo, Anna.

Our gang of friends

Ryan is officially on Christmas break from preschool. He had his Christmas party at school on Wednesday. They acted on the Navitity. Ryan was a wiseman following the star to bring gifts to baby Jesus.

Opening his gift exchange present

My baby!

I was sitting here organizing photos and I came across this Photo Story I made when Ry was about 16 months old. Instantly made me cry. Where has the time gone??

Let It Snow

Well we received our first snow about 2 weeks ago then we got a couple inches over the weekend. Ryan thinks the snow is pretty fun. On Monday he was outside with Ben for about 2 hours. Didn't bother him one bit. Me, on the other hand, am not a fan of the snow. The only time I like snow is on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

We had to go to Theisen's to buy a sled so the boys could do this....

Our land is pretty flat so the 4-wheeler is the best way to have snow fun.

We found our Christmas Tree for 2008!

We started the tradition 3 years ago of going to a Christmas tree farm as a family to find our tree for the Christmas season. I love everything about a fresh tree especially the smell. I can see us continuing to do this for many years to come. The first year we went it took us 2 hours to find the perfect tree, last year it took about an hour, this year Ben drove right to the perfect tree so it took about 10 minutes.

Aldrich Tree Farm near Belmond is where we like to go

Standing in front of our tree

getting ready to cut the tree down

Gettin the job done

Very proud of himself - he did have help though

Grandma also found her tree. It is a tall tree probably the tallest they have ever had.

Decorating

Ryan's idea of decorating is putting all the ornaments on one branch

Putting the finish touch on the top