Christmas Break

We have been truly blessed this Christmas season. Curtis was able to have a few weeks off and we have loved every minute that we have had to spend with Daddy. Vance can't get enough of him and mommy is grateful to have the break. We really haven't done a lot but that is sometimes the best thing. We got to play in the snow and attempt to build snowmen. The snow was too fluffy and wouldn't stick together. But we had fun none-the-less. Vance got to open presents early from Grandma Janette and then again on Christmas so he was loving it. I am amazed at how much Vance retains from what we tell him. He amazes me everyday. He kept calling Christmas Eve "Christmas Night." He also knew that it was Jesus' Birthday on Christmas day. He is so smart. Curtis is amazed at how much he can say and do. What a HAM we have! We got to talk to all of our siblings either on Christmas day or the day after. It was great to talk to them and see how they are doing. We love our family and were sad to not be with them this Christmas but we are grateful for the time to start our own family traditions as well. The Lord has blessed us this year and we are so thankful to him for helping us make it through it all. We hope that you all have had a wonderful Holiday season and that you are blessed into the New Year as well. We love you all. Enjoy this slide show of our family time.

Mimi and Papa come to town.

My Mom and Dad came to visit us this weekend and we had a great time. On Friday we went to our Ward Christmas Party and we were able to bring a family with us. The program was great, the decorations beautiful, food good, and company FANTASTIC!!! It is always fun to spend time with family. Vance got to see Santa Claus and at first was scared but when he got up to him he walked right up, waved to him and hopped up on his lap. It was so cute. He is growing up so fast. On Saturday we spent to day running around and that evening we went to the Iowa vs. Iowa State wrestling match. My dad was a wrestling coach many years and so we new we had to get him up here at some point and see the Hawkeyes wrestle because they are the best. We had so much fun. Vance loves to cheer and hollar with everyone and the match was just great. It was so much fun to see my parents and we were all very sad to see them go. Hopefully it won't be too long before we see them again. WE love you Mimi and Papa! Thanks you for everything.

Snow and Random Vance Pictures

Vance playing with his Nativity set from Grandma and Grandpa Birdno last year. He is trying to decide where things go.
He put them in there like that all by himself. He knows where the baby Jesus should go.

Note the animals all in a row.
Pushing the angel to make it sing "Away in a Manger"
The final product of his. Looks pretty good.
Vance found a sheet of Smiley stickers and decided that they all needed to be worn at once so this is what he did.
You got me!
Such a goof.
He liked the snow but didn't want to wear a hat and he was mad that the snow wasn't sticking together so he could build a snowman.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year we were able to have 3 sets of Elders in our home. It was my first year being the Hostess and it went really well. Do you think I took any pictures of the food or anything, no! I don't know why I didn't think of that because the turkey was amazing but we will remember even without a picture. So here we are with the elders and it was great.

Curtis cheesing during a rousing game of Phase 10.
Just Chillin!
Vance eating his Pumpkin pie. He loved it.
He had a great time with the elders. He thought he was in Heaven!! Fun guys to play with and jump on.