Holiday Visit

We enjoyed almost a week in Massachusetts at my parent's new home. It was so very nice to visit with them and with Lea, Ryan, and Roebin.

Mom with her Wall Street Journal, Milo with his picture puzzle.

This particular morning the temperatures were in the low twenties but that did not keep Levi inside.  He was excited to discover the iced-over koi pond.

Papa led the boys on an exploration mission.

Nana read lots of books. 

Lots of snuggles.

Roebin says, "Help!  Where did Ruby go??"

We told Levi he had to hang on tightly.  Roebin loves to pitch himself forward without warning.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Boston

We've had a lovely day. It was a treat to celebrate with Roebin on his first Christmas.

Roebin is starting to crawl, though he can only do it backwards. In an effort to go forward he gets up on his hands and knees then pushes up onto his toes and balances there for several seconds. Yes, Roebin is planking. I've got to catch a picture of it before we leave!

The boys have enjoyed exploring Nana and Papa's new house.

Uncle Ryan and Papa helped Levi with his new Lego set.

Daddy and Milo played with his new tracks.

Holly Jolly

Last weekend we celebrated an early Christmas with the Dickson side.  It was so nice to see everybody.  Lots of fellowship and food and fun.

Time for our annual family picture!

One with hats!

3rd Annual CousinSugarExtravaganza

We're making it a tradition to get together with Joel and Kelly's crew for some holiday sugary fun.

here's 2011
here's 2012

This year we watched KC Sporting win the championship and made sugar cookies.

Lucas took this picture then thankfully made sure Levi washed his hands before handling anything edible.   Ben and Milo were really funny about cutting out the dough.  They treated it more as a play-doh experience- wanting to make 3D objects (like a wall) instead of flat snow-flakes and whatnot.  They gave Kelly a run for her money.

Gift Package

Auntie Lea and Uncle Ryan sent a box full of presents from Boston. As I mentioned here, they are bundled up because the house was still pretty cold.

wrestling off the ribbon.

He was excited.

Yay!

Yay!

They got right down to playing with the play-doh.  The other end of the table was a lego building station.  Can you pick out my station?  Yep, hot tea and a shelter mag.

Christmas Eve Service

We all enjoy the tradition of going to Lynn and Marji's church on Christmas Eve. The service ends by candlelight and everyone singing 'Silent Night.'

Kosse's chewing on an unlit candle.

 

Levi talked us into letting him hold a candle this year.  He did very well.

The funny part about that was I ended up with the 'special' battery powered candle. 

Our family picture!  Compare to last year.

Christmas at Gran and Grandpa's

Opening stockings.  Gran and Grandpa sure know what these boys like!

These D rings made Levi so happy.

He loved getting to be the little elf that dug out presents from the back of the tree.

Opening their own mess kits for camping.

They were both thrilled to get real camping backpacks.

Levi and Lucas put his lego set together.  It looked really cool.

Alison 'read' for the longest time from her new Bible.  It was so adorable.  She held the book out just like the teachers do.

Last Sunday of Advent

Mia is feeling a little better but still is not quite herself.

Kosse is a very busy little boy.

 

The big kids enjoyed Gran and Grandpa's play-doh.

Kosse waking up from his nap.

Wanting to be picked up by Grandpa.

Levi and Lucas putting together a Legos gift from Aunt Aundrea and Uncle Chuck.

 

Milo got some, too. 

We got to worship together, make homemade pizzas, and open one present.  Santa is coming a day early so we treated this as our Christmas Eve.

A Few Pics from the Weekend So Far

We've kicked off more holiday celebrations and have been visiting at Lynn and Marji's.

Here's Milo thoughtfully considering how to fill out his Gran's sudoku puzzle.

 

Sadly, Alison has the flu and stayed back with her Dad.  We'll see them later in the weekend, hopefully.   Aundrea, Mia, and Flurry came though.

 

Kosse!

 

Gran had all kinds of cool projects for the kids.