These Small Hours

This blog has moved

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:53:00 +0000

This blog is now located at http://amberock.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://amberock.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

Patch

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:43:00 +0000

Cade has been wearing his eye patch for a little over a month now. And at his check-up last weekend, we found out it is working! So the constant, "put your glasses on" is worth it. I think Jim said he went from 20/50 to 20/30, so hopefully one more month to get it to 20/20 and then one month to "lock it in." I believe that he will still have to wear glasses after the patching is complete though, so it's all a little confusing to me. Way to go Cade...we know it is not fun (try walking around with one eye covered sometime)....and we are so proud of you!!

Bad Zhu Zhu Pet

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:32:00 +0000

Brecken came walking into the laundry room one night laughing, saying, "Mommy, my Zhu Zhu pet is on me!" I'm looking at her thinking, "oh she somehow clipped it on her shirt." Upon closer examination, I realized no, it was tangled in her hair. I knew this would happen sooner or later, especially since the instructions specifically tell you what to do if this happens:

• If hair gets caught by winding around a wheel, simply stop the wheel by firmly grabbing it. Next, Press the back or head button once to stop motor from running. Next, slowly unwind hair from axle by turning the wheel by hand.

Well, I tried these "simple" instructions and it didn't work out so well. We ended up having to actually cut a little bit of her hair to get Zhu Zhu out. Hmmm, maybe there's a reason they say age 4+!

Love Love Love Love Love

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:24:00 +0000

Love is...

I love when these two are getting along and playing together...so cute to hear Cade making his little sister giggle. And then the next minute they are fighting and Brecken is tattling on Cade, sometimes she's telling the truth, sometimes she's not. Cade probably gets blamed for a little more than he should and Brecken probably puts up with a little more than she should. And when Cade wants to give her good night hugs and kisses, she will often refuse...she does know how to push his buttons. But I know deep down the love is there. When they wake up in the morning, they always want to know where the other is and then they are so excited to see each other (for about 5 minutes). And when they are with other kids, Cade is always watching out for his sister.

We've been celebrating Valentine's Day for awhile now since Cade has his party at school last Thursday. We made Grandma Roberta's cupcakes to take to school. I still have not perfected the process but they turned out not only edible, but good!

Cade showing off the "surprise" inside.

They waited at least two weeks to open this package from Grandpa Steve & Nanna Celeste...they were so excited when the day finally arrived!

We spent today just hanging out at home...eating on our Valentine plates all day long!

Brecken is celebrating Valentine's Day tomorrow with her friends at Sue's and these are the Valentines she will be taking. She is very excited!

Cade took Toy Story valentines and chocolate to his friends at preschool. I chose Toy Story for him because I knew if I would have taken him the choice would have just been too overwhelming! And because every time we go in a store lately, he thinks he needs a new toy, so keeping him out of stores is just best right now! ; ) The teachers didn't want us to address the cards to the kids, just who they were from. Cade and I worked on it together and he probably would have wrote his name on all 32, but it was getting late so I helped (of course we procrastinated until the night before). He even sealed them with the sticker and taped the candy to them. It was fun to see him being so grown up, putting them all together. He actually made his own box at school, but this one came with his cards. When we were putting the cards together, he was bummed that he didn't get to keep one of his for himself. I said, "you don't give a Valentine to yourself silly!" Then when I picked him up, we had sent one extra and he was quick to tell me that he got to give himself a Valentine!

What else have we been up to during February?

*went to cousin Lauren's 5th birthday party last Sunday at Jumpin' Jacks...the kids had soooo much fun! It has bounce houses and arcade games. Tears from Brecken when we had to leave and I think they were asleep before we got home.

*went shopping with my mom last Friday and then met up with the Cases, Jim, and the kids @ Joe's Crab Shack. That is such a great place to take kids. 1. It's loud. 2. There's a lot to look at. 3. There's entertainment - the wait staff dances every hour or so. 4. They have the cutest dessert ever...a crab-shaped rice krispies treat that comes in an artist's tray with a brush and 3 "paints" strawberry, caramel, and chocolate. 5. During warmer times, there's a playground outside.

*Took the kids swimming at the new YMCA for the first time last Saturday. We had a blast until they found poo in the pool and we had to get out for 20 minutes. This was a half hour before they closed. We moved over to the other pool but it was freezing cold.

*watching American Idol, a little of Biggest Loser, Survivor, the Office, the Vancouver Winter Olympics, and starting today the Amazing Race. I think maybe we are watching a little too much reality tv. Brecken knows Russel on Survivor and often asks to watch him, Cade asked me if Biggest Loser was the exercise show, and tonight Brecken said, "I'm going to Hollywood! And sing for Simon!" I've never met them, but my friend Jodi's cousins, the cowboys Jet and Cord McCoy, are on The Amazing Race so that is fun to watch.

*went to church last Sunday and have been going more often...we're hoping the kids improve each time! ; ) Do we get much out of it? No, we're too worried about making the kids behave, but hopefully by just going we are setting a good example for the kids?!

*had our own little Super Bowl party at home. I actually didn't see much of the game or the commercials because I was working on photos, but I was happy to see the Saints win and Drew Brees with his son...so precious!

*attended the funeral of a co-worker's son who was only 27 and lost his battle with cancer. I did not know him personally, but he and his wife's faith through everything will always be an inspiration to me and I think every person that was in attendance will look at their life and faith differently.

*as I write this, it's snowing again.

That's all for now!

XOXO

The Mysterious Disappearence of the Christmas Candy

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:58:00 +0000

When we go to Christmas @ Jim's parents, there is A LOT of Christmas candy made by Roberta, Amy, and Katie. Caramels (my personal favorite), divinity, fudge, peanut butter balls, oreo balls, pretzel/chocolate/pecan things, bon-bon things with hugs inside, cookies, I can't even begin to name them all, but they are all of course delicious and calorie-free (because it's Christmas).

When we left, Jim's mom gave us a little Gladware container of leftover candy that we put in the fridge when we got home. A few nights later, I got the container out of the fridge and set it on the counter because I was going to have some and wanted it to soften up a little. : ) I did some other stuff around the house and then it was time to put Cade to bed, so I went up and read books with him.

I came back down, looking forward to my treat, and noticed that the container was no longer on the counter. I thought Jim had put it back in the fridge and when I didn't find it there, I checked the freezer...nope, so then I thought he must have it with him on the couch. Before I could ask, he said," what did you do with the Christmas candy?" So then we were both confused, wondering what happened to the Christmas candy!

We went to bed and I was still just baffled by it. I even got out of bed and did a walk through of the house, mainly because I knew if it didn't get put in the fridge, part of them would be ruined. (Did I mention I really love this Christmas candy?) I even glanced around Cade's room and found nothing.

The next morning I was still determined to figure out what happened. So I asked Cade if he had taken the container of Grandma's Christmas candy somewhere. And he nonchalantly says, "oh yeah it's up in my bedroom in my drawer, not the drawers where my clothes are, but the other drawers where my hats are. I wanted to have some when I woke up."

The sneaky little Christmas candy thief!

Our Snowy Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 23:59:00 +0000

Merry Christmas! Some things I wanted to jot down so as to not forget!

1. Christmas Cookies! We spent some quality time making, frosting, and candy-coating cookies for Santa. It was hard for the kids to stop eating the cookie dough – memories of my childhood w/ Mom and Grandma Morse…

2. The snow! Yes, we always seem to want a white Christmas until it does 5-16 inches across the state (along with some pre-party ice/sleet)
3. Christmas Eve Mass – we got there early (45 minutes early) and got some pretty good seats. The kids did well throughout thanks to some good distractions packed by Mommy.

4. Christmas Eve Dinner – for the past three years we have made Grandma Swenson’s ham balls – delish.
5. Cade making sure we cleared the way for Santa to get in the house by moving any objects obstructing the fireplace.
6. Decals…not fun to put on!
7. The kids slept in until 7:45/8:00! Cade actually was up at 6:04, but went back to sleep in a make-shift bed next to ours! Good rest for mom and dad!
8. Excitement over all gifts from Santa

9. Glad to see cookies ate, Cade’s card was taken by Santa, and evidence left by Santa (a boot print) by the fireplace.
10. Breakfast – eggs, sausage and doughnuts. The kids ate great…I think mostly because we made them wait until after breakfast to open gifts from us!
11. Scooping the snow! We had to get out and clean the snow off for the four-wheelers. We managed to hold off until Noon, but these four-wheelers are not made for snow!
12. Lunch – we made ham-salad from remaining hamball meat…then started eating them only to find out the ham (we think) was not cooked… The nurse at Mercy thinks we will be ok…just watching for “turning stomachs”.
13. The barking dog (to the tune of jingle bells) – a gift from my boss is the most popular toy in the house…and the most annoying… ;-)
14. Breck wanting to put on her new elmo & zoe underwear…we put them on over her pants – pretty funny.

15. Trying to figure out plans for trying to head to Minden (will it happen?) in the snow…while trying to figure out what to have for dinner as we were not planning on being home Christmas Night!

I am sure there will be more to come, but I wanted to jot down a note from our day. It has been a nice family day. The kids have had their usual battles over toys, but they also have had some good times playing together. I am thankful for our family time this holiday. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:54:00 +0000

Santa Claus Comes Tonight!

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:32:00 +0000

And we are soooo excited!! We baked cookies for him this morning and will frost them tonight after we go to church. Cade asked for a 4-Wheeler and a Webkin. Brecken just stared at him in awe. When later asked what Santa was going to bring her, she would reply, "a candy kind!" (Because that's what he gave her when she saw him.) We're not sure though if these two ended up on the naughty list or the nice list...stay tuned!

30 Days of Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:17:00 +0000

During the month of November, many were posting the things they were thankful for on Facebook. I thought that was a great idea, but since I'm not one to use Facebook much, I am posting mine here...only it's 13 days late! ; ) What can I say? Life is busy!

Nov 1 – thankful for solo shopping trips
Nov 2 - thankful that I am busy at work (leary about this one, I was thankful for my job last year and look where it got me!; ))
Nov 3 - thankful for those who run for office and want to make our communities better
Nov 4 - thankful for keeping in touch with friends - old and new
Nov 5 – thankful for lunch dates with my hubby
Nov 6 – thankful for Survivor nights
Nov 7 – thankful for a good husband who is a great dad
Nov 8 – thankful for seasons
Nov 9 – thankful for good health care and the doctors and nurses that took care of Brecken during her hospital stay for croup
Nov 10 – thankful for our home, feels so, so good to be here after the stay at the hospital
Nov 11 – thankful for all the men and women who have and do protect our country and freedom by serving in the armed forces
Nov 12 – thankful for our little family and our ordinary life, even during the trying times
Nov 13 – thankful that my husband got to visit old football friends in Ames and that he made it home safely
Nov 14 – thankful for a Cyclone win and tailgating with great friends
Nov 15 – thankful for wonderful friends and family that came to help us celebrate Brecken’s 2nd Birthday
Nov 16 – thankful that I was able to use my mother-in-law’s cupcake recipe and make some unbelievably yummy cupcakes for Brecken to take to daycare for her birthday
Nov 17 – thankful that Cade didn’t cry at drop-off today
Nov 18 – thankful for occasional coffee drink stops
Nov 19 – thankful that I work part-time and could be with Brecken when she had a double ear infection and had to get her 2-year shots
Nov 20 – thankful for dinner and drinks with a dear friend who I don’t get to see near as often as I want to
Nov 21 – thankful that we took Cade to the eye doctor when we did
Nov 22 – thankful for emergency vet care so we didn’t lose Wrigley to mice poison
Nov 23 – thankful for reading bedtime books with Cade and falling asleep with him
Nov 24 – thankful for “stretch-your-belly” day at work…delicious breakfast and desserts
Nov 25 – thankful for lunch with Cade at his preschool where the kids helped make the meal, made table decorations, set the table, etc. So cute!
Nov 26 – thankful for my fun family that we spent Thanksgiving Day with!
Nov 27 - thankful that my mom and sister-in-law will go shopping on "Black Friday" with me
Nov 28 - thankful that we got to spend time with Jim's family for a delayed yummy soup Thanksgiving
Nov 29 - thankful that my dad and stepmom come up the first weekend of December every year to celebrate Christmas with us
Nov 30 – thankful that 11 years ago a couple of guys encouraged another guy to approach a girl and that he did! : )

Jack-o-Lanterns

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:43:00 +0000

We didn't get around to carving pumpkins this year, but we (mostly Jim) did make some jack-o-lanterns for our window. I got the idea from this magazine/website: http://familyfun.go.com

Happy Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:42:00 +0000

We've packed a lot into this Halloween season: a trip to Living History Farms, Trunk-or-Treating at Cade's preschool church, a party at preschool for Cade, and trick-or-treating in our neighborhood on Beggar's Night. Cade chose to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (this was a surprise, thought for sure he would want to be Batman), which turned out to be Leonardo and Brecken "chose" to be a Ladybug. I mainly chose it because it looked warm. I wasn't sure she would really want to wear a costume, but she loved it and would bring it to me periodically wanting to put it on. She really got into the trick-or-treating (and candy) too. She got the stomach flu about 2 days ago, so we were glad that she was feeling well enough to go. So even though the weather was less than cooperative, we have had a fun Halloween season!

Cousins

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:16:00 +0000

Because I don't want to forget...

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:39:00 +0000

Brecken:
*says, "Oh no...bummer" when something bad happens
*doesn't like having her hair washed, lies down on her back as soon as you start putting the soap in
*calls Cade, "Mo Doggy"
*loves to say a prayer (Cade's from preschool) before dinner...starts with "hold my hands" and then the only part she says is at the end "for our food...amen" and sounds like a little southern girl with the way she says "amen." She always wants to do it at least twice...sometimes it turns into "hold my hands" and then the singing of "how I wonder what you are" or "happy birthday"
*bedtime routine consists of reading 1-3 books and then singing songs until she's content with the number of times you have sung "twinkle, twinkle little star"
*she is getting good at reciting her abc's and 123's, although they usually aren't in order ; )
*she likes to roll her eyes back in her head when she's trying to get you to do something
*she recently started wanting to eat the lotion after her bath
*will sometimes cry when we drop her off at daycare, but usually is set on finding toys
*still likes to help unload the dishwasher
*is learning too many negative things from her big brother
*loves talking on the phone and gets mad when someone else is and she isn't
*is a great snuggler, cuddler, hugger, and kisser
*loves to look for tractors and water when we're in the car
*likes to help feed Wrigley
*calls her jacket her "life jacket"
*has started doing this high-pitched scream when she doesn't get her way...she can certainly make heads turn!

Cade:
*is still obsessed with playing with the neighbor kids...specifically Gavin and Cole
*doesn't like to go to preschool...says it's "kinda boring"
*learned to ride his bike without training wheels this summer!
*rolls his eyes when Brecken wants to say the prayer twice
*is getting better at his alphabet and numbers
*has a crazy good memory when it comes to anything non-school related ; )
*bedtime routine consists of a long drawn-out bathroom routine, reading 3 books, and laying with him until he falls asleep which means falling asleep yourself (this developed out of necessity for our sanity, but I really don't mind it (jim might disagree)...some day, some day...)
*loves motorcycles, 4-wheelers, and jetskis
*loves to sing Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me."
*is constantly challenging the rules of "stay out of the street and don't go in your friends' houses" (yes I'm secretly glad it's getting colder!)
*is learning words and phrases that make me wonder where he is learning them
*calls Brecken "Shoobles"
*recently clasped his hands together and said, "Mom this is how you pray...and if you pray, then you'll have a baby in your tummy." What exactly are they teaching him at preschool?
*gives me glimpses of hope when he does sweet things like put all of Brecken's blankets and animals in her bed before she goes to sleep, tells her good night, shares his toys with her, and looks out for her around other kids

Happy October 10th...

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:24:00 +0000

I knew it was supposed to "snow" today, but I didn't think we would wake up to this! The kids are beyond excited, wanting to eat and shovel the snow. I'm sure glad I bought these mums a week ago.

Go Clones!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:26:00 +0000

I am not going to take a nap...

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:56:00 +0000

I am not going to take a nap, I am...not.......going...........to......take

Pedi Anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:54:00 +0000

This kid tests my patience at least 25 times a day...but then he does something hilarious and cute and it makes me realize why it's all worth it.

Brecken was napping, and Cade and I were resting...soon he left the room and I had forgotten that I had set my nail polish on the desk when I was cleaning out my purse, but even so, the thought never crossed my mind that he would attempt to use it. I realized after he had been quiet for quite some time that I needed to check on him and this is what I found...he was so proud. Then he asked me, "Mom is this blood?"

Oh and he somehow managed to not spill a drop!! If he had, I might not think this to be so funny.

Ouch

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:29:00 +0000

Cade took a major dive off of his bike Monday night...right into the sidewalk. I'm not sure who it was more traumatic for...him or me, but we're both slowly healing.

2008 in Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:51:00 +0000

2008 Year in Review from Erin Morse on Vimeo.

There is sound (music) and yeah, it's long...still haven't gotten good at cutting!

Take me out to the ball game

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:44:00 +0000

The neighbor kids were over last night for an intense game of baseball

Wrigley Watched from the outfield

Breck on the deck

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:37:00 +0000

A picture from last night w/ the new camera lens.

Winter ~ Please Go

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Dear Winter,

Please go away. You are not welcome here anymore. We really enjoyed you back in November and December, but it's now April and you are still hanging around...it's time to go. Seriously. we've had enough hot cocoa and we've been cooped up inside long enough...we will welcome you back again, but for now, you MUST GO. Please, just pack up your suitcase and leave us alone. Take our coats, hats, and mittens with you. We are ready for green grass and flowers, flip-flops and warm sun.

TTFN,

The Morses

A Couple Friday Funnies

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:19:00 +0000

Cade is familiar with Harry Potter because we have one or two of the movies and he has watched with Jim but I guess it's been awhile. Well a few weeks ago, the kids and I went to the library. Cade picked out some books while I chased Brecken around and picked up after her. Before we left, Cade saw the DVDs and wanted to pick one out so he's looking through them and all of a sudden yells out, "Hey Mom, they have Harry Peter!" I realize that some may not find that funny, but I personally had to stop myself from laughing out loud. Then later that night, I'm telling the story to Jim and Cade pipes in, "Yeah, they had lots of Harry Peters!"

My stepsister, Cindy, and her family were watching the movie "Guess Who" starring Ashton Kutcher. When Hope, her youngest daughter, who is 5, saw Ashton for the first time, she said, "Hey...I didn't know that Uncle Jim was in this movie!"

**Happy Friday!!**

How Do You Measure Your Love?

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 21:36:00 +0000

A fun site: http://iloveyoumorethanblank.com/

Mine would be: I love you more than making lists, white chocolate mochas, and Palmer's brownies.

Jim's would (probably) be: I love you more than Tiger Woods Golf for the Wii, Lost, and my thermos (that keeps my coffee hot for 24+ hrs).

Cade's would be: I love you more than Star Wars, chewing gum, and scissors.

Brecken's would be: I love you more than bath time, my pacifiers, and toilets.

How do you measure your love?

Happy Valentine's Day!!

December

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:40:00 +0000

The highlights of our December...

We counted down the days until Christmas!

I attended an Advent by Candlelight at my aunt's church...she invited 10 people and then has to decorate a table and serve dessert. We were entertained by choir, a band (with a clarinet, who knew anyone played after high school?), and bells. It was a nice, relaxing way to begin the holiday season. And the dessert was awesome...Italian wedding cake. How cute is her table?!

We had pictures taken with Julia and Lauren for Christmas gifts for grandparents and Brecken had her 1-Year pictures taken.

We celebrated our niece Julia's sixth birthday at her house and then to Pizza Ranch for dinner...we were babysitting Jim's little cousin Sarah, so she went with and the kids were WILD! Thank goodness for party rooms!

I took a day off to finish up my Christmas shopping...except I didn't finish. Accomplished a lot though and got to meet Jim for lunch at P.F. Chang's. Our first meal without children in quite some time! I lost my list half way through the day...that didn't help!

Jim had a night out with his Investment Club. They went to All Play downtown...it's a Chuck E. Cheese for adults basically.

Listened to lots of Christmas music (yes, I'm one that doesn't mind that it starts playing before Thanksgiving).

I had a "night out" to go watch my cousin Ali perform in the Nutcracker Ballet at the Hoyt Sherman Theater downtown. She was an angel and had a limited part, but she was awesome. Another little girl in her group fell down when she was running out onto the stage...twice! These are second graders, felt so bad for her, she was crying afterwards. Broke my heart! Afterwards we went out to dinner at Spaghetti Works with my mom, aunts, the Cases, Ali, and her friends. Jim and the kids stayed home with Grandpa Clark.

Had an early Christmas with my Dad & Celeste. While they were here, we went and saw Santa at the Winterfest here in town. It was freezing cold, but we waited in line for Santa. Cade told him he wanted a sled and a snowblower. I don't think Santa is going to deliver on the snowblower! Brecken sat on his lap, but was pretty emotionless. I personally, thought he looked a little scary! There was someone carving ice sculptures, cookies and cocoa at the community center, and horse & wagon rides. It's a really cute little celebration, but it was soooo cold.

We also got together with my aunt and her kids for dinner. My aunt made lutefisk (fish) and lefse (like tortillas, but Norwegian I guess?) like my grandparents used to. She went to a lot of work and it brought back memories of holidays spent with my grandparents. The best was taking the leftover lefse or potato cakes and putting butter and sugar on them...yum! My four cousins all live near us, but we really only see them once or twice a year. It's fun to see all of our kids together...the older boys (Steven, Nathan, and Alec) are so good with the younger kids (Cade, Brecken, Julia, Lauren, Olivia, Danika, Cale, and Lola)and Cade had a blast playing rough and doing what little boys do. He kept calling Alec, Alex but thought it was pretty cool that they had the same Puma shoes. Cale had a toy gun so I'm pretty sure Cade thought he was the coolest kid he'd ever met. Brecken was a little overwhelmed, but was happy to wander around exploring their house and take ornaments off their tree. Our contribution to the night was Swedish Meatballs...made mainly by Jim and my dad...they were delish too!

We attempted to get a good family photo...

We celebrated Christmas with my mom and Clark, my brother and family, and Clark's kids and families. We cut back this year, can't you tell?

Thumbs up Jer!

We drove through the Jolly Holiday Lights and stopped at Santa's Village at the end and visited him again...highly recommend this for seeing Santa...not much of a line at all and they have cookies, hot cocoa, etc. Cade asked "if Santa cut his beard because the last time we saw Santa he had a long, curly one."

We spent Christmas Eve at home which was a little weird but nice. Most of the day was spent preparing food. We decided that taking Brecken to church was just not the best idea, so just Jim and Cade went to the 3:30 mass. Cade did pretty good. We had an interesting dinner at home, the food was good, the behavior was not. I think Brecken ate before us and then Cade sat in time-out while we were eating...it was really peaceful and relaxing. ; ) We opened some presents that evening and then got ready for Santa by leaving cookies, milk, and carrots...Cade fell asleep watching "Cars" on our new ipod. I think his favorite gift was the "Star Wars" t-shirt...would wear it 24/7 if we would let him.

Brecken just could not keep her little hands off of the Christmas tree...we found ornaments strung about the house...I think she ended up breaking three and by the end of the season, our tree was only decorated on the upper half because every time she took one off, it got put up a little bit higher.

We woke Christmas morning to find that Santa had visited. It was really iffy there for awhile! He brought a Cabbage Patch Kid (named Nelda), a tent and tunnel (did he think we had room for that?), a sled, a wheelbarrow, and a Wii as a "family gift." : )

After playing for a bit, we headed to my mom and Clark's to celebrate Christmas with my mom's side of the family. We stayed there for a few days which is always fun because Cade loves it there and we can relax and kind of disconnect from everything at home. We ate, played a lot of games, and ate more. Seriously, we were like on the two-hour plan for eating.

My cousin Troy is a Husker fan so every year there is at least one or two "gifts" exchanged...one year it was a mug plastered with pictures of Cade in a Husker hat, this year my mom wrapped up 5 boxes of Cyclone Crunch for him.

Brecken was up to her ornament snatching at Grandma's too...

Cade got to try out his new sled...

We also had a chance to visit our friends, the Wilsons, and have dinner with them. Kaleigh made some delicious Cornish hens and made her famous Creme Brulee. Cade thought "the torch" was pretty cool!

Jim also had a chance to visit his grandparents. Grandma Eileen had knee replacement surgery right after Christmas so Jim took them some meals that we had prepared so they could have some easy dinners while she was recovering.

Our little Rudolphs...Sue helped the kids make these at daycare...such a cute idea! The reindeer antlers are their traced hands.

What a busy month! We loved every minute of it and can't wait 'til next (or this) year!