Christmas Morning

Jay, Jack and I had a nice, quiet Christmas morning together. Jack is still a little too young to really understand what is going on, but he seemed to enjoy opening his presents. Jack's big present was a trampoline. (We are hoping it will help him burn some of his extra energy!) Jack received many fun gifts, but of course his favorite was the Thomas the Train spin toothbrush in his stocking!

Opening gifts with Daddy

Sometimes the box is just more fun than the toy!

Christmas with the Johnson's

On Christmas Eve, we celebrated with Jay's family at Bob and Gayle's house. The kids had fun running around and playing together with all their new toys. We made several attempts to get a good picture of the all the cousins together, but sometimes that just isn't possible when it involves 5 children under the age of 5!

Jack and Mommy opening gifts

Our first attempt at a group photo of the cousins
Tyler wasn't too happy!

The brothers having fun with their hand-knitted scarves made by Gayle

Jack and Daddy

Grandpa reading Jack's favorite book, The Wheels on the Bus

Jack and Tyler

Our second attempt at a group picture....

...it didn't go much better!

Jack and Ava playing with Jack's new toy

Celebrating Christmas the next day with Grandma Johnson Joe, Jack and Abby with a few of Great-Aunt Kathy's crazy hats

Christmas in Pella

We headed to Pella this past weekend to celebrate Christmas with the family. We started off the day by making gingerbread houses. Jay and I argued over whose gingerbread house was better...of course mine was the winner! Jack also tried to get in on the fun...but he was mostly interested in eating the candy! After dinner, we had a surprise visit from Santa (aka Jay)! As soon as Santa walked in the front door Jack immediately started crying....and he didn't stop crying until Santa left! (Poor little guy wasn't feel well that night so that may have had something to do with it). When Santa left, we continued opening presents and then ended the night playing games. What a fun night! Christmas next year will be even more fun with two more babies in the family!

Jay and Jack making gingerbread houses

The girls with their gingerbread houses

The cousins!

Jack did not care that Santa brought him presents...he wanted nothing to do with him!

Not very happy about sitting on Santa's lap!
Grandma and Grandpa with the kids

The girls dressed in their matching aprons

The kids checking out Kaiya's new ride

Matching pajamas (they look like little elves!)

Sitting around the table playing games

On Sunday we headed to Grinnell to celebrate Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa McCulla. Jack was running a fever all day, so we weren't able to stay too long.....just long enough for lunch, presents, and a few pictures!

Great-Grandma and Grandpa with Jack

The McCulla great-grandchildren

Bass Pro Shop

Jack and I went to the Bass Pro Shop with Grandma, Steph and Kaiya last night to visit Santa. Jack has been obsessed with Santa this holiday season so we thought he would be excited to sit on Santa's lap. He was very vocal in pointing Santa out while standing in line, but when it was his turn to sit on Santa's lap, he didn't think it was a very good idea! There were no tears...but definitely no excitement either! Fortunately we were able to snap a few pictures before he tried wiggling off his lap!

After we visited Santa, we had dinner and walked around the Bass Pro Shop. Jack and Kaiya had a lot of fun running around and they especially loved watching all the fish in the giant aquarium. Unfortunately, we did get a few tears at the end of the night when it was time to say good-bye to the fish!

Kaiya and Jack with Santa

Grandma wanted in on the picture

Waiting in line to see Santa
He loved the fish!

Steph and I with Jack and Kaiya

New pool

Jay and I have been wanting to put a pool in our backyard since we moved into our house 5 years ago. Well this year we finally gave in! We signed the contract in the beginning of August and they started digging the first of September. Our pool contractor told us it would be a ten day project....unfortunately it has turned into a three month long fiasco! However, we are happy to report the project is over 90% complete. The only thing we are waiting on is some of the pool equipment (pump and heater). We are still hoping our pool contractor will get them in before the new year, but it will not be the end of the world if it doesn't happen until next Spring. We will have plenty of work to do in the Spring with repairing our yard, landscaping, and building a pool shed. But we are looking forward to warm, sunny days next summer!

The almost finished product

Pool cover

The rest of the pictures show the progression of the project. Our backyard has changed quite a bit in the last three months!!