Merry Christmas

We celebrated Christmas this year in our new house.  We had such a busy lead up to the holiday that we haven't done all we wanted to do for us or our loved ones all over the US.  Here are a few photos that weren't blurry.  Thanks to everyone who helped make Christmas special.  Everyone had fun opening their gifts and playing with them or eating them.  : )  Thank yous will be in the mail soon. 

 Will opened a fun gift from Great Aunt Renee and Great Uncle Harold.

They gave him a cool construction spoon, a puppet book and an apron.

 Here Louis is with some great Legos from Papa and Grandma Carol.

 Aunt Sue and Uncle Tim sent Will this fun Santa bib...

My Auntie Knows Santa.

 Doug's parents sent us this pretty evergreen centerpiece.  It smelled great!

Coffee!!

 Louis was so excited when he opened the tractors from Darrel and Susan, he had

to stop and play with them right away.

 Cool books from Susan and Darrel

 This is a very smiley Will with new clothes from Grandma and Papa.

spoon...what's a spoon?

Despite the smile caught on camera, there weren't a lot of smiles to be had.  We tried some cereal.  We tried it a few ways but so far it is not a hit.  Someday we'll figure it out.  I doubt he will be taking a milk bottle at 16.

Caution

Louis's bright orange room before chaos hit. 

 Louis is practicing his law enforcement skills.

: )

Cute as a Bug

I found this costume when I was unpacking.  It may be December, but he is still cute as a bug.  Better late than never?

Looking at the camera is challenging...

Thank You Auntie Michelle

Will got this fun chair from Aunt Michelle and Cousin Jakob.  He likes to sit in it and chew on his toys.  Everything is something to gnaw on now.  Oops Just realized that I already posted this one.  I don't know how to delete so it will have to stay up here.

the most cozy seat in the house...

...dad's tummy

Who Stole the Cheese?

One of Louis's birthday gifts was Mousetrap.  We all played.  Doug was the winner.  He trapped both Louis and I in the trap!

New Room!

We spent our first nights in the new house this week.  Here is Louis getting his new sheets.  We found him blue camo sheets...gator room!!!  We will post more photos later.  We are living in a box storm at the moment.

snake attack

Clear the streets! New Driver

He is a little small for the car but I later stuffed the front with a rolled up blanket and it worked great.  He sat in it happily while I unpacked some of the boxes in his room.

early christmas

Thank you Aunt Michelle!  We opened Will's gift early.  We are trying to get him off his flat spot.  He likes his new little chair.  : )

4 months

Clearly not a great picture.  I was rushing to take it and discovered my camera was out in the car overnight.  I caught one rough photo before the lens fogged up and prevented any other photos.  He looks concerned and like an old man.  Look at that forehead. 

Mom's Favorites

me and my owl

Jennifer Devlin made this adorable owl.  Thanks to Kelley who made the awesome blanket.  So excited to have my friends' creations in my favorite photos!!

I'm 3 months old!

Our 365 Portraits came to the house to take Will's 3 months photos.  Lisa was our photographer and she did an awesome job.  She actually caught some smiles (which is tough).  Thanks to Kelley for the handmade blanket and thanks to the Field Family from Langdon for the adorable outfit.  It looked great with his blue eyes! 

Santa

Will and I joined my family to meet Santa in MN.  Later I will try to scan in the photo of Will and Jakob on Santa's lap.  Doug wasn't feeling that great and Lou didn't want to go.  Maybe we can find another time in KC to take one of Will and Lou together.

Thanksgiving in Minneapolis

Suzanne and Will

Amy Jake and Pete

Jason and Alyssa

Adelle and Will

Doug and the boys playing pool.

Jessica and Amy

Will's first Thanksgiving

Great Uncle Harold and Will

All of the kiddos

Matt and Jacob

Louis playing with Ali

Entrance of the Macy's Christmas Display

Eating at Alyssa's favorite restaurant...Ichibans!

Mark, Will and Ali

Early Christmas gifts from the Oelfke's and Suzanne

Jake and Will

Early Christmas from the Oelfke's

Kiddos at play

Kate at play

This year Doug, Louis and Will joined me in Minneapolis for Thanksgiving.  It is a long family tradition that we all get together at Thanksgiving at my Aunt and Uncle's house.  The Nygaards fly in from Seattle, the Burrows drive over from Chicago, Suzanne flew in from Korea, the Schraders drive down from Langdon and we drove up from Kansas City. This year they hosted 29 people (including 2 newborns).  We were so excited to spend the week with everyone.  I didn't get all of the pictures that I should have.  I guess we were too busy having fun.

The boys had pool and football to entertain themselves.  The kids had a houseful of games and toys.  I was super excited to finally play the game, Bang.   I think the sherriff and deputies came out on top most of the time.  There was always someone playing some game; foosball, pool, pinball, backgammon, Bang, Sorry and Bannanagrams were just a few. 

The men went out for their guy morning on Friday.  The Schraders went to one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Minneapolis, Ichibans.  I just can't get enough of the chicken liver.  I was excited when Louis didn't like it. 

The girl cousins had a fun lunch on Saturday followed by a walk through Bachmann's Idea House.  Thanks to the grandmas for entertaining all of the kids.  I missed getting pictures of some of the family and friends. Aunt Renee deserves a huge thank you.  Hopefully we will see you all again soon.