We had a very Merry Christmas this year and hope you and your family did as well!
Here is our Christmas card picture that our dear neighbor took for us before church one Sunday in December.
This holiday season, Ruby helped me do lots of baking which included at least three separate sessions of cut-out cookie baking and frosting.
She's a pretty good helper ;)
When Grandpa Bill and Grandma LaDonn came for Ruby's birthday, we made cute little Christmas tree goodies to give to our neighbors.
I took the kids to the Holiday Lights Parade in Cedar Rapids. We dressed very warm and had a great time!
We celebrated Christmas with the Van Heukelom side the weekend before Christmas because both Paul and Jon had to work Christmas Eve and Stef and the kids would be in Sibley over Christmas.
The whole gang ;)
Ruby and Asher
We spent the week of Christmas at home this year. It was very calm and relaxing. Paul had to work through Christmas Eve but he had Christmas Day off.
The Elf on the Shelf visited us this year and the kids loved finding him every morning. On Christmas morning, he left us a note explaining that he was back with Santa. He also reminded us that although Santa is a fun guy who loves Christmas, Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Our Elf, who Ruby named Arky, found The Christmas Story book on our bookshelf so we read that Christmas morning.
The kids opened stockings and a few presents from us (and Santa too!) on Christmas morning. We went to Papa Gary and Grandma Ruth's in Williamsburg that evening for supper.
Paul had to work for a few days after Christmas and then he had about a week off over New Year's. We headed to Sibley on the 30th. We have pretty awesome travelers. :)
One of Jace's favorite things about Sibley is getting a ride in Grandpa's skidloader.
On New Year's Eve we went to Sioux Falls and had supper with Kenny, Carrie, and Tate. We got to visit the Light Show at the Western Mall. The kids had fun dancing to the music synced with the beautiful lights.
Then we braved the freezing cold weather and went to Falls Park.
It was also our TEN year anniversary! Crazy how time flies! :)
Our time in Sibley also involved a lot of baking! Ruby got to decorate more cut-out cookies.
And helped Grandma LaDonn make popcorn balls for the second year in a row. I sense a tradition forming!
Hattie and Brandon arrived January 1st, as did Autzen. Jace loves him.
We also spent some time with my grandparents. My grandma fell in her garden this past fall and broke her hip. She is 84 years old and is probably the most beautiful 84 year old I know! ;) Despite being so tiny (she also has some tummy issues that limits her diet), she is doing amazingly well. I was so impressed to see her up and moving around like nothing ever happened.
One afternoon while Jace napped, the big kids and Ruby went bowling! My cousin, Ally manages part of the bowling alley and invited us to our own private party. ;) We had the whole bowling alley to ourselves and had a blast. I bowled the best I've ever bowled at 7 months pregnant! I'm not sure what that says! ;)
This was Ruby's first time bowling. She said this was her favorite place ever! They did not have bumpers or anything for littles to use to roll their ball down the lane. So after a few variations in rolling the ball, she got some pins down!
Jace, my cousin Ally's little girl Jaylee, Tate, and Ruby
Tate and Jace
Saturday mornings in the Hartzell household almost always includes bakery doughnuts!
And this girl can put one down no problem ;)
We opened gifts with my whole family on Saturday morning, January 3rd, before traveling home the next day.
Ruby loves putting on magic shows, so she got a Princess Sofia magician's costume. We caught her in the mirror later in the day just looking at herself with her new look!
Jace and Tate helping eachother.
Grandpa Bill trying hard to help Jace before his patience runs out. :)
We always love our time in Sibley and it is always so special having the whole family together.
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