Christmas

We were able to make a trip to Pella to celebrate Christmas with Paul's extended family on the Van Gorp side.  They rented the Pella Christian elementary gym for the occasion.  We have been to another gathering where they did this same thing and it works out really well for the large amount of people that attend!  Plenty of room to eat and play!

Grandma Ruth captured this sweet hug I received from my favorite little boy.  Love.

Plenty of play time with all the P.E. equipment.  

Sydney, Jace, Ruby, and Julianne

The big boys played an intense basketball game.  Paul made the game winning three pointer.  ;)

Annie made fast friends with Aunt Barb.

Ruby and Jace made Grandma Dorothy of Christmas ornament.

Asher and Jace made a sure mess of the gym closet.  Hopefully we got everything back to where it belonged.

Talking with Grandpa John 

We celebrated Christmas with Paul's immediate family the weekend before Christmas because Uncle Joel was able to make a trip to SE Iowa!  

Some things never change...

The kids received small recorders in their stockings and put on a very LOUD performance for all of us.

Christmas morning...

 

Annie's FIRST Christmas!

Zippy sacks!

Annie and her new phone 

A thrilling game of Monopoly JR after opening gifts and before daddy had to go to work. 

Paul was able to take a few days off to come with us to Sibley for five days!  We left the day after Christmas.  We took a slightly longer route to pass through Des Moines to pick up Aunt Hattie and Uncle Brandon who flew into DM from Phoenix!  

Ruby could not wait to sit by Hattie in the back of the van!

Selfie by Jace ;)

Ruby had a couple more birthday presents waiting for her!

Grandpa Bill and Grandma LaDonn with all four grandkids.  Probably the last picture with just four, as my brother and sister-in-law are expecting baby #2 in just a couple short weeks!

So fun to see Hattie and Brandon again!

The boys and grandma 

Plasma cars!

The girls

The big boys

Peek-a-boo with Uncle Kenny!

JENGA!  This became a fast favorite for everyone!  Lots of Jenga played over those five days!

And Jenga blocks can be used for many other things as well!

Annie relaxing with Grandma

Two peas in a pod... 

Grandpa Bill gave skid loader rides!  Definitely a highlight!

These two played in the garage on several occasions to try out their new plasma cars.

Bedtime stories with Grandma

We visited my grandparents one morning.  Although we didn't get any pictures with them, I snapped this quick shot of Jace and Grandma Great's train.  He loved it ;)

It was pretty cold while we were there but we did manage to sneak outside for awhile one afternoon.  

Hadley came to play too!

I had gone inside to check on Annie.  All of a sudden the kids are coming inside WITH POPSICLES in their hands!  WHO DOES THAT?!  They knew where grandma's stash of popsicles were in the garage fridge and apparently decided they would make the perfect snack following snow play!  

We played lots of games of Sleeping Queens.  We all enjoyed this new game!  

Annie loved hanging out with her Aunt Hattie.  

These two came up with a southern accent while we were there.  Hilarious.  They had so much fun together talking in their new accents!  

Me, mom, and Hat

On our way back home.  

We had a wonderful Christmas season with all of our family!  We are so thankful for all of the many blessings of 2015 and wish you all a wonderful 2016!