Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The kids were very patient on Christmas Eve as they waited for Paul to get home from work.  As soon as he got home, they were ready to open presents!

Annie had plenty of help.

Then we went to Christmas Eve service at our church.

Santa came while we were at church ;)

Christmas morning

The ER Christmas crew

The kids said goodbye to Arky, the elf who visited our home during the Christmas season.

On the 26th, we headed to Sibley for a few days.  

We were able to travel to Sioux Falls on the 27th to see my brother and his family as well as Paul's brother Joel and fiance, Amy.  

Annie and Tate

Grandpa Bill, Annie, Grandma LaDonn, and Palmer

Ruby, Amy, Annie, and Joel

 After supper, we checked out the awesome Christmas lights at Falls Park.

 Back in Sibley, it was a quiet and relaxing week.  

Grandma gave Annie a manicure.

We played Watch Your Mouth... hilarious.

My dad wanted us to check out a building he built for a couple who has a huge collection of antique gas pumps and anything having to do with old gas stations.  It's quite the museum.  The kids did great "sight seeing" and not touching...at least too much!

My grandpa thought it was amazing!

Grandpa and Grandma Great

Ruby played a lot of "Go Noodle" in my parents heated garage.

She could also be found texting Aunt Hattie.

We ate out at one of Sibley's few restaurants, El Tios.  Annie especially loved the salsa.

We traveled back home on the 30th.  

For New Year's Eve, we hung out at some friend's house for a kid-friendly party!

 Cheers!

A riveting game of Left, Right, Center... with real money!

 We rang in the new year at 8:45, complete with a countdown and Auld Lang Syne!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2017! 

Ruby's 6th Birthday!

We teased Ruby literally ALL year about how we were going to make her go backwards and turn 4 again on her birthday.  But we caved and let her turn 6!  SIX.  What in the world?!

Paul and I were both able to have lunch at school with Ruby the day before her birthday.  Paul had to get back to work but I was able to stay for another hour or so and help her class make their gingerbread houses.  So fun to see their unique creative ideas!

Ruby was proud of her gummy bear riding a sled (off to the right).

We had a last minute change of plans when it came to Ruby's birthday party at the ice rink.  It was scheduled for Wednesday, December 21st, but I received a phone call the Wednesday prior saying that hockey practice was scheduled for that night and we had to switch our party.  Grrr... but things happen so we quickly rescheduled to Friday, December 16th, the day before her actual birthday. Thankfully, most of her friends were still able to join us.

Ruby and her Kindergarten friends: Kerigan, Amara, Kenzie, and Ruby

She's getting the hang of it!  Notice Paul in the background.  He had a few girls attached to him all night!  At one point in time, the whole party crew made a train behind him!  Unfortunately, my picture turned out blurry.

One of the things Ruby asked for her birthday was her own room.  She had been sharing with Jace, and Annie had a room to herself.  So a few weeks before her birthday we made a room switcheroo.  Annie now shares with Jace, and Ruby gets a room to herself.  One of the benefits to that is our nightly reading time together.  I think I enjoy it just as much as she does!  We snuggle and read in her bed every night, so on the night before her birthday she said we needed to take one last picture of her being 5!  Love her.

Having a birthday so close to Christmas is interesting.  When originally asked what she wanted for her birthday she responded with, "my own box of crayons."  Done!  We can handle that!  However, as her birthday and Christmas came closer, her list kept changing and growing!  Haha!

She still received her own box of crayons which she was very excited about!

As well as some new, much needed tennies!  She also received a new bike!

The day after her birthday was the Christmas program at church.  

Ruby was the wise man that carried myrrh.  

Annie loved watching her big sis.

After church we continued the celebration with Paul's family at Iowa River Power Company, one of Ruby's favorite places for Sunday brunch.  They found out it was her birthday and brought her this ginormous dessert!

Make a wish!

At Van Allen, you get to take a birthday selfie with Mr. Ewald, the principal, on your birthday!  

Love that idea!

Time sure does fly when you're having fun.  And we have fun with this little lady every day!  She makes us laugh and smile and she's such a good girl.  She's a wonderful big sister and her brother and sister love her very much.  Even though we can't believe she's 6, I guess we will let her continue to grow up!  Ruby girl, we love you to pieces!  Have fun being 6!