Brent, Jen, and Joel decided to take kids home on Saturday, so Krista, Craig and I went to our cousin's wedding with our parents. We were trying to remeber the last time just the 5 of us went somewhere. One night must have been enough; Mom and Dad were not ready to take us with today as they were leaving for their trip to Mexico.
It was a great day for playing in the snow!
snowball fight with Grandpa Steve
We finally got to Ankeny around 5:30 Monday night. We had a little b-day celebration for Joel (check out his new Superman pj bottoms from the boys), and then went to play with Jake and Chase.
I don't think this is what Craig signed up for when we moved here, but I sure do appreciate it!!!! Can you believe Joel missed out on the "storm of the century"? Good thing he bought his snowblower at least!
Here's our south-facing backyard. You can still see grass. 
Grandpa Jim gave each of the boys Christmas money today too. We're going to buy some toys this afternoon so they have something to do over the next few days while we're stranded in our house during a blizzard with -40 wind chills!!! (Yes, I am aware that it is +40 degrees in Ankeny!)
The first line: G (randma) I W(as) T(he) C(lass) L(eader)
2nd line: (using most of the letters from the first line) G(randma) I W(ant) T(ransformers) B(irthday) W(hen) I M F(ive)
These are the outfits my children wore as we decorated the tree this year.
We met my parents in P.R. tonight for a little parade. I sure wish I would've gotten a picture of Noah's sad little face as he was walking back from not getting any of the first round of candy. Luckily, there was more right away. When the parade was done, we walked around for a little bit, and the boys got cookies from the bank and hardware store. Then we finished with the best hot chocolate, cider, and spiced wine drinks. Thanks Mom and Dad; we had fun. 
We had to take a little trip to the park after dessert!!!
The kids slept well, so that was a bonus!!
It looks like someone could've taken Noah's bed. He slept on his floor all night.
Ella- (reading a Bob the Builder book) "Can we build it?.... No, we can't".
This dinosaur "magically appeared" (that's his story, and he's sticking to it) at our house. It belongs to Eli's preschool. I spent a lot of time trying to get him to understand why it is not okay for it to be at our house. I must not be doing a very good job. He is now VERY scared of the police, but he's pretty sure that he's keeping the dinosaur. 
And then there are the boys!!! Eli was at preschool or he'd probably be in the middle. Just kidding. He might be, but more than likely he'd be reading with Ella.
Mommy Ella did join in after a while. She is just so darn cute, and she can hold her own against these big boys (as long as they don't sit on her).
This is how he waited for his turn. I know he really should've been sitting, but I thought it was pretty good that he actually stayed in one spot (we'll work on the sitting thing next time).
Eli got the first 4 books of The Magic Treehouse series from Grandma Cathy in the mail today. I let him take one to bed at naptime. He read the entire thing in a little over an hour, took a little nap, and was so excited when he woke up. He said, "that was the best book ever!". Thanks Cathy; we'll have fun reading those with him.
Noah got his first issue of the Animal Baby magazine in the mail yesterday. He thought it was pretty cool that he could read magazines just like his big brother. Thanks Grandma Cathy!
Can you guess who bought the fire truck and who bought the books?
Yep, out of all the toys in Walmart, Eli decided on books. Thanks Grandpa!
He is putting on pajamas which is fitting since he put on jeans and a sweatshirt right before falling asleep last night. 
