Christmas, better late than never

Jacob had his Christmas program at church on December 12th. The church was really crowded and he stood way in the back, so I didn't get good pictures or him, or even see him for that matter. It was a great little program though, put on by the Kindergartners thru 2nd graders. Jacob got to be a donkey and come in yelling "Hee-haw".

We went to see Santa at the Mustard Seed, a nursery by Carver that has reindeer that they tote all around in December. Jacob had actually seen the exact same Santa the day before at a sledding outing and then he remembered talking to Jacob, so that really made him seem believable. Jacob kept asking and telling everyone he wanted a "sled that looks like a snowmobile" and Gavin just asked for "presents."

Gavin, Jacob, Santa

The Sunday before Christmas we went to Springfield to my Grandma's for Christmas with my Dad's side. I only have 1 uncle and 2 cousins, so the gathering is pretty small, but the six kids still make it seem kind of hectic. You know a Grandma's house, with all the delicate knick knacks and the ceramic Christmas village set-up like a kid should drive hotwheels down the streets. Sigh. The kids were pretty good there and great on the 2 hour car ride there and back and it was great to catch up with the cousins and their wives.

Back: Doctor Bob, Katie, Toby, Doug, Amanda, Lawyer John, Adrea, Joe, Mom, Dad, Fred with Wyatt, Amber. Front: Grandma Lyd, Isaac, Jacob, Maddie, Gavin and Alyssa.

Fred had the Thursday and Friday before Christmas off, so we headed to Melrose on Wednesday evening. I got to hang out with some friends on Wednesday evening in Albertville, so that was a fun start to the weekend. Fred and Jacob did some snowmobiling in Melrose on Thursday and we celebrated our nephews Logan and Riley's birthday at the Middendorf's, since the first attempt had been snowed out.

Friday was our usual crazy Christmas Eve. Started at Jeskes in the morning for brunch and stocking presents. We got to play some Pictionary with the adults before heading over the Middendorf's for a late lunch and the dice game gift exchange. I had to feed Wyatt during the game, so Jacob played for me. He got the game "Risk", which we have and I do not enjoy, but he was super excited about it. Then we headed off to church with very tired kids. Wyatt slept and Jacob dropped his candle during "Silent Night", but luckily it blew out on the way to Fred's leather jacket. After church its back to Jeske's for gift opening and then back to Middendorf's for more gift opening. Later that night I went back to Jeske's to play with Adrea and her new "Scrabble Flash", pretty fun. Adrea's boyfriend Tim joined us this Christmas, so it was a momentous occasion, she rarely brings her boyfriends around us.

Alyssa, Amber, Adrea

We hung out with at the Jeske's house on Christmas day morning, had lunch and then packed up to come back to Chaska to see what Santa had brought the boys. Jacob got his sled, Gavin got "my own Leapster", and Wyatt got a playgym. Growing up Santa brought us our big gift, but at Fred's he brought everything. I don't like to give him that much credit. The boys got some movies, CDs, Bendaroos, Moon Dough and a DQ Blizzard maker among other stuff. I got really pretty pearls that Fred's co-worker had bought in Manilla. Fred got boots and a Keurig.

Jacob opening his Snowmobile Sled.

Gavin hugging his very own Leapster.

Gavin in between each present, playin his Leapster.

Jacob ready to ride. Yes, we got the helmet to fit better than in this picture.

Wyatt under his new playgym.

That evening we baked Jesus' birthday cake and used the new Blizzard maker to make ice cream to go with it. Yum!

Jacob and Gavin blowing out the candles after singing Happy Birthday.