Merry Christmas

It started snowing on Christmas eve and we woke up to a wonderful winter wonderland. For those of you who know me realize this was the best Christmas gift ever - I LOVE SNOW!

We had a great Christmas - hope you had a wonderful day with your family and friends.

This was the view out the back door at my parents. The snow drifted up to the seat of the chairs on the patio furniture!


Christmas morning - Karsten is so snuggly in his warm fleece PJs.

Breakfast is done - can we open presents now?!

Madison isn't left out - she got to sit at the table for a bit.

Yay - time to open presents!!


Karsten did well with tearing open his presents. Usually when he got the paper off he tried to eat it.

I WILL get to that present. I want to open it now!!

Hanging out in the exersaucer playing with his new blocks while the rest of us open our presents.

Scott is suited up to shovel the driveway.

My parents neighbor had some friends over for Christmas dinner - at one point there were six cars stuck in the snow in this intersection.


Scott scooping the front porch with Madison's help.

And this is what Madison looked like after playing in the snow.

Chuck blowing the snow off their driveway.

Karsten sporting Chuck's Nebraska hat.

Funny look - stocking hat, bib and pj's.

The end of the day, Karsten was one sleepy baby.

Christmas Eve Tradition

Each year our Christmas eve tradition is dinner at my parents house and midnight mass at the church I grew up going to. We had been keeping an eye on the weather for the past couple of days because we were supposed to get a snowstorm on Christmas eve. Often, these forecasts never pan out so we weren't too worried.

On the morning of Christmas eve, my mom called and said we were going to mass at 4pm to avoid the bad weather that was scheduled to roll in later that night. You know when you have a full day of things planned and your schedule suddenly changes? Scott and I ran around like crazy people finishing gifts, wrapping presents, running errands, and getting packed to stay at my parents on Christmas eve. Thankfully Karsten took a long nap and we were able to get everything done. We made it to church at 3:30 into the seats my parents saved for us. It looked like we weren't the only onese who decided to go early because the church was packed - there were people standing anywhere there was room. Chuck and Shannon got there at 3pm to save seats and we were STILL sitting in the church lobby. It was so full that the priest started mass at 3:30. Good thing the fire marshall was not out and about - he would NOT have approved.

The church always looks beautiful for Christmas eve. I've always wanted to take a picture, but this year I finally had my camera with me so we took this after mass.


I couldn't resist this outfit when I saw it. I've had it since early November because I didn't want to risk them not having his size as the holidays got closer! He looked super cute.

Each year we take a picture in front of the tree before going to midnight mass. I have a Christmas scrapbook of our Christmas letter for each year and our picture in front of the tree that year. It will be fun to watch how Karsten changes from year to year!!

For all of those who were concerned about why Madison wasnt in the Christmas card picture, she still gets to be in pictures!!

Six Month Stats

Karsten had his six month checkup today and he's doing great. He weighs 19lbs and is 27 inches tall - both in the 75th percentile.

The doctor was pleased to hear he was babbling at us and that he was sitting up on his own. I had been a bit worried he had an ear infection because he had started to pull on his ears and hair around his ears; however, he had no other symptoms. She checked him out and his ears looked great.

She gave us the go ahead to start introducing solid food so we'll be working on that in the next few days.

He got a couple of shots today plus his flu shot so his little legs were a bit sore in the afternoon, but he was otherwise a-ok. What a trooper.

Thanks Gail!

Karsten got to open his present from Mrs. Gail tonight. He had a great time turning the package over and over before finally tearing into it.

Posing in front of the tree on his Christmas quilt before opening his present.

Playing with all of the shapes from this cool toy!


Blowing rasberries - he was having so much fun!


Telling us all about how much he liked his new toy!

Christmas Celebration #1

This weekend Dave, Peg, Cami and Uncle Charlie came down to celebrate Christmas. After many, many years of traveling to Lincoln for Christmas, it was nice to stay home and host everyone here! Shannon really did all of the hosting - there was lots of great food and fun to be had all weekend.

Uncle Charlie is Chuck's uncle so he's really my Great Uncle which makes him Karsten's great, great Uncle Charlie!

They stopped at our house for a quick tour before we headed over to Chuck and Shannon's on Saturday. Karsten had just woken up and was not sure about these 'new' people in his house. I wish I had a picture of it, but he stuck his little lip out and was looking pretty unsure.

Peg, Shannon and Karsten


Chuck is a huge fan of his Android phone - he's showing Peg all the apps she needs to download.


Uncle Charlie observed all of the festivities. I hope I'm doing as well as he is when I'm 91!!


Cami and Madison chatting. Both Madison and Karsten loved Cami's hat and couldn't take their eyes off it.


See - Madison still gets attention. Doesn't she look cute in her Santa's little helper shirt?

Grandpa, Karsten and Scott playing on the floor.

Uncle Charlie had a good time watching Karsten play!

Uncle Charlie and Karsten

Karsten in the highchair that's been in my family for years. My dad, uncle, cousin and I all sat in it when we were little.

Cami and Karsten had a great time playing.


All the festivities made Karsten sleepy.


After a short nap, Karsten was ready to open a few presents.

Dave and Peg got him this fun toy - he had a great time with pushing the top and grabbing the handle.

I was actually in a picture!

Peg and Cami enjoyed playing with Karsten. This game of peek-a-boo had him giggling.


Four generations of our family