Sleigh Ride

On a thankfully warmer day (33F) Amelia & Kate went for a horse-drawn sleigh ride with MOMS Club. We had perfect timing as the previous days had been much colder and the next day it rained and all the snow melted.

Christmas Day

We had a great Christmas Day. Amelia got what she asked for from Father Christmas (purple presents) and lots more from the Grandparents. We spent a leisurely day opening gifts and eating. The turkey even managed to get done exactly on time.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Grandma Becky, Grandpa, and Uncle Mark trekked through ice and snow to get to Des Moines in time for the Family Service at Church. We had a lovely meal at Grandma Marilyn's then Amelia left out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

Freedman Christmas

On the 23rd we spent the day with Suzie, Jason, Tom and Grandma in Muscatine to celebrate "Freedman Christmas". Tom and Amelia had a great time opening presents and played very nicely together. We managed to make it home in a minor snow storm that night without incident.

Visiting Father Christmas

This year's visit to Father Christmas certainly went better than last year's. Amelia still isn't at all sure about him (hence the picture with Mummy) but at least wasn't screaming this time.

Christmas Preparations

We baked cookies for friends and the Childwatch Staff at the Y and Amelia decorated her window. Thanks for the stickers Grandma Becky.

Christmas Tree

We've had fun with the Christmas tree this year. We bought a lovely 8' real tree and managed to get it home (just) without it falling off the roof. Then we had a comedy of errors where the tree ended up in the stand 1/4" above the water line but we didn't realize it for a week and a half. After three nights of trying to fix it. . . . cutting of 2" from the bottom, drilling holes in it. . . we cut our losses and dug out the fake tree. Oh well. We'll know better for next year.