Christmas(es) 2012

Christmas #1: Our Family Christmas

Simple, but so good just to be the three of us...

probably in part because we've had so much time apart lately.

Helping Daddy unwrap gifts

Jack's been into airplanes since flying to and from WA,
so he got an airplane and...

an airplane book...

...which can only be read while holding his plane!

Christmas #2: Brinkman Christmas

A few days on the farm...enough time to celebrate Christmas, play some ball, see most of the extended family, and get some tractor rides.  Almost none of which I got pictures of...imagine that!

Painting with Grandma Nan

Opening gifts with a couple of his Aunts

Christmas #3: Helmkamp Christmas

And finally south for a few days with the Helmkamps.  It was fun to have the cousins together--Ryan and I decided we're pretty spoiled to have two older nieces who are so good with littler cousins!

Reading with Papa

Lazy River with Dad at the little water park

where we spent a morning. 

Little snowman warming up with Grammi

Our little goof-wad entertaining himself on the 6-hr ride home!

Snow Day

We got an awesome snow right before Christmas...wooo-hoo!

First we brought some inside to play with...

...then we headed outside as soon as dad was done in the office.
We didn't last long outside though...it was COLD!

Marcie's Graduation

Marcie graduated from Iowa State University this last Saturday...CONGRATS MARCE!  And Congrats to Jack, who lasted through the 3+ hour ceremony...okay, lets be honest, over half of the time was spent out in the concourse running around!  Welcome to the long list of family alum Marcie!

Aunt Marce on the screen? 

I'm pretty sure Marcie is one of the gals in this picture...
My zoom and our seats were not compatible for a good photo!

The best part of graduation (no offense Marce!) was watching the faculty member just over the shoulder of Lieutenant Governor Reynolds as she gave her commencement speech.  Here are some photos that Alisa managed to capture...they'll give you an idea of why we were so entertained.

Just a quick cat nap won't hurt anything

Absolutely no interest in trying to hide his boredom...
I wonder if his students ever give him this look!

Supporting the head to avoid the embarrassing head bob upon waking
...though I'm not convinced he was too concern about the head bob.

thrilled

"You've got to be kidding me...how long is this going to last?"

To be fair, the photos where he appears to be sleeping may have just been prolonged blinks.  And I can't say I didn't feel his pain...he just happened to be seated in an unfortunate position which broadcast his expressions for all to see and he had no option of stepping out to go run around the concourse for awhile.

Jack's had a busy couple of days.  Yesterday we hosted a mom & kids Christmas party, (Cookie Exchange for the moms, play date for the kiddos).  And today, Jack went to his first day of school!  (Child Development day w/ one of the youth group girls.)  He was super excited to go this morning because he thought he was going to the "school bus"--I was a little afraid he'd be disappointed.  Apparently he did well and lasted the whole day (8:15-3:30)...seemed like a long day to me.  Not that I'm complaining about a free day to myself...especially with Ryan gone!

I didn't take an photos at the party, so you'll have to be
content with a picture of some of our snacks! :)

Ready for his "First Day of School"

Jack's artwork and name tag...his name tag couldn't have fit
him better!  I'm not sure if it was made before or after they
saw what toys I packed for him, (his construction equip)!

Jack & Ella

A couple late entries from Ryan's camera from Thanksgiving...but they're too cute to pass up!

Ella can read now, so she and Jack enjoyed a little quite time reading together. :)

Christmas Fun

We've been trying to get in the Christmas spirit the best we can in this spring-time weather.  First, Alisa and I took Jack down to a kids' Christmas breakfast in Grimes last weekend where Jack sat on Santa's lap, had a candy cane, sausage, and maybe a bite of pancake for breakfast (yep)...and listened to some Christmas stories.  Then tonight we hit up Polk City's annual "Lighting of the Square" with Alisa and our friends Amanda and Eli.  It was great to see them again--Eli is such a fun little guy with great energy!  Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of the boys together. :/

Thrilled with his candy cane...it's Christmas...everyone
needs a little sugar, right?!

Not old enough yet to realize this should probably be a bit scary!

Jack was quite impressed with sitting in the fire truck

Carriage ride around the square...too busy looking at every
light except the one on the camera! :) "More yights, more yights!"

Headed Home...

Planes are a fairly close second to
construction and farm equipment, so
Jack enjoyed the airports and flights home

Thanksgiving in St. Louis...

(and my lack of documentation of the holiday!)

Weeeeeee!

These two were a bit of a pair!

Getting in the Christmas spirit...

Decorating w/ dad before he leaves

There were no real options in the yard this year, so we
found this ditch tree just up the road a ways :)

Jack's new nativity that he CAN touch

Cozy and ready for Christmas...just need Ryan to come home!