Sunset Park and Grandma Street's House

This is the place where Nate always came with his Grandpa to skip rocks and hike. Nate really enjoyed giving the kids a rock-skipping lesson while we were there.

Much has changed since Nate had last been here. The trails are now a bit more like sidewalks. : )

Thanks, Grandma Street, for the new dresses

(and the legos!)

St. Louis Museum of Transportation

Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma's

On Christmas morning, we went to Jon and Abby's church and then came home for a big turkey dinner and presents.

Thank you Grandma and Abby for all the wonderful gifts!

Christmas at Home

Christmas Party at Home 2011--

We have a few traditions for our home Christmas

the kids each get three presents under the tree

and we stuff their stockings and then hide them around the house before we look at what's in them.

Bethany's three gifts were

A Veggie Tales karaoke cd player

A Curious George Collection with book and cds

and 

The Lion King blu-ray/dvd

Naomi's three were:

A wonderful collection of Roald Dahl books

11 Webkinz stuffed animals

Soul Surfer blu-ray/dvd

Jacob's three were:

The Bat Cave (thanks Downes boys for the suggestion)

Cars 2 blu-ray/dvd

A set of Level 2 and 3 books about Thomas, Lightning McQueen, and Transformers

After opening presents and having monkey bread and bacon, we ran an errand and went to Sticky Fingers for lunch. We spent the evening watching The Nativity, another tradition (and a great movie!).

A Few Random Christmas Pics

Our psychedelic Christmas tree as seen through special glasses

(thanks Lisa for the pic)

Melissa and Doug castle from Grandad

Naomi in her one-of-a-kind shawl made by Granna

and her cute side braid

(so very Naomi)