Family Photos

We took family photos with Adam's parents, brother, and sister-in-law before our Christmas party on Saturday.

 Here are some of our best poses:

Christmas and Sledding

We celebrated Christmas with Adam's family on Saturday. We started the morning by taking family pictures at Hill's Electronics.  Ryan was in a good mood and I am excited to see the proofs of our photo session. I think we got some nice shots of the whole family, plus our family, the boys with Adam's parents, and even just the two boys.  After pictures, we ate lunch and had a non-traditional, but very delicious baked potato bar. We also tried the Key Lime Bundt Cake I'd received in the mail this week from "We Take the Cake," courtesy of one of our vendor partners at work.

Finally, it was time to open presents. Ryan had the task of passing out all the gifts, then we opened them one-by-one (with more than a little help from Ryan). 

Clockwise from top left: Ryan aggressively helping unwrap everyone's gifts, Ryan passing out gifts, opening up his dump truck, playing with and opening his combine.

Ryan was also quite excited to receive a new Hot Wheels track-this one with a loop that races two cars against  each other with one of them getting caught in a "snare."

After presents, I headed to a co-worker's wedding and Kim watched Cohen while the rest of them headed outside to do some sledding in the backyard. Ryan is lucky to have so many willing "pullers."

Here's a quick video of Ryan's downhill run:


After the snowy fun outside, Ryan and the gang relaxed with a viewing of one of his favorite VHS tapes: Winnie the Pooh.

We got one more special present in the afternoon--each family got a "marble run" made by Great Grandpa Mol from Cedar off the family farm. This is one of Ryan's favorite things to do at Grandpa and Grandma's house and now he gets to have one at our house!

After some pizza for supper and lots of good-byes, it was time to take our crew home. We had another great Christmas celebration and were glad we were able to spend the day with Andy, Kim, and Adam's parents. Our Christmas "season" is winding down, and it's been a great one! We have much to be thankful for.

Big Brother and the Belching Beagle

Cohen's Newborn Pictures

Cohen got his pictures taken on Friday when he was 9 days old. A newborn never does exactly what you want them to do and he refused to lay on his stomach and hated almost any pose that wasn't on his back in a nice comfy blanket. But, we just rolled with the punches and I LOVE the pictures we ended up with! All photos are by Southern Belle Portraiture. Thanks, Hayley, for squeezing us into a busy holiday schedule and for going along with my crazy ideas!

Here are some "head shots":

 

Future Football Player:

Or maybe he'll play on Daddy's baseball team instead:

Or he could be a bookworm like Mommy:

 

Many people have asked if Cohen looks like Ryan. I see a few similarities at times, but here is a direct comparison. Cohen at 9 days vs. Ryan at 3 weeks:

I think they're both adorable!

Christmas Night: Cohen Meets Great Grandpa

On Christmas Night, we had supper with my mom's side of the family. My 92-year-old Grandpa, who lives in the nursing home, was able to be at my parent's house for supper. This was the first time he met Cohen, whose middle name is in honor of my grandpa. He had been anxious to meet his newest great-grandson and said he was sure a cute baby!

Four Generations

My grandpa is usually pretty quiet and this was no exception at supper, until my Uncle was telling us about his son and daughter-in-law's new jobs. They are both pharmacists and he was explaining that one works with nursing home clients and the other works with mental patients. My grandpa piped up and said, "I think I would qualify for both!"  It was great to see his wit and humor still there!

Christmas Day

We ate lunch at my parents on Christmas Day and then tried to get a picture of the grandkids together.

Finally, the grandkids got to open their gifts.

Ryan got a "Kubota" (aka John Deere Gator)

All the kids helping Saylor open the gift that was bigger than her!

Ryan and Lincoln checking out Ryan's train tracks

 After the rest of us opened our gifts, Ryan and Lincoln spent the afternoon playing trains together in the basement. It is fun to see them get to the age where they can actually play really well together.  While they played, some people just hung out:

Cohen with Grandpa

Cohen with Aunt Abbie

Others snuck in a nap:

Wade and Saylor

 We had a great time celebrating together as a family!

Christmas Morning

We spent Christmas morning at home, eating homemade caramel rolls and opening presents. Christmas is truly much more fun to see through the eyes of a child!

Reading the Christmas story before opening presents

Opening his first present:

Opening his new bike

We have a little growing to do, but excited for this summer!

Hi-Ho Cherry-O and a few other gifts.

Opening the gift Ryan picked out for Cohen.

Cohen's first Christmas at home!

Christmas Eve

After a productive morning at home we headed to Hull early to see my sister's family before our Christmas party. Cohen was rocking the reindeer jammies once again.

Cousins Emily and Lincoln (who looks a little skeptical)

Cousin Emily

Aunt Megan

 Then, we headed to the bank to have supper with my dad's side of the family. We had lots of great food and fun seeing so many family members. I failed to get any organized pictures, but don't worry, Cohen did not have trouble finding a willing pair of aunt's or cousin's arms to be held.

Jace, Ryan and Emily eating more appetizers (cheese and crackers) than supper.

Ryan's racetrack was a hit with many of the cousins.  Emily, Jory, Jace, Lincoln, Carter, and Ryan.