Christmas Memories

Christmas was especially fun this year as all four of our kids are now old enough to kind of get the idea of unwrapping packages. In fact, our greatest challenge all morning was helping Caleb and Emily wait their turn to open a gift and make sure they did not open anyone else’s in between turns. As you can see from the photos the kids were very excited and we all feel very blessed by the many gifts we were able to give and receive this year.

Taylor very excited about her "Santa" gifts - American (AG) Doll and a closet/cabinet to hold all their clothes and accessories.
Emily checking out her stocking

Brandon with his movie replica light saber - "Santa" found an amazing deal on this thanks to Aunt Bonnie contacting him about a big Amazon price error.

Caleb trying out his new Smart Cycle from Santa.

Taylor checking out her stocking stuff. A new little purse for her AG doll

Brandon with some of his Star Wars Lego sets.

Caleb opening a very special gift from Grandpa Wamhoff. A wooden shelve he built for Caleb's trains.

Charlie hung the shelve in Caleb's room and as you can see Caleb loves it!

Taylor opening her gift from Grandpa Wamhoff and Aunt Bonnie - Wooden bunk beds for her AG dolls. My dad made the bunk beds and Bonnie made all the bedding. As you can see Taylor was very excited. She loves it!

Brandon with his gift from Grandpa Wamhoff - an amazing wooden Crane! I can't believe my dad built this -it is awesome and really works! Brandon and Caleb will love this!

Emily with her bath toy from Aunt Sheri and Uncle Bob. Shortly after she opened this both Caleb and Emily were asked to take a bath. Already used it twice and they love it!

Very cute sweater from Aunt Bonnie - I could not help but think of my mom when she opened this. My Mom loved rabbits and she purchase a similar sweater for my niece Makenna when my mom found out that Bonnie would be having a little girl before she passed away about 3 years ago.

Caleb opening a gift.

I asked him to hold it up and smile.

Taylor opening a horse for her AG dolls.

Emily opening a gift from Gram's and Pop's - Caleb checking it out too!

Caleb wearing one of Brandon's presents - A Star Wars Captain Rex Clone helmet.

Brandon opening the helmet

Aftermath - pre-clean-up!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow... what a Christmas to remember. It has snowed over 20 inches in the last 48 hours. Here are some photos to enjoy

On our street...




Check the mail...

The front of the house

A Snowy Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from a very snowy Iowa. The fireplace is on, the Christmas music is playing, the family board games are on the table and there is a blizzard outside. Christmas Eve church service was cancelled, the movie theatre is closed and if the weather man is right this is just the beginning. On top of the bad weather, our house is contaminated with pink eye. Charlie, Brandon and Emily are all fighting red itchy eyes. During a short break in the weather we bundled up and headed outside for a family picture. Even though the snow was lightly falling the wind was a little nasty - hence Caleb hiding his head in the picture.

Christmas Eve 2009
Photo #2 - Caleb hiding

Caleb covering his head from the cold wind

Getting ready to go outside!

Little Emily all bundled up -pink eye and all!

Teacher Appreciation Gift

This year Taylor and Brandon made gift bottles for their teachers for Christmas. The bottles were filled with stickers, classroom supplies and a couple gift certificates.

The label stated:

Bottled especially for Mrs. Guthmiller (her teacher)

The Taylor Couch Bottling Company

2009

We cut a flap into the bottle to get the stuff in and then covered it with the label. I forgot to take a picture of Brandon's, but it looked just the same except with his name, picture and teachers name.

Christmas Program 09

Sunday night we had our annual Church Christmas program. Taylor and Brandon sang several songs and they each memorized a line to speak into the microphone as part of the program.

Taylor's line was,
"It's Christmastime
I want a toy; I want a book
With lots of pictures to enjoy."

Brandon's line was,
"I have a Savior who hears me when I pray.
When I have a need He's never far away."
They both did a great job - even Emily and Caleb enjoyed it!

Taylor is on the top row 5 from the left and Brandon is below Taylor to the left.

Taylor in her church jacket - all ready to go!

All dressed up and ready to go!

It's Beginning to Look . . .

It's beginning to look a a lot like Christmas. The kids had an early out of school yesterday due to the accumulating and blowing snow and this is what we woke-up to today. Between the 10 inches snow, winds and bitter cold school was cancelled today so the kids and I will enjoy a day of movies, games and reading!

Making Mini Gingerbread Houses

This year we purchased a mini gingerbread house kit and the kids had a great time putting them together. Here some pictures of all the fun.

daddy's House

Brandon's House

Decorating
Taylor putting her house together

Taylor put two houses together!

Our four reason to be thankful this holiday season

Thankfulness

Brandon's kindergarten class learned all about Indians and the first thanksgiving. He came home and he showed off everything he made at school that day!

Dance Day Camp

Each year the college dance team host a kids Dance Day Camp. The girls spend a couple hours in the morning learning new dance moves and a short routine. Then later that day at the Women's Basketball game they get to perform their dance routine at the halftime show. Taylor had a great time and did a great job! Here are some photos of all the fun!

School Pictures

We finally got all the kids school pictures . . .

Taylor ~ 2nd grade

Brandon ~ Kindergarten

Caleb ~ Pre-School (Age 3)