Merry Christmas

 What happens when you combine a runny nosed child with a home covered in tree needles?  Hailey's Christmas mustache!

We were lucky to have Keith's parents visit us for a few days before Christmas.  They brought gifts, but most importantly they brought a willingness to play, play, play!  And the kids sure kept them busy.

Hailey used gift bags as purses and Hudson played marbleworks in his pajamas all day.

 An advertiser's delight, Hudson has fallen in love with nutella as a result of a sample that was left on our doorstep.

 On Christmas Day we woke up to find our new stockings (courtesy of Keith's cousin Anika - aren't they beautiful!) ready for opening. 

 Hudson was delighted with all of the little things he found in his stocking.

 Hailey needed help to get her gifts open (which Hudson was happy to provide), but caught on quickly how to feed her baby with the new bottle.

 Hudson gave Hailey a doll stroller and Hailey gave Hudson the game Connect4.  They were both thrilled with their gifts.

Then we packed up the car and headed to Ridgewood.

 Grandfather-Grandson snow shovels - no time like the present to start shoveling snow thought Hudson.

 Hailey got a baby doll and a refurbished (courtesy of my Mom) doll bed.  The soother magnets onto the doll's face and Hailey loves it.

 Lots of Kroekers, lots of purple, and a Dawgs bowl game win.

 We spent a few nights at Uncle Tom and Aunty Sara's house.

First Hailey crawled herself onto the couch and lounged, then Uncle Tom scooped her up to cuddle.  So cute!

There is a pool table in the clubhouse at Sara and Tom's complex, which Hudson put to very good use.

 Hudson decorated Christmas cookies with my Gramma - something I've done for years, likely starting at his age.

 

We went on a snowy (and cold!) walk.

 Hudson also got a car mat (cotton balls are snow) and a doctor's kit, both well used already.

Hudson had his first experience sledding, in the front yard at Ridgewood with Sara, Tom and Papa.  He was surprisingly adventurous. 

 Little Reesie was sick and just watched from the window, cuddled up with Grandma.

Happy cousins.

We're thankful for another year with each other and with our kids, who we (humbly) think are the two best kids around.

Happy 2014!