Christmas with the Strutts

While we were in Iowa, we spent a few days over at the Strutts. Most of the siblings were able to make a stop at Grandma and Grandpa's house so we got to see quite a few family members (we missed you Vargas family!). That also meant we got to meet the newest family members. We had three babies born this year with two born in November. 

Uncle Joe had yet to meet Cora but she became an instant fan. She loved snuggling with him. 

We also got to meet Autumn (born November 25th)....

....and Bennet (born November 11th). So many babies and only two arms. What's an aunt to do?

The kids also had some cousins to play with. Cora and Jonah have a lot of fun with the boys. Patrick is enamored with Cora. 

And Jonah loved Josh reading him books. 

There was also a ladder to climb, footballs to throw, and stories to read with Grandpa. Each of the boys has their special activity when they come over to this house. It keeps Grandpa very busy. 

We were able to enjoy a nice dinner with everyone. Dad carved the turkey. We bought an oil-less turkey fryer last year for Thanksgiving and never used it so we brought it out before we hosted a dinner this year. Dad watched a video online about how to carve a turkey so he was showing Grandpa. Grandpa seemed pretty impressed. 

This year we actually had to set up a kids table. How cute are they?

After dinner we got to open presents with everyone. The kids were very excited. 

Daniel wanted to open up everything right then and there and Patrick was fine with the boxes.

Here is the new family. Isn't she adorable?

Whenever Uncle Jon's around, craziness ensues. At least now he has a son to be goofy with when he gets older. 

Here are Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandchildren that were there. We were missing the Vargas girls. Although I'm not sure where we would have put them on the couch. I'm not sure what we are going to do next year.

We also got to celebrate Cora's 1st birthday (not really until January 7th but most of the family was there so why not). She wasn't too sure about the candle but she did love the cupcake. 

Happy Birthday, Cora!

Christmas Eve/Morning

Since we head out of town for Christmas break, Santa makes an early stop to the Weldon house. This year we worked it out with the big man to come to our house the evening of the 18th. So, the boys got in their pajamas and set out treats for Santa including a letter. 

Daniel also had the idea to have an activity for Santa to do. He took apart his Saturn V model he had received for his birthday and wrote up some plans on how Santa should put it together. He came up with this idea all on his own. He was pretty excited.

Of course Santa put it together. Then he added fire and hung it from the light. Daniel was pretty excited when he came down the next morning. That was the first thing he noticed. 

Even before his stocking and toys.

Patrick got a kitchen to play in...

...and Josh got some more sport-themed stuff.

Even Mom and Dad got their stockings filled. I guess everyone was pretty good this year.

After stockings, we opened the presents from each other and the other Colorado Weldons. Patrick was so excited he gave his present a hug even before he opened it.

He was pretty excited when he opened it, too.

The boys were very excited about all the stuff they received. 

Merry Christmas from the Weldons!

Holiday Parties at school

The big boys both had Holiday parties at school on their last day before break. A friend of mine offered to watch Patrick so I was there by myself (it was weird). They were actually staggered in times so I could attend all of both parties. It worked out well.

Daniel's was first. The parent volunteers had come up with some really fun games. This first one the kids had to through "snowballs" through the holes in Olaf. 

How cute are those posters?

Then they had the kids decorate snowflakes with beads. 

Daniel ended up turning his more into a spider but he was pretty proud.

Of course there were yummy snacks, and then it was onto Josh's party. 

Because I didn't have any little ones, I got volunteered to help out with one of the crafts in Josh's room so I don't have many photos of him. I was helping the kids put a handprint on an ornament to take home. I got to paint the kids hands. It was fun to see all their reaction to that. 

They also decorated cards and had a few Holiday word searches to occupy the time. And of course, snacks. 

They both wanted to stay until the end of the day (recess of course) so I left kidless for a few hours then headed back to pick them up. 

Now we have two weeks of no school. Whatever are we going to do?

Rice Krispie Treat Train

For our annual Rice Krispie Treat train, the boys wanted to make it all by themselves. They measured everything, 

and mixed them up. 

They even put them in the molds on their own. Then they started decorating. 

Patrick was really concentrating. It was pretty cute.

Josh was very meticulous.

Daniel just tried to put as much on as he could.

This is how they turned out.

 Choo choo!

Christmas Decorating

Joe hosted some co-workers for a holiday party so we spent the day cleaning and decorating the house. The boys helped put up their ornaments. 

Every year, we take the boys to Hallmark and let them pick out a new ornament. This year we came home with one from Nightmare Before Christmas (Patrick's current favorite movie), a car (Daniel's, of course), and Peyton Manning (only because they didn't have Demaryius Thomas). 

The boys love helping put up decorations. They did a pretty good job this year. I didn't move a single one.

We also decorated the rest of the house.

After seeing the big tree with it's own star, Daniel felt the other trees needed starts so he made some. 

I think it's going to be a great holiday season.