The Showalters Arrive for Christmas

Brent, April, Cade and Kasen arrived on Thursday, December 27 in time for supper, some play time and bed.  They spent the Christmas weekend in Kansas and now it's time for the Iowa family.

Cade loves the basketball blanket!

Good night, sweet Kasen

Friday - Time to Play!

Checking out the presents!

Time for hoops

And race cars

And Candyland

And ramps

And cars!

Running off some energy at the Wellman Y

Lots of made baskets for Cade

Christmas Eve & Day

Christmas Eve

We were invited to the Kahlers in Cedar Rapids for the annual Christmas Eve gathering there.  Landon and Owen had both been sick but were fever free for 24 hours so we got to go.  We attended their church's Christmas Eve service at 4:15.  Then back to the Kahler's house for supper.

"May I have a cookie?  Please!"

YUM

New big boxes made into a "fort" in the play room 

Cuddle time - Owen still wasn't feeling well.

Landon reading the Christmas story

The Kahlers

Tracking Santa!

Christmas Day
We hosted the Christmas Day gathering.  This is the year that our kids/grandkids are at their in-laws.  We invited my mom & dad, sister Judy and Jim, Aunt Dorothy, and Aunt & Uncle Darrel and Janet.  These are all very special people to us!  Dinner, visiting, watching sports on tv, and playing games consumed our day.  A special visit from my nephew Matt, Bethany and little Kaden completed our day.

Mom, dad and Judy

Darrel, Don and Dorothy

Jim and Janet

Many games of Sequence and then Farkle

Matt, Bethany and Kaden

Kaden with his great grandparents

Dad at 85 and mom at 82!  

Christmas of Long Ago!

I found these Christmas cards from my childhood years.  Such precious memories of Christmas as I was growing up.

My brother and I on the stairs - a family tradition

twin sisters Judy and Jane, me and brother Bob - 1956

My family!
notice the matching dresses that mom made us

Jane, Bob, me, Judy

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas photos!  What FUN!

The Kahlers

Landon (almost 7) and Owen (3 1/2) 

Our "dear" Owen!

Sweet "snowman" Landon

Scott and Melissa!

Landon with Melissa

The Kahlers in Christmas costume!

Our littlest "snowman" Kasen

Cade (4 1/2) and Kasen (2 1/2)

"Dear" Cade with "Santa" Brent

April and Brent

L & O in Church Christmas Program

We traveled to the New Covenant Bible Church in Cedar Rapids to see Landon and Owen sing Christmas songs in their children's program.  Owen willingly went on stage with Landon this year.  Last year he refused to wear the angel costume and participate with the 2's and 3's.  This year the three year olds got to be with the big kids.  

On stage and ready to sing!

Big brother advice to little brother.

Our adorable boys!

Brothers!

A Day with Papa

We picked up Landon and Owen Sunday evening so that they could stay overnight with us and then spend the day with Papa on Monday.  Landon didn't have school and Monday so we "saved" them from a day at daycare.  Monday I was off to sub in kindergarten so Papa was in charge!

Sunday evening at Papa and Nana's house!
Yes, Owen wore his tiger suit to our house.

Don took the boys to the Wellman Y to play Monday morning.  After a battle of shirts and skins on the basketball court (Don vs. Landon & Owen) Owen played with his cars and Landon played 2-square with Don.  No pictures as I wasn't there and Don forgot the camera.

Nap time for Owen
He gathered vehicles to take to nap.

Sweet Landon enjoying quiet time

Snack time before Don took them to meet Scott
at West High.