St. Nick came

Some how St. Nick managed to find out house this year as well. Lucky Ducks.

behind schedule

We are a little behind on the Christmas tree for my liking this year. Normally we have it up the day after Thanksgiving, or at least that weekend. But we had to throw away our tree last year as sections of lights stopped working by the end of the holiday...so we hadn't had time to get a new one. 

Then our unplanned trips for funerals put a wrench in our ability to shop for one; so last night, we headed to At Home to see what we could find. And we got one!!

So tonight we got it up and decorated! Feeling much better about the holiday progress now.

We went back to a tree with white lights. I had wanted to get one with both multi and white light options; but it just didn't happen. And after last Christmas, Nana made me a tree skirt because I was struggling to find the one I wanted! I love it! Need to get some new ornaments next year I think. And our tree topper was too heavy for the tree; so we are going topless this year.

Hope the kids didn't mind Rudy and Buster putting up their Christmas window clings last night...at least they did a nice job applying them. Not quite the window the kids probably would have chosen. Oh well.

remembering...

This morning we were up for breakfast at the hotel and off to the funeral home to celebrate the life of Dick Farley. He would be so proud of these kiddos, now he and Grandma Carol are looking down on them together again. They've had a long time apart. 

These kids can clean up quite nice; they get along so well when they are together. When Hudson get a little older he will be getting in trouble with these guys.

Following the service we headed to a luncheon with family; then headed home. Our truck was full! Thankfully Jess and Brian kept Gizmo for us for the weekend; or he wouldn't have had any room for the drive home. Ed had to share his new acquired toy once we got home.

work horse

Look who found their way to Cedar Rapids...they are always watching.

Nana and Papa worked us hard today! So much stuff to go through and either keep, donate or throw away. These kids were exhausted!

And these two had a blast playing in the dumpster! They did a great job of squishing stuff down so we could fit more since we filled it up in 2 days. They will definitely need a few more before this job is done.

We did take a break for lunch, headed to Buffalo Wild Wings as a family. Then it was back to the grind, trying to get as much done as possible while we are in town. 

When we had finally had enough for the day, we headed back to the hotel for some swimming and Taco Bell and bed. Moly and the boys arrived in the late evening for some swimming and hide and seek. Blayne was in Italy for work and flew into Chicago on Friday am; so Dusty and Julie picked him up at the airport and to Iowa with them. Keith arrived on Thursday when Ed arrived. Then Sheryl and Dane arrived on Saturday after we did. 

The only picture we got of all the kids together tonight. Nana had to go back to her room to get something so she took all the kids along; and they were thrilled to visit Twiggy.

we made it

...to Iowa! We arrived right about dinner time! Got to help with some sorting, eat some pizza, then head to the hotel to rest up for a full day of work tomorrow. 

It was pretty late; but Rowan insisted on swimming, so I took her to the pool, but she got bored fast by herself. We will swim tomorrow with the rest of the group.

another day

This is the story of our life these days...airing out hockey gear in the basement. 

Eddie had practice last night and Rowan has gymnastics this morning; so we will be heading to Iowa when she is done at noon. 

While Rowan is at gymnastics this morning Eddie helping to get some Christmas decor out. What better way to get our weekend started than buy putting up Grandma Carol and Grandpa Dick's ceramic tree...

Ed found this minnow bucket; as if we need another one of these.

Last night I went through our pictures to send to Walgreens for printing and came across this goodie; probably Grandpa Dicks last trip out of Iowa. He sure shared his walker well.

This car was a toy of Grandpa Dicks when he was little.  

More vintage toys... 

they're back...

Look who returned...Rudy and Buster!!

And they have been in our underwear drawers.

Ed keeps sending pictures of things they are finding at Grandpa Dick's house...

And his pile of things he is bringing home keeps growing.  

Coin collecting at it's finest.