Farm Progress

The holiday break also gave us a chance to make some pre-move farm progress. Mostly indoor stuff for now, and it's hard to get too much done in one trip with the kids and the drive factored in. Still, progress is progress!

We built Ernie a loft bed and turned his bed back into a crib for Walden. Pretty cute brudders room, if you ask me.

Hardware is already removed here, but this is the best "before" shot I got of Grandma's 1960's kitchen before we started sprucing it up.

The incomplete "after." Norovirus hit during this trip, so we didn't get to finish the hardware change.

But still, I like how the painted cabinet/drawer fronts looks!

It took a lot of painting (those ceilings are HIGH!) but Len's room is now the right wall color and ready for her to move in.

Enjoying the outdoors

The nice long break from school and work gave us time to enjoy the yard and neighborhood.

Ernie and Mr. Piley, the powdery snowman.

Annual tree recycling and obligatory "sure, the kids helped" picture.

Len actually did get our tree into the pile! Good job, Len!

The tree was a lot lighter this year, but the walk home is always the heaviest.

We had some nice weather days in December and gave ourselves a Woods Park break.

Gonna miss this park, too.

Holy Holidays!

Here it is, all of the Christmas-related activities in one post!

Lenora's gift from her preschool teacher Mrs. Reitz was a small tractor. She adores it. We'll miss Dimensions and Mrs. Reitz.

Aunt Laura and Shaun spent the holiday out east, so they had us over for a pre-holiday party. Here's Laura opening part of her gift, which contained a small jar of "Jeremy's Famous Popcorn Seasoning" (i.e. his very own harvested bellybutton lint). Inside joke, I guess.

She made Walden this adorable mobile with balloons and clouds. He loves it so much we have to remove it for his morning nap or he'll never stop talking to it.

Ernie's at the age where he asks for specific gifts now, but he was still surprised that he actually got Dragon Mountain!

Both kids got some Harry Potter-themed items since we are reading the books. Ern is using his wand to cast a "Parental Assisto!" spell on a hard-to-open package.

Walden doing his best Bing Crosby impression, and not really caring about presents at all.

They were busy all day with their gifts. This is the sign of success.

It was a Hall Homecoming Holiday. Here's Jeremy being the fun uncle with the fascinating nostrils.

Ernie reading his invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They were excited/confused/nervous/anxious. We're still trying to convince him he has to wait until he's 11 to attend. He stopped unwrapping presents at this point and told us he had to get to Kings Cross Station right away.

Learning the basics of Lego sorting from cousin Nick.

Len with her Calico Critters nursery set.

All the grandkids on once couch!

Walden being cute.

Oliver being cute.

Holiday with the Mohrs!

Grandpa Darrell is the famous pose from the holiday spree. Hernia surgery and shoulder surgery tucker you out even more than Christmas.