Western Nebraska Christmas 2011

More updates to the blog.  Apparently from Monday until now, blogger updated it's format so we'll see how this goes :).

We spent an early Christmas in Ogallala with my (Tracy's) side of the family.  The kids had a great time together and still today (5 months later), Taya says she misses Beau and Jayden and is ready to visit them in 'braska again.

Grammy and her "grands".

 What girl doesn't love new shoes?!

 Rory got hungry before we were done opening gifts.

 Wade's dog, Taylor

 Nima

 "Go Huskers"

 Rory absolutely loves dogs and he really loves big dogs.  He had a blast.

 Take note of the cowboy boots!

 Crazy bedhead

 Rory doesn't quite know what to think of Uncle Wade

 Jillian, Beau, Wade, Jayden

 These are out of order but on our way to Nebraska we stopped in Muscatine, Iowa to visit my cousin Katie and her girls.  God always blesses our very short visits and it worked out well to make a pit stop.

Taya, Bree, Rory, Emma

 Ok, back to Christmas in Ogalalla
Beau and Jayden got big kid bikes.

 Christmas morning!

Christmas in Eastern Nebraska 2011

The second part of our "Nebraska Christmas" was spent in Wayne. On our way between Ogallala and Wayne, we spent a few nights with our good friends, the Banks's, in Omaha. What a joy it was to see our kids play together again and enjoy each other's company. Afterall, we've all been friends since our freshmen year in Chadron, 11 years ago!

Taya and Eli checking out Taya's new sleeping bag while Rory looks on.

Conner Banks's 'rear view' and Rory.
We enjoyed a lot of free entertainment :).

I love Ethan's expression of annoyance although I'm sure it was just poor timing on the photographer's part, wink wink.



Conner
Nima
Exchanging gifts our first night there.



Taya got a princess crown and jewelry...
Eli got a gun...


Emily and I also took the kids to the library and we met Ethan for lunch. The time went by way too quickly as it always does but we thank God for their friendship and hospitality.

Then it was on to Omi and Papa's for Christmas.

Riding the tractor was a fun part of this trip.


Off to get the Christmas tree!
The tree in the picture is the one we chose. You can see the house in the background.


A shot of the tree.
On Christmas day we spent most of the day opening gifts.

Taya was the first to open gifts and she started with her stocking. She was very pleased with the Hello Kitty Band-Aids she opened. Wow, that could have been a much less expensive holiday had we known that.
Taya calls chap stick "Lips".
Rory got a Little People nativity set from Aunt Erin. It is adorable and was well received.





The tree all dressed up!
One of Rory's favorite things was Aunt Erin's phone. She is so much nicer than his parents ;).







Taya got several games including this Cat and Mouse game which we played a few times. She also loves playing Candyland and the card game Memory.
It has been so fun looking back at these pictures and there are lots more.

Although it's well past Christmas we hope you find the joy of giving and receiving on a daily basis and we feel very blessed by the love of our friends and family. God bless each and every one of you!