Merry (early) Christmas!

Since we head to Canada every year for Christmas, we made an arrangement with Santa and he comes to Nebraska early and leaves some of their gifts. Last night after church, we made our preparations. Mommy and Sean wrote a note for Santa and left him milk and cookies. Sean poured Christmas dust (oatmeal for the reindeer and glitter to help Santa find our house) on the front lawn. This morning Sean and Ryan were excited to see that Santa had come. After opening gifts, a close call with mommy's camera (garbage!) and lots of play, we made a breakfast feast. This afternoon we will head to Grandma and Grandpa's to celebrate with Uncle Nick, Aunt Jeannette, cousins Jake, Austin and Annika and Grandma Erm and Granny.

The Best Christmas Concert Ever !!

Last night Sean took part in his preschool Christmas Concert.

He was a little out of sorts during the day (tummy hurt, clingy etc) probably pre show jitters. However, once we arrived at the church and he saw his teacher and friends, he was ready to go. Grandma, Grandpa and Grandma Erm came to watch too. All of the preschoolers sang "When We Pray Together" before an opening prayer. Next Sean's 3/4 year old class sang "Mary Rock Your Baby" and "Baby Jesus". After the 4/5 year olds sang their songs the whole group sang "Angel Song" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".

Santa and Mrs. Claus surprised the kids and lead everyone to the Jubilee Center next door. We had cookies and drinks and tables were set up for activities. Sean preferred to chase his buddy Christian! Like all good things, Sean hated to see this come to an end. He left kicking and screaming (literally). As he was put in the car one of the older boys walking by was heard to say "Too bad, so sad Seany!"

We got back home and in bed by 8:00, but it took another 2 hours of talking to himself in bed and a couple of visits from Mommy and Daddy to get him to settle down for the night!

These pictures are courtesy of Grandma. Thanks to her photography, Tony's videography and Grandpa holding Ryan, I got to sit back and enjoy.

Ryan sat nicely on Grandpa's knee durning the show. Good job Ryan!

A quick shout out to the fam before the big show.



Great job Sean, we are so proud of you!!
Love, Mommy, Daddy and Ryan

Dear Santa

All I want for Christmas is:

1) skates (ice, not roller... you have to clarify that kind of thing here)

2) sunglasses (seems it has been particularly bright lately... very bothersome)

3) no, that's it, just skates and sunglasses!

Sean was so excited to have this picture taken. Oh, the difference a year makes! Last year we couldn't get him anywhere near the guy. After this was taken Santa had to go for a "break". Sean was on a mission to find him, he needed to see him again!

... And the World's Biggest Idiot Award Goes To....

Tony and I went to Omaha on Saturday to do some Christmas shopping and for a much needed break. After a long day at the malls we found our hotel and checked in. This particular hotel was attache to the Qwest Center and it was obvious some sort of event was going on. We asked the guy at the desk if there was "a game tonight". Yes he said yes, Creighton was playing Xavier. After finding out if they were any good (ranked 24th in the country I believe) we decided to go to our room and then go get tickets. We got to the box office, purchased two tickets ($11.00 each) and headed in. We got wristbands and headed off for a couple of beers ($10.00). Since we had opted for the "game" instead of dinner out we got in yet another line for hotdogs. As we were standing there, Tony was watching a near by tv screen. It said 1st period 30 minutes. Wait a minute he said, hockey doesn't have 30 minute periods. At this point we jump out of line and head to the arena to assess the situation. There was no ice!!! To our horror we realized we had purchased tickets to...YUCK... a basketball game. We went to our seats to finish our drinks and try to figure out how it had gone wrong. The guy at the desk told us there was a hockey game tonight... or did he? Yes folks unless you are in Canada never ever assume that a "game" means a hockey game. So before tip off or whatever you call it, we left feeling like we should be the recipients of the World's Biggest Idiot Award. However, all was not lost, we did enjoy a nice evening and dinner out. Maybe next time we will ask better questions and have better luck!!

Let the jokes at our expense begin!!!

Christmas Past and Present

Today, after Tony and I returned from our shopping trip to Omaha... and much needed break... we took the boys to Stuhr Museum's Christmas Past and Present. Ryan was very cooperative and Sean had a great time.

He got to see the old train engine and made a christmas ornament.

All four of us went for a horse and wagon ride. He made a paper chain while visiting the school.

A visit with Father Christmas at the Town Hall and drilling a hole at the woodworking shop.

When we went into the main part of the museum, we found Santa. Sean was very excited to visit with him again and let him know that he would like ice skates and sunglasses for christmas. He and Ryan had their picture taken with him just before he had to head back to the North Pole.

How'd that message get there?

(for those of you with weak eyes... remember to click on the

picture to make the picture larger)

sorry to those that don't get it... you gotta be a Duncan

Happy Birthday Grandma

and a Happy Birthday to Aunt Shirley too (sorry no picture)

Sean is becoming quite the puzzler.

Decking the Halls...

This time last year we were just about finished our renovations.

Since I didn't get to decorate last year, I was very excited to

start this year.

Railing from upstairs to the family room.
Tree in the livingroom window.
Mommy's little helper.
Downstairs tree... Santa delivers here...hopefully!
The Christmas card photo that wasn't. Thanks for trying

Dave, but we might have to go in another direction!

Thanksgiving weekend visit with the Fischers.

This weekend Tony's friend Tim (from college) his wife Sara and their 3 kids

were back from Colorado for Thanksgiving. We were glad that

Tony decided to take a long weekend so we could visit with them.

Thanks to the hospitality of Tim's parents Bob and Sandy (which we

also enjoy over 4th of July every year) we had a great visit. Here are a few,

but not all, of the highlights.

Pilot (Tony) and co-pilot (Sean) have cleared us for departure.

It took some talking on the way home to get Sean to agree that it wasn't his turn

to drive.

Saying hi to one of the many trains along the way.
A small bird hit the window at the Fischer cabin, Tim helped

get it going again... Sean said hello.

Sean and Gabe dine on pizza after watching the Husker game with daddies.
On Saturday we went to Tim's dad's farm.

The kids watched Bob feed the cows.

Stanley loved Emma the farm dog... Unfortunately the feeling wasn't mutual.

Lainey, Sean and Stanley visit with the sheep.

Mommy and Sean checked in on a cow being nursed back

to health after hurting her leg.

Sean, who loves to drive, was in his glory driving the tractor.

Ryan joined us at the farm, however, he slept through the entire visit.

Here he is after we got back to the house.

A Cute Smile...

and a friendly reminder!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Annika poses while sharing a toy with her brother Austin and cousin Ryan.
Sean begrudgingly takes a time out from playing to pose

with Mommy and Ryan.

Just a little over 9 months old, Ryan isn't afraid to enjoy

a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Grandma sets Jake, Sean and cousin Katie up with their own

table to not eat at!

These two were attentive to their movie as they were not stuffed

from the delicious Thanksgiving feast!