Trip to Iowa

Christmas Time in Iowa

After we opened gifts,
we hit the road by 9:45am

Of course, we did traditional Christmas Festivities
like visiting Aunt Jodie's Potbelly Pig...Hazel

A Danwich Maker!



Playing games is always a MUST at Papa's house
Christmas was filled with family and fun

Christmas Morning 2010

Santa was graciously served Caramel Popcorn

He likes Caramel Popcorn,
look at all the gifts

One of David's gifts was this picture to hang in his office

Lori received this lap desk for her morning readings,
that way David can sleep in without the bright lights

Adriana's Letter to Santa

Alexis' Letter to Santa

Adriana's New Room

Welcome to Adriana's new purple room

We have been talking about this for a few months

We finally did it!

Christmas Eve 2010

We have new friends that,

invited us to their house for Christmas Eve.

The Doty Family had so many families over,
and so much food prepared

We had fun with,
"White Elephant Gifts"

We brought wonderfully wrapped gifts:
Goofy String
Mouse Traps
Piece of Carpet
White Elephant Head Figurine

Adriana got a bull horn



Alexis got balloons

Alexis' 3rd Grade Winter Party

Alexis was so excited to have both
David and Lori at her Winter Party

The class gathered and listened to instructions

They did crafts
(Alexis was so excited to wear her Christmas Pajamas)

She happened to be a "Helper" that day
with her friend, Shakime.

After crafts, they played "winter games"

She had F-U-N

Alexis' Musical Program

Alexis participated in her 3rd grade Christmas Program

She saw her family in the 2nd row,
and blessed us with a quick smile

She had a few small group parts...

She sang with a friend...

She sang with the group...

She was part of a small group on stage doing a skit.

Let it Snow

We got a lot of snow!

Thankful for Mom

We are so thankful that Mom came to visit...

She got her hair cut...

and donated 10 inches to Locks of Love

Then she got highlights...

...and a style

Love you, MOM!

Sledding on Thanksgiving Day

David took the girls out sledding for Thanksgiving

Adriana had a heck of a time getting her stuff on

Alexis was able to control herself

After everyone was bundled up...

They hit the hills

Adriana went down...

Alexis went down...

They were 2 crazy sledding fools

No better way to celebrate the holiday,
except eat lots of warm turkey when they got home

Claire's Play

Adriana and Lori attended Claire's Play of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer

Claire played the "tomboy" who hung out and skipped school,
with Huck and Tom

Adriana was able to give Claire a flower,
and grab a quick picture with the star

MOA with Melenie

Melenie, Brian, and Elena came up to Minnesota

Here is Alexis waiting for Melenie in front of Macy's
at the Mall of America

We went to Nickelodeon Universe
and it was practically EMPTY

Elena was too adorable and wanted to hold
Alexis' hand

Alexis rode this ride 3 times,
and was the only rider for 2 of the 3 times

Elena and Melenie

Alexis rode this twice,
she got off and got right back on...
NO LINES

We were there for about 4 hours,
Elena hung in there as best she could

Tis the Season for F-U-N

Grand Opening Celebration

Lori had the pleasure,
of joining the Zenn family for...

Grand Opening Celebration
for the Children's Hospital Minneapolis

It was amazing,
and Becky gave a wonderful speech

1st Snow Fall

The 1st snow fall of the year,
brought 6 inches

Papa's flight to Minnesota was delayed 3 hours

Those snowballs were HEAVY

While Alexis rested,
Adriana decided to put the sled to helpful use.

It was not working out too well

Team work was needed

Oops! Adriana pulled so hard, she fell

Big Pancake

While Alexis took a bath,
Lori cooked her a BIG pancake

It should have made at least 4 pancakes

She was clean and ready to eat

She didn't eat very much though

It took Lori 2 hours to snack on the rest,
before it was gone