December 31

Anders Blockbuster is obsessed with vehicles right now.  So you can imagine how awesome it was that Uncle Brian set him up with the opportunity to drive one while we were in Iowa for Christmas.  He even got to scoop and dump snow.  A dream come true.

While Brian and Anders were playing farmer I took a melancholy walk around the farm thinking about how it should be Grandpa Al in that tractor with Anders and how Grandma Dody's move into town has been the hardest moves for me, probably because this is the place I most associate with my dad.

 

While I will always miss Christmas at this Iowa farm house, Grandma Dody's Christmas cherry dessert tastes just as good in town.

Of course there was the need to rehash the tractor ride with Uncle Brian later that day.  Thanks for a great Christmas gift!!

December 30

Elise turned 2 so we celebrated with an Elmo party.

Anders didn't quite understand the concept of a pinata but finally found someone who could play "Ring Around the Rosie" as long as he can.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

December 29

Thanks to grandparents and aunties we got to attend some grown up parties this holiday too.

CIT's fancy holiday party was at Chino Latino this year.  We all tried shots of Louis.

Also had fun with my high school friends at the annual Holiday Bunco party.

And helped Lynn celebrate her birthday.  It has been a fun December!

December 28

December 27

December 26

Mickey sweater circa 1985, a hand me down from Uncle Jeff.

December 25

Merry Christmas from, Anders Olive Fingers

December 24

If you visit Santa twice does he bring you two gifts?

December 23

My little climber.

December 22

Sometimes I have to work on the weekend and Brian and Anders do fun stuff without me.  One weekend they went to Build a Bear to celebrate Everett's 3rd birthday.

December 21

I think Cousin Ali will be mad if I don't follow up Life Touch photos with the cute professional pictures she took of Anders this summer but I never got around to posting.

December 20

Pony rides and music class, not quite the day care I remember.

Even Life Touch photos have gotten better.

December 19

Decorating

December 18

Anders also got spoiled by my aunts and cousins at Grandma Dody's in Iowa for Thanksgiving.

He even got to play with Cousin Megan's phone, something we don't let him do.  I love how his face is totally saying "Mom, don't ruin this for me."

December 17

Anders and some of his second cousins on Thanksgiving.

December 16

Happiness is trucks and dirt with cousin Hanny for this little boy.

December 15

Anyone else think Anders looks like my mom?