Christmas 2016

Sorry the Christmas update is so late.  Christmas proceeded in its usual fashion:  We saw lots of family, we were overwhelmed with gifts and we were exhausted.  Gus asked me when the holidays would be done so he could go back to work and relax!  Nevertheless, good times were had by all.  Gus gave Max a huge box of magic cards and they have spent a great deal of time bonding over it.  I gave Darwyn a homemade set of boxes for building dollhouses, complete with different flooring and wallpaper materials to be added to each room.  Gus and I teased each other that we liked the kids presents more than they did.

My favorite moment from the holiday season was when Gus opened the present the kids had made for him.  It was a mug (that they had decorated) and this was rather obvious even when it was still wrapped.  Gus picked up the wrapped present and said " Geez, I wonder what this is....It's aaaaaa...."
In an attempt to keep from completing the sentence and thereby telling daddy what was in his present, Darwyn clamped both her hands over her mouth.  From underneath her hands came a muffled and tiny "mug" that instantly melted Gus's heart.  Merry Christmas daddy :)

I've included a few videos and pictures from Christmas and the holiday season.  Enjoy!

Grandma Sandi and Grandpa Lee visited for Christmas with the "kiki".
Kiki was especially popular with Ada.  Kiki got MANY treats (as pictured here)
during her visit to Waterloo.

Darwyn and Max enjoyed making mini ginger bread houses
from kits sent by Aunty Heidi.

Mandatory pose in front of the Christmas tree.  Max is not impressed

Better

Too much

Max and Gus putting the star on the tree.
For those of you looking at Gus's facial hair and thinking "woa..."

here is a close up.  Not to worry, he has returned to clean shaven.

Max reads to Ada

Christmas Eve feast

Not at all Christmas related...but cute.

The kids with our Christmas "fireplace"