Same as last year, we visited our families in Iowa a couple weeks before Christmas. We had quite the time actually getting there after our plane landed, driving through a blizzard - literally, but it was worth it to see everyone.
The pilot invited us to board early so the boys could see the cockpit! The pilots said they had to reset all of their switches anyway, so they couldn't mess anything up. However, we started our trip with sitting on the plane for an hour and a half before taking off. Something about weather in Chicago... I'm still convinced Charlie found a switch they've never seen before that kept the plane grounded.
Carson "flying" the plane
When he pushed this lever an alarm went off (the co-pilot told him to after winking at me and saying "watch this")
Charlie in the cockpit
A lot of buttons in there....
The boys in Donnellson
All bundled up! Charlie's first real experience with snow and cold.
Christmas at Great Grandma Hammer's
Grandpa Hammer & Lisa
Grandpa Hammer and the boys
Carson opening his stocking
Daddy & Charlie
Charlie was more interested in actually sitting on every present...
What a present!
Up to no good, I'm sure
Climbing on another present
Great Grandma gave Carson a book "The Night Before Christmas" which has her voice recorded on each page. She told us that no matter what, even if you change the batteries, her voice will always be there. Carson LOVED this present. When we got back to Arizona, at first he kept talking back to the book saying, "Grandma? Grandma?" I think he thought it was like a phone!
Charlie
Watching cartoons at Great Grandma's
Great Grandma Hammer & Charlie
Great Grandma's new stepping stone.
The boys made stepping stones for each grandparent. This was quite the chore as Charlie would rather grab the cement and throw it, wipe it in his hair, eat it, etc. In the end, they turned out great, though.
Great Grandma
Carson with Great Grandma Hammer
Finally getting to play in the snow at Grandma Gwen's house
Uncle Tyler taught Carson how to make a snowball
And Uncle Tyler taught Carson to make a snow angel
Snowball fight!
Uncle Tyler making snowballs for Carson
Ready for Christmas at Grandma Gwen's
Carson loves his books!
Hmmm... what do you think, Charlie?
A Diego Bike!
Grandma Gwen & Carson
Gwen and her boys, Tyler & Doug
Grandma with her favorite presents from the boys
Playing Carson's new game "Go Fish"
Cold Iowa Morning
Now onto Dubuque...
Unfortunately, some kind of "flu bug" swept through nearly everyone on my side of the family. I was a fortunate one, but Doug, Carson, Charlie and 80% of my family were taken out either during our stay or shortly after. All in all we still had a great time!
Godmother Sarah with Charlie
Making silly faces with Cousin Mary
Grandma Mary made bathrobes for all of the grandchildren. Carson's not in here because he actually chose to sleep instead of opening presents. Sick for sure!
Here's all of 'em!
Sledding fun with cousins!
Ready to go down the hill
Perfect snow for making snowmen
Yeah, it took four of us to get the middle of the body on that snowman!
Charlie in the snow
Their first snowmen
How am I supposed to walk in this stuff?
Grandma Mary helping out
Taking the boys down the hill. Charlie's reaction to his first sledding experience - "Weeeee!"
I think I had just as much fun as they did!
Charlie and Mommy
Carson, Charlie & Mommy
Cousins Carson and Sara
Whoa!
Resting in the snow
Snowing!
Charlie watching the snow
Sitting at "the desk".
My mom got this desk for her second birthday and I know I spent many, many hours at this desk when I was younger doing a lot of drawing and coloring. My mom told me I used to sit there all day some days drawing.
