Christmas Eve

2009 also brought one of the snowiest Christmases on record. We were not hopeful about even making it back to SD, but when we woke up Christmas Eve and saw the weather was okay, we decided to try to head back. It actually ended up being just fine, the perfect break in the storm after receiving 6 inches the night before. Though not stormy, it was definitley still a white Christmas. I took a couple pictures on the trip (they're a little blurry since I just took them from the car).

I love how you can barely see the horizon. The sky and ground were nerely identical, we're thankful the wind wasn't blowing!

We celebrated Christmas Eve in De Smet with the extended Widman family. It was a smaller crowd due to the weather, but still a great time of seeing aunts and uncles.
Unfortunately I forgot my camera in the car.

We knew that we would be snowed in at Papa & Nana's on Christmas Day, so instead of opening gifts on the Eve like usual, we decided to wait an do it on Christmas. Here is Papa reading "The Night Before Christmas" to the grandchildren before bed.

Nana loves this picture:) But, really
what could be better than baby snuggles on Christmas Eve?!

Thompson Christmas

This year, the Thompsons celebrated Christmas on December 23 at "City Grandpa & Grandma's". Our mission was to bring some yummy Christmas cookies (though really why? it's completely unnecessary with the spread that Aunt Jodi puts together). But, Nathan and Ella enjoyed the experience. They especially loved making peanut butter blossoms. Nathan was good at putting the Hershey kiss in the middle of the cookie, and Ella was good at swiping kisses to eat! They were also all about the sprinkles, which were eventually banned from the kitchen.

Christmas was extra special because Great-Grandma Marilyn was able to join us. She is deeply loved and highly valued by this family. It was great to see her face light up as Jodi talked about past Christmases and all the potato sausage they would make! Great-Grandpa Bob, of course, is sporting the traditional Christmas bow during gift opening!

It was a great 1st Christmas celebration for Adeline.