The four of us were able to come back to Iowa to celebrate Kevin's birthday on December 23rd. We spent the evening partying with the Willms', Dufel's, and Bernhardt's with O.P. pizza at Kevin's parent's house. The 23rd is also a birthday of our good friend/my second mom's, Carlene Stage. Carlene and her family also came over later for cake and ice cream. It worked out great because her daughter, Natalie, was also back in Iowa from D.C. Natalie's husband and twins, Landry and Gracie, had a good time playing with Kate and Matt. It was so good to see her and the twins since we don't get to see each other as often as we would like because of the distance. Maybe someday we will be closer.... :)
 Kevin's a big Duke basketball fan so the three of us got him a Dri-fit shirt. |
Allie helped Uncle Kevin open all of his gifts.
Kater is loving the party!
my sister Kelly and Allie
The twins reading their new colors book together.
Christmas Eve afternoon we went to my parent's house to have our Christmas together. We had lunch and then opened gifts soon after because we had some anxious little boys who were itching to unwrap their presents. This was an exciting Christmas for Kevin and me. We enjoyed having our first Christmas together as a family with the twins. Tthe excitement and joy of Christmas you had as a young child returns again when you have children of your own. Matthew and Kate were at a fun age for their first Christmas. They weren't too interested in opening the presents, but they loved playing with the paper, ribbon, and boxes (and their toys, too!)
Santa Matthew
Miss Allie B's
Daddy helping Matthew open his Christmas presents
Yay for Christmas gifts!
Let me see this!
Cousin Allie was a great helper with the twins or "her babies"
My crazy dad has a bucket list. On this list is to grow a ponytail. As you can guess our family is not keen on this idea, so my mom made my dad a hat with an attached ponytail for Christmas. Now he can cross that 'awesome idea' off his midlife crises bucket list!!! (just kidding dad!) :)
Aunt Kelly and Katers
Allie sporting her new scarf
Evan's loves Justin Bieber and got a paper jams guitar to rock out to Bieber songs.
Modeling her new princess gown.
My brother's new welding hat
My sister-in-law, Melissa
The twins got an activity table from Uncle Mike and Aunt Melissa. They LOVE playing at it! It plays so many songs and the kids love to dance by bouncing to them. So cute! And now Matthew has been picking up the toy phone and will then put it up to his ear and start to jabber like he's having a conversation. Wonder where he learned that from?
Katers trying to eat the light up face.
hmmmm...what's this pretty ornament?
The kids loved the bows.
Family picture time! I can't believe this year we were actually able to take pictures outside on Christmas! When the twins get older we can tell them we didn't have any snow on their first Christmas. I can't ever remember not having snow for Christmas. Last year at this tim,e both Iowa and Minnesota had been hit earlier in the month of December with a big snow storm. I commented to Kevin on our drive down to Iowa that it felt more like Thanksgiving time than Christmas because of this crazy, warm weather.
All 6 grand kids
Adorable!
Allie, Grandpa Dufel, and Katherine
Grandma Dufel, Matthew, Andrew
Andrew, Kaleb, Evan, and Allie
Grandpa and Kate
Grandma and Matty
Miss Sassy
Mommy and Daughter
Big bear hugs for mommy!
Peeking over the pew
Capturing Matthew's new silly face
Pretty girl
After church, the four of us headed to Kevin's grandparent's house for the Bernhardt Christmas. Unfortuntely, I only got a few pictures before my camera battery died.
Grandma and Grandpa Bernhardt and grand kids and great-grand kids
Great Grandma and Grandpa Bernhardt
The Willms
Kevin and I are starting a tradition for Christmas with the twins. On Christmas Eve night the twins will get to each open two gifts from us. The two gifts will always be Christmas PJ's to wear that night and a Christmas book to read together before going to sleep. This year it was hard to read 2 books to them, but they looked adorable in their Christmas PJ's!
Christmas morning wearing our matching Christmas PJ's
our first Christmas morning together as a family of four
Grandpa Willms and Katers
Matthew and Grandma Willms
had to take a bottle break...don't you like Matt's new way of eating :) always got to be on the go!
Great Aunt Jan stopped by to see the twins
For Christmas lunch, Joyce and Larry had my parents come over and eat with us. We spent the afternoon relaxing and playing with the kids. Later afternoon we headed to Al and Cherri's house, Kevin's aunt and uncle. The twins were great entertainment...especially for Kevin's cousins, Lizzie and Lauren.
Lizzie and Tater
Hanging out with Lizzie and Lauren
Matthew loved Lizzie's boyfriend, Ryan. He would sit and stare at him, play, stare, play, etc.
Buddies
Great Uncle Al helping out
Monday afternoon we had Christmas with Kevin's mom, dad, sister, and her boyfriend, Drew. We enjoyed a turkey dinner followed by opening gifts.
Matthew, Laura, Kate, Kevin, Jenny, and Drew
First Christmas with grand kids!
Kate got a motorcycle from Grandma and Grandpa Willms. Matt and Kate love to ride around and have someone push them. Matthew's trying to push Kate but he wasn't walking behind things yet.
Having fun together!
Christmas is always a busy time, but we enjoyed every minute of spending time with our families. The holiday season always seems to go by too quick. I really enjoyed Christmas this year soaking in all the moments with Matthew and Katherine. We took lots of pictures, go figure for me, and video of the twins, and I look forward to watching the video memories with the twins when they are older.
I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and remembered the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
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