Cole turns 2!

Balloons were the best gift of all! 

A happy smile on the 2 year old just moments before his party started.  Then, one whoosh down the hill and he was done for the day.  Apparently, Cole is a snow-hater like his mother.

Before the meltdown

Cole couldn't wait to have cake. 

Not sure who is having more fun, Griffin or Tom?

Each kid got their own 'M & M' to slide on.  Missing from the picture?  You guessed it, Cole. 

Warm and dry at last, Cole poses with Elizabeth and Isabelle in their  favorite M & M colors.

It's Christmas!

Cole reading "A Redneck Christmas" by the tree.

"Is this for me?"

Tom and Rick relaxing in their Snuggies after a long, long day.

Cole at work on his new tool bench

Cole and Grif try out the Boesen's new toy

Christmas Time Festivities

An evening in Valley Junction provided all of us with a sleigh ride, a visit with Santa, carolers and fun.

For your sweet tooth...

Cole is a great sous chef while helping me roll out the dough for our Christmas cookies.  Though we had plenty of stars, angels and Christmas trees to frost this year, Santa's new helpers were a must according to Cole!  Watch out Rudolph, you might be out of a job soon.  

Cole's Gingerbread house

In Martha Stewart fashion, Grandma Sally made 'Frosty's' for Cole, Griffin and Jack.  It was a race to eat them before he melted, but tons of fun to watch!

A Trip on the Santa Express

We donned our pj's and  joined the Boesen Clan this week and took a trip on Santa's Express, complete with songs, stories, cookies, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa himself.

Who do you think is more excited to see Santa enter our train car?

 Almost there...

 mmmm, cookies

Everyone enjoyed the sing-a-long

Just for laughs

 Cole helps Santa keep his cholesterol down with a spoonful of cheerios

 "Hey Papa, what did you get for 34 down?"

Well, I'm not sure what looks worse, the huge blue bruise on the forehead or the matching blue lips from a sucker.  At least he's color coordinated.  Aunt Betsy would be proud.

Thanksgiving 2010

 Well, Thanksgiving was at our house this year, Grandma Helen came up from Dallas and good friends joined our group as well for a total of 19 for dinner.
Thus, to get out of the kitchen, we took the opportunity to fry our first turkey.   Tom and I had practiced with a chicken a few days before to ensure total success.  With freezing temperatures in the low 20's, but plenty of wine and scotch to keep us warm, we fried two turkeys and they were a huge hit.  Of course the next day it was about 50 degrees outside and sunny.   Go figure. 

 

See how prepared we are???? Can you see the fire extinguisher?

PS.  Now Tom and I want to fry everything...look for us next summer at the Iowa State Fair.

 Yes, I am wearing a turkey on my head. Cole is wearing a 'pilgrim' hat and I am holding light sabers. Isn't this what Thanksgiving is all about?  May the force be with you.



Our fireman in training...

Halloween 2010

This was Cole's first year of trick or treating. We spent the evening with Aunt Betsy and Griffin and Grandma Sally joined the group as well. It only took Griffin and Cole 2 houses to get the hang of things before they were off and running, realizing that new treats were available at every house.

This photo represents the end of trick or treating when Cole got his first taste of what he had been begging for all night. One hit of sugar and the festivities were over. He was only concerned about what else was in his bucket that he could eat!