Russell's New Room and Other Stuff

Here is the beginning of a lot of work. The end result was worth it. He is sleeping in his new room tonight and was very excited. There are no doors or trim yet, that will come next week. The walls look kind of gray in the picture but they are a chocolate brown color.

The hooks by the door and his closet are his favorite parts. He can now hang up his clothes easily and all the books are right there. There were too many tractors in the living room so now he can back them in his closet.
Russell helped me carry everything downstairs today. We did not want to wait for Daddy to get home. The dog loves the carpet on the floor and keeping them company. With the in-floor heating and carpet, it is enjoyable to play on.
The hill around our walk out basement has produced hours of fun. With the rain a little while ago and the snow packed it is perfect for sliding. I think it might be too slippery now because there were some crashes.
Two moose decided that the sunflowers from summer were good for scratching their noses and munching on. It was all fine until they were walking right next to the house and making themselves right at home. Ranger will bark at them but not chase because they are not scared of the dog. After getting tired of listening Ranger bark while we were trying to sleep, Curtis put on his boots and fired the bear banger in the air. They continued to look at him so the next flare was right at them and we have not seen them since.

Kim and I have a sushi feast one Saturday night. This was our first attempt at it and I was well pleased.

Two years ago John Deere gave us a natural gas BBQ for Christmas. It has sat in our garage unused until now because there was no gas plumbed to the garage. Last Sunday, Dad and Curtis worked all day to put gas in the garage and out to where our deck is going to be. It is so nice to light and use. It comes with a rotisserie and all the bells and whistles. We will be grilling in the snow!

Chrtismas with the Whitmore's

We had a photo shoot with the grand kids outside. What fun. Russell and Chloe really liked having Reid and Haeli around to play with.

Getting ready to dig in.

We also set up the camera and took some family pictures. The last time they had a family photo done was when Haeli was a baby. So that means no Reid, Lana, Russell, Chloe or me. It was past due.

Wes and Lana stuck a quick kiss in there!
Uncle Alvin shoveled off part of a slough so the kids could skate. The weather was beautiful and Chloe had a ball with the hockey stick. Uncle Alvin showed her how to have a face off. The ice was fairly smooth as well.

We are heading home in the morning. We have a had a great holiday and have enjoyed visiting with lots of family near and far. When we asked the kids about the whole Christmas experience, they replied it was getting to play with their cousins and skate outside.

Christmas #1 and #2

We started the Christmas festivities at Mom and Dad's on Christmas Eve. Curtis did not move too far from this chair the whole evening. He sat there and snacked.
Russell and Chloe both received these beautiful Nathan Green paintings from Grandma and Grandpa to hang in their room. Both kids love to look at the things on their walls when they go to bed and get up. These paintings are very special.




Russell has wanted a house coat for a long time and finally has one. Now he does not need to wear PJ's to bed since he has something to wrap up in in the morning. He is a very hot person and sweats during the night. We have tried to convince him to just wear underwear to bed but have not succeeded until now.
On Christmas morning, we opened some presents are our house before the rest of the company came over. Because the kids opened presents the night before, they were not that anxious to open first thing in the morning. I had a chance to get the turkey in a finished preparing the rest of the food for lunch before we opened gifts. Sunday we are heading to Curtis' parents to have Christmas with them, his sister and her family, and his brother and his wife. We will be there for the week.

Winter Fun at the Whitmore's

Briana was over on Thursday for a visit without her parents. Russell and Chloe could not wait to take her outside. She does not look overly impressed here because Chloe tried to get her in the calf sleigh by sending her face first. She was centered at her waist and was balancing there. Once she got going she had fun.
Russell ended up doing most of the work. Russell got her out of the sleigh and she walked around in the snow and tried to keep up. Soon she will be going down the slide and able to run in the snow. The temperature was around 0 degrees and beautiful. Chloe and Russell got their exercise from pushing and pulling the sleigh and Briana got hers from trying to walk in the snow.

These pictures are when it was a little colder but still fun to play outside. Russell and Chloe love to pose for the camera.

Basement Finishing

This is Curtis' right hand man. He operates the drill and all.
A tall guy that works at John Deere came over for a day and helped do the ceiling in my craft room. All we are doing right now is a bedroom for Russell, craft room and bathroom. Uncle Jeff will come over and set get the water in the bathroom. Russell is very excited to move downstairs. So Chloe will move into his room and I will move my massage table into her room. So this all means lots more painting for the winter.