New Toy for Christmas

This picture is a video capture from my flip cam.
I just liked the way it sets up where most of these next pictures were taken.

For Christmas I got zoom lens for my camera. So I decided to put it to use at my parents house on Saturday. Here are some of my favorites.

Christmas Wrapped Up

Christmas Eve evening we got cleaned up for Church. Hillary and Grady posed for quick picture in front of the tree.
After church it was back to Hillary's parent's home for dinner. Joining us were the Schott and Wagner families.
Grady finished dinner first and was off to the living room to get a start on opening gifts. Fortunately Grandpa Randy didn't mind his grandson started early on his present.
Making a special appearance were Santa and his elves. "Sparklefart", Santa, Grady and "Alfie". The elf "Popcorn Balls" was missing.
Grady didn't seem to mind this meeting with Santa.
Christmas Morning we got up bright and early and all gathered to watch Grady open gifts.
On Christmas Afternoon we headed to Waunakee for my Mom's family Christmas. For the past few years we have done a gift exchange.
Classic rules to the gift exchange. Gifts can either be chosen from the table or stolen from a prior picker.
Uncle Herb gets a helping hand from Jackson.
Aunt Cindy is excited to open her choice. (Happy Belated Birthday to you!)
Jackson shows us his Frog Towel
For some reason my carefully wrapped gift was still sitting on table late in the exchange.
Hillary's gift for a little while anyway, included lottery tickets.
Our nephew Luke says Cheese!
My sister Michelle, nephew Luke, Grady and me.
Cousins and Kids: (L to R) Tracy and Jackson Trimble, Michelle, Luke, Amy, Kaila and Tyler Cross, Grady and me, Connor and Chloe Lane, Ashley Knuth, Stephanie Miles and Andy Kalila.
Kaila and Santa Grady. This link is to last year's photo: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q8KLVWaHM0OzH46lLxMfZZOTSW1iXbtXgDmqRc3KnaIukTPQX3a-MHCakxFOSNu3Aiou1mvl838GQJzuhbuX3V5aYtXcu2ejJJd739Apw62gToPC6QBb7Xv9NSaV9Lx2HUjgIRXSsg4/s1600-h/DSC02158.JPG
We headed out to my parents on Christmas night. Then on Saturday it was time to open more gifts. Luke shows of his new fire truck with Grandma Joan.
Even Brooks got in on the gift opening.
It was so much fun watching the boys opening their gifts. Luke of course did most of the opening.
Grandma's boys take a break for a picture.
The boys test out a new sled to be used when visiting Grandma and Grandpa.
Token Bow on Head photo.
Bailey, one of my parent's Golden Retrievers.
Grady and Murphy, the other Golden, playing with cars.
Possibly the most annoying children's toy in existence. Thank you Uncle Rick and Aunt Michelle.
One of Dad's gifts. Go Badgers!
A Christmas tradition continues. Every year we would go into town and visit the Oelklaus family. Neil was one of my best friends and the best man in my wedding. It was the first time we were able to get together with both of our sons.
Henry and Neil!
Back at home. The pied piper Luke and his magical flute.
Luke would march around and Grady would follow. Until someone finally put that $!#% flute away.
Luke and Grady this morning show off their Christmas shirts from Grandma.

Christmas Eve in Watertown

The day began with an early gift from Santa for Grady.
A Go Diego style 4 Wheeler.
Later in the day we each took a turn opening one gift. Brooks needed no help.
Uncle Trevor got what he has always wanted but just didn't know it.
Later on we gathered around the piano. Grady played us some Christmas tunes.

An Elf is Knighted.

Grady Gets a Haircut

Grady has had 3 or 4 haircuts at home. But this is his first trip to a pro.

If you are looking for someone to cut your kids hair, send them to Jody at Lois and Company on Sherman Ave.

Daycare Memories

This is a collection of pictures Grady's daycare provider Marge has taken of him and the kids over the past year. We love Marge so much! Thanks to her for all the great pictures.