Santa Run 2011

This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. There was a good group of us this year and we had a dusting of fresh snow. We ran around downtown Sterling and Rock Falls, waving to people and passing out candy canes. We got lots of honks and "Merry Christmas!"s. It's fun to do something random and unexpected that spreads Christmas cheer.

I'm the green one if front.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party 2011

Brian and I hosted the UCSP this year. It was so good to see everyone and catch up. We had good laughs, a good meal, and good conversation. The big bummer was that Sarah was allergic to our cat and had to leave early; we felt so bad! Brian took home the trophy this year for the ugliest sweater, which I had bedazzled using craft supplies and a hot glue gun. Good times!

More Sophie Pictures

Sophie has been a good addition to the family. The kids absolutely love playing with her, especially first thing in the morning, when they get home from anywhere, and in the evenings. She likes to be near people and is very cuddly.

Festival of Trees Parade

The weekend before Thanksgiving we went to the parade in Bettendorf to kick off the holiday season.

Meet Sophie

The kids have been expressing interest in a pet for the last year. We held firmly to "not now" until we found this adorable kitten in our front yard last Sunday evening. Sophie is about 2 months old, very cute, playful, and cuddly. The kids are having so much fun with her and we are trying to teach them how to be gentle and kind.

Galena Weekend

This past weekend, Brian and I hung out with Jeff, Charity, Jeff's mom, Carol, and his sister, Jennifer, and her husband, Jeff. On Saturday afternoon, us ladies went into downtown Galena for some jewelry making at Galena Beads, lunch, and massages. We shopped and then headed back to the Inn to reunite with the guys. That evening, Jeff, Charity, Brian, and I went out for dinner at 111 Main. The next morning we went to church and had lunch before heading home. My parents watched the kids so we could have this nice getaway.

Halloween 2011

Brecken and Micah stopped by to kick off trick-or-treat.

The Lobdell, Johnson, and Jones kids

The kids were hesitant at this spooky house and rightfully so, a werewolf answered the door!

Leah boldly proclaimed, "I'm not scared!" and led the way.

There are a myriad of Halloween events in our area and we can't stop ourselves from hitting them all. Our kids love Halloween. By the time Oct. 31st rolled around I thought trick-or-treating might be anti-climactic, but it wasn't. We went trick-or-treating with the Johnsons in their neighborhood and had so much fun. Jadon said "This is the best night ever!"