Christmas/Blizzard 2009

Here are some pictures of our Christmas Season! I spent a lot of time baking gingerbread cookies and the highly anticipated gingerbread house. Right now it is Sunday evening. We got back from our Council Bluffs trip to Gil's parents just this afternoon. It was the first day we could "kind of" get home. With a tractor escort that is! Here are some pics of the biggest snowstorm since 1913. We were lucky though. We got to spend time with my family Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Then we headed to Council Bluffs. We made it okay, but didn't leave the house again until Saturday afternoon. And finally came home today despite ten foot drifts. There are some classic pics of our adorable little boy on his first Christmas as well.

Merry Christmas to All!

Operation gingerbread house!
Gil in the zone!
We love our gingerbread house!
Smile if you love gingerbread!
Sweet:)

Doesn't it look just like the real thing?!

Don't forget the gingerbread men (and women!)
Barefoot in the kitchen...with a cute apron!
Jude devouring the wrapping paper...his favorite part of Christmas!
Ooooooh, a bow!
Cousin Ashtyn lends a hand
Our little family
Big present from grandma and grandpa Ridenour
A tonka truck, just what I wanted!
Snow in Council Bluffs
Showing off my new deer hat with Auntie Minette
Our street sign
Our tractor escort...thanks daddy!
Our mailbox...mailman got stuck at our place on Christmas Eve...wonder how long it will be before he tries it again!
Our back door
After scooping it out

Almost There

Jude loves playing "catch" with the basketball...and also eating it!

Gil found this spider web on our barn covered in frost. So pretty!

The video is of Jude attempting to crawl. He is getting close!

Christmas in the City

Amy had a few of us (me and my Omaha cronies) over for a party at her newly remodeled condo downtown. We had so much fun chatting and eating delicious treats. We had Jude in tow as all of our sitter options were unavailable. Therefore we didn't get to stay too late, but it was still well worth the trip. I really miss seeing these ladies (and guys) on a regular basis!

Christmas Tree 2009

Gil and I have been on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. Gil of course must have the tallest to fill our vaulted ceiling living room. After making several calls to tree farms and only finding short expensive ones we hopped in the car (actually my parent's explorer) and took of for Logan, IA, a one hour 45 min. trip. We came home with a 13 foot masterpiece for only $25! We had a great time and then came home to do the decorating. Here are some pictures of our outing and the outcome. We are pleased. There is also one of our outdoor lights. The fire is on, there is soup in the crock pot (thanks to Carolyn), and the house is decorated with tree and all. Christmas has come to the Ridenour Ranch!

Our candy cane lights and the tree
Tree Farm
Jude wanted to touch and eat the trees!
Our tree on the car
Hot chocolate for the road
Decorated
I made the bow!
Lights:)
In the house
Cut!

Puppy Love

Here are a few updated pictures of our babies playing together! Babbs is a little rough for Jude right now, but I have a feeling that will switch one of these days.

Baby Puppy

I have heard many people talk about how their puppy is like having another child. I always thought that was a bit of an exaggeration. Now I know! I have been noticing all of the similarities between babies and puppies lately. And it is quite interesting having them at the same time let me tell you!

Both whine in the morning (and sometimes in the night)

Both chew constantly

Both make messes I have to clean up after

Both play with colorful noise-making toys

Both take long daytime naps

Both eat multiple meals throughout the day

Both get excited and flap their hands/paws

Both cry when I leave the room

Both grow and change at an astonishing rate

Both are fearless of the other animals despite their constant rejection

Both are at the mercy of whatever ridiculous outfit we may decide to put them in

Both just want to love and be loved:)