Christmas Marathon 2009!!

Christmas Eve:

Because of the threat of weather, we weren't sure what was going to happen to us on Christmas Eve. Jon had to work until 5 in Ankeny, so we were just glad he made it home. My sister came in the morning to pick up me and Reagan and we headed to my parents. We just hung out most of the day and made snacks for that night. We got ready to went to church at 4:45- Did I mention Reagan did not take a nap! Church was interesting. I spent most of it taking Reagan out! She kept saying she had to go potty, then she would throw a fit... so it was out she went. At the end of Church my dad held her in the back of the section where we were sitting. While he had her she managed to pull down a huge red ribbon that they had up for decoration.. It was time to go!! I always love church on Christmas Eve, but it is harder to enjoy when you are wrestling a toddler! We got back to my parents, ate snacks, opened presents, and headed home! The weather wasn't great, but we made it.

Christmas Day:

Christmas morning Jon got up and moved snow, I made the Butterscotch Cinnamon Rolls (A tradition) and we waited for Reagan to wake up. Finally at 9:00 she got up and was excited to see that Santa came. Santa went a little crazy this year!! She opened her presents while Butters pouted because he didn't get any. We cleaned up and decided the weather wasn't too bad that we headed to my grandma's (where my camera got left in the car.) After we left my grandma's we went to my parents and ate more, played games, and eventually left by 7. Reagan was all Christmased out! The drive home wasn't great- but we made it!

Saturday, December 26:

We headed up to Lake City when Jon got off work to have Christmas with his parents. Thankfully Reagan crashed in the car and slept most of the way. Reagan played with grandma Becki and read books with grandpa Mike. We ate a wonderful meal and then opened presents. Becki gave Reagan some dress up clothes that were hers as a child and Reagan loved them. Her favorite is the white with purple tuelle! After presents we relaxed with a movie. It was finally bed time and Reagan slept with me and Jon, until 3am! Then she was up! She had a little cough, but eventually she was just wide awake. Jon's idea was to put her in front of the t.v. while we slept (at 5am!). Yeah- not so good as she was getting into everything. So I got up with her and we watched a movie. Becki got up a little after 6 and took over so I could try to sleep. She eventually fell asleep on the couch for about an hour. Then it was time to get ready for the last Christmas Celebration!

Sunday, December 27:

We celebrated Christmas with the Remsburgs. This was the first Christmas without Jon's grandpa (he passed away in February). So it was hard on everyone, but I think we all felt that he was there. We also missed Jenny and Kelly's families this year. There was no lack in food, that is for sure. Jon's grandma is one of the best cooks I know and she goes all out for her family. There were 3 different kinds of meat, potatoes, salads, snacks, pies, candy, punch, etc.... We ate until we couldn't eat any more!! Reagan did good considering her lack of sleep for the day. She had fun running around and playing with her cousins. We opened gifts and Reagan got some dress up clothes! She LOVED them and wore them around the rest of the day. We got our usually stockings from Jon's grandma. She always fills them with goodies and day to day things we use. This year she surprised us with a pillow made out of Cecil's shirts. This was a wonderful gift that we will cherish forever. Holly had a blanket made out of Cecil's shirts for Phylis, it was a wonderful gift filled with SO many memories. There was laughing, crying, eating, sleeping, and chaos all over the house- I loved every minute of it! We packed up and headed home while the snow came down. We thought Reagan would fall right to sleep in the car- nope- so made it all the way passed Boone. Then she was out like a light!

Chrismas was a busy time, but I would not have changed any of it. We are so blessed with wonderful families. It sometimes gets hard when not all of us are together, but I treasure the times that we are. There were lots of presents given, but the best present was being together.

To Sweet Reagan....

To my Sweet Reagan:

• You love playing in the snow and tell us every time you need your snow pants, boots, and hat.
• You are talking a mile a minute and we can't understand everything you say.
• You LOVE to sing and can sing almost anything you hear.
• You try to take your pull-up off at nap time (thus resulting in a pee and poopy mess for mommy to clean-up!)
• You are SO independent
• You love apple juice, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and clementines
• You hide your eyes with your hands when you get in trouble.
• You like to sleep in your big girl bed, but insist on having every blanket and stuffed animal you can find in there with you.
• You give 100 kisses all the time! ( On my eyes, nose, forehead, ears, cheeks, chin, etc.)
• You try to stall going to bed by telling us you have to go potty- then you never actually go!
• Snuggling up with you watching Christmas movies!
• You getting SO excited for Christmas and asking us everyday when Santa is coming.
• Telling me each day who your best friend is (usually it is Michael, every once and a while it is mommy or daddy!)
• You "Helping" me make holiday treats.
• You ALWAYS asking us to fix your ponytail because you want it tight.
• Fighting over what clothes we pick out for you.
• Covering your mouth when it is time to brush your teeth.
• You tell us almost everyday that Butters is a dog and he can't talk!
• When you get in trouble you try to hurry and give us a kiss before we send you to time out.
• You love to dress up!
• We love you SO much and can't believe how fast you are growing!

Christmas Celebration!

On Sunday night Jon and I hosted the 3rd annual Remsburg Cousin Christmas. It is a hard time of year to get everyone together, but we try so hard every year because we love our family. This year I invited my sister (even though she is not a Remsburg)! We had a great time visiting, eating, eating some more, and watching the kids play. This year because we hosted, we were in charge of the main dish. Jon can take ALL the credit for this.... we had Beef Brisket and Turkey. (The turkey was cooked at our neighbors as a back up in case the brisket wasn't any good!) They both turned out GREAT!! Other items were: Pizza, Pepper jack Cheese dip, Twice Baked Potato casserole, salad, and cream puffs. Delicious!! The kids menu consisted of: Little wienies in crescent rolls, clementines, cheese, and potatoes. The kids enjoyed playing with toys, playing the wii, and watching Polar Express. It is so fun to watch them interact together. Reagan especially liked the sugar cookies Grace brought and gave to each one of them before dinner- somehow Reagan got 3!! Hmm.... Reagan loves it when they all get together and can play. I can't believe how fast they are all growing up.
I had fun preparing, but it would be a lie to say I did it all on my own. Actually, I think my sister did more. She came over and helped me decorate, make gifts, and she made suckers for everyone! I am so glad she got to experience this with me and even more glad I had her help!! It was a fun night and as always seemed to have ended too early.

Good Night Reagan...

Here is my conversation with Reagan at bedtime tonight:

Mommy: "Reagan, it is time to get into your bed."
Reagan: " Why? "
Mommy: " Because it is time to go to read our book, say our prayers, and go to sleep."
Reagan: "And turn on my heater?"
Mommy: "Reagan, it is already on, just get into bed before mommy falls asleep!"
(She finally climbs into bed and we read "Llama Llama Red Pajama")
Mommy: " Good night Reagan, I love you!"
Reagan: " Where are we going? I want to go see Michael."
Mommy: " We will see him later, it is time to go to sleep."
Reagan: " You going to see daddy and do dishes mommy."
Mommy: " No, I am going to go to bed too! I love you very much Reagan, good night!"
Reagan : " I love you soooo much, Kim!" (while holding my chin with her hands!)
Mommy: " You can call me mommy not Kim, Love you!:
Reagan: " Good night Kim, (laughs) I mean mom!"

I went from mommy, to mama, to mom, and now Kim. I think we need to work on this!!

Turkey Day with the Tjelmelands!

It has been 3 years since we have all been together. In those past 3 years- we have added to our families. Here are the stats of my siblings:

My oldest brother Chad and his wife Alisa live in Colorado with their son, Owen (1) and are expecting #2 in June!

My other older brother Kyle, his wife Angela, and their sons Dalton (14) and Devin (11) live in Missouri. They also brought back Reggie and Ashes-2 of their dogs. They stayed with us from Tuesday through Saturday- We LOVED having them stay with us, dogs and all!

My sister Shanon and her husband Marcelo are currently in transition. Marcelo is living in California preparing of deployment in January (he is a Marine) and Shanon and Michael are staying with my parents until he returns.

Here is are pictures of us and our families (and Grandma!)

Events that took place while we were together:

• Wednesday Night some of us went gambling in Des Moines- I didn't walk away with as much as last time, but I went from my last $2 up to $84, I walked out with $50! My brother won $60...everyone else broke even or lost!
• Kyle and Angela watched Reagan Wednesday morning while Jon and I were at work. Apparently while Kyle was in the shower, Reagan went in and took all the change out of his pockets and put it in her piggy bank. She then managed to get a hold of his money clip and was about to make bank when Aunt Angela caught her in the act!!! I asked Reagan about it and she said "Money goes in MY piggy bank!"
• For Thanksgiving we had: Turkey, Stuffing, Potatoes, Corn, Green bean casserole, rolls, jello salad, Cornucopia bread and veggies (pictured below), pies, and brownie truffle- (I am sure I am missing something)
• Friday my parents refrigerator broke and we had to throw most of the food away. So it was like we were tailgating keeping things in coolers and packing it all with ice. Luckily we got it fixed.
• Did some shopping on Black Friday- no stellar deals, but saved some $$
• Reagan didn't take a nap all week/weekend! Fun times!
• Friday night we all went bowling (except for Jon who had to work :( ). We went to perfect games in Ames. It was a lot of fun and when we were done there were arcade games and a jump house that we played in!
• We played games, watched movies, and took tons of pictures!

These were just a few things that took place. We basically just hung out together and enjoyed each others company. I loved the time we got to spend together. I love my family so much and I miss them all when they are not here. Here are a few more pictures from our time together.

Cousins! The first photo of them ALL together!
Reagan is a little out numbered!

Shanon's bread cornucopia- big topic of conversation!

Grandma and Grandpa with all their grand kids!

We are Family!!

It has been a long time sense we have all been together. In fact the last time we were together was the Christmas I found out I was pregnant with Reagan (2006)! This Thanksgiving was chaotic, busy, full of surprises, and spent with all of us together. I will write more about everything- but for now here is the Tjelmeland, Castro, and Remsburg Families. I am so thankful for each and every one of them!!