Childhood Christmas Tradition

Since a time when I was very young my siblings and I would countdown the December days to Christmas on the fancy felt creation above. Aidan inherited the 25-flip Christmas counter as the oldest grandchild and we've been guessing what's behind each number before he goes to bed each night. With the whole family together this week we've all been in on the nightly guessing.

VIDEO: Deur Sledding

Kellen didn't make it into the snow last year and had his first snow experience yesterday. We had a great time sledding in mom and dad Deur's backyard.

PHOTOS: Deur Slopes

The boys and I spent some time sledding with their Uncle Ryan and Papa D this morning. It was Kellen's first snow experience.

We'll load some videos later in the week.

Now That's a Cookie!

Last night the boys helped decorate the soon-to-be-traditional Deur Christmas cookie. I say soon-to-be as this is just the second year we've frosted and decorated a giant cookie so we'll save tradition status for the third time around.

And here's the first piece of visual evidence that the seven pounds I lost over the last three weeks is about to ho-ho-ho its way back to my waist line.

Technology Children

I find it funny that Aidan started playing on the Internet a good 16 years earlier than I did. My first day of emailing and web surfing (with much difficulty) came during my first week of college. Aidan's now been bookmarking pages and playing games online for half of his four year old life. Kellen's a technology savvy kid as well demanding to see his videos anytime he spots us on our laptops.

My first phone memories involved the clicking of a rotary dial and a lengthy (usually tangled) cord connecting the receiver to the base. What are Kellen's thoughts on these communication devices? He got a toy cell phone in his stocking and immediately began "taking pictures" with it pointing it at everyone and saying "Cheese-a-burgers!". My first camera had flash cubes and my first cell phone had no frills and came when I was in my mid-20's. Hopefully Kellen won't be demanding a real cell phone for his upcoming two year birthday party.

UPDATE: When asked what he was doing while playing with Kellen's toy phone Aidan quickly responded, "I'm sending an email."

Operation: Bunk Beds

Under the cover of night Rachel and I assembled the boys big gift from us. Shipping delays had the assembling and gifting occurring one day later than anticipated but we were able to get it all in before our trip to Iowa.

We still need to go out and get a second mattress but with Kellen the Climber on the loose we decided the ladder and completion of the penthouse level can wait.

For the moment, Aidan can use the lower level and move on up when he and Kellen join forces in the room...that is not an announcement of any kind. Then when Aidan's feeling very big boy he can perhaps take one of the two bedrooms downstairs.

12 Days of Christmas

We're headed to Iowa today for family and Christmas festivities stretched over the course of two weeks.

Rather than haul our gifts to the boys forth and back, we decided to have our family Christmas morning ahead of time. Yesterday the boys opened their gifts so they could get some play time out of them before we journey south (pictures below).

The itinerary for the upcoming two weeks includes spending time with my sister Allison and her fiance (and all of our wonderful family members on both sides), sledding with the Christensen's, family meals, card games and gift exchanges.

Let the season begin!