Fun in the Snow

Isaac admiring his first snow angel. Awfully cute. He was much like the youngest kid in the classic move "A Christmas Story" who, when wearing his snowsuit can't move his arms or legs and when he falls down is stuck like a turtle on his back.

We went over to our friend's Mark and Carol house to imbibe a few beverages and do some sledding. Here is our friend Kirk, while attempting to sled almost went into their basement window. No more gin and tonics for Kirk that night.

We were blessed that night by the arrival of Billy the Budweiser Moose who brought us some ice cold beverages so we could continue to throw our body to the ground and feel no pain.....until the next day. Matt Flowers commented the next day that he didn't remember sledding giving you such a headache. I guess he didn't use to drink gin and tonics while sledding when he was a kid either.

We were happily sledding when we were ambushed by an Old English Sheep Yeti. He burst from the snow to chase us down the snow hill and stand on us in an attempt to keep us from throwing ourselves into thinly covered rocks and trees.

We buried him up to his neck in snow and he loved every minute of it.

I caught Heather and Isaac taking a little snooze. My two little angels at peace.

Christmas in Nebraska

We had a great time visiting all of our extended family in Nebraska. We don't get to see them nearly as much as we would like due to everyones busy schedules. This was the first time they got to meet Isaac.

My cousin Aaron's nine month old son, Dylan, opening a Christmas present. He couldn't decide what was better, the present or eating the wrapping paper.

My cousin Kenny's daughter Samantha taking a photo op with Isaac.

Isaac getting some time with Dad.

My cousins Kenny and Aaron playing cribbage (the family game). The game was interrupted because good old Kris Kringle arrived!

Isaac apparently wasn't impressed with what Santa had to say.

My niece Kaydence receiving her bribe for sitting on Santa's lap.

My niece Aubrey thinking very hard about what to ask Santa for Christmas.

Not to be outdone by her kids, Heather(my brother Tyler's wife) took some time to relay her Christmas dreams to Santa.

My cousin Amy, her husband Marty, and their two kids Conner and Treyton.

Aaron, his wife Jen, and Dylan (who seems enthralled by Santa).

All the kids with Santa. Isaac seems to be floating in the air. Must be some Christmas magic.

My Aunt Lori with her son Brant.
My Aunt Marilyn with her son Trey.

Thanksgiving with the Jacobs

Aunt Judy playing Isaac's favorite game. Catch the pacifier when I spit it out

Uncle Ronnie teaching him the secrets of fishing.

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Aunt Darlene and her granddaughter Lexi making an Isaac sandwich.

Isaac with his Great Grandpa Jacob and second cousin Grace.

Playing with Great Grandpa Jacob

Snuggle time with Grandpa. Who will fall asleep first?

Oh no, grandpa's trying to eat me. Get him some food quick!
Look Daddy, grandpa taught me this neat trick. Closer, Closer, now I eat you!

Damn, daddy knows my weakness. I just can't stay awake in his hands.

Family shot, none of us really at our best. This was after a big meal and before nap time.

Just a happy Dad!

Thanksgiving with the Stapletons

Isaac watching football with Grandpa Stapleton.

Isaac with some cuddle time with his grandpa.

Grandma needs her cuddle time too!

Isaac loves his time with his grandparents. I have a feeling that he is going to be spoiled by all his grandparents, but thats ok, thats their job.

Family Portrait

Daddy with both of his boys.

Isaac trying on Dad's Wisconsin hat.

Isaac practicing his one-eye pirate look for next Halloween.

Isaac's recent visitors

My friend Katie and her boyfriend Jim stopped by to visit the family.

No this isn't Jim. This is some guy named "Claus" that grabbed our child at the mall and wanted his picture taken with him since he is so handsome (Isaac not Claus).
Our friend Jon, working on his baby holding technique with Isaac. Jon recently got engaged to our friend Chad Sullivan's cousin Danielle. Mike Anderson's mom Lori. She was nice enough to feed us after the Turkey Bowl. She had 3 pounds of sloppy joes that lasted about 10 minutes.

Turkey Bowl XI

Turkey Bowl XI kicked off on the Friday after Thanksgiving at 1:00pm on the Onalaska Football Field as it has for the previous ten years. For those of you not familiar with the Turkey Bowl, it is a game of tackle football played by Onalaska High School graduates, most of which have never played high school football. We had 15 guys show up for the game this year. Every year we get slower and more injury prone but we always have a great time.

The Orange Team- as captain I choose to draft players of the larger stature excluding Justin Kruse and myself. I did this for one reason, last year I drafted my team on quickness and was forced to tackle guys significantly bigger than me for 3 hours. I hurt for about a week afterwards, no joke. Heather made me promise that I wouldn't play as hard as last year.

The Black Team- captained by Mike Anderson. He drafted his team in a brotherly manner, having two sets of brothers on his team. It proved to be the difference maker, as the black team beat us 12-7. I like to think the game officially ended at halftime when the score was 7-5. By the way, in case you think the score is low, each point is a touchdown.

Both teams together, shortly before we retired to the local watering hole for a few beverages and bags of ice to nurse our injuries. There was only one significant injury this year. Keachen Abing took a shot to the head early in the game. As we approached halftime, Keachen asked Justin and I if he had been kicked in the head. We looked at his glassy eyes and asked him a few simply questions. Do you know how you got here? No. Do you remember the last 30 minutes? How long have we been playing. And finally I commented, "At least you got an interception." When Keachen quickly responded "I did?" it was then we decided that he needed to sit out the remaining part of the game and had someone gave his wife a call to come pick him up. Someone did take a picture of Keachen to prove to him later that he was indeed at the game. Can't wait for next year. Maybe someday Isaac will be playing with us.

Isaac with Grandma and Grandpa Jacob

Isaac being a couch potato.

Grandpa and Isaac ready for the Packer game.
Isaac being entertained by Grandpa's funny faces.

Snuggle time with Grandma Jacob
I love my Grandma!
Now I will spit up all over her.