Cousins up at the crack of dawn
Ben Folds performing with the Omaha Symphony brings aunt Kellie, uncle Mike and Calvin back for a visit. The following night everyone convenes at the food hall for a laid-back meal. While parents gather food, the boys browse photos of the recent LEGO exhibit with grandma.
Eleanor stunned (clearly) to see aunt Kellie
Ella continuing her natural pose with Cal and Des
The boys hanging out with ma and pa while mom and dad head out for their first date night since Ella arrived.
Christmas morning began at 6:47am. Des wasn’t quite ready to start the day, so he lounged in mom and dad’s bed for a while, then watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the third time this season while the lightning storm passed. About an hour later, he was ready to shuffle downstairs and see what Santa brought. Or go get a pretzel.
All things “rocket ship!”
Des balanced being very thankful with wonder and distraction. About right for a toddler.
Eleanor slept through most of the morning activities, but woke up in time for breakfast
Desmond was most enthralled by his new train set
Assembling and reassembling, then further reassembling
After waking up from his nap at ma and pa’s house, Des was ready for round two. Proudly holding the R2-D2 ornament from aunt Megan, Viv, and Liam’s recent trip to Disney World.
The rainstorms continued, with 25mph wind gusts
More swirly, light-up toys
Ella relaxing with aunt megan
Playing with Liam’s new race cars and trying to bump each other’s riders off. “OVERBOARD!”
Back home, Des shows off his train to grandma
Ella, before everyone was just tuckered out.
A wonderful Christmas together, the first as a foursome.
Off from Daycare, Des spends the day with Viv, Liam, ma, and pa
Eleanor finds a snuggle friend, Buddy, ma and pa’s new puppy
A Shreffler tradition, making pretzels (dough) with dad
Mom’s fancy stand mixer makes it a breeze!
Getting every last bit. “Yummy!”
After everyone is asleep, dad works on this year’s “some assembly required” gifts
Saturday morning everyone met up at great-grandma Kathy’s house.
Apparently it was story time
After an early start to the day with early 90s educational videos, Dad caught the sunrise during a hunt for coffee
Got all of the discharge tasks completed early, ready to head home
Baby’s first car ride, to the tune of My Life is Sweet by Simon Joyner
Back at the house with Grandma and Des
Dad woke up Des from his lap. He said, “hi!” and ran over for a hug. Mere moments later, he said “baby sister” and ran downstairs.
Ma getting in some extra cuddles before taking Des for a cousin slumber party
Quick stick and dirt pit stop in the front yard
Grandpa came over to meet Ella, though it’s still near-constant napping
Cousins watching The Lion King
A foggy start to Des’ birthday at the pumpkin patch
Tromping along with mom to find the perfect pumpkin
Presumably reflecting on the second year of his life, or contemplating the mass of mud on his shoes
Snacks with Liam and Viv
Not so thrilled about the stormtrooper
Swimming in corn, such happiness
Shaking the nap daze with grandma as the birthday party starts
Ask Desmond how old he’s going to be, the answer is “six!” However he knows the shape for “two,” so it may be starting to sink in…
CAKE! (with baby carrot)
Hammering on his new workbench
Dad demonstrating the mechanics of screws versus nails
Figuring out his new drill, saying “skeeze, skeeze” while squeezing the trigger 🙂
Unlike last year, Des spent most of this year on foot at the annual family visit to Nebraska City for the AppleJack Festival.
Ok, maybe a quick break in the wagon with pa
A boy and his sack of apple (just the one)
The grapes were pretty sour (and likely not meant for public consumption anyway), but that didn’t stop him from each a literal bunch
It was quite the hike, even with the nice weather, so he was pretty tuckered out by the end
But nothing a quick lunch picnic won’t fix, he was quickly back to playground with his cousins
Hot mess Des says, “no!”
