Bowling for Salsa

Long story but that's what we call the Wood Family college bowl pics pool we have every year. Ryan won the cup last year and it's made its way into most social situations. Like, you literally drink out of it. I'm pretty sure it traveled with us to Puerto Rico.

This is Emerson making her selections. Easton was new to the group (along with Courtney) and after the first 7 games, guess who was undefeated. Easton Claire. I kid you not. It was incredible.

After an interesting bowl season, a woman won the cup for the first time and I'm jealous it wasn't me. But my pics are terrible. Congrats to our new mom Sarah for winning the cup- it was decided a few games back and I've been completely uninterested since. In honor of tonight's game I figured I'd post a few pictures of Ryan getting the cup last year.  Kiss it good bye, honey. Maybe next year.

Christmas 2011

Our family pic at the Christmas church service at Walnut Gardens. Unfortunately we've found ourselves being more C & E churchgoers but we're just chalking it up to having two little kids. As they get older hopefully it'll get easier (and more enjoyable for us) to go to church more often.

Emerson gazing at Elfie, our Elf on a Shelf. Between Elfie and the girls' countdown chocolate and the two advent calendars, bedtime seems to take hours in December...

Ryan's started a tradition of actually making the cookies for Santa.  In my house I think Santa just got Chips Ahoy but Ryan scoffed at the idea.  I just stood back and took lots of pictures.

And the icing is from scratch.  Didn't even know you could do such a thing,  Our girls are so lucky to have the dad they do.

These are Emerson's fancy earrings.  As Amber told her, "you look like a pretty 70 year old!"           

Our Christmas Eve dinner at my mom's house.  So fancy.                                                                    

Easton is obviously perplexed about something she got in her stocking.                                         

Oh the cousins in their matching pjs.  I know these days are numbered so I'm enjoying it every year it lasts.                                                                                                                                                         

This is so Easton- opening up a gift with one hand and eating something (anything) with the other.    

I can only imagine the bossy thing she's telling Will in this pose du jour.                                              

Grandma Margaret got her a new bike for Christmas.  I think she was in shock.                                   

But Amber got the biggest hug for the Tinkerbell book she got for her.  It was a hit.                            

Santa left the girls a trampoline.                                                                                                              

Our Monkey Bread Christmas morning tradition my mom started years ago that was so fun to start with my little family.  Makes me feel old...  But happy.                                                      

Christmas was a great one this year and with the new member of our family it reminds me of what's truly important day to day- the relationships we keep with friends and family. Here's to seeing more of you who I love in 2012.

Fisher James

It's a boy! Cole and Sarah (Ryan's sister) had their baby on the 30th- she was due on Christmas Eve so we didn't know what our Christmas would look like this year. We all went up to Des Moines on Christmas Day, came home on Tuesday and made the drive back up on Friday when she was induced. He's so precious and we had a great weekend (and New Years) spending it with a new member of the family.

Their first grandson.

A bib we made for baby Fisher.

This is how we spent most of our New Years while Cole and Sarah were still in the hospital.

 

We're so excited he's finally here and can't wait to watch him grow.