Merry Christmas!

To avoid last Tuesday's storms in KC, we left around 8 on Monday night and stayed at Jared and Lisa's house in Des Moines. It was also a nice way to break up the 5 hour drive. Thanks for letting us stay with you!

The sun was so bright we had to get Gus shades to block out the sun. He didn't love them, but they sure did look cute!

He liked the tissue, wrapping paper, bows and ribbons of his gifts. Here he is opening gifts at the McCollom house.

The Tinkerbell costume was a hit with Kennedy.

Kennedy and Gus after they opened presents on Christmas Day morning.

Uncle Nick and Gus.

Steph, Owen, Abby, baby Jack, Gus and Lisa. Baby Jack sure is adorable! Steph, Will, Owen and Jack sure are a cute little family.

The Spratts made a Hawkeye snowman outside the Dillavou house. Gus and Josh posed beside it before the warm weather melted it.

Gus love the tags more than his presents this year!

Gus got some really cool stuff from his God father, Jared. A sweatsuit, hawkeye sweatshirt and romper, and a book. Thanks!

Cade showed us his muscles at the OP in Clear Lake on Friday night.

Cade and Avery.

Gus before he opened his stocking from Gpa and Gma Pat and Paulette.

Gus and his stocking. He loved the candy cane the most.

He was quite messy after his candycane!

Ty and Gus are pretty good buds! They had fun at the Dillavou Christmas together.

Cade showing Gus how to play with some toys.

Josi was such a good helper with Gus. She practically took care of him all day at the Dillavou Christmas. I don't have a picture of it, but Brea helped out a bunch too.

Mommy and Gus, opening his presents.

The perfect package, bow and all.

Look at that chubby little man! Reading his new book from Gma Paulette and so excited about it that he just had to put his hands in his mouth.

Josi, Rian and Brea.



The Dillavou cousins. L to R: Rian, Cade, Josilin, Andi, Shae, Gus, Kacy, Avery, Brea, and Ty.

While we were in Iowa, our friend Shannan came over and checked on Buster, as well as collected our mail. Thank you so much! Here she is with Gussie last night when she came over to drop off our keys. Gus wanted her to help him play with his new toys.

Buster opened his stocking last night and Santa had brought him a few new cat nip toys! He had fun playing with them all night.

Here is a picture with Gus and his new toys, not to mention the gigantic box of diapers, a car seat, a table and chairs, spoons, sippy cup, 2 sleepers, 3 jumpers, 4 onsies, 2 shirts, 4 pants, 2 jeans, cords, 2 sweatshirts, a sweater, hat/gloves, 2 long-sleeved tshirts, socks, candy... and probably more that I can't remember. And that's just what Gus got! THANKS EVERYONE! You were all waaay too generous, and we are so very grateful.

On Saturday night we stopped by Gma and Gpa Sue and Randy's to say goodbye and thank you. Gus also got his first taste of an orange, and surprisingly loved it!

A happy family! Here we are at the Dillavou Christmas.

I honestly had over 70 pictures that I liked on my camera, but decided only to post 30. Probably too many, but we had such a fun time seeing everyone over the holidays that we wanted to share as many memories as possible with you.

We are going to Saint Louis for the New Year so I am sure to have many more pics for you at the end of the week! In the meantime, have a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve. Love and miss you all.