Back to KC

Back on our eating and sleeping routine in KC. I have really enjoyed being home with the kids this week (other than when I had the flu of course!).

We still have some progress to make with Gus's eyes. It makes me so sad when I take a picture of him and it turns out like this one, as in most he looks perfectly normal. It just reminds me that this eye issue is going to be a long road, and not to take anything for granted. He goes back to the opthamologist in a week and a half. As long as he wears his glasses his eyes appear straight. When he doesn't have them on, in combination with being sleepy, this is more what his eyes occasionally look like. Not all the time, but sometimes. I know it is not a huge issue in the big picture of life, but I still wish he did not have to deal with this.

Playing together.

Bitty Baby has been quite a hit. He loves using the Bitty Baby doctor kit on it.

Hazel likes her new walker (and so does Gus!).

On our way back to KC the Iowa trees were gorgeous. This is Josh's parents neighborhood.

Kinda sad that there was no snow in KC when we got back.

What a year 2010 has been. Hazel joined the family, Buster left the family, Gus's eye issue was discovered, and we had a little scare with Josh's job these last several months (although a few days ago he was offered another similar position at the Y, so we feel very blessed). We have high hopes for 2011, including moving into a single family home, so we will see if that goal is accomplished. I have picked up more classes than ever this next semester, so hopefully that helps us put a little extra in savings and we can get that new house. Hope you all had a nice holiday, and have a safe New Years Eve. Talk to ya next year!

McCollom Christmas

Messy breakfast at Gma Sue's.

K, P and G put together a gingerbread house.

P liked to eat more than decorate (in his defense, he wasn't the only one with this attitude- just the cutest!)

Hazels eyes are so bright blue! Sometimes I play with the color saturation of the photos to enhance them, but this picture did not need it. Gorgeous baby blues.

Silly daddy!

Bitty Baby Twins!

Another favorite toy- the winter blow up ball with the amazing snowman inside! Thanks Eaton's!

It's a pillow. It's a pet. It's a pillow pet! Gus loves to 'ride' his bumble bee, as it has wings so he pretends he is flying around on its back.

Think we had enough presents at mom and dads?

Warming up by the fireplace with daddy.

Well, it's 12:10 in the AM on Wednesday, the Hawks just beat the Tigers, so it's time for bed. I'll have to finish blogging tomorrow. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!

So... I'm back (finally) to finish this post, but it's two days later. A few hours after starting this post the other night, I woke up with a 102 temp, chills, aches- you name it, I had it. A touch of the ole flu. But today I am finally starting to feel better. I just hope the kids or Josh don't get it; I was hurting pretty bad for about 36 hours.

Dillavou Christmas

Four generations.

Lola and Gus were good buddies again this trip.

Loving the Iowa snow.

Gus helping daddy and Papa clear the driveway with his new little shovel.

Nothing like a cookie for breakfast on Christmas morning.

Enjoying the presents that Santa left. Luckily he found his way to Iowa and left the kids some presents (even though Gus insists he was on the naughty list).

Santa ate the cookie and drank the apple juice (Gus thought that Santa would want juice rather than milk). Gus was amazed!

Opening presents on Thursday at the Dillavou family Christmas.

Gus loves Toy Story.

A Christmas Story

Anxiously awaiting her turn to see Santa!

We took the kids to Bass Pro Shop's Winter Wonderland to see Santa. While we waited, there were several little crafts available for the youngsters to make.


All Gus wanted to do was to see Santa. He was not really interested in much else.


But eventually he gave in and had a little bit of fun.

He looks so much like Ralphie from "A Christmas Story" that we had to try to get a picture of him holding the gun (ya know, the Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time).

"You'll shoot your eye out, you'll shoot your eye out!"

And finally, the moment we waited 2 hours for...