Zoooooooooooooooo!

The day after Christmas was so mild and nice we decided to head to Des Moines for lunch, a little shopping, and to check out Blank Park Zoo. What a fun day! We were right in thinking that Cassidy would love seeing the animals. She (and we) had a blast! Here are some highlights. Those are some big fish and they're hard to count - they keep swimming away!

"Mommy, yook!"

The open Australia exhibit was so much fun. Cassidy even got to have a chase with one of these marsupials! They are so tame and playful.

Even sleepy Trav can't sleep in a zoo - there's too much to see!

Cassidy excitedly telling me how many seals she saw swimming underwater.

"Another one, mommy! Zoom zoom!"FarFar giving her a good view of the penguins.

Seeing the tiger and lions up close was a real thrill.

We are now members of the zoo! We have a family+2 pass, so come visit and we'll take you to our great little zoo!

Presents, presents, and a few more presents

We are abundantly blessed (overly so!) and our kids have had an enormous outpouring of love and gifts from family and friends this Christmas. Here's Cassidy in her Christmas nightgown, holding one of her most favorite gifts: a Strawberry Shortcake doll from Kayla. Travis loves his little people set from Grandpa and Grandma Faust
Notice Strawberry Shortcake in her grip!

A truck from Dawn, Josh, Jake and Ruby! It matches the car they gave him for his birthday, which he loves.

Travis' gift from daddy and mommy was this wooden car set. Both kids love it!We'll be excited to play with this bubble mower from the Joes next summer!

A John Deere tractor from Uncle Peder, Aunt Lynelle, Owen and Grant! Fun!

And so much more. We'll be having fun for a long time with our new toys!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Kurt's folks (FarFar and FarMor) are here for Christmas with us from Ohio. We enjoyed beautiful services at church both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was chilly but sunny enough that we walked to church both days. Here are the kids, dressed up in their Sunday (and Saturday!) best. Merry Christmas! And as Cassidy says, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

I bought this dress for Cassidy to wear for Christmas last year but it was too big. But this year it fits perfectly!

Playing in the nursery at church

A packed house for Christmas Eve

Travis and FarMor

My babies, ready to head out to Christmas Eve worship

Aunt Jo, the famous coat and hat still fit!!!!! We are getting lots of use out of your beautiful gift.

Let's go!

Home, at last

We have been moved in to our new home four weeks already. Everyone's been asking to see pictures, so here you go!

When you walk in the front entrance, you first come into our four-season front porch room. This is the view to the left.

Beveled glass door leading intoto the house from the porch

Kitchen, a few different views

Master bedroom with bathroom (main floor)

Travis' room

Guest room

Cassidy's room

Kids' bath (there is a shower/tub on the left that you can't see in this picture)Heading into office

Balcony patio

Upstairs hallway. Door on right leads upstairs to unfinished third floor.

Back stairs leading to patio and backyard

Back stairs leading to back door