Ice Skating

We joined Jan's family support group in Omaha to ice skate. Jeff's boys were there too, and a good time was had by all the kids. Jan Bies (Fraser) brought her four kids to visit and eat at Valentino's afterwards, so a lot of memories were made on this day!

Jan and Michaela

 
 

Jan and Lauren

 
 

Lauren

 
 

Pierce and Jake

 
 

Michaela and Lauren

 
 

Jan helps others on the ice

 
 

Basketball begins

 
 
Pierce had his first basketball game on Saturday. They won 12-4, with Pierce scoring most of the points.

More basketball

 
 

Christmas at Home

We had a nice Christmas at home, despite Owen being sick all weekend and then off and on all week. Owen's big gift was a large remote control truck, while Pierce wanted a Robopet, which is a remote control pet. (There must be something to males and a love for remote controls, and it starts at a very early age.) They both got matching pajamas from Mom and Dad (as seen here).

Owen and his Remote Control Truck

 

Pierce with his Robopet

 

Visiting Grandpa Hergott

While in the area, we made a visit to see Grandpa Hergott and Betty.

Karaoke

The boys sing with some of their Hergott cousins at the New Year's Eve bash in Fairbury.

G'ma Hergott and the Shinns

Grandma Hergott and the Shinn family come for the boys' school program (hence the costumes).

Grandma Hergott and the Boys

 

Owen Reads to Grandma Hergott

Owen reads "The Fourteen Bears," a favorite book from Grandma's house that was republished and her Christmas gift to each of her grandchildren.

A Happy Elf

Owen is excited about being an elf in the school program.

Eager Elf

Despite Mom trying to persuade Owen to have a simple costume, he decides to go "all out." After rummaging through the dress up clothes, we are able to make him into a pretty convincing elf.

Serious Reindeer

Pierce is not too sure about posing as a reindeer for the school program. He thinks he is getting too old for this silly stuff.

Santa's Helpers

After baking cookies all day for the troops, we get some of the kids to pose as helpers. (Pierce, Owen, and Jarrod Shinn)

More Santa's Helpers

Lauren Behn (Jan's daughter) decides she wants in on the action, even though big sister, Michaela, doesn't want to.

Dad helps out

Even Dad gets in on the cookie baking extravaganza, as he shows Emily Kovar (Rick and Ila's daughter) how to dribble almond bark on them.

Snow Angel

Pierce makes a snow angel. Since the snow kept coming down, the kids spent most of the day outside playing while we made cookies.

King Owen

My 2nd grade CCD class put on a Christmas pageant, and Owen wanted to be Joseph until he realized there were going to be Kings involved.

Sheperd and Angels

Of course, all the little girls wanted to be Angels.