Birthday celebration in Nebraska

We celebrated Isaac's birthday when we were in Nebraska.  He loved the tractor theme!  He now thinks any candle is for his birthday (which is not so good at Christmas time :)  For some reason, I am having a difficult time arranging the photos.  So please excuse them for being out of order.

Opening birthday presents

Sharing some cake with Grandma

Birthday weekend!

We had a great, busy weekend!  Brodie played basketball Saturday morning, followed by making a coal train at Lowes, and then riding on the Polar Express to the North Pole.   Brodie had practice at church in the afternoon for the Christmas program.  Isaac had to throw up in the evening to add a little excitement for the day.  Overall, I think it was a good birthday for Isaac and Abel.
Today Brodie was a shepard in the Christmas program at church (of course, I remembered the camera at the practice, but not the show).  We had a relaxing afternoon of cleaning and laundry.

We're ready to get on the Polar Express

Brodie has his PJ's and robe on - ready to go to the North Pole

He wanted to make a cute face (like the one on his passport)

Singing Christmas carols on the Polar Express

Saying hi to the elves after getting off the Polar Express

The boys have the bells

Brodie getting dressed for the Christmas program

Christmas program rehearsal

We had so much fun with our cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents in Nebraska!

Eliana loves me :)

Beautiful Cassidy!

So handsome!

Fun at the Luksans!

Isaac getting love from Jade

Turning on all of the Christmas lights!

Gabe punting a football

Tractors and 4-wheelers!

Isaac loves tractors!

Brodie and Emma!

I'm ready to go Grandpa

Brodie and Ellie

The boys had a lot of fun riding on Grandpa and Grandma's tractor and 4-wheeler when we were back in Nebraska.  Brodie loved going fast!  Isaac wasn't sure what he thought of an actual moving vehicle :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We had a great December weekend!  Brodie had his first basketball practice yesterday.  They learned how to dribble.  I think dribbling in basketball is harder than soccer (that reminds me; he is supposed to be practicing his dribbling :)  We then went to Lowes and made a caboose of a train (hopefully we can make all three parts this year because Isaac keeps trying to hook his wooden caboose up to a plastic engine).  We then went to a Christmas event at a local Catholic church.  The boys got to make Christmas decorations, visit Santa, write Santa a letter, and other fun activities.
Today we put up the Christmas tree and decorations!  We did the first step in making our salt dough ornaments.  I love this time of year.  Now we just need some snow!

Practicing shooting before practice (yes he did make a basket)

Making a Christmas card

Getting ready to make an ornament

I love my Daddy!

And then the camera battery ran out - with the lens open.

The guys putting up the tree

Adding the flour for our ornaments

Isaac's turn to add some salt

Rolling out the dough

Adding the holes

Ready to bake