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How do you know Papa Jim is visiting? You find this when you walk into your livingroom:

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He puts stuffed animals on the ceiling fans and then he and the kids turn the fan on and see which animal hangs on the longest. I’ll tell you one thing…Elmo doesn’t stand a chance against the big pink elephant!!

This weekend, Papa Jim, G’ma Barb and Jill came to town to go to “The Lion King” with me at the Civic Center. It was a fantastic show….words cannot describe how amazing the “animals” and how talented the performers were. It really was quite the show and I am so glad we went to it. Other than the show, we also did some shopping and hung out. It was fun to have them here and of course the kids enjoyed the extra activity around the house.

While they were in town visiting, Jason was heading out of town to work at a trade show in Grand Island, Nebraska. It was about a 4.5 hour trip from Des Moines. The trip out there Saturday was smooth sailing, but unfortunately the trip home on Monday night wasn’t! Jason got stuck in Omaha for the night and came the rest of the way Tuesday morning. He was glad to be back home and the kids & I were REALLY glad to have him back home

Here are a few more pictures from our weekend.

…..it isn’t all fun & games around here!

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Last week was another busy week for us. Finally the weather calmed down and we were able to have all our regularly scheduled activities; work, preschool, church etc… Wednesday, Anya got to celebrate her 4 &1/2 birthday at preschool and I just happen to be volunteering that day, so it was fun to be a part of the celebration. She got to wear a crown, blow out candles on the cake and hand out birthday goodie bags to all her classmates. She had a good time and is now quick to remind you she is now 4 and 1/2–not just 4 anymore! On Thursday we took supper over to West Des Moines to meet the newest Cathcart family member. Holden is just a tiny peanut and so very cute. Anya & Jaxson had a good time running around like wild indians and Josiah had fun just trying to keep up with them!

The weekend was also full of activities. Saturday night Jason & I went to play cards with our friends Laura & Dustin Reuter. They are a couple that attend our church whom we got connected with this summer through the Alpha course we both took. They have a little girl, Raegan, who is a couple months younger than Josiah. Anyway, we have a great time with them and have been getting together more and more often to hang out, let the kids play and of course let the adults chat and play cards. This time however, we got a babysitter because we had a serious game of Hand & Foot ( our favorite card game) to get taken care of–unfortunately I cam out on the losing end and Jason got runner up. Despite our losing the card game, we had a great time and loved eating the pork loin that Dustin smoked just for us. Delicious!!!

Sunday we loaded up the car and headed to Forest City to celebrate Noah’s 7th birthday! It was a fun day hanging out with the family and eating lots of goodies and cake. Anya wore herself out with Aubrey…those girls make me tired just watching all their activities!!

Here are a few pictures of our week activities.

…..is not getting these kids down!!

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When the world shuts down for subzero temps and blizzards, their fun just begins.

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There is nothing they like better than being snowed in for several consecutive days in their jammies, baking cookies with mommy, cuddling under a blanket watching movies and playing with their favorite playmate (each other!!) nonstop!

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And, although cabin fever creeps in every now and then, the McArtor family can handle Old Man Winter for as long as he feels the need to stay!!

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We were very excited to get some visitors bright and early Sunday morning…Papa Ronnie, G’ma Jeryl and Aunt Joni. They came to spend the day with us and celebrate Christmas! We had a great time opening presents, eating G’ma Jeryl’s awesome lasagna and just hanging out watching the kids play with all their new stuff. We are so glad that we got to spend time with both families over the holidays….that is what matters the most!!

Here are some pictures of our last Christmas of the season!

Congratulations to our friends Brad & Steph Cathcart on the birth of their son, Holden Winter Cathcart. He was born on December 30th and weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and was 19 inches. He will join big brother Jaxson (3) at home. Check out the Cathcart family blog for more pictures of the new arrival! Welcome baby Holden…we look forward to watching you grow up!!