A Christmas to Remember

Gunnar's 1st Christmas!

This Christmas was so very different from my past 24 years of Christmas, but a good different. Usually I was in Iowa, with my husband, and my parents and brother, but this year we were on the ranch. As the huge blizzard swept through Montana and into the Midwest, down South and far North into Canada, it kept many people at home and off the roads. In my mind, it was perfect timing. Most people couldn't get to their destinination, and for once everyone had to stay home, and was made to forget about the hustle and bustle, and concentrated on the REAL meaning of Christmas, and time with family. We loved it! I was bummed at first that my parents wouldn't be able to make the trek from Iowa to the Painter Ranch, but then I thought, what better Christmas than sitting in our little warm house, in the middle of the prairie, during a blizzard, with nothing else to do but eat, drink, stay in comfy clothes, and watch movies. Of course we had Painters livestock to worry about, but after getting a good day on the 24th, and Nathan getting everything fed double, Christmas day was wonderful, and so much fun getting to spend time with our amazingly cute little boy. This Christmas for sure is going in his baby book, lots of snow, and lots of memories!

Grandpa Tom gave Gunnar his 1st Barn and Farm set!

Chuck and Friends from his Uncle Chuck (Cullen)

Gunnar and John Deere and Farm toys!

Trying to combine two people's traditions isn't always easy, espcially when you are dealing with two stubborn people! :) I think we've came to a conclusion of opening family gifts to and from each other on Christmas Eve, and then Christmas morning, Santa gifts are under the tree. Gunnar was excited for new wrapping paper and bows again on Christmas morning!

Being lazy on Christmas Day!

Daddy & Gunnar

Gunnar and his snowman from Grannie Annie! He LOVES his walker, he zooms in and out of the kitchen! These jammies had extra traction on the bottom, so we really had to watch him! The girls have been in the mud room since the blizzard and cold weather, we have them blocked off, but Gunnar sits in front of them, and Jade and him sit and make noises back and forth, with Gunnar giggling away...the cutest thing..ever!

Gunnar in his walker!

The sign says "My 1st Christmas" and "Merry Christmas 2009"

Nathan and I are so blessed with Gunnar. He is so patient with us, and we try to be patient with him in return. The past 8 months have been the fastest 8 months of our lives, and we didn't know it was possible to love something as much as we love Gunnar. This Christmas was wonderful, and even though we weren't with EVERYone that we love, everyone was on our minds, and Thank Goodness for Skype too!

We wish everyone a wonderful end to 2009, and a great start to 2010! Keep checking in, there is  never a dull moment at the Wagner's!