Santa Clause is Coming to Town!

We opened presents with Mimi and Papa on Christmas Eve morning. Uncle Josh, Aunt Lea, and Hayden where there to celebrate with us as well. We enjoyed a yummy breakfast and then dove into our presents! Gavin and Hayden seemed to really get into it, but Gunner had other plans during that time - SLEEP! We attended the Christmas Eve service in Keokuk that night and were able to hear Mimi and Papa's praise band and hear Papa speak.


Gunner couldn't keep his eyes open one more minute to wait for Santa!

Papa read Gavin a bedtime story featuring the same characters, Fred and Ted, from the bedtime story Grandpa Phil used to read to mommy.

The couples sporting their Christmas PJ's.

Aren't we cute?

Gunner was just dying to pose in front of the presents in his new pjs.

These two cuties could give Santa a run for his money!

Gavin and Gunner with their happy and adorable cousin Hayden.

Gavin must have been a very good boy this year!

I'm not sure who was more excited about this present - Daddy or Gavin? If only Daddy had one to ride with him!

Gunner and Hayden kicked Gavin out of this photo because he doesn't sit still!

The gang's all here!

Doesn't everyone look stunning in their Christmas Eve outfits?

The troopers humored mommy for one more picture before bed!

The Grothaus Christmas

We took off late Christmas morning and headed to Marshall for the Grothaus Christmas. We were thankful to have Grammy Sherri with us as she was previously scheduled to be having surgery during this time. We were also very happy to have Aunt Cynthia and Logan celebrate with us, along with Aunt Maria, Uncle Lance, and Amy. Of course, Grampy was there, too!

Gavin always loves stealing Uncle Lance's girlfriend, Amy.

Hi Mommy! Don't worry about me, Uncle Lance is great with babies!

Gunner thinks Amy is a keeper, too!

Here are Gunner and Gavin in about 30 years!

Are we getting baby fever, Uncle Lance?

Aunt Cynthia gave Gavin a new do!

Gavin LOVES to share...right Logan?

Auntie Rhea with her two buddies.

I smell T-R-O-UB-L-E!!

We miss our Auntie Rhea! You need to come visit!

The Grothaus Cousins! Looks like boys rule here, too!

The Vance Christmas

The Vance Christmas also took place at Mimi and Papa's this year. Gavin and Gunner both enjoyed being spoiled by all the Vance women. Daddy had fun playing bball on the new hoop and whooping up on Jalan, 20 years younger. We were once again blessed with good food, wonderful presents, and most importantly, time with family.

Gavin has really grown to love his Aunt Tonja. It is so cute to hear him say her name!

Gavin had fun trying to take down his cousins Chauntel and Alana.

Just to get the vacuum in here one more time!

Great Grandpa Larry and his grandkids - Alana, Chauntel, Gunner, Hayden, Gavin, and Jalan

Gavin and Gunner with their Mimi.

The "big kids" jamming with Josh's new game Rock Band.

Gunner with his cousin Kayla.

Gunner with his cousin Mego, sister to Kayla.

Gavin with yet another Streb sister, Jeni, who just recently got engaged! We knew you could do it, Bob!

Neally Christmas 2007

The Neally family Christmas took place at Mimi and Papa's again this year. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the new home. Gavin enjoyed playing with his cousin Jack and entertaining everyone. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed pigging out on Grandma Annie's famous breaded pork chops and eating the traditional Stan's creme horns.

Gavin showing Uncle Kirk and cousin Chris how much fun you can have with a water bottle.

Showing Daddy how to throw it down on Gunner's new basketball hoop.

Gunner being cuddled by his Great Grandma Annie.

Gavin with his most prized present - a vacuum that really picks up!

Gavin entertaining the crowd! It looks like Great Aunt Brenda, the pretty lady in the pink blouse in the top right corner, is enjoying the show! ( :-) Love ya Auntie Bren!)

Gavin playing lovingly with Jack.

Forecast: Heat Wave!!!

We were blessed with a heat wave this past week with temps almost reaching 70 degrees! Our family lived outside and took advantage of every second of daylight. I was itching to take out some of Gavin's new toys but new I'd regret it when I had to clean them off to bring them back inside for the rest of the winter. He had a great time finding geese with daddy, pointing to the birds, revisiting his buggy, and taking stroller rides. Actually, his favorite thing to do was go up and down the step going from our concrete padio to the driveway. He thinks he is big stuff now that he can make it up and down on his own.

Here is Gavin "claiming" to see/hear a bird.

Saying "cheese" and lighting up the camara with his adorable smile!

Didn't mean for this pix to be uploaded yet, but here are the boys and mommy on her 28th birthday.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I know, you have to be wondering...what is wrong with Alisha? I spent most of New Year's Eve in Columbia at a retina specialist, so I was very worn out by the time this picture was taken. Believe it or not, about 30 minutes later I was actually dressed and ready to celebrate with Clint.

Happy First New Year's Gunner!

Gavin did not want anything to do with his "crown." I even tried to bribe him with the Bumbo seat.

Gavin enjoyed ripping the streamers off of all the noise makers.

Papa and Aunt Tonja babysat all day while the rest of us went to Columbia, so Papa and Mimi got to celebrate New Year's with the boys after having to cancel their party.

Santa at his new table from Grandpa Larry and Grandma Judy.

Santa Gavin riding his new "quad" from Mimi and Papa. I bet it will give yours a run for it's money Auntie Jen! Maybe he can teach you how to stay on!

Vroom Vroom!

We've decided the boys would be much safer sticking to the piano rather than the pigskin!