Christmas time was here.

We I have been wanting a real tree for some time. Jess thought it was a good idea once Jack was a couple years old. This year we actually got a real tree.

It was about 3 degrees out with super windy winds the morning we went for our tree.

Jack picked the prettiest tree in the whole farm; I'm sad that we wont be able to get that same tree again in years to come.

Jess cut it down and we hauled it home.

The weekend before Christmas we headed to Holdrege to spend time with the families. We celebrated Butz Christmas at Steph's house. It was a perfect place to have us all.

Papa wanted to open presents but Jack told him he had to wait.

Jack was very patient waiting his turn to open presents.

Jack got a real Buzz Lightyear! -- best story of this Christmas...maybe all year! -- Jack took his Buzz out of the box and decided to see it fly... only Jack did not understand that Buzz can't really fly. After throwing Buzz across a room full of people, smashing him on the floor sending his wings sliding across the floor, Jack quickly understood that Buzz only "falls with style." I've been told that Jack quickly covered his mouth and did a bit of an uh-oh dance as Buzz was crashing to the floor, luckily, Buzz was able to be put together again.

Natalie was really excited to get vases only to find that the box had a fleece jacket in it.

[this comment is only for my "growing up friends" this is that little baby niece of mine (Laura) who was born when we were 10...can you believe how grown up she is!!!!]
Here are the little girls and Caitie with their fleece jackets... that was the theme if you are a niece or Blake of mine.

We had a sing along too!

AND Molly, Maddie, and Jeff were in Nebraska for Christmas so they joined us later in the afternoon!!

I don't think Jack left Honey Lou's side once she got to Barwicks...he's one smart cookie!!

In Jess's department at work they had a gingerbread house competition. Jess researched houses and designed an "a-frame."

(Jack took these pictures of us!)

Jack and puppy loved helping.

Jess won the competition!

Rod and Phyllis came down for a couple hours on Christmas Eve. They brought Jack this exercise video game. When Jack saw the box he said, "this is what I've always wanted" and we asked him if he knew what it was..."No." he did not. He's had a lot of fun with it and we were especially glad to have it the days when it was too cold to go outside.

We left a nice plate of cookies for Santa...

... and Santa left lots of presents for Jack!

Roxie was just happy to be a part of the activities.

Mom and Dad came down Christmas Day and we had a wonderful dinner and fun couple of days with them. It was a really fun Christmas, and nice to have some time with family, and to have quiet time just the 3.8 of us (not counting Roxie).