Elmo's Photography & Christmas in Iowa and Michigan

On a very cold, eleven degree Iowa morning, Elmo agreed to take our family picture.  Basically I set up my tripod, set my camera settings appropriately for him, put the camera on a timer, and taped elmo to the camera.  He took the following pictures.  He did a great job making our kids smile!

Thank you to a good friend who let me borrow the running sleds.  This pasture is between Sully and Peoria, and usually how beautiful brown Jersey cows in the summer.  We always enjoy the old Oak tress and picturesque Iowa landscape.

This Christmas season has been a lot of fun with our children, now that both Ezra and Elliot can understand the Christmas story so much more. I didn't know how wonderful it is to watch your own children enjoy and comprehend baby Jesus and the mysterious way that God came to be with us. I still haven't figured out how to explain the Christmas tree as part of that story. I need a helpful suggestion there.

We have been reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible by Zonderkidz, and then having the two older boys set up the nativity as we read the story, finding the appropriate characters as they enter the scene. I have yet to find a more beautifully written story for children than the one by Sally Lloyd Jones.

Another book we've been enjoying, is the Twelve days of Christmas in Iowa.



They even have the Twleve Days of Christmas in Michigan!



The Iowa version celebrates, among other things.... Four big baloons (Indianola) Three train cars (Boone train) Two hefty hogs (Iowa State Fair) and a Gold Finch in an Oak Tree (State bird and tree).  WE LOVE IT!  I would LOVE to have the Michigan one for our family too.  I appreciate how there is a "smaller kids" reading, and then a "bigger kids" side of the page for the historical information about each item.  And, since it is written from one cousin to another, the kids love it even more, since they think cousins are the best thing ever.

We purchased ours at Costco in DesMoines, but it looks like they are on Amazon too.

A Strange(r) Visit

We went caroling with our youth group last night, riding on a decorated hayrack around Sully, and surprising some older folks with a poinsettia and Christmas music.  The following is a video of us surprising our kids and their babysitters.  Brian is dressed as Santa Claus, and the kids aren't quite sure of him at first.

Thanksgiving Week

A few photos of our past week.

Me and Elizabeth Santorum, Rick Santorum's daughter, at the GOP debate last Saturday

The food at the VIP reception.

My view from the balcony of the candidates.

This is the monitor I used for the Luntz Global Forum.  I would have to turn it above 50 if I liked the response, and below 50 if I had a negative reaction.

The boys' thankful hats they made during our bible study sunday night with some very kind high school girls.

The Turkey Bowl group.  The youth group won this year!

Ezra and Renee drinking hot chocolate during the Turkey Bowl game.

Our thanksgiving meal.

And a photo to "keep it real."  I sometimes feel like I only post my BEST photos, creating an idea that we've always got things together.  Since I've moved my photography to a different site, I can post just normal pictures.  These are our dishes after the Thanksgiving meal, actually they are still sitting there and it is Friday afternoon.  I suppose I should get those cleaned up now.

And the board under the sink fell off.  Which actually has been quite handy because we now can throw our trash in the trash can without even opening the door.  This is probably a bad habit to start.

 

Another way to save

Starting this week a lot of you will be doing some shopping for your family.  Since I've moved to Iowa, I've done a lot more online shopping when I can get free shipping.  I like using the internet to research a product, and love that something can be shipping to my door so I don't have to pack up three boys and pay the gas money to drive the 50 miles to DesMoines to purchase an item.

This is similar to TRIP, a program that has kickbacks for Christian Education is one way to save during the holidays.  But you have to pre purchase the gift cards.

EBATES, on the other hand, you don't have to pre purchase the gift card and still you get cash back. Though usually not as much as TRIP.

So Let's say I'm making a digital camera purchase, a purchase for about $200.  Generally, I make 5 percent cash back on that item, so $10 bucks. I also use it for Shutterfly, which is currently 8 percent back, and sometimes on clothing stores, like Eddie Bauer or Children's place.  I love the outlet mall for clothing, but with three kids I don't make it there a lot.

Here is the link to start an account:


I do get $5 if you sign up through the link above, but that isn't why I'm sharing this with you.  I want you to be a wise, smart shopper!  These days, there are a lot of hoops to jump through when trying to save.  I know this is another one.  But the wiser you are at shopping, the wiser you will be at making good purchases!