Holly Jolly

Our Christmas was nothing short of magical.

Lots of family time, lots of giggles from Kya, lots of delicious food, lots of special gifts, and of course ... lots of love. We are so blessed.


We started the Christmas festivities with a tour of the best Christmas light displays in Bismarck.


This outrageous display was a must-see, and a good place to get out of the car and walk through and see it closer up - especially fun with Kya and Grandpa Z.

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On Christmas Eve we drove down to Linton to spend the day with the Hagers at Grandpa Andy's house.




Kya had so much fun playing with cousin Connor.


Adorable!




This photo cracks me up. Connor was such an enthusiastic "helper" that his dad had to reign him in a few times.



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Christmas morning was spent at our house with the Zundels. Corey, Kya and I went to Mass and then returned home for more gift opening.


Santa brought Kya a hat, boots, and a pony!


a very happy cowgirl!


Santa also left Kya a note


Thanks to Corey for capturing this special moment. It was magical watching Kya on Christmas morning.


Grandma Katy made Kya a princess dress and gave Kya (her first) Barbie doll. Oh my, she is growing up to quickly!




I gave Kya a special 'Bison Booties helper' gift - a toddler sewing machine! This is a vintage toy I bought on eBay (they are not made any more).


Thanks to her new doctor set, Kya thinks she is our resident doc. Very entertaining!



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We spent Christmas afternoon/evening with the Vander Vorsts at my uncle Bob's house in Mandan.




Bob's surprise gift for grandpa - a mounted deer


The Vander Vorsts


The Zundel/Hager folks

Go Bison!

Yesterday, Corey's alma mater, North Dakota State University, won the NCAA FCS National Championship football game – again (second year in a row)!
Corey was very excited to be there, to cheer on the Bison in Frisco, TX.

Thanks to Corey for taking these photos


Bison tailgating craziness


Meeting up with friends from home - Mike, Eric, Corey, Brady and Jerry


Corey with our good friend Andrea


Going into the game


The crowd (Corey said it was about 75% gold = Bison fans)


The Bison won 39-13! Corey had a great seat, second row behind the goal post.

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Meanwhile, in Mandan, we were cheering on the Bison too!
(back: my aunt Ronda, grandpa Darwin, Kya, grandma Irene; front: my parents)


Kya and great grandma Rene


Oh and super fun - we spotted Corey on ESPN!

Hello Santa

The Christmas festivities have started!
Yesterday (Friday) Kya visited Santa at Kirkwood Mall, then rode the mall train with Grandpa Z (a new tradition for those two).




She was planning to tell Santa that she wants, "boots, a hat, and, a pony" (we have a little cow girl on our hands) but I think she got shy and told him about other things.

tutu bowling

We took Kya bowling for the first time on Sunday. She selected insisted on her outfit - a pink tutu. Hilarious.

It was a family event – at Uncle Jim and Aunt Ronda's bowling alley, with cousins Parker and Lauryn (and their parents), my mom, and grandparents.














This is definitely one of our new favorite indoor activities! Strike!

snow, frost, and fun

Saturday we woke up to a breathtakingly beautiful winter wonderland!


A few inches of snow and thick frost made for some major fun.


sledding








Kya said: more, do it again, and, fun – more times that I can count. She just loves a brisk North Dakota December day.




snow angels too!
it's extra sweet that I can still see the angels from my kitchen window.


she was very proud of herself "hiking up the big snow mountain"


love.