VEGAS BABY!

Thanks to a great gift from Grandma Jane, Matt and I were able to take our first trip since Cate came along. Matt and I went to Vegas and Cate got to go stay with Pop and Grandma Jane. We had a wonderful time staying at the Bellagio and watching the fountains. We even got to take in Carlos Santana! We donated a bit to the economy even though I was sure if I "voted" for enough of the Daytona 500 drivers I would win something! Vegas wasn't our favorite destination but we really enjoyed escaping the Iowa winter and spending time together.

Happy Valentine's Day from Cate

Emily taught Cate how fun it can be to play the piano! All the Nichols girls would be proud...
It is becoming more and more difficult to get pictures of Cate sitting still!
This video really is not great--but proof that she is really getting around...

Happy 17th Birthday, Carter!

Not near as exciting as Sweet 16 but Carter is ready to live it up for Year #17.

He was nice enough to share his chocolate chocolate cake with Cate!

READ, READ, READ

Cate LOVES reading books. It is really fun to watch and listen to her as she sits and "reads" for long periods of time. Here she is reading a book she got for Christmas in a rocking chair Carter had as a little guy.
Rumor has it that the College of Pharmacy and the College of Denistry at the University of Iowa are already offering her scholarships...

Becker Christmas Photos

Cate loves her John Deere tractor from Papa (especially because he gave it to her early--there are perks to being the only granddaughter)
Carter, Jane and Matt in the limo. It was a surprise~17 passenger Lincoln Navigator. All the kids were told to get their coats on. Papa told them "We are going crazy with Grandma Jane!" We had a REALLY fun night.

John, Craig Alan and Carter at dinner. They opened this cute little restaurant in Griswold just for us. Craig Alan and Colton are always begging to sit by Carter.

Hard to get 5 kids happy and looking at the camera. Craig Alan, Grandma Jane, Colton, Spencer, Papa and Josiah

The youngest pair--Cate and Spencer

Trewet Christmas pictures

TJ, Emily, Jesse and Timmy throwing reindeer food. It was definitely a white Christmas. We were so happy that everyone was able to make it to the BVR safe.
Christmas cookies for Santa

Cate on Christmas morning. She spent LOTS of time with Papa and Mamaw reading books and eating powdered sugar doughnuts.

Christmas Highlights

We had a wonderful Christmas. Some of the highlights (and lowlights)

Cate~walking, walking, walking~reading, reading, reading~unwrapping presents and playing with boxes~"SO BIG!"~ a fever while getting teeth~Christmas Eve service with Great Grandpa Nichols~extended stay at the BVR (Trewet house) since we went early to beat the storm~extended stay at Becker Timber with ALL cousins due to no daycare~walking, walking, walking

Carter~Netbook and ITouch~getting Jeep stuck in snow TWO times in 3 days!~hosting fun New Year's Eve party~taking girlfriend to IMAX movie

Matt and Carter in limo ride for dinner and lights the night before Becker Christmas~so fun!

Christmas morning (was Carter's Dad and uncles got him out of the snow drift)