Wordless Wednesday ~ Who Needs Expensive Toys When the Box is So Entertaining

Merry Christmas 2011

This year we headed out of town to spend Christmas with Jon's family.  The kids were so excited to see their cousins and to be a part of the Christmas play at Grandma's church.  As you can see from the photos the three of them were sheep.  They really enjoyed being a part of the Christmas Story and the only disappointment was that K did not get to Baaaa in the play.  He has been practicing his Baaa for weeks in advance. 

We all had a great time with Appetizers on Christmas Eve night at Aunt Lori and Uncle Chris's house.  The adults all visited and ate while the kids watched the movie Polar Express.  Then as the night got late, we checked where Santa was located and when we discovered he was in the US we decided it was time to head back to Grandma and Grandpa's house to get the cookies and milk out and get to bed.  E was frantic about getting home in time and K kept telling her that he saw Rudolph in the sky.

The kids finally settled into bed, and when Jon and I decided it was time to get to bed ourselves, we checked for Santa one more time and we discovered that he had arrived in the very city we were located so we jumped into bed and went to sleep. 
The next morning we were jolted awake by three crazy excited kids.  It was 6:45 AM but we do owe a lot to Grandma Carol because they were up at 3 AM, then 3:30 AM, and then 6 AM.  She finally unleashed them on us at 6:45 AM.  A was still sound asleep however so she needed to be awoken.  She did not seem to mind.

After Santa gifts, and Mom and Dad gifts, the kids played and played and played all morning.  Then went the cousins arrived, we had gift session number 2.  As always, it is fun to watch the kids get so excited about gifts and Christmas.  We had such a great time visiting and celebrating with Jon's family this year. 

We headed back home yesterday and once we were unpacked, we headed over to the ski hill to put our season passes to good use.  The kids did awesome and we are so excited about going skiing this season.  We all collapsed into bed last night and fell fast asleep with full bellies and happy thoughts.  This week will fly by but we  are all enjoying some time together and it was a Very Merry Christmas! 

A Night With Cinderella

Around this time of year, we have started a new tradition where every year or every few years, we head to the city and have a fantastic evening with my parents, brother, Jane, and of course all of us. 

Last night we went to a fancy dinner out and then headed over to see Cinderella.  It was fantastic and I am truly becoming a lover of theater.  I was not sure what to expect with Cinderella but it was both funny and magical.  The kids have started to like going to the Theater as well and it is always fun to go to a show and watch their reactions. 
The first year we went, we saw The Sound of Music, the second year was Joseph and the Amazing Techno Color Dream Coat, and now we can add Cinderella to our list of Holiday shows. 
A fantastic evening with some of our fabulous family.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for such a special night out.  We love you. 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Please Dexter won't you be my friend?

The Cub Scouts Went To NYC

This past weekend, Jon took K's cub scout troop to his work to teach them about airplanes.  I was lucky enough to tag along as a chaperon that day and boy did we all enjoy ourselves.  Jon lined it up so all of the boys could have a chance to fly the airplanes with the simulator.  I even sat in the captains chair and flew a little.  It was neat to go inside of the simulator and then it was as equally neat to watch the simulator from the outside move around as the groups each took turns flying the airplane. 

It was fun to for K and I to learn and experience what Jon does for his job.  Jon had a great time showing it all off to the cub scouts and some of their Dad's who tagged along.

I have much respect for Jon and what he does everyday.  It takes brains and guts to fly big planes and Jon makes us all proud. 
All the Cub Scouts were so well behaved and excited to experience flying the airplane.  We all flew out of New York and then back into JFK.  We helped take off and land the airplane and along the way there were different emergencies that arose and we saw how the pilots are supposed to deal with them. 

Kendrick was sure proud of his Dad that day and everyone really enjoyed the field trip.  Thanks Babe for a fun afternoon! 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Santa Came to the Neighborhood

A Thoughtful Gift

Our friends and neighbors, who love dogs and have one of their own, Gus, took care of Gracie for us while we were in Seattle for Grandma Mary's retirement party.  They were such good puppy sitters and gave us updates all the time.  It was awesome.  The other night, they gave Gracie a Christmas present.  It was the most adorable ornament for our tree.

We sure love it and this ornament will be treasured for years to come.  What a precious and thoughtful gift to our sweet puppy.  Thank you C family for being so kind.

Sparkle Updated

This morning we woke up to this...

Sparkle is zip lining from the top of the tree to the fire place hearth.  Crazy little Elf!  The kids went crazy, especially when they found out that Jon and I had nothing to do with the zip line.  We have already had requests from our friends with Elves to have Sparkle show their Elves tonight at the North Pole how to build a Zip Line.  We sure love our little Elf Sparkle!

Sparkle Is Back

Sparkle showed up at our house again right after Thanksgiving.  It is so fun to see how excited the kids get when he arrives.  He really does become the topic of conversation in our house for most of the Holiday season.  He has already been many places in our house this past week.
This year the kids drew him pictures and made bead jewelry to send back to the North Pole with Sparkle.  They were thrilled when the next day, Sparkle was wearing his wreath they made him and the letters were gone. 

One night he moved while the kids were watching TV and boy was their major excitement over him moving when they were still awake. 
We are so grateful that we get to have Sparkle in our lives.  He truly does bring so much anticipation and excitement to our Holiday Season.  The first thing A, E, K do in the morning is find Sparkle, that's even before they eat their advent chocolate for the day. 
What a wonderful time of the year! 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Daisys are Cute