Christmas Fun 2013

Christmas...feels like oh-so-long-ago!! That's because I'm way behind with family updates. I promise there is always a good excuse, but...back to Christmas. We built a gingerbread house (truth be told, Costco was the architect and we were the designers), made cookies--both for ourselves and Santa, and were way too spoiled on Christmas morning.

Truths learned when making a gingerbread house: (1) there is never enough candy to put both on the house and in little mouths and (2) royal frosting does not taste good!

The finished product (and forever heard thereafter, "Can we eat the house?")

our little elf

decorating Christmas sugar cookies

She was SO intent and precise with the placement of sprinkles on her cookies.

All dressed up for church.

Beloved books

Mama made Makenna's babies a bed of their own

Bronco's Fan! (or it could be that he just loves the color orange)

The cutest little present among all the wrapping.

Enough with the pictures, already, Mom!

Boxes are more fun than the presents inside!

And, yes, she stayed in her pj's all day long.

The Mitten

Jake's kindergarten class performed a short play called "The Mitten" which is based on the children's book by the same name written by Jan Brett. It's a cute story about a little boy who loses his new, white mitten in the snow. One by one, the woodland animals, from a curious mole to big, brown bear, find the mitten and try to all fit inside it.

Jacob played the role of Grandpa in the story.

With some of his friends after the show.

Hike with Santa Claus

We thought the trees were pretty this morning, all covered in frost.

A trip to the Nature Center this morning yielded two fun surprises: Daddy came with us and Santa Claus stopped in for a visit with all of the kids.

Santa telling the kids about something (I don't remember) on our nature hike.

Snuggling up to Daddy (baby, its cold outside!)

Makenna coloring her art project very intently.

A hug for Santa. Makenna did just fine waiting her turn to see Santa, sat up next to him on the bench, and then he made the mistake of picking her up and putting her on his lap. She wanted nothing to do with him then! It took a few minutes, and Daddy right next to her, for Makenna to be okay with Santa. Oh, well. Baby steps. :)

Silly Songs, Silly Kid

The girl loves to sing! And she remembers lyrics so well for a two year old. Kinda reminds me of her mama! (Yes, I can still sing lyrics from television jingles aired when I was a kid. Random memory, I tell you.) But enough about me. Here she is, Makenna Brooklyn!

Just because they're cute

Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kindergarten Pow Wow

Kindergarten continues to be a lot of fun for my little boy. They have been learning about Indians, and appropriately, did a Pow Wow performance for the parents shortly before Thanksgiving. Costumes, war paint, drums, dancing and all. 

 Isn't he just the cutest little Indian warrior?

A quick costume change and the kids turned into dancing turkeys. I thought I had a video of this one, but I can't find it. Darn. They were cute, for sure. :)

Boo

Happy Halloween from the Wicked Witch and her two little monsters!

Halloween festivities began early this year, with a fun festival (to include a trunk or treat!) at church the weekend before. The kids liked the cupcake walk, fishing for a prize, balloon animals, and trying to eat a donut off the string without the use of their hands.

 A task not so easy for a 5 year old, and a lot harder for a two year old!

Jake's kindergarten classroom was visited by many a super hero, witches, and the occasional Peter Pan the afternoon of Halloween. Mom got to come and help run the games for the party.

Trying to throw rings onto the stem of a pumpkin wasn't easy, unless you're less than 12 inches away. (Cheater, cheater, Pumpkin Eater Jacob!)

"I'm watching you!"

We spent Halloween evening with friends, eating dinner at the Wahlquist's house and trick or treating together afterwards. It was cold, and my little Minnie Mouse quickly tired of trick or treating. "Mommy, take me home. Go to bed." "All done." "Carry me!" Jake, on the other hand, would have kept on all night. What's a little cold when there's candy to be had?!? :)

Leaves have Fallen

Yeah! The leaves have finally fallen off the trees in our backyard. Time to rake them into a gigantic pile and play!!

Makenna buried in a pile of leaves. Ummm...I think there's something stuck on my forehead!

My turn! My turn!

Random face plant into the leaves...

...and the resulting leaf-on-tongue from said face plant. How does it taste, Jake?

This picture completely reminds me of cheerleaders holding onto pom poms.

One, two, three, toss!

She's a Big Kid Now!

I'm sure Makenna will shoot me one day for posting it, but this picture depicts her big kid-ness: sitting on the potty chair with a triumphant "have potty power!" And she surely does. We're fully into week four of potty training and she is doing so well. In all reality, she was ready months ago. I was the one who had to bite the bullet and just do it. 

And then add to it a big kid bed (which she stays in sometimes...) This little two and a half year old is growing up

Mom says I can't jump, but I can dance on my bed!

Time Out

Though my kids don't like time out, I sure needed one this weekend. And Time Out for me meant a weekend of talking, laughing, good food (mmm Café Rio), good company, shopping, staying up too late, listening to some uplifting speakers, and enjoying a much needed break. And thank you to my wonderful husband for keeping the kids so happy that they're disappointed when I return. :)

Random Cuteness

I don't remember what they were doing, except that brother and sister were laughing and having fun. :)

Family Pics 2013