Christmas Celebrations

As far as our parties and presents are concerned, our kids may think Christmas is a month, not just a single day.  The fun started with having Abbie, the wonderful person that watches our kids while I am at school, and her husband Ben over for our annual dinner and Christmas celebration.

 Caleb got a tool set with the protection goggles--never can be too safe!

 Check out the gingerbread house that the kids made with Abbie.  Maybe I should say that Abbie made with the kids since it looks a little too neat and wonderful to believe that these two did most of it. 

 We then had our neighbor friends over for a night just to hang out.  Here's the neighborhood gang watching a Diego.

 Christmas Eve morning the kids did their presents from us at home.  This started with stockings that are about as big as they are.  We did a bit better at making them look a bit more full this year with books, socks, and other things they weren't very excited about.

 Check out Josie's strange reaction to the dollhouse we got her.  I'm not sure she really understood what it was before it was assembled, and Caleb was thrilled to help out with this picture.

 Kyle spent a good deal of time (and band-aids) assembling the new stuff.  The dollhouse came in what seemed like a couple hundred pieces--I guess the online reviews complaining about the assembly being difficult were accurate. 

 Good thing Caleb and his know-how were there to help Kyle with the work. 

 Christmas Eve we partied at Kyle's parents' house.  Here are the 8 cousins on that side --all pretty happy for the group picture. 

 Christmas Day was spent at Rachel's parents' house. 

 the boys table (Dawson, Caleb, Nathan and Daniel--Peter was still at the grown-up table)

 The 8 cousins on this side with little Dylan in Dawson's lap.

Some of the chaos from above (missing is Mom, Dylan, Caleb and myself)

Church Christmas Program

 Josie's "Little Lambs" class (2 and 3 year olds) started the program by singing "Jesus loves me" and Away in a Manger."  All of her practicing at home with the motions paid off!

Caleb's Children's worship class sang "Emmanuel", "For God so loved the World" and "Jesus, name above all names".  He was very proud of himself for "not being so scared".

Meeting Santa

We had a Christmas party recently where one of Kyle's uncles dressed up as Santa to hand out gifts to the kids.  We weren't sure how our kids would react (especially Josie), but there were no tears at least.

Josie...

 Away in a manger (with the motions) is performed about once each hour. 

 With such a nice day today, Josie and I went to the park while Caleb was at school.  She loved it until a stranger said "hi" to her, then she wanted to go home. 

Abbie's crafts

 This is the Thanksgiving tree that Abbie made with the kids again this year.  Each morning after asking them what they are thankful for, they would add that leaf to the tree.  Some of our favorites were "Rowan and Tate" (the neighbor kids), "The beach", Caleb said, "the #8" and Josie: "my Boy" (Caleb). 

 These are the 3D snowflakes that they made and hung in their rooms.  Josie is pretty sure hers is a flower...don't even try to call it a snowflake, it upsets her. 

The Christmas Season begins...

On Friday, Kyle had the day off work, so we decorated for Christmas with our new (fake) tree. 

 Candy break

 Heavily decorating the bottom section of the tree.

Caleb made a huge town with a railroad that has bridges over roads.  He can work for hours on this type of stuff.

Santa Parade downtown

 We headed for the parade early Saturday morning.  We sat near a very entertaining (10 year old?) boy named Carson--he did everything from dive for candy to dance during the lulls in the parade.  you can see him dancing in the background of the picture below. 

 We ended up sitting with Abbie and Ben and Abbie's family.  This is Sadie (Abbie's niece).  Apparently Caleb and Sadie are quite close friends.  

 Breakfast while waiting for the parade to start.

 another broken candy cane (perfect for little kids, actually)

Happy Halloween 2011

 

I got a new camera for my birthday, so I've been taking a lot of random pictures.  On Monday, that's what Josie and I did when Caleb was at preschool. Josie seems to quite enjoy being the model and center of my attention for a while.

 

 Our little duck/chicken (her label seemed to change at each house) in action

Birthday Celebration

 Yes, it's official--I turned old last week.  The kids got a big kick out of making cards and gifts this year.  Once Caleb found where we keep the wrapping paper, he must have made and wrapped at least 5. Plus, Josie let me borrow her hat--an item she doesn't share easily.

 Kyle came home with cupcakes reading "29 + 1" for us to share with some of our neighbor friends in the evening. Then we got to enjoy the rest after celebration #2 with my parents on Saturday (thanks, mom and dad!)

Here you can check out the necklace that Caleb made with Abbie.  Josie made the matching bracelet.  They are incredibly proud of these, and thrilled to see me wearing them. 

Trunk or Treat

 Each year, the park near our house has a trunk or treat.  It's great to give the kids another chance to wear their costumes, and they usually give out stuff other than candy (silly bands, bookmarks, tatoos etc).  we rode our bikes there despite the 35 mph wind gusts. 



Pumpkin Fest

We went to Pumpkin Fest at a family farm nearby.  The kids got a tractor ride out to the corn maze...

then we got lost in the corn maze (really, really lost) ...

 then picked pumpkins in their patch...

 and pet their goats, kittens, baby cows, bunnies (and probably some other animals I am forgetting).  We also got to watch them make donuts, and enjoyed some of their donuts and cider.