Holiday Happenings

We've been celebrating Christmas already. Over the weekend we celebrated with our good friend Jennabeth. She brought some wonderful treasures with her. The kids are starting to figure out that presents are meant to be unwrapped. We're not quite sure which they like better, the actual gifts inside or the wrapping paper. Last night we celebrated with Jessy and her husband Trevor. The kids love their gift from her. She brought an activity table that sings, talks, reads, lights up and even speaks Spanish. They've been busy playing with it all day. I got an early holiday gift today....a snow day from work. I've been at home all day playing with kids, hanging out in my sweats and napping on the couch. HEAVEN!!!

Here are some fun pictures from our holiday celebrations and a few pics of the new tricks the kids are learning.

Let me out! (Good thing Dad put up a gate)

We found the corks and they are yummy.

Christmas with Jennabeth (a.k.a Nanny J)

Wow, this paper is awesome!

Do your ears hang low? This dog's ears flip and flop and move like wild. 

Scooting the bar stools across the floor isn't as easy to do with Dad sitting on one.

We're just going to check out these stairs. 

Christmas with Jessy

This is so fun! Thank you Jessy!

Life & Log Cabin Living

Life never slows down and is so full. Over the weekend we had a super fun adventure to Truman Lake. It's about an hour and a half south of Kansas City. We were so fortunate to spend the day with our friends Phil and Mary Alice Neal. They are in the process of building a log home that sits on a beautiful piece of land near the lake. They are surrounded by trees and trails where we'll be able to enjoy some good nature hikes and campfires when spring comes. Currently they are living in a transitional home that Mary Alice has decorated to the hilt with holiday treasures. It was so festive and extremely relaxing to be there sharing some time with them. The kids had a ball and settled into log cabin living quite nicely.

A couple of other highlights from the week included getting a special package from Aunt Jane. She knit beautiful stockings for Hope & Jack. We were excited to add TWO stockings next to ours this year. John's good friend from childhood, Matt Mihm came to visit the kids. Matt has been full of suggestions for gear we need to have in order to survive life with kids. We seem to be taking his advice on some things......the swagger wagon, car seats and a new camera are just a few.

I like these new toys at the cabin

Dr. Neal Sir, I really like your hat!

I can't wait to see the treasure Mary Alice wrapped for me

This cabin is SO relaxing! I'm quite comfy here on Mary Alice's lap

Feels like Christmas

After a road trip, it's time to stir up some trouble (or tackle it)

Honest, I didn't touch it!

Our very own stockings! 

I think I've found a new dance partner. Sorry Dad!

Next time Mr. Mihm, I'll be sure to wear my little horse so we match.

Celebrating a Birthday & Santa

It seems as though the holidays have arrived. I always feel the festivities begin with Thanksgiving and the official holiday kickoff, the Macy's Day Parade. My birthday soon follows and Christmas arrives before we all know it. I have to admit, I'm not one to make a big deal out of my birthday but this year topped them all. The best gift was being able to celebrate the day with two adorable miracles and as a family of four. Oh and the Carnegie Deli cheesecake was a nice treat.

John and I are having a wonderful time starting new holiday traditions with Hope and Jack. This weekend marked the first trip to see Santa at Crown Center. We had a full thirty seconds of calm on Santa's lap (long enough to get a decent picture) before the meltdown came. Jack was not phased at all but Hope totally freaked. Once she started wailing, there was no hope of getting another picture of the two smiling.

The most common question friends are asking these days is, "Did you put up a Christmas tree?" Of course we did, and yes it's even a real one. John has threatened for a year now to put orange construction fencing around the tree. Luckily he hasn't gotten his hands on any yet. The tree is certainly an interesting focal point in the front room where the kids play. So far, they've done well with it but you can't take your eyes off them or they head straight for those sparkly bright lights.

Hope & Jack get a practice run at opening gifts

Ummm, I know it's not my toy but I really want to play with it

Yes, Hope & Jack there really is a Santa Claus

Look Dad, there's even a penguin at Crown Center

Countdown to Christmas

Wow, that's a giant Nutcracker

All aboard the Candy Cane Express

The Mayor's Christmas Tree

Behaving by the tree

We're just curious about all of these twinkles at our fingertips

We are officially on the move!

                                               



 

Gobble Gobble

Our first Thanksgiving with Hope and Jack was great fun. We enjoyed having Grandfather Sir and Grandma Lulu here for the holiday. We feasted on some traditional Thanksgiving fare. Even the kids got to enjoy some turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, and pumpkin pie. We have much to be thankful for this year. We are so blessed to have these two little ones in our world and are grateful to all of our friends and family who are a part of our lives.



Shopping for Thanksgiving Dinner



Having fun driving through the grocery aisles



Thanksgiving Happy Hour



Look at me in my big boy chair



Chillin with Dad

Yep, I think I'm ready for this feast

 

Just waiting for that turkey

 

I'm not sure I'm so crazy about turkey



Still deciding if I like mashed potatoes and gravy



Loving a bedtime story with Grandfather Sir



Great Adventures & A Crawler

Whew! What a whirlwind week it was. We had several family adventures this week. Jessy is on vacation for a few days and John played nanny last week. Actually, he truly was a fantastic Johnson County housewife for a couple of days. He brought the kids to the office to see me one day and we all went out to lunch. It was such a treat. After lunch he went to visit our good friend Jennabeth and her mother. Friday's outing involved an early morning trip with the kids to drop off Frisco at the vet. Frisco had some nasty blemishes removed from his face and body. You'll see before and after shots shortly. The weekend brought friends from DesMoines and a trip to Crown Center to explore Legoland.  

In addition to our outings, we also hit another big milestone and have entered a whole new phase of parenting. We officially have a crawler. Hope is on the move and very busy. She is extremely curious about everything and has now figured out she can get around on her own. Jack is watching her carefully and we know it won't be long before he's chasing after her.

Our first big kid ride in a cart at Costco



Look what jumped in our cart! Can we bring him home?



We had so much fun with Dad at Jennabeth's and Mama Bear's house




I'll just check out Frisco's tags for a moment



Come on Frisco, it's time to play





I love this giraffe made out of Legos!



I'm quite happy and content on this puppy



Dad, come on....let us out so we can play in that giant Lego pit


                                               

Forced Family Fun begins at an early age (I don't think it was too forced this weekend)

 

Poor Frisco before his plastic surgery



Poor Frisco looks like a prize fighter afterwards