Santa Sightings

The other day we went to the mall and surprised the kids with a visit to see Santa. Lexie was very reluctant to meet Santa because she knew he would ask what she wants for Christmas. We didn't understand why that was an issue until she finally explained that she wants a vanity and she thought that Santa would say she was too young to have one. Joseph had no reservations and excitedly took the opportunity to let Santa know what he wants for Christmas. As for Andrew, he wasn't about to sit in that strange man's lap. He was happy to get reindeer antlers and an activity book, though. We tried to teach Andrew how to say "Santa", but instead he calls him "Ho Ho Ho."

After seeing Santa, we warmed up by the fire before going home for hot chocolate.

The next day we had our ward Christmas party and Santa made another appearance. This time we got Andrew to sit with Santa for a picture - he was so excited.

This morning we went to the Air Force base for another visit with Santa. The sponsors of the event were so nice to provide breakfast, a picture with Santa, and tons of nice presents from which the kids could choose.

They had several craft activities and games for the kids to play while waiting for Santa to come. There was stationary for the kids to write letters to Santa, and we were really impressed with the letter Joseph came up with:

(Dear Santa, Thank you. Joseph)

Storytime?

Tonight Rick told Lexie & Joseph they could each pick out a bedtime story. Joseph said, "Instead of a bedtime story, I just want to read the tags!"

I think he is definitely the most excited about Christmas.

1st Grade Asian Festival

The 7 first grade classes at Lexie's school have been learning about various countries in Asia. Today they had their Asian Festival where they "travelled" around to the 7 different countries which they have been studying & tasting different Asian foods.
Since one of the countries they studied was Russia, Rick let Lexie take in some of his things from his mission to Russia (shapka, matroishka dolls, & coins).

We also took in a big pot of Borscht. (Thanks for the recipe, Tiffani-it was delicious!) For some reason most of the kids weren't excited about trying a beets & cabbage based soup, but those who tried it actually liked it.

Cheryl got to travel around to the different countries with Lexie to try all of the different foods (YUMMY!), while Rick got to serve the borscht & entertain the classes as they rotated around.

Laundry

I opened the dryer to pull out the boys clothes & all of this fell out on the floor. Awesome...

What do you find in your dryer (well, other than clothes)?

Another Year Wiser

Well, maybe not wiser, but definitely older. Rick planned a fun birthday & the kiddos were super cute. Thanks for all the fun presents & such a fun day!

Mahna Mahna

Finally

Lexie has lost her second tooth. It's been barely hanging on for months now. Tonight at a birthday party she got a little bump & out it came.

Worst part: "When my tooth got hit." Best part: "When I got to take it home & put it under my pillow."

Who Knew?

Today I was trying to get a few things done while Joseph & Andrew watched a show. I turned on Phineas & Ferb for them without them seeing. Then I heard, "Mom, Phineas & Ferb just turned on. Did you do that for us?" "Yes, Joseph." "Thanks! You are the best mom a kid could ever have! The best!" Who knew that's all it would ever take...

Hide & Seek

Decorating Gingerbread

Our friend, Scharlotte, invited us over for an evening of mother & daughter fun. We decorated gingerbread houses. We had a lovely time & it was so great to be able to spend a fun, relaxing time with Lexie & get to see her creativity shine through. She could not contain her excitement once we got home & had to get her brothers out of bed to show them what she made. Lexie said that she had "an absolute blast!" Thank you so much, Scharlotte.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Last night the kids were excited to put their shoes outside their bedroom doors in preparation for St. Nicholas coming.

Looks like St. Nicholas thinks that they've been good kids this year, since they got candy & an ornament in their shoes. We agree!

This is one of the fun holiday traditions Cheryl grew up with & looked forward to the surprises she'd find in her shoe. We're glad our kids enjoy it as well.

O Christmas Tree

Tonight we for Family Home Evening we put up & decorated our Christmas Tree.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Gobble! Gobble!

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with some good friends. We missed having family around, but we did make a treat I used to make with my family as a kid. Lexie & Joseph loved helping while Andrew ate lots of the candy.

Happy Thanksgiving. We have so much for which to be grateful!

Jayhawk Twister

The other night we were watching a little bit of a KU game & Joseph laid out this blanket & decided that the kids should play Twister on it. It was quite amusing to watch.

Hair Cuttin' Time

Today Lexie & I had a little Mommy/Daughter date & got Lexie's second haircut ever. She was so excited & has been asking to get one for weeks.

She excitedly told the stylist about Locks of Love & how she wanted her hair to be made into a wig. Lexie cut off 10.5 inches. While we were there, I decided to go ahead & cut mine as well. (I cut off a little over 12 inches.)

Lexie loved getting to pick out a new bow & she also got a sucker to give to Joseph. I think it's time to figure out how to make some more bows for this cute little girl.

Who's Your Mama?

Yesterday, as I was getting Lexie a snack, she called me by her teacher's name. (I guess I don't get to spend enough time with my daughter...) When I told her teacher about this, she laughed & said, "Well it's about time, I'm always getting called 'Mom' by my students."

More Fashion Sense

Andrew certainly has his own ideas on what he wants to wear. He was wearing a nice white shirt (with his favorite tie, of course). About 10 minutes later he came in with another shirt over his first. Then came the shoes. I really did put a matching pair on him. But, sure enough, after helping Lexie with her shoes, I turned around & Andrew had switched one. He refused to wear matching shoes, so this is what he ended up wearing to church. At least Lexie waited until after church to display her sense of fashion.

Happy Halloween!

Rick took the kids out trick-or-treating while I stayed home handing out candy.

After about 30 minutes of trick-or-treating Andrew was ready to come home.

Lexie lasted an hour.

After taking Lexie home, Joseph still wanted to go out again. He was out for about 2 hours before Dad made him stop.

He did get a few goodie bags with lots of candy, but here are the smallest & largest single items (a toothpick & a snickers).

Joseph kept saying, "I'm having so much fun! I love Halloween!" It's easily his favorite holiday right now.

Ward Halloween Party

Tonight the kids got to give their costumes a practice run at our Ward Halloween Party.

We started off with a yummy chili dinner & then the kids got to play some games & other activities. Lexie was silly in the "spooky room" where they put their hands in cauldrons to feel "eyes, kidneys, brains, intestines, etc." & after each thing she would say, No it's not, that's grapes, eggs, spaghetti, or whatever it was. The only one she didn't recognize was the cauliflower, I guess we don't have that enough at our house.

After the activity the kids went around the church trick-or-treating (it was too cold & snowy outside).

After the party, one of our friends gave us this great bat balloon. (Thanks, Scharlotte!) Andrew got a kick out of flying the bat around the house! He even flew the bat over to Lexie & Joseph to give them good night kisses.

Snow Days

Yesterday the snowstorm began. Rick got an early release from work so we had a fun, relaxing afternoon. I baked cupcakes & a cake with the kids & for dessert we decorated ghost cupcakes. (Or maybe they were snowman cupcakes, you decide.)

We woke up to lots more snow! We got over 2 feet in all. We decided to finish decorating the rest of the cupcakes & the cake.

Then we headed out to brave the cold wind & snow. The grown-ups shoveled the snow while the kids played & "helped" clear the driveway.

Andrew really did not want to come inside. He really enjoyed being out in the snow.

But we finally convinced him to come in for some hot chocolate & cake (which we enjoyed with our neighbors). It's great having fun friends right across the street.

After we got kids down (well, almost-Joseph snuck down & helped, too), Rick helped me make & can some applesauce. It was our first attempt & it went really well. It tasted really good, too.

We're ready for more snow days!