Shameless Photo Album of Christmas

This is going to be a long post with a ton of photos.  You've been warned.  This post is really for people like Aunt Karen and Uncle Jack, who couldn't be with us on Christmas, and who love my kids like they are their own. And also for my friend Patrice, whose kids are now teenagers.  She has helped me realize it does go SO fast, and that all the work is worth it.  I wanted them to see the happiness of our Christmas morning, so here it is!

                                          Before heading to Noche Buena at Marilyn's, Terry and the kids decorated the gingerbread house.  I was very proud of my husband, he relinquished control and let the kids help.  It's a Christmas miracle!!

                                                    My handsome man at Marilyn's

                                                        Terry and his mini-me
                                    

                                Waiting for the OK to come downstairs on Christmas morning. 

                                                               Lily's final hiding spot

                                 It was Michael's turn this year to put Baby Jesus in the manger.   

                                       I think Emily likes the Barbie Sophie gave her. 

                              Check it out Mom, Emily's dollhouse even has a TOILET! 

                     Terry's super cool hat with under the brim lighting.  G'pa Maier got one too. 

                                                           Oh my gosh...is it...can it be???

                                                    YEEEESSSSS!!!  It's Lanie! 

                                                          

                      Michael gets tools just like Daddy's.  Even has his own safety goggles now. 

                                               Who says the Batcave is just for boys? 

                        Emily's not too sure about whatever it was Grandma was saying.

                                                                 Me and Michael
 

                                                             Michael and Nana

                  Snow on Christmas Day in GA.  Last year that happened was 1882!

Got on my new footed pj's, laying on my pillow pet and playing with Michael's Leapster.  Yeah, life is good!!

Getting our Christmas On

Tree trimming can either be the picture perfect event that you might see on a Hallmark Card...or not.  Ours fell somewhere in between, but more toward the Hallmark Card.  That's because Terry did the hard parts while the kids were in school.  Hard parts would include bringing it from the garage to the front door, positioning it in the stand while I hold it (never fun for me), getting tree through front door and into front room.  Deciding which side looks best, trimming top and getting star to stay on top.  Then shimming up the side that makes it lean.  And lastly, stringing the lights.  So much easier without the running commentary of us telling the kids "hold on, we can decorate it in just a minute, no you can't help right now, PLEASE put the loping shears down"...And of course if the occasional iffy word DOES fly, no little ears are around to hear it.  This could be our new tradition in years to come.

So, the kids came home, and the excitement of opening the ornaments began.  It's always fun to unwrap each ornament and remember where each one came from.  Now that our kids are older, they understand there was a time before them, and they do enjoy hearing about Mom and Dad dating, being single, or ornaments left from their childhood.  Emily showed me a crocheted angel and told me how pretty she thought it was.  I told her that her Aunt Clare had made it.  Her eyes grew wide and she asked, "You mean, she sew-ded it?"  I told her yes, and that did she remember that was where her middle name came from?  She was Emily Clare after her Aunt Clare.  She walked back to the tree to hang the angel saying to herself, "Emily Clare, Aunt Clare, Emily Clare, Aunt Clare."  Makes those we miss seem not so far away when we can remember them and teach our kids about them.  

Thankful

What a great Thanksgiving week this has been.  I have so much to be thankful for, too many things to list out here.  But I'll try...my husband and children, my parents and in laws, my siblings and their families.  Good health for myself and those I love.  My friends who enrich my life in so many ways.  The school communities that teach, support and encourage my children.  Last but not least, I am thankful for the challenges God has thrown my way.  Without them, I would not have grown into the person I am today.  At the time, they were anything but welcome, but in hindsight, they served a purpose.  Today my life is so much better for the many lessons I have learned.

Some pictures from the past few weeks:

Mike with the supplies for "Bill's Nuts"

Grant and Terry loading up the bin with freshly roasted nuts.

Our dear friend Bill.  94 years young! 

Bill filling one of the many jars.

Emily helping by handing him the jars.

M and Em sitting on Bill's  "Johnny Walker". 

Flowers we received for Thanksgiving.  Sent by my husband's new boss to welcome him to the company.  Could be my favorite part of Thanksgiving!!  

The Real Deal

Michael and Emily had a "real" birthday party this year, meaning we invited friends, instead of a family only party at home.  They are the first to turn 5 in their class, so it was a pretty big deal.  We went with the party in a park, and I would do this same party again next year.  The weather was picture perfect, 75 degrees and sunny.  The playground was empty except for us, and the kids were totally entertained.  Add a bunch of chatty moms, a veggie tray, chips and salsa and a birthday cake, and life is good. 

The funniest event of the party had to be the pinata. No sissy pull string deal for my kids, I wanted them all taking a whack. 20 four year olds, a few 7-9 year olds, 2 on the edge birthday kids and one swinging shark. Thankfully Kathleen was there in teacher mode to direct the kids. No one lost any body parts, except for the shark, of course.

Terry and I are wondering if we have insurance to cover serious injuries

Sophie helps Emily by trying to hold it for her

My sweet Michael, what happened to him??

Didn't know he had it in him

Take that, Mr. Shark!

And of course, the candy frenzy always leaves someone crying......

(And a big shout out to Niki for these pics, they are great!  No offense KK....) 

I want to ride my bicycle.....

Michael and Emily got new (to them) bikes for their birthdays.  They are small two wheelers with training wheels.  It is hilarious to see them hop up and ride.  Especially with the helmets, that really completes the picture.  I was happy that they took to them right away with no hesitation.  Here's Michael looking like a pro:

I was helping Emily balance, so it was harder for me to get a still shot of her, but here is a brief video of her attempt to navigate the culdesac.  The difficult thing about our street is the slope of it, even our driveway has a slight slope that will spell disaster for a new rider.  We will have to take them to a flat area to really work on turning and braking skills.  That's as much for them as it is for me, makes me nervous when they get up too much speed....

 

Here's another one of Michael, he was apparently telling me about some trick he did on his tricycle, but I wasn't paying attention to that, as evidenced by my surprise at the end.  

Halloween Happenings

We had a great Halloween this year.  I was never really into it as a single adult.  I did enjoy it more once we moved into our house, handing out candy was a lot of fun.  In fact, I've been handing out candy to these 3 since they were toddlers.  And look at them now!  I remember when they wore costumes like Simba from the Lion King, or Thomas the Train. I did think it was funny that they are in 7th-9th grade, and they were waiting on the doorstep for me to get home from the neighbors so I could give them candy.  The guy in the middle is our babysitter, the kids LOVE him.   

Once again Terry did a great job with the kids (or maybe I should say despite the kids) on the pumpkins. He has each of them draw the face they want him to carve, then he tries his best to duplicate that. I may be biased, but I think he is pretty talented.

Oh, you probably want to see the kids too, right? Here they are, Batman, Blue Pixie and Pink Skeleton.  Thank you Kathleen and WalMart.  

It's becoming our tradition to forgo the neighborhood pizza chaos and go instead to Michel and Sylvia's for pre-trick or treat chili and other yummy stuff.  This year our new friend Malin (just moved back from Sweden) brought some witch's brew, which the kids and adults thought was really cool.  Apparently it didn't taste great, but they didn't care, they were more interested in seeing the smoke. 

Our neighbor Alex decided to be Robin once he heard Michael was going as Batman.  They were cute together. We are so glad to have him on our street, he will be going to K next year with my guys.  More bus buddies!

I actually got a friend to take a picture of me and Terry, have to start doing that more often.  Thanks Sylvia for loaning me the cute pumpkin headband. 

The crew right before heading out, they were chomping at the bit at this point, there was much yelling involved to get this photo. 

Michael and Emily lasted about 40 minutes trick or treating.  Michael took several spills with his cape and after the last one, told Terry he was done.  They were very happy to help hand out candy, and even called out to the kids, "Hey, trick or treater, come and get your candy!" 

Who could resist these two?