Polar Express Day

Jackie was beyond excited for Polar Express Day at school today!  This means she got to wear her pajamas to school, watch the Polar Express movie with their 6th grade buddies and enjoy some hot chocolate while doing so.  I was informed of the pj rules by Jackie, "no slippers, just tennis shoes...and no nighties, because mom, that would be embarrassing!"  I hope she enjoyed her day, can't wait to hear all about it when she gets home!

Gwen's Christmas Program

It's Christmas program week! We are starting with Gwen, who had hers today. She did such a great job...from the student who is "very quiet and doesn't really talk at school." She sure loves to sing though and she did not have a problem performing in front of all the parents and teachers. So proud of her!
 

And of course we had to take the "classic" Santa picture.  Gwen really wanted to see Santa, but changed her mind as we got to the front.  Beau, was not a fan.  John sure has a nice smile though!

A little "Jingle Bells" for your viewing pleasure....

Gwen "Reading"

Gwen has picked up that Jackie gets some attention because of her ability to read...and so she now has a book that she can "read,"  or at least has the words memorized.  A little video..

Kennedy Christmas

I wish extended family Christmases could last an entire week. We always have so much fun seeing everyone, but the time goes way too fast.  We celebrated with the Kennedy side last weekend.  The kids all loved seeing their cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents.  I love how they just start in where they left off, no matter how much time has passed.  As you can see from the pictures below..we all had a great time!

Away in a manager...

Gwen "playing" a tune for us

Jackie and Beau dancing to some Christmas music

Aunt Sarah helping Gwen with her gingerbread cookie

Gather round grandchildren...it's time for gifts!

Beau is in awe with his new car carrier

Gwen checking out her new puppets

Once again we had the Kennedy family talent show.  For Jackie's talent, she read a Christmas book to the group..barefoot!  Now that is talent!

All the kids getting ready to do a rendition of "What does the fox say?"

Grandkid picture...there were a few missing for this one.  There are 20 kids total now!

After the party, Gwen and Faith did a little bonding while watching a movie together.

Jackie and Diane really hit it off as well.  She loved getting special attention from her older cousins.

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

We kept with our tradition of decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving again this year. Of course, Jackie has this all figured out now and I don't think I can get away with doing otherwise.  I had lots of little helpers and one un-decorator.  But in the end, I just let them at it and didn't even spread the ornaments out this year...with the exception of a few of the more "fragile" ones.  The girls loved seeing all the decorations from year's past and they were quick to tell me which ones were "theirs."  A first this year....I actually got the timer on the outdoor lights figured out the first time!  Usually this takes me a couple of tries.  That one got a big ol' fist pump!

Thanksgiving

We had such a nice Thanksgiving. The Baumanns once again travelled down to spend another Thanksgiving with us. We figured this is actually the 7th annual celebration with our families together. As always, it was good to see them.  The cousins played so well together.  There were no food catastrophes and it was even nice enough to get a little outdoor time in.  Thanks for coming!

The Magnatiles were quite the hit...these kids played with them almost non-stop.

Jackie and Maddy worked hard to create the place cards for the table.

Beau thought he would try out this drawer for a change.

More Magnatiles

Our table...notice the completed place cards!

Chef Jackie and Mom

A little fresh air while the food was finishing up.

I think John was trying to smell the turkey cooking here...

It's done!

Poor Beau was falling asleep right before we ate and so we quickly sat him in his chair and tried to get some food down him before putting him down for a nap.  He was literally dozing off while John was feeding him!

Fireside

Project: Table and Chairs

So one day I had a little burst of "I need a project," and the next thing I knew I had a screwdriver and was I taking apart a chair. Then all the sudden I came across some sandpaper and starting sanding that chair. By then I knew I was already in too deep on this project and there was no turning back. These chairs were going to get redone.

Luckily my dad just happened to come across an automatic sander for me to use and brought it down when they came to visit. (Thanks Dad!) This saved me about an hour and a half on sanding the chair by hand. I have two chairs done. There won't be any more screwdrivers, sanders or paint within 100ft of me before the holidays are over. But by sometime in 2014, the goal is to have the chairs and the table done!

The chairs are definitely not perfect.  A lot of trial and a lot of error.  But, they should work for now.

See the after and before below.....  (the after being the black chair)

Helper

Beau is a bit obsessed with the dishwasher.  I have used this to my advantage when it comes to unloading.  However, he doesn't understand the whole "putting the dirty dishes in" part yet.  Here's a little video of him helping me unloading and putting the utensils away.

Buddies

 I thought it was cute how Beau was watching Jackie play her game.  He actually did stand like this for awhile before trying to take it from her, and then of course it wasn't as cute anymore!

Top Gun

It was cold enough for coats and hats here the other day. Beau looks like he's ready to go on the set of the movie, "Top Gun."

Visitors and the Zoo

We had visitors last weekend! Grandma and Grandpa Mehmen came for a visit and it was a perfect weekend to visit the zoo. We had yet to see the new penguin exhibit and it didn't disappoint.    The polar bear was also a big hit with everyone, as it played with a barrel in the water.  It was a great weekend and we were so happy to have G&G here to enjoy it with.

Falling