E-kids Christmas Program

The girls had their annual Christmas program with E-kids, the daycare that they go to. It usually is funny just cause kids are kids and have no inhibitions but this year seemed even funnier!!!

Emery, just getting on stage and realizing her family was here!!!

Kayden, snow ballerina's 

Kayden has been going to E-kids since she was about 3 months old and so this has been her 2nd home in ways! Ms Gay Lynn  was her first caretaker in the "butterfly" room and we absolutely adored her. She is PRECIOUS!!!

Kayden is now in pre-school and sadly her last year at E-kids. Below is her WONDERFUL teacher Ms Karen who Kayden absolutely adores!!!!

Gran and Papa came out to watch the fun night!

My sweet niece!

Family portrait....I often wonder how many of these we take! One day when the kids are gone I'll probably sit around crying looking at how little they were!!! Am I feeling a little sentimental today or what?!!!

Rock on!!! Kayden actually did this herself and so Kristi didn't want to look out of place

Aumie and Cheeto face Emery Grae

Santa stopped by.....Lauren's not too sure what to think!

Kayden telling her last minute wishes

Emery went from screaming last year at the sight of Santa to being enthralled with him this year!

Gotcha Jessica!!!

We threw a surprise birthday party for my friend Jessica, who stated a few years ago that NO ONE would EVER be able to throw her a surprise birthday party!!! It took a few months of planning but her sister-in-law, her husband, and myself pulled it off!!! It was hysterical to watch her come through the door! The theme was an 80's tacky Christmas party!!! Some people came in their best 80's clothes, others came in their tackiest Christmas attire! Either way we were laughing at each other the entire night!!! It was a fun night!!!

Happy 30th Birthday Jessica!!!

Jessica coming through the door, although at this point she still did not realize this was a party for her, she thought everyone was yelling just because it was a party!

......still no clue, posing just because!!!!

.....starting to get it.....that this party was FOR HER!!!

The Hostess'!!!! Puullleeaaasseee don't be jealous of my crimped hair and blue eye shadow, not to mention the outfit!!!

Neal and Jon

Oh how did we survive the 80's!!! Guess cause we were younger at that point!

Brian and Jessica

Kami, Jessica, and me

Amy wore her hair up in a banana clip....do you all remember those???!!!

Gotta love the gold dress and mustard tights with black shoes!!!

Jon (with his great mullet) and his friend Keith, who actually didn't really dress up!! This is a normal look for him!!!

A little dancing!

Brrrrrrr 5k!!

This morning we got everyone bundled up to brace the 26 degree weather so that I could run a 5k! The girls are definitely troopers to get out in the cold on their sleep in day.....not to mention my husband who likes to refer himself as my COACH!!!

The girls bundled up in the car on the way downtown

At Hunter Museum before the race

Santa even came out to visit

The start..... and I finished with only minor frost bite!!!

What you wanted.....

My mom started a Christmas tradition with us years ago. She would give us an early Christmas present and on the present would read....."The present you wanted but didn't know you wanted"!!! It's always something GREAT!! She has of course started this tradition with girls. So when they got home from school yesterday they had packages sitting at the front door and were squealing with excitement....initially they thought it was from Santa!

Opening the boxes....

...the presents! A mug that lights up and a Christmas craft box!! 

Thanks Aumie!!!

Grand Illumination

Last Friday night we met my family downtown for the Grand Illumination. It gets bigger every year. They have a boat parade, a live nativity scene, santa comes, vendors, live entertainment, ect. It's fun, we LOVE everything and anything about Christmas!!

Everything is live and real except the baby Jesus although we wondered!!

The Fam!

Free rides

Singing and dancing to the music 

My beautiful M-O-M

The girls trying to stay dry and warm with hot chocolate! It started sprinkling before we left

Cutting of the Christmas tree

This year we decided to try something a little different with the girls. Both Jon and I have wanted to take them out to a tree farm and pick/cut down our Christmas tree and so this seemed to be the perfect year! It was a beautiful day and a fun experience for all 4 of us!! Although not so "green" we did feel good about buying from a "local" this year! Also not the typical frasier fur that we are used to but something different!

"THE ONE"

Jon in action

Emery seems a bit too excited while holding the saw!!!

"Helping" daddy take the tree in

Tying it down.....

....and we're off!