Cocoa and Cookies with Santa

December 2, 2011

Charlee and her BF Leah Schultz, got cozy in their jammies to attend an event at the Decatur Children's Museum- Cocoa and Cookies with Santa. They were both SO excited to meet Santa and to let him know what they wanted for Christmas. Charlee was very uneasy about sitting on Santa's lap. I don't know if you can really tell by the pictures, but she was blushing and could hardly talk to tell him what she wanted. When she did finally whisper her request it was for a "blue princess dolly". I am assuming she means Snow White. She has said several times since then that she wants a blue princess dolly "because she has blond hair like Charlee."

They got to decorate their own sugar cookies and sip on hot cocoa with marshmallows. They also got to spend some time in the bubble room, which was a HUGE hit.

Thanksgiving

November 24, 2011

Our first Thanksgiving alone. Without any extended family with us. Of course we had Skype which was pretty sweet. Joel did the Turkey using his Grandma Langley's recipe of course. And I managed to do the sweet potatoes...

Considering it was just the four of us, by looking at our table you would have thought we were feeding an army.

This year I am thankful for my family. For my amazing husband who has worked so hard to get through school and now support his family. For awesome family back home who we miss and think about every day. I am grateful for our health and prosperity. I am especially grateful for the church that seems to be a stable foundation among so many changing obstacles in life and throughout the world.

Christmas Cards

December 1, 2011

I am fairly certain, when it comes to Christmas Cards and getting them out to our friends and family on time I am slightly neurotic. It's just so nice to get them done and out of the way. In years past we've been very lucky to have my sister Carly take our pictures. Can't say she's always willing, but it's one of those things we make her do for us :) This year we had to improvise. By that I mean we had to use the self timer. Here are a few that didn't make the Christmas Card:

These are the ones we sent out:

Festival of the Lights in Chicago

November 19, 2011

This weekend we decided to head up to Chicago for the Festival of the Lights festivities. Throughout the day they had various activities going on down Michigan Avenue. Our favorite happened to be listening to the Neverland Pirates Band, (they play for kids show Jake and the Neverland Pirates on Disney channel). Charlee and Van both knew right away who they were. The minute the started playing they perked right up. Van was saying "Hook!" While Charlee was acting shy. Dad was holding her while she'd look at the band and then turn her head into his chest with a huge smile. It was really cute.

We spent two nights at the Best Western just off of Michigan Avenue. HUGE perk was the free parking and swimming pool. Just sayin. HUGE downer- no strollers. Let's just say "WE" forgot to load up the strollers on the way out. Joel and I definitely got a workout walking all over town with the kids on our shoulders. And actually, it wasn't as bad as i had thought it would be.

Saturday night we watched the Disney Parade down Michigan Avenue as they lit the lights down the street as they went. I can honestly say we were probably amidst the largest crowd of people I have ever been with.

P.S. Word to the wise- NEVER, I repeat NEVER trust a gas station hot dog. Especially when you are on the road. This picture was taken on the way home on the freeway. Poor Van! What you can't see is Joel dry heaving and gagging, with watery eyes in the front seat with the windows down. Good times. Good times.

Cupcakes with Grandma!

October 31, 2011

Sweet cupcakes for a sweet girl. A girl who follows all directions from her Mom and Dad. A girl who ALWAYS finishes her dinner without being asked to. A girl who NEVER hurts her brother, NEVER throws fits, and ALWAYS stays out of trouble.

Pumpkin Carving Time!

October 30, 2o11

Carving pumpkins. This is my personal favorite part about Halloween. I hate to brag, but I've created some pretty awesome jack-o-lanterns in the past. This year was no exception. Charlee and Van were a HUGE help. They really got after cleaning the insides of the pumpkin out- NOT. They were actually not amused by the slimy, cold insides. Van and Charlee kept saying "Ewww! Sick!" Joel and I teased them that we were eating the insides of the pumpkin. They'd just look at us with this disgusted look on their faces like their parents were crazy (which they are).

Preschool Halloween Party

October 27, 2011

Kairos Preschool Halloween Party.