Christmas is Here!

There's so much anticipation leading up to this one day, but our girls actually had 4 Christmases in 3 days!  We were hoping they'd be able to last with no meltdowns or pukers for the time, and they were awesome.  I attribute it to them being a little older and not needing to nap.  

The festivities began on Christmas Eve at the Weslings.  The girls were ecstatic to spend some time with the Thompsons!

Getting ready to leave.  They always look the best on Christmas Eve, and it gets a little worse each day.  I just can't keep up on the dresses and hair!

Opening stockings

Callen was thrilled....swear!

Lookin' good girl

I'm not sure what happened here, but a perfect example of how quickly things can go sour for a 2 year-old.

And they're ready for presents!

Present time!

We came home late and got our Santa plate ready.  This year Brooklynn wrote her own note to Santa, and it was cute!  They insisted on celery for the reindeer.  I was a little worried with them being older they would try to pull an all-nighter and then be up super early.  We definitely had to wait it out for awhile before playing Santa.  Steve went to check on them before we got the gifts out and Ady was crying in bed.  She said, "I don't want Santa.  He gonna make me dead."  It was quite sad and a little creepy, but who really wants a stranger in their house, anyway?   Fortunately, they slept in like always and we had a great Christmas morning.

She always has this innocent look in pictures that I just love!

Later that afternoon we headed to A-town to celebrate with mom.  The girls had fun playing with all the cousins after we engorged ourselves with a yummy dinner.  It was nice to have that "big family" meal again with everyone.

Hard to believe we couldn't even get one boy!

Grandma Betsy playing Santa

Friday it was off to Bennett for our last Christmas.  Dad hosted this year, while the kids had fun picking on Kenz.  You can tell the outfits and hair get less fancy each time!

Although the girls were spoiled, yet again, with lots of gifts, the best part was spending so much time with our family.  It was one of the best Christmases I remember - great food, great company, and a great time to reflect how grateful we are for all we have!

Random December Craziness!

Every year I attempt to get my poop in a group and get all the Christmas shopping done early so I can enjoy the hectic month known as December.  This year I was fairly unsuccessful, but we still had some good times.

First up was a Broncos meet 'n greet through one of Steve's vendors at work.  We were so excited to see some of our favorites and the girls were most excited to meet the cheerleaders...of course.  It was a fun night and the players were so nice.  We didn't get to meet Von Miller - of course he had to have the longest line.

Brooklynn getting Emmanuel Sanders' autograph (The girls were so shy)

The sweetest big guy, Luis Vasquez

 Family pic with Sanders (maybe he'll adopt our cute family)

Posing with Ronnie Hillman

We also spent many nights driving around to look at Christmas lights.  Ady was hilarious this year, screaming with excitement with all the blow-ups.  The big girls usually passed out, too drained to endure the tours.  We found some new lights this year in a lavish neighborhood not too far.  They live in a cul-de-sac and professionally decorate the 3 houses and their massive yards.  We felt like we were at the Zoo Lights!

Of course there was the annual trip to Bass Pro Shops for some hillbilly fun!

 Showing her sister how you shoot a gun!  Such a proud moment!

Lunch afterwards (and they actually ate like this) 

 Cookie decorating with the Ochs kids

Steve had told me all year that if the Rams go bowling we he was going.  Although they didn't make it to the Fiesta Bowl, which would've meant an Arizona weekend, we had to settle for Vegas.  I was a little reluctant to go being so close to Christmas, but then what the heck?  When would I go to another bowl game?  And who can say no to 24 hours in Vegas?

Well they say, "What happens in Vegas.....stays in Vegas" and for that reason I have few pictures of the trip.  We landed around 9 on Saturday and immediately boarded the bus to the stadium.  After an excruciating game and a long bus ride back, we were off to dinner at the Hofbrauhaus and then a little gambling before calling it a night.  We woke up the next morning and it was back on the plane - turns out 24 hours in Vegas is just perfect!

Our "group" - only 3 of us were left standing (literally) after the game for dinner

 Ready to cheer on our Rams!

Once we were back and rejuvenated Christmastime was in full swing......

School Celebrations

The week before Christmas break feels a little crazy now with 2 kids in school with programs and parties.  The preschool programs are always my favorite.  There's just something so special about these little kids learning the songs and performing for their families dressed in their finest.  Chandler's program this year was super cute but lacked the crying child who freaks out or the random shout outs to family members, which always cracks me up!  She came home from school and practiced her songs, so we knew she'd be a pro up there.

Chandler's class

 They even had choreographed songs!

Wednesday was Boo Bear's class party, which her teacher did an amazing job organizing various stations with crafts for the kids.  They all had a blast and left with some cute swag.

Brooklynn decorating cookies

 Modeling her crown with Madison

 I had Ady with me for the 2nd half of the party and she just sat there and colored and didn't know what to think of the crazy 1st graders!  After the party Mrs. Martinez read a story to the kids and she managed to sit with them and listen.  Of course she's almost as tall as a few of them!

How Could it Be?

Every year we, as parents, dress the kids up and take the "Santa" picture.  For some reason it's become the Christmas memory we want to remember most.  But we all know it's never that easy.  We primp the kids, bribe them with sweets, and just hope there's no tantrums, let alone a good picture.

This year I was standing in line behind this mom who was taking her boy (I'd guess 2 yr. old) to visit Santa for the 3rd time this year.  He was impeccably dressed in a red sweater getup and she was loaded with treats.  As they walked up he immediately started crying, fearing for his life.  Makes sense really......Santa is scary!  Another way we tortured our kids for our enjoyment.

Ady had told us she was excited to sit on Santa's lap this year and kept saying "no cry."  We weren't completely confident she was ready, but we were willing to try.  Turns out she was more than ready and couldn't contain her excitement, making sure to ask for a "pink doggy".  

Although I was excited to finally have all kids sit on Santa's lap and get an adorable pic (see below), it was a little bittersweet - another realization we have 3 big kids and no more babies!  Our "Santa" window with all 3 believing will be short.  Before we know it we'll be bribing Brooklynn to keep the secret for her sisters and some of the magic, the excitement, will be gone forever.  There's nothing better than the enthusiasm they have at this age for it all - Santa, the lights, the trees, and of course the presents.

2010 - I can't believe I tortured Chandler like this!

 And again in 2011

 2012 - She finally (reluctantly) sits on his lap

And this year!  I just love this picture!

Recital Time

I constantly can't believe how quickly time flies but recital time was upon us yet again!  This session Brooklynn enrolled in lyrical jazz, which seemed to fit her style perfectly, while Chandler stayed in tap/ballet but moved into level 3.  They have become quite the dancers and absolutely love performing!

Getting ready to leave

Waiting backstage

Chandler's class

Chandler's tap number:  Pennies from Heaven

Brooklynn dancing to Circle of Life

What a performance!

Typical Chandler trying to steal the spotlight

I can't help but be so proud of them and truly think they have a talent for dancing.  After the performance their teachers recommended they tryout for the city dance team.  After much consideration we decided we'll stick with the rec program a little longer.  I hate to commit them at such a young age to one activity.  Sadly, there's pressure to push them into one activity young so they can be the best, but we're too afraid of burnout.  If dancing is their passion, we will be all in and support them in whatever they need, but for now I think we'll continue to dabble in dance, swimming, soccer, and (hopefully) softball.  What's wrong at just being good at a lot of things, right?

Christmas is Here!

The Black Friday sales are always so tempting, but with them starting on Thanksgiving now we've decided to boycott.  So every year I say I'm going to wake up early and head out on Friday for some steals.  The tough part is leaving the family Christmas decorating day.  So I usually step out for an hour or two so I don't miss the fun.  The girls looks forward to this day every year, especially to get the outdoor decorations out.

This year we were lucky enough to have Kenz staying with us to enjoy the day and help us decorate.  We always save the tree decorating until the evening with hot chocolate and Christmas carols (kinda cheesy but I LOVE it).  It's always fun to break out the ornaments and try to figure out who's in the picture or who made the ornament.  The evening didn't disappoint, and I think we did a great job.  

Nice to have a tall one to disperse the ornaments

Ta-Da!

I think we'll need a taller tree soon, because we had to even leave ornaments off.  Maybe next year we'll find a real tree!

Killin' It!

Most people know how stressful Brooklynn's kindergarten school year was - changing teachers, struggle to adapt to being away from us, and her difficulties with transitions throughout the day.  Her assessments showed zero growth until December, so we knew she was too stressed to even learn.  I don't remember a night when Steve and I weren't lying in bed discussing her day - good or bad.  It was just rough!  And I'm sure that it didn't help with her being the first to leave the nest.

This year has been a complete turnaround!  She has made so many friends, loves her teacher, and is finally enjoying school.  She has conquered a lot this past year, but enjoying school has been the toughest obstacle.

She has increased her reading level tremendously, and she's almost at a 2nd grade level.  She's working through her math struggles instead of giving up.  And her writing is awesome!  I just love reading her journal each month.

For her tenacity she was awarded student of the month for November.  Each month they choose a character trait and this one was perseverance.  Last year Brooklynn scored lowest in this category (yes, they assess this now....crazy).  She was known to give up when it got tough.  This year she works through it, figures it out, and is so proud of herself!  I truly believe perseverance is the most important quality in a good learner, and I'm ecstatic to see what the future holds for her.

We are so proud of you Boo Bear!

*Now we can focus our nightly talks about the trouble your sisters are getting into!