Lovin' the Perks

Steve gets a lot of perks at his job - free lunches to steakhouses, suite tickets to sporting events, and even a free trip to Boston.  (A little different than the life of a teacher).  Sometimes we get to family events and try to take full advantage of it.  So we all headed to the Botanic Gardens for their light show and some yummy food, booze, and free lights.  The weather was pretty nice, so we were able to walk around but then warm up in our nice reserved area.  They even had "make your own cupcakes", which the girls looked forward to all night!

 

It was a great event, and the lights were beautiful.  Hopefully they'll invite us back next year.....

 

Chandler and her "coffee"

What a "cheesy" smile

Even Bug loved it!

Kids' Christmas Party

A couple weekends ago we had our annual girls'  kids' Christmas party and gift exchange.  It's the day the hubbys get a break, while we attempt to converse with friends while chasing our kids and trying to keep them happy.  Exhausting!  This year we went back to our soup cook-off before we unwrapped gifts.  Since the kids are getting older, the adults were actually able to sit and enjoy some soup for a few minutes.  Amazing!  It's neat to watch the kids get along so well and watch the younger ones become one of the "big kids".  Adaley will be there soon. 

 

The kids had a good time tearing through their books and then off to play again!  After they were completely wore out we thought we had a surprise visit from Santa.  Some kids loved him, and some were utterly scared!  It was funny to see all the reactions though.

 

Kids' table #1

And #2

Jackie & Ayda (Addy's BFF already)

To the gifts....Owen's up!

Brooklynn's new bud Kennedy

Kiley, Kaitlyn, and Chandler (Kaitlyn LOVES cheesing for the camera)

Pure chaos

Brooklynn & Kiley (one of my faves)



Here's Santa!

The older ones loved him!

And so did the mamas!

Santa's Helpers

As the kids get older I think it's important to teach them about the true Christmas spirit of giving.  We can get so caught up in Santa, the fun activities, and all the presents that we lose sight of the true meaning of giving.  So this year I thought I'd ease into it for the girls by making cookies for the residents at my mom's nursing home and having them deliver them.  They have been there many times before, so I knew they'd feel comfortable and mom would be able to help us.

 

So the night before we were busy cutting out our cookies and loading them with sprinkles.  I told the girls they could eat one cookie when they finished, but Chandler insisted, "No.  Them for the peoples."  I was shocked but so proud!  She really is a sweetie!

 

When we arrived at the nursing home everyone had heard we were coming and were excited to see us.  Brooklynn got to work right away - she was excited to give them her cookies.  Chandler was a little hesitant but warmed up a little after awhile.  I've always been amazed at Brooklynn's acceptance of other people, and this day was no exception.  She was sweet to every resident (even the one who told her to get away) and made sure to say, "Merry Christmas."  One resident even asked her for a hug, and she obliged without hesitation.  It's hard for me to not think this girl is gonna change the world someday!  Her humanitarianism is a true gift, and I'm anxious to see the path that will lead her as she grows.

 

Decorating time

 Chandler tried so hard to participate (and she did), but she's at a tough age with strangers.  I know her heart was in the right place though.

Christmas To-Do List

Since I've become an avid pinterest-er, we've incorporated some new stuff into our Christmas traditions.  I found this pin with Christmas activity ideas, and I know we're always trying to squeeze it all in.  So I wrote down the activities we wanted to do and put them in our advent calendar, so we'd make sure to do them and not feel as overwhelmed.  The girls loved to get their daily "treat" and also an activity on some days.

Here's the website I stole from:
http://workmanfamily.typepad.com/our_life/2008/11/christmas-bucket.html

I didn't use the bucket, although it's super cute!

So we did:
1.  Look at Christmas lights (did this a few times)
2.  Have hot chocolate and toast before bed
3.  Watch a Christmas movie (Arthur Christmas)
4.  Make ornaments
5.  Decorate a gingerbread house
6.  Hand out cookies to nursing home residents
7.  Donate unwanted toys to needy children
8.  Read "The Grinch"
9.  Make cookies for Santa
10.  Put on a Christmas show for mommy and daddy
11.  Make Christmas Play-Doh

Thank God for pinterest and it's wonderful ideas!

Surfin' USA

Our Tiny Dancer

When Brooklynn started another year of preschool last fall Chandler was feeling left out, so we decided to sign her up for dance class while Brooklynn was at preschool.  The first few weeks were rough.  They consisted of peeling her off my leg, many bathroom breaks, and her not paying attention to the teacher (imagine that).  After a couple months she was ecstatic to go to class and started randomly doing her plies in the grocery store.  With her recital approaching I was nervous for her, and we practiced every chance we got. 

 

A couple Saturdays ago was the big night!  I knew I needed to volunteer backstage to ease her fears for the show.  As we were walking to the "green room" she tripped and fell face first.  I thought it was all over!  She stopped crying when we got backstage, but she was scared to death to go on stage.  I just wanted her to get on the stage - I didn't care at that point if she performed well.  As soon as she walked on the stage, I was able to dart out the door and watch with the audience.

 

She was amazing!  She soaked up the audience's applause and laughter and enjoyed hamming it up.  Her hula hooping was fantastic, and it didn't go unnoticed!  She's actually a great dancer, but we're still holding out for the athlete in her!  After she finished I ran backstage, wiped away the tears, and gave her a huge hug.  It's amazing how proud they make you!

 

Surfin' USA with Amari and Jovie

Loving her Ooh ooh and flowers

Brooklynn was a real trooper too.  I know she really wanted to be out there and dance as well.  So now we'll have 2 dancers at the next recital.  Woohoo!

Chandler Finally Likes Santa!

Steve and his parents took the older girls to Thornton's Winterfest to visit Santa and check out all the festivities.  Steve and I took them a few years ago, but we went in the evening, and it was COLD!  So we were excited to see it during the day and hopefully with some warmer weather.  Even though they stood in line for over an hour to see the jolly man, the girls had a great time, and Chandler FINALLY sat on his lap (although she looks pretty sassy in this pic).

Their requests:  Spiderman toy and Barbie.  And Santa requested they do their chores. 

I like that Santa!

 

Then she got her hot dogs.  Success!

Holiday Fun with Friends

It always seems as if we get to see our friends a lot around the "kid" holidays.  It makes them even more special for the kids.  A few weeks ago we had our first sleepover - where we piled the kids in a bedroom and said goodnight.  We were hoping they were ready for it and would actually sleep.  They did a pretty good job (except for the monsters in the closet scare).  Chandler did end up sleeping with us and Brooklynn with Amanda, while Zach shacked up on the couch.  Regardless, they were excited to spend so much time with Hazel and Sawyer and finally wake up in the morning together.

 

 

After reading Polar Express the kids made trains thanks to crafty Mandy

 

So proud of their art

Then we all got together to make gingerbread houses.  Each kid had a building for the village, and they made some great houses!  They sat to work on them for about 10 minutes before they were off and running around again.  I've never seen such an active group, running around nonstop for hours!  When we grabbed our gingerbread houses to leave, Chandler's was only frosting - she had been sneaking the candy all night.

 

Group shot!

Parade of Lights

Since the weather has been so gorgeous here (we're talking 60s in December), we decided we'd definitely take the kids to the Denver Parade of Lights.  My friend suggested we go to a CSU alumni reception before the parade, so we did.  We had a great time - free food, meeting Santa, Cam, and the girls' favorite - the cheerleaders.  The girls are always pumped when they see or hear anything CSU these days - guess Steve is training them well.

 

After the reception we headed out the front door and staked out some killer seats to watch the parade.  We barely needed coats at 8 p.m.  The parade was fun, but the girls were just consumed with seeing Santa at the end.

 

CSU Santa (Chandler asked him, "Why you a green Santa?"  He told her that Santa went to CSU.)  Of course she wouldn't get close enough to take a pic with him.

 Brooklynn hamming it up like usual.

 Absolutely adored the cheerleaders!  (This one is actually a former student of mine. 

And she loved the girls)

 Almost here.....

The girls were chanting the CSU cheers for days and talking about visiting Santa.  Hopefully we get more warm nights to do outdoor activities and get more opportunities to connect with the CSU alumni.

We Can Decorate......Finally!

All month the girls have been asking when we can put up our Christmas decorations.  Our rule is always after Thanksgiving, so we knew we'd be busy as soon as we were done carving the turkey - and we were.  We started early Friday morning and finished later that evening.  My new rule - if it takes longer than a day to put up, it's not going up!  So we will not be buying any more decorations for a long time!  Steve worked on the outside, making sure to get the Dora and Santa inflatables while the girls supervised.

 

That evening we broke out the ornaments and let the girls go to town putting on the ornaments.  It's always fun watching them grab an ornament and ask a million questions.  It's nice to bring out the memories and tell them stories of the ornaments. 

So proud of their decorating

 Notice all the ornaments on the bottom

 How do you end tree decorating?  With a dance party, of course!