Saturday, December 31, 2011

Calling All Angels

Reese and her church friends worked hard for several weeks preparing for their Christmas program - Calling All Angels. Reese has such an amazing, enthusiastic music teacher at church! We are so thankful for her time, patience, energy, and attention she gives the kids each and every week.

When the day of the program arrived, these angels were ready!


Reese and her friend, Cora, before the program.






Cora - love this!


Cora's sister, Carmin. Isn't she adorable? She kinda fits into the "angel" category that Cru fits in, if you know what I mean ;)

Great job, Reesee! So proud of our angel! No, Cru did not participate because he doesn't sit still during class; he worries more about chewing gum and what snacks Everlee is eating. Maybe next year.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Pre-K Christmas program and party

The Tuesday before Christmas, Reese's entire school had their Christmas program. After having a minor disagreement with Chet when deciding where to sit (which involved switching seats three times), it was pretty disappointing when she took her spot in the very back row. Every so often, when I would stretch my neck to look for her, I'd either see the pink flower in her hair, her mouth wide open singing her heart out, or her stretching her neck out searching the crowd....





All their little voices sounded heavenly even if we couldn't see our little angel.



There was a reception afterwards that I helped make cookies for, but we decided to skip it and have cookies at home. Reese didn't seem to mind, she was just disappointed she didn't get to see the Mainzers; she kept repeating, "Where are Mya, Quinn, and Zane? I want to say hi to them." Love her heart!






Getting so big!

My friend, Mindy, took this picture during the program while singing Silent Night ♥



The next day was Reese's last day of school before break and her class party! With Cru and Everlee around, it's difficult for me to go to her parties, but thankfully, I can always count on Mindy to snap some great pictures for me!

I was in charge of the treats - snowman cupcakes thanks to Pinterest!



The kids then played games.



I think all the kids were pretending to be elves, Santa, reindeer, gingerbread men, etc. Too cute!







They also limboed! Not sure if that's even a word?




Little trouble on her form.

And finally, they played a hot potato, which Mindy said Reese finished third to last. Nice job, Sis!



When I picked Reese up that day, she was so excited to tell me all about her party; the words literally couldn't come out of her mouth fast enough. But before telling me all about it, she asked why I wasn't there :(


Some of the girls in her class - Ava, Reese, Mallorie, Reese, and Addi. Love this picture!


Almost all the boys - Eli, Joe, Ian, Carter, Josiah, and Lincoln


Love her class!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

We ♥ #3!

In the midst of all our Christmas celebrations and programs, we found a free afternoon and decided to head to Topeka to watch Aunt Casyn and the Lady Blues.

I'm not going to lie, the two and a half hour drive scared the crap out of me! But the kids did great! Uncle Caid included :)


Nice photo bomb....I'm such a dork!


Go Casyn!







It was a Lady Blue victory, and we got to watch Casyn play a lot!



The kids had an absolute blast! Especially when they got treats in the locker room.

After the game, when we went out to eat with Casyn and some of her friends....things may have gotten a little rowdy and we may have had a couple of poopy blow outs, but it was still fun! Our kids are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful, young, loving people who don't act like they are too good for them, enjoy playing with them, and know exactly how to make them laugh and smile :)

Monday, December 26, 2011

Baby steps

I had to interrupt the chronological order thing to note one major happening this Christmas.....EVEE TOOK HER FIRST STEPS!!!!!!!!!



Over the past couple weeks, she's taken half steps here and there, but Christmas Eve night, while celebrating at my parent's house, she took about three steps. I was getting ready to change her diaper, and she wanted the wipes and just started walking, so I didn't get any video of it, but Chet was able to quickly capture one picture.



Then, on Christmas day, while at the Buchmans, she walked almost half way across their living room (at least 5 steps)! Chet and I missed it the first time, but luckily she did it again for us, the video camera, and my camera :)



Yes, this means we are going to be even busier, but I'm so proud! We were all proud! I think I've said it before, but when it's your last baby hitting milestones, you can't help but yell, cheer, and praise as if you're a first-time parent!

Like that was one totally rad party!

Hope everyone had a very merry and blessed Christmas! We certainly did!

Since I have fallen behind on blogging, I thought the easiest way to get caught up would be to go in chronological order.

It's always fun every year watching the kids during their Santa in the 'hood party, but what's even more fun is when the adults get a chance to party!

This year we had an 80's theme, and boy, was I stoked!




Who wouldn't want to party with a group that looked like this?!

Chris and Mindy do an awesome job hosting every year, although they make you feel a bit intimidated with their awesome clothes!


I was hoping someone would wear Hammer pants, and boy did Chris deliver!!!

Chet wasn't a fan of dressing up, but I sure had fun! In case you were wondering, my sweater and amazing yellow heels came from Goodwill, my legwarmers were the sleeves of a Goodwill sweater, gloves were fishnet socks from Walmart, and my fishnet leggings, peace sign earrings and belt also came from Walmart.



The evening was seriously the BOMB!


Does anyone remember the girl's name from Napoleon Dynamite because she was totally at our party!

Doesn't get much better than chillin' with great friends and snackin' on some majorly good food! What a totally tubular group of ladies!



The men spent most of the evening upstairs bitching about how we are never having another dress up party playing poker.

What a wicked party, Allens! Thank you!!!



Costumes or no costumes, we know next year will be just as fun RAD!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Snow much fun!

I think we are finally done with all of our parties and programs, which I still need to blog about, but first things first, Christmas break is here!!! Wa-hoo! No alarms clocks until January 4! And seriously, what would Christmas break be without some snow!!! I have to admit though, I am pretty relieved we only got two inches instead of the eight or ten or whatever they called for.

Ever since the beautiful white stuff started falling, the kids have BEGGED to play in it. Cru was the first (Reese was at a friend's house).



He LOVED his ski bibs (I don't know what they are actually called, that's just what I've always called them).

And all he wanted to do was eat the snow!



Seriously, that's all he did!



He loved it! And stayed out there a whole ten minutes!

As soon as Reese came home from her friend's house, she was out in it!





Seriously, she loves, loves, loves the snow!



I think she may need some better gear at some point.



Leggings and non-snow boots....that could almost be considered child abuse.

Then, our neighbor came home from school and she joined in. Her mommy was nice enough to get out the sleigh. The girls loved every minute of it.





Our neighbors soon went inside, but Reese kept playing.



The next day, when I picked Reese up from school, her first question was if she could play in the snow again. So out they went!



Still no snow gear for my girl, but she didn't seem to mind.





Yes, all he did was eat it again, by the handfuls.



Your turn is coming, Evee!

Hmmm, so I wonder what we'll be doing tomorrow???