ST. LOUIS CHRISTMAS

This morning we headed down to St. Louis to celebrate Christmas with Papa and DD.

Two out of the three dogs...Kahlua and Molly.
The kids model their new Ralph Lauren hoodies.

Papa, DD, Emily & Adam...Merry Christmas!

RIDE TO ROCHELLE

Saturday morning we headed up to Rochelle, Illinois to see Jennifer's Grandma Bulthaus, Aunt Kay and the rest of the family. We were happy that Stephanie and Indy were able to come along too. The weather was just awful and absolutely poured the entire 2 1/2 hour drive up and back, along with some pretty scary fog. The kids (and Indy) were great in the car and it was a nice afternoon visiting with family.

Jennifer and the kids have already gotten pretty attached to Indy...Rob, not so much! But we are convinced that she will win him over because she is the sweetest dog on the planet!
It was such a bad storm on Saturday that this is what we woke up to this morning.....chairs in the pool and fence almost blown over.

WELL...THAT DIDN'T TAKE VERY LONG!

Wow...the Lego City Police Headquarters set that Adam got from Santa was completely put together by 11:00 a.m. on Friday morning! He worked on it ALL day on Christmas, except for the 2 hours we watched Kung Fu Panda. Santa thought for sure such an expensive gift would last more than a day and a half!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT JANE!!!

We're sure you will be doing something WARM today!! Have a great birthday - we miss you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS MORNING!

Apparently...Santa thought the kids were pretty good this year!

Brother & sister...waiting on the steps for the go-ahead to run downstairs to see their loot!Santa left some goodies in Aunt Steph's stocking for Indy!

New Webkinz!

The Barbie Dream House (which incidently has a mortgage larger than our house!)Adam was very excited that he got the Lego City Police Headquarters that he has been wanting. I'm sure he will have it all put together before dinner tonight!

CHRISTMAS EVE 2008

It was a long day for the kids who were waiting anxiously (but not patiently!) for Aunt Stephanie and her golden retriever Indy to get here from North Carolina. Finally they arrived around 6:00...just in time to eat dinner. Then it was off to church and our annual drive through Washington Park to see the luminaries and Christmas lights. It wasn't as pretty this year since all our snow melted. After our traditional peppermint ice cream and the reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" it was time for bed...with strict instructions not to wake up mom and dad until 7:00 a.m.!

A MOM'S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS...

It was the night before Christmas,

when all through the abode

Only one creature was stirring,

and she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping,
all snug in their beds,
While visions of Nintendo and Barbie,
flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug.
"Oh great!!" muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho-Ho-Ho!!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake.
Your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone."
"Exactly!!" he chuckled, "I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she asked, "What good is that?
Run along, Santa. I've no time for chit-chat."
It was the mother's twin. Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch the Young and the Restless."
"Fantastic!!" the mom cheered. "My dream come true!
I'll shop. I'll read. I'll sleep a whole night through!"

From the room above, the youngest began to fret.
"Mommy?!? I'm scared, and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She knows her part."

The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune,
As she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal.
That's my child's love that she's trying to steal."
Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed.
"Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget it won't be very long,
When they'll be too old, for my cradle-song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side, Santa said, "Good night.
Merry Christmas, Mom. You'll be alright."

HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN NIGHT!

This weekend we celebrated Christmas with the Russell's at their house in Wheaton. Originally, we had planned to take the kids downtown on the train, but with the temperature at -24 with the wind chill...we quickly decided against that! I declared that it was Holiday Family Fun Night (which meant no watching football for the dads!) We opened presents, had a nice dinner (thanks Colleen!) and played a few games. No one wanted to go home on Sunday, so we all went to church and then the kids went to Sunday school while we did a little shopping at Target. After Rob's favorite lunch of Italian beef and sausage sandwiches, we packed up the car and got ready for the trip home. Thanks for the window wiper fluid Uncle Aaron! Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas on Thursday!

The kids had fun drawing on the dry erase board, which I borrowed from Cindy so we could play pictionary in Wheaton.

This is the drawing of our family that Adam made. Notice Uncle Aaron shooting a bird while Rob says "crap!"Sunday after church the kids decorated chocolate pretzel sticks, which was a mess - but pretty good actually!

Aww...aren't they cute all dressed up and smiling nicely??

SISTERS, DAUGHTERS & FRIENDS PARTY

Friday night my friend Cindy (that I work with) had her 2nd annual Sisters, Daughters and Friends party at her house in Sherman. Most of the gals also play in our monthly bunco group, so I know them all pretty well. Everyone brought a dish to share and believe me we had plenty to eat (and drink!) We played Pictionary, Left Right Center and a Christmas carol trivia game. What a fun night it was...and we're all looking forward to the 3rd annual paty!

The Pictionary game getting a little competitive!
Cindy's daughters Jayme & Keli...and Cindy

My big $42 win of the LRC pot!

Cindy's two golden retrievers are just amazing dogs! This is Ellie...

and this is Katie...neither one was too thrilled about wearing the light up Santa Hat!

A CAROLING WE WILL GO...

Last night our Daisy Troop went caroling at Heritage Manor, a nursing home here in Springfield. Our "sister" Brownie Troop also went with us. We sang 10 Christmas carols...everything from Frosty the Snowman to Jingle Bells! When I handed Emily her song book she said "But Mom...I can't read!" I told her just to smile and look cute. It was a good thing we had the Brownies there too to help us with the words to some of the songs! Everyone seemed to enjoy a little holiday music...even if it was a little off-key!

Emily (in the Santa hat) alongside her BFF Sydney...both pretending to read!

COOKIE TIME!

This afternoon the kids and I made about six dozen Christmas cookies! We did our usual sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles and then I attemped some candy cane cookies from a recipe our friends the Kreidler's sent us. They were pretty easy to make, although my hands are still red from the food coloring!

Hard at work!

Since they each had their own little knife for frosting and their own jar of red and green sprinkles, oddly enough there were NO fights. That mom of theirs comes up with some pretty good ideas once in awhile!

We'll probably make some more this weekend, but this was a good start!

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

On Saturday we helped Kelsey celebrate her birthday at her ice skating party. Rob decided to see if he had better luck on ice skates than he did on roller skates (at her last birthday party!) Luckily, he made it around the rink 4 times without falling down or breaking any bones. Kelsey had all her friends there and although it was freezing in the rink, everyone had a great time.

Birthday Girl!

Look mom...no hands!


The ride home...Emily wasn't feeling too good and both kids fell asleep almost as soon as we left for Springfield. Aren't they sweet when they're sleeping????

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELSEY!

Hey sweet girl - hope you have a wonderful 11th birthday today! We love you and will see you Saturday!