no more elves...

Sweet Brie cheese was so very sad Christmas morning eating her donuts when her siblings told her Elfie and Kristy were gone for the year! guess we forgot to remind her of what happens with the elves the night before. She seriously cried for quite awhile. We also forgot to remind her that Santa only does stockings for our kids and she was upset at the lack of presents under Grandma's tree.

stockings were hung

 Many years ago we made a deal with Santa that if he filled the kids stockings we would provide presents under the tree. So the stockings were hung with care....the children slept and

 magic happened......

 The big girls were up first and they opened. The little's got up much later, I am sure it was because of the 2 am bedtime!
 It is safe to say that everyone was happy with the things that filled their stockings!

 we were able to see many genuine smiles from Maggie, those are hard to capture on camera! PJ could hardly believe his eyes!

 This was a common look from Makayla, the one that says "really guys!". so looking forward to the road ahead with a preteen(and we are only 11).

 Brie was cheesing it up with her shades!

stockings are done and they are surrounded by tissue paper!

Grandma Christmas

 We spent our Christmas holiday with my mom and family this year. We went into town before the holiday and we were able to visit many of my friends and spend some quality time with some of my family as well. We had a great trip and the time went by very quickly!!

Mom and the big girls and I went to a Christmas orchestra concert, and it really put us in the spirit! It was amazing to see how many fit onto the stage! the music was amazing!

 The kids had not had the chance to decorate cookies yet so Pete was very kind and help make that happen! A little different decorating than grandma usually does but still enjoyed by all!

When my family gets together we tend to gather in the garage. This year my sister and I decided we needed alittle Christmas decor for mom's garage, tada! it turned out very nice I thought!The best of the kid Christmas picture this year!

Grandma and the kids! This is the only picture I took of them the whole trip! I did not have my camera out a ton and mom does not jump up and down requesting to get her picture taken..  :~)

Makayla and her Godmom Coke! She opened 3 packages, the first was a frame, she was quite confused, then she got to the puzzle and was very happy with Auntie Coke's choice!

PJ and his Godfather Jeff, he was particularly interested in being around him the whole time! I guess he misses him or something! (secretly he was being extra nice because he wants Uncle Jeff's fried fish!!)

Brad is Brie's Godfather, she too was very thrilled with her Frozen gifts! she has enjoyed coloring and playing play dough many times!

 Maggie with her Godfather Mark. Maggie opened her gift while we were visiting with them earlier in the week. She is IN LOVE with her reading light and loving the American Girl Doll books as well!

Mom always LOVES the little ones. Brie technically is not that young anymore but she is still enjoyed (I think).

 A family picture on mom and her kids!I think we look as good as we did 10 years ago!

The oldest sister is worse than I am as far as taking pictures. So she surprised each of us with a special treat! she gathered all the pictures she has taken of each of us and made each our own special tote! so fun and so many memories! a treasure for always!!

 My greatest great nephew ever! my Godson Matt. I think his gifts were a hit! always an honor to be around him.

 Then there is Ben, this is a long running story.. back in high school Ben was very thin(a good wind would blow him around) so I suggested he eat more peanut butter. He replied "well Karla I think you better stop eating peanut butter" and thus began  a tradition of peanut butter giving.  I have missed a few occasions recently so we gave him the largest jar one could buy that day!

Each year my mom buys many many several small gifts and then she reads the Christmas story. Each time she says the word "Jesus" we have to pass our present until the end, at which point we can then open our surprise. You never know if you will get a can of beans, tissues, or a stuffed animal or anything else in between. This tradition is really enjoyed by all members young and older. 

PJ was very sad that the Christmas eve party was coming to an end.

 the party is over, the cleaning is done and we are back from midnight mass(none of my kids ever fell asleep)...the final task is spreading PJ's homemade reindeer food so Santa will know to stop!

fingernails.............

Makayla will spend hours doing her nails!! She does this drop thing into water and then dips her nail and tada, the above happens. She has some talent and a lot of patience. I think she will like some of her Christmas presents!!

legos to gingerbread houses

 My godson, great nephew Matt was in town for a Lego competition and we decided to go watch and support his team It was a neat little event. We were able to see him do his best performance! The kids had a good time watching and learning what Lego is all about.

 he sees me! :~)

After Lego we grabbed some lunch and went to a gingerbread house display that has gotten good comments. The kids also enjoyed this, they had a hunt and find sort of game the kids were able to play.  A different kind of Saturday for us but fun and nice to spend the day as a family, outside of the house.

Brie's Preschool Christmas

 So Brie had her Christmas program. Nothing like traditional Christmas songs to put you in the Christmas spirit. She really did a great job. She is not a big fave of preforming but she held her own and did what she was supposed too, while being surrounded but boys!
 This little man I have learned had only been at preschool for one week. He tried so hard to keep it together and not let the tears flow but oh man, he could not have been any closer. He tugged on a lot of our heart strings, so precious. You just wanted to rescue him but hung in there and kept his composure till the very end. what a dolly, love him. I kept having eye contact with him and tried to encourage him to hang in there. Now when I see him at drop off I get a big smile and occasional hug. He is just so sweet!

 We are so lucky to have both of these special people in our lives. Dr. C has been involved with the music at the preschool since we have been there. He is truly a gifted individual whom we love very much!
Then there is our very sweet Grandma Karen. She is always so kind and so willing to attend the kids special events. We just love her to pieces and the kids always light up when she is around! just a great lady!!

Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis

The doctor I work for and one of our little patients were chosen as the honorees for the Arthritis fundraiser this year. It was a 5kwalk/run and the kids could do a reindeer dash. It was so stinking cold and there was sleet so we opted for the dash only. They all got medals including Pete so we were all happy and content. I did not have to be asked twice to return inside! Our very own favorite Ms. Theisen was there and the kids loved getting their picture taken with her! She is wonderful, we are very blessed to have her!

 Santa was also available for pictures. Brie walked right up to him and told him exactly what she wanted. PJ too had no problem giving Santa a very long winded story about his desires. Maggie had to almost be commanded to go up to Santa but in the end was very glad she did. (I missed the photo of the two of them having an exchange that ended in true genuine laughter, I still do not know what the laughter was about but it was cute!)

   Makayla too needed coaxing but went over to Santa. She was concerned about being too big to sit on his lap.

Much to our surprise Brie was selected as the best costume winner of the day. (this little girl does not like bows, cute dresses or shoes because she hates it when people comment on how she looks. Often refuses to let me put bows and things in her hair, so to have to go up on stage because she was the cutest was WAY hard for her. However, she put on her brave face and walked up on stage and accepted her reward politely!) All in all it was a good day and there were a lot of people there I knew and all the money raised went to a great cause!