Adventures in decorating

This year we finally got around to letting Andrew decorate a Gingerbread house. I have had the intentions of letting him do this in the past but for one reason or another we've never done it. So on Christmas Eve we broke out the kit, I mixed the icing and the two of us sat down to decorate. I opted to do the icing and Andrew put on all of the candies. He had a lot of fun deciding what color went where and telling me what he wanted on each side (windows, doors, etc). All in all I don't think we did a terrible job, especially for our first attempt. I am hoping to make this a tradition and in a few years Andrew and Ava can decorate together.

The finished product

This year I forgot to buy everything we needed to make sugar cookies so instead I picked up some slice and bake ones from Wal Mart. I also got a bag of green cookie icing so Andrew could decorate the cookies once they were cool. He did ask me to do a few of them (mainly the ones with writing). I didn't get a picture of the actual decorating process, but here is one of the finished products.

Going to see Santa

This picture really says it all don't you think? The Wednesday before Christmas Adam and I took the kids to the mall to see Santa. Andrew went straight up there and started talking Santa's ear off about everything he wanted. I had a feeling Ava was not going to like Santa so we waited a few minutes to let Andrew finish before sitting her on Santa's lap. It took her all of about 10 seconds to freak clean out once we put her down. I do love how this picture came out though. It's such a classic picture.

After visiting Santa we went to Topeka to drive through their Winter Wonderland. It was a great little setup of lights and you could even buy 3-D glasses to look at the lights. Andrew of course loved every part of it. Adam and I weren't quite as impressed but I think that's because we are older. Of course before we went to see the lights we had to get dinner. We ate at Red Lobster (one of Andrew's favorite restaurants) for the first time in a long time and it was so good. Ava even started feeding herself with a fork there. We had to put the food on it for her but then she picked it up and put the fork in her mouth. I took a picture with my phone but I haven't figured out how to get it onto my computer yet. Maybe I'll figure that out one of these days.

All dressed up

On December 10 Adam and I went to the IACH (Irwin Army Community Hospital) Annual Holiday Ball. This was the first military ball we've been able to attend in 5 years so I was excited to get all girled up for a change and go. We had a really good time and met some new people we are becoming friends with.

Above: At home before we left for the ball.

Below: After dinner waiting for the dancing to start

A Christmas Concert

The first a second graders at Andrew's school had their Christmas concert on Dec 9. They sang about 8 song and did a really good job. Sadly I didn't get very many pictures primarily because people in front of me kept getting their heads in my way. Maybe at the next concert we'll get their earlier and find some closer seats.

The Toothfairy's 1st visit

Andrew got his first loose tooth while we were in AR over Thanksgiving. It finally fell out about a week later while he was at school. He was so excited to show me when he got home that afternoon. It took 6 1/2 years to lose his first tooth, I wonder how long it will take to lose the second :-)

A time for Thanksgiving....and Remembering

I know this is late, but there's just been soo much going on lately that I haven't had a chance to sit down and blog about Thanksgiving and the week before it. It is safe to say that our Thanksgiving did not end up to be what we had planned. Originally we were going to stay here at Ft Riley and celebrate the holiday with some friends and their kids. However, these plans changed the night of the 18th. We got a phone call letting us know that Mike, Adam's step dad, had passed away. Mike was diagnosed with throat cancer back in the summer, but had been doing really well with his treatment so his death came as a huge shock to everyone. Of course we immediately started making plans to travel to AR for the funeral. We got into Mountain Home Saturday afternoon and had several days before the service so we got to spend time with family which was nice. We were able to meet Adam's Grandma Billie's sisters and brother for the first time. They were great and I am so thankful they were there and willing to help me out with the kids. Entertaining the kids was a little challenging to do at Billie's house so she made a phone call and we were able to take them to play at the local youth center for a few hours. Andrew loved running around the gym playing kickball and basketball.

Ava carrying/kicking/pushing around the kickball

This is Kathy (Billie's youngest sister) teaching Andrew how to shoot a basketball

Grandma Billie and Ava waiting on our lunch at Hardees

Andrew and his Great-Grandma Billie

Of course Andrew just had to have a picture with his baby sister. Ava was not amused (we were several hours past nap time at this point)

After the service on Wednesday we drove 2hrs down to my parents house to spend a few days before heading back up to Mountain Home for the burial on Monday and then on to Kansas. While we were there the kids got to open a Christmas present from Nana and Pawpaw. They got Andrew a soccer goal (which they didn't want to mail so that's why it was opened early). He loves it! Ava got a dog called Jingle with a story book. Jingle barks and sings along with certain parts of the book. She really seems to like it as well, even if she won't sit still long enough to hear the story :-)

Andrew loving on his Nana

With his Pawpaw wearing the Hog hat. My dad has had that hat for as long as I can remember and Andrew loves playing with it.

Ava looking at a book with Nana

Andrew and Ava with their Great Grandmother (my dad's mom Frances)

On Friday my dad's family had their Thanksgiving at what is known as the "G" house. My 2 aunts live together and they are known by their grand kids as Granna and GiGi. It is always a fun time when this group gets together. We were missing a few people which is pretty common now that we're all grown (usually we are the ones missing). My youngest cousin Craig just recently moved to Virginia so he was missing and also my cousin Matthew along with his wife Beth and their son Brisco were home in Michigan for the holidays. We definitely missed having them with us. Hopefully we will all be able to get together again soon.

GiGi (in blue) and Granna (in white)...aka...Betty and Marilyn....carving the turkey.

Andrew, for once, sitting quietly on the couch playing a game

Sweet Eden and Lydia. These girls are only about 3 weeks apart in age and just adorable!

The girls convinced Adam to roll the ball with them. The odd contraption on wheels you see in the background is my cousin Brett. A few weeks earlier he tore his Achilles tendon while playing basketball. So now he gets to rest his leg on this thing while he wheels/walks around. Hopefully it won't be much longer before he can put weight on that leg again.

Andrew and the girls playing with blocks

Ava pretty much just walked all over the place checking things out. The "G" house has lots of pretties for her to look at.

Cousins playing




All and all it was a good visit to AR. Granted the reason we were visiting wasn't what anyone wanted, it was still nice to see everyone for the holiday. Not sure when we will make it back down there again, but hopefully it won't be too terribly long

Shutterfly Holiday Cards

I have the most amazing deal on holiday cards! Shutterfly is offering 50 free holiday cards to anyone who blogs about it. Yes, that's right, I said free...F.R.E.E!! Who am I to pass up an offer like that? I personally love creating Holiday cards that include the kids picture. In my opinion it is better that printing a ton a pictures and putting them into the card (and it's cheaper). There are so many things I love about the holiday season and getting cards from all of our friends and family is one of them. I find it so interesting to see the different cards everyone chooses and I love reading the "family update letters" that come in a few of them. It is hard to believe that it's time to start thinking about Christmas and cards. Seems like just the other day school was starting and now Thanksgiving is just next week. The years just keep going by faster and faster. Why couldn't they go by this fast when we were younger? Anyways, if you haven't gotten your holiday cards yet you should seriously check out Shutterfly's selection. They have soo many to choose from and if you're a blogger be sure to create a blog about this deal so you can get your free cards. Hope everyone is having a great start to their holiday season!

Happy Halloween!

First I have to start out saying that I am happy Halloween is over. It is always fun watching the kids dress up and trick or treat, but I'm ready to move on to my favorite holidays. Friday the 29th Andrew had his Halloween party at school. Our neighbors kept Ava for me so that I could go help out up at the school. It was a lot of fun watching Andrew and his other classmates.

Painting pumpkins

Playing pin the nose on the pumpkin

mmmmm.....cookies

Andrew had 2 costumes this year since he was not allowed to wear his original costume to school. Apparently Ninja's are too violent so he picked out this Astronaut costume.

Some of the boys in class

Saturday we went to a Trunk or Treat at our neighbors church. It was soo much fun! They had bounce houses, carnival games, food, a fire pit to make smores on and of course trunk or treating after dark. Andrew had a blast playing with 2 of his best friends (our neighbors) and we got enough candy that we didn't go out Sunday night during trick or treating hours on post. Before the trunk or treat I got pictures of both kids outside next to the pumpkins.

Ava...the sweetest witch there ever was :-)

My little ninja

Striking a ninja pose

Ava was on the move out there so I couldn't get a good picture of them together

Walking into the trunk or treat. I think Adam should wear that hat more often.

Andrew and his balloon hat

Headed to our first car.

All in all we had a great weekend and I look forward to next year when Ava will understand it more.