Chicago visitors

On Friday, December 14th, Justin, Laura and Dylan were in town and came over to visit.  I took the day off so I could spend some quality time with my newest nephew and my baby brother and sister-in-law too!!  They ventured over to my house just before lunch.  We hung out until mid afternoon and then they were off to make their rounds of visiting family and friends.  While they were at my house I couldn't help but take a million and one pictures of Mr. Dylan.  He is at such a fun stage.  Crawling and scooting around and into everything.  He is such a happy little boy.  I dug out a bunch baby toys that we have stashed in the basement storage.  The poor kid didn't know what he should play with first.  When MaKena got home she dug out more for him to play with.  She was loving her baby cousin!!  It was cute.  It was so much fun to have them over.  We're looking forward to their next visit!

Mr. Dylan

Band Concert

On December 11th Lane, MaKena and I attended Jacob's first band concert.  Lonnie and Ardis and my mom and Pat also came to watch the big show!  Now that Jacob is in middle school he is required to take a music class.  His choices were band, choir, orchestra or general music.  Jacob picked band, which surprised me.  When we found out about his band concert I was a little worried and I didn't know what to expect.  I thought it was going to be torture but I was pleasantly surprised.  They sounded pretty good.  Granted I'm not a musical expert but we were only 3 1/2 months into the school year and I'm guessing a lot of them didn't have much musical background.  I thought they did great for their first concert.  Jacob plays the trombone, which is about as big as him!!  He did great.  Its been fun listening to him practice and get better and better each time.  Hopefully he enjoys it enough to stick with it next year. 

Jacob is dead center behind the tall brown hair girl!

He's smiling in this picture. Do you see him?!

Jacob playing the trombone.

Celebrating Grandma Vivian's Birthday

On Friday, December 7th the kids and I headed to the nursing home to help Grandma Vivian celebrate her 88th birthday.  We met mom there, she had picked up Chinese food for grandma for supper.  The kids and I picked up cupcakes and we brought a candle and sang happy birthday to the birthday girl!  I think grandma enjoyed it but she wasn't a big fan of me taking her picture!  Jason came up with the girls too so grandma had plenty of company on her birthday. 

Jacob and MaKena singing Happy Birthday!

This picture is funny.  I think the kids were still singing but MaKena was trying to get close and snuggle with grandma.

Grandma blowing out the candle.

Painting

MaKena got paints for her birthday.  She loves to do arts and crafts so I thought paint would be a good gift for the birthday girl!  After Sunday school MaKena dug out her new paints and painted Lane and I a picture.  I do have to say she is a very talented artist!  We've had the paint out several times since and Lane, Jacob and I have all painted pictures with MaKena.  The paint was a perfect present!

Decorating for Christmas

After the birthday party celebration the kids and I set up the Christmas decorations.  Both kids really enjoy helping set up the Christmas tree and the window clings.  I enjoy watching them get so excited about decorating.  It reminds me of when I was younger.  I dug out the Christmas music and we made a night of it.  With all the help I get, it only takes a couple hours and we are all ready for Christmas.  I wish got the same amount of help when I have to take it all down!  

MaKena and Jacob hanging the window clings.

The kids helping me set the tree up.

I love this picture of MaKena.  I love her cheesy grin!

Jacob reaching high to get the ornament in the right spot!

Birthday party!

I'm back!!  Sorry for the lack of updates the last 3 months.  To be honest, its been extremely difficult to sit down at the computer after spending a full day at work in front of the computer.  I've got several post in the works so check back frequently.  We're going all the way back to the beginning of December!! 

On Saturday, December 1st we celebrated Jacob's 12th birthday and MaKena's 5th birthday.  I still can't believe my children are that old.  Where has the time gone?  The kids had a good party. Unfortunately they had to compete with the Bison playoff game that was on in the background!  My kids were spoiled by all their aunts and uncles and grandparents.  They are loved, that's for sure!  The kids opened gifts  together and then we headed upstairs to sing happy birthday and have some cake an ice cream.  It was a great party and we were glad so many of our family members could come help us celebrate with the kids.

MaKena and Jacob before opening their gifts.

MaKena with her new shirt and sweatshirt from Nana and Papa.

Jacob with his new sweatshirt from Nana and Papa.

Jacob with his new Bison shirt.

And a Twins sweatshirt!

Reading a Birthday card to MaKena.

More fun gifts from the family!

The kids getting ready to blow the candles out.

No boyfriends or girlfriends!

A little game and a slumber party

On Saturday, November 3rd Lonnie and Ardis stopped over for a little visit.  While they were over the kids got out the game Jenga and started playing.  This is the first time MaKena has played Jenga and it was funny watching her try to play.  She didn't really understand the concept but knew she didn't want to knock the tower down.  I bet she hit the table half a dozen times within the first 5 minutes of the game.  I think the kids played 2 or 3 games and MaKena knocked it over every time!  She didn't care, she still had fun. Later that night the kids decided to have a slumber party in the basement.  I'm sure they stayed up way past their bed time but we didn't care, they were having fun!

 

 

MaKena carefully placing the block on top.

MaKena trying to find a wiggly one.

Jacob placing his block on top.

Sound asleep!

Halloween

On Halloween we stopped up to visit Great Grandma Vivian and get some goodies!  She was so excited to see us!  Grandma Kathy was there too and had a little treat bag for the kids.  After a brief visit we headed home and did a little trick-or-treating around our neighborhood.  I seriously think the kids got enough candy to last them a year!  It was a nice night out and the kids had a lot of fun.  After we walked our block we headed over to Brad and Anita's house for a quick visit and then off to Nana and Papa's house.  The kids got loaded up with more candy from both stops.  MaKena was getting a little tired and crabby so we called it a night.  

 

 

 

Grandma Vivian and MaKena

Jacob, Grandma Vivian and MaKena

Karisa, Jacob, Grandma Vivian and MaKena.  (Jason and Jerene were visiting Grandma with the girls while we were there.)

Jacob, Grandma Kathy and MaKena.

Jacob and MaKena with our pumpkins. 

Jacob with his pumpkin.

MaKena with her pumpkin.

Jacob, Jess and MaKena out trick-or-treating.

Jacob, Lane and MaKena out trick-or-treating

Jacob and MaKena running to a house to ring the doorbell.

Jacob and MaKena with the neighbor kids (Andy as the mummy, Josh as a Ninja and Lindsey as Strawberry Short Cake.)

Jacob and MaKena with Skyla and Jackson (our old daycare lady's kids).

Carving Pumpkins

Monday before Halloween we brought the pumpkins inside and got to work carving them.  Jacob dug in no problem but MaKena was hesitant.  Eventually she got her hands dirty and realized it was a lot of fun!  Once we got all the gunk out of the pumpkins the kids each picked a picture out of our pumpkin carving book and Lane and I went to work.  The pumpkins turned out really cool but for some reason I didn't take a good picture of end product.  Oops.  Oh well, maybe I'll remember next year.

 

 

Jacob, Lane and MaKena cleaning the pumpkins out.

Digging out the pumpkins.

MaKena trying to tell us why she didn't want to clean her pumpkin out.

Jacob cleaning the seeds out of his pumpkin.

Jacob trying to show MaKena the stuff inside the pumpkin isn't that bad!

Finally digging in!