Christmas, Rounds 1 and 2

 

Last week, we made the trek mid-week down to St. Louis to begin our holiday celebrations. Tim and Krissi had a "suite" set up for us in the basement, and the kids slept SO well. It was awesome. Of course, they were still fried by the time we headed home today, but just slightly so as compared to completely, which is good as we're heading straight into Christmas celebrations here, then leaving for Florida on the 26th. It's a tough life, I know.

On our first day there, the kids, Krissi, my mom and I went to visit Uncle Joel in his classroom. The kids had fun messing up the room, then showing off for his class when they came in for lunch.

I'm really hoping the boys didn't destroy his smartboard.

 

 That night, the kids made a Cinderella gingerbread "castle" with Tim.

 

On Friday, we went to visit my Aunt Esther and my grandparents, who watched the kids while Krissi and I ran out for some last minute shopping. Of course, I got no photos of that. Sidenote: I think the chaos of all the kids causes me to forget to take pictures. Or take not very good ones. (BTW, thanks for your contributions to this post's pics, Krissi.) That night, we went to watch Uncle Joel coach his basketball team. My grandparents were able to join us for that, too.

The team won in overtime, although the kids did not appreciate the extra time. Or the lack of cheerleaders and mascot.

The next morning, we went to see "Frozen". My mom had promised she'd take the girls when they were together for Christmas and they were both as, if not more, excited about seeing the movie as they were about opening gifts later that night.

The boys were both really good for it, too. And it was a really cute movie. The songs are still in my head. Matt was especially impressed with the new route they took with the storytelling. Not really, but you can't blame Disney. If it's not broken, why fix it?

We had dinner and opened gifts at my parents' that night. It was so fun to watch the kids. Brooke was so ecstatic about every thing she got. I really wish I could somehow bottle her enthusiasm, gratitude and innocence. I almost got choked up watching her.

While Miles was excited about what he got, about 15 minutes into gifts, he wandered back into the toy room and brought in the toy bus he'd been playing with for the last two days. Maybe next year...

Miles got some cuddle time in with Grandma.

 

That night, the girls got a "sleepover".

 

 On Sunday, we went to church with Tim and Krissi, then had Christmas with my mom's family. We also celebrated my Grandpa's birthday. No surprise, Miles enjoyed the cake.

Brooke was thrilled with her My Little Pony set (who knew?!?).

And the gift opening ended with the annual wrapping-paper-fight. Miles got in on the action this time.

It was a really busy and fun visit. Of course we also got in some child abuse - here's Miles modeling the Chewbaca backpack that Matt "won" at his Webster office Christmas party. He was obviously happy about it.

 

 And we got in some quality cuddle time.

It was a great visit, as always, and we miss you guys already!

Santa!

On Saturday, we went to Medinah to have brunch (a word that Brooke found hilarious) and meet Santa.

Matt's parents, Grandma and Jamie all joined us and I think we all had a lot of fun. How priceless is this shot of Miles and Grandma Audie???

The kids were mesmerized by the balloon elf. And he wasn't as creepy looking as this picture makes him appear. Brooke asked him to make her a microphone and he made Miles a candy cane.

Watching the elf in action.

I feel redundant, but they stood there for at least 5 minutes just watching him.

We love Aunt Jamie!

We were thankful for Grandma Audie's entertainment while we waited for Santa. Even at country clubs, Santa's in high demand.

Brooke sat on his lap first. She asked for an Ariel scooter, Sofia walkie talkies and a Sofia castle. Gotta love Disney marketing!

I was sure this would be a disaster, but he was pretty fascinated by Santa, too. He said, "Ho, ho, ho," to him a few times.

I think he was telling her to be nice to her brother here. She should have mentioned the cut on her nose that came from him the day before.

I love Miles' face in this picture.

They also had a toy train that was running in the lobby. He could have watched that for quite awhile, too.

Then, it was into the ballroom where they had a giant inflatable slide. We had to drag them off of it.

Miles playing with some of the toys that were out.

We also tried to get a few family shots. This was Take One. Nice face, Brooke.

This was one of the last ones we took. I don't think the kids could muster up the energy to smile at this point.

Merry week before Christmas!

More Winter Fun

We've been staying very busy despite the cold this past week. Brooke and Grammie Deb met Aunt Jamie for lunch on Tuesday.

We had a fun play date at our house on Friday with Grace, Tye and Baby Ryan.

Brooke was really excited that Ozzie had gifts in his stocking, so I let her give him one the other day. For some reason, this really caused them to bond. She brushed him and played with him for several minutes after, which she doesn't usually do.

And on Thursday, we drove into the city after picking Brooke up from school to go to Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier with Christy and Kali.

The kids ate in the car and Miles only got a cat nap, but they were both great once we got the the carnival.

The girls really wanted to go on the fast, spinning rides, but the ferris wheel was the best they got. We told them when they're a little taller they can go on those rides - alone.

There was a bouncy area for kids Miles' age and he loved it. He made me climb in after him to get him to come out of this one. 

And they brought in the lighthouse ride that Brooke and Matt rode this summer.The girls also loved this one.

With the ride home in rush hour, it was a bit of a crazy day, but I'm really glad that we did it. 

Some fun quotes from Brooke this past month: 

- "Mommy, you have a beautiful voice. Daddy, you and Miles have handsome voices."

- "Can we hear the 'Mommy Duck' song?" When I asked what she was talking about, she sang, "Feliz Mommy Duck"

- I asked her if she remember what it's called when you eat a meal that's like breakfast and lunch put together and she replied confidently, "Crunch!"

There are so many more that I can't think of now. I really need to write these as she's saying them because I forget too quickly!

Have a great week!