Well I thought I should probably update and so I thought I'd put up some pictures of us enjoying the snow and of the kids visits to Santa. My kids are funny about Santa. They really don't get overly excited to see him. Lily still gets scared about sitting on his lap. We are just glad she didn't technically "cry." Luke is very businesslike. He tells him what he wants "candy, cashews, and a car track." And he's done. Lily has been very consistent from the beginning she wants, "tandy." It is funny though if you ask her what Santa says she says, "Ha Ha Ha, Merry Christmas."
Yesterday we made gingerbread cookies. I always forget what a pain they are and that we don't really care that much for the taste of them. I think next year we'll just do sugar cookies. We still have to do our gingerbread house but its a kit so that shouldn't be too hard. Luke's been begging everyday since we got it to put it together.
So here's the slideshow with the pictures with the two different Santa's we went to see this year. Also I put in some pictures of the kids at this place called Tunnel Voyage that they went to with my mom. They had a great time and it was nice to run around after being cooped up inside with the weather. There are also some pictures of us all out in our first snow last week. At first Lily wasn't interested and then she learned about snow balls. It was hilarious she had me making them for her and then she would "throw" it (drop it) and she'd yell "more." Luke chose to be on "daddy's team" because daddy pegged him in the back of the head and Luke decided he didn't want to be against him. :) Luke was very disappointed that his snow angels melted. I also put in a picture of what Lily's hair looked like one time last week. It was not fun to comb out but looked hilarious - it was truly business in the front, party in the back!
I commented to Frederic that we didn't get very many cards this year and I wonder if it's cause people are trying to save money. You have confirmed it for me!!! Cute pics as always!
hey, I just accidentally deleted the comment you left. Sorry. I think I read most of it first though! This guy in Liberty is taking our pictures - I can't remember his name, but he did all of our senior pictures and has done family pictures for us a couple of times too. My mom really likes him.
I love the pictures of you guys playing in the snow! As soon as Sarah and Russ got in yesterday, dad and the kids were outside sledding. Apparently the kids really loved it!
I played saxophone and that's it. Frederic plays piano and played the a few other things. When Noelani was 2 days old he would sit her on his lap and play piano with her. As she got older he would put her in a baby seat and put her on the piano so she could feel him playing. Well she loves the piano and has always played around with it. So we figured we'd have her do the piano. Well one of our friends from church teaches violin and said the violin is great to start kids on cause they are sized for each child. She as they grow the violin gets larger. So it's easy for a small child to play. So that's what we did. We have a guitar and she's been teaching herself how to play that based on what she's learning in violin. They are so similar that if you know one you can figure out the other. She is really enjoying her violin and I can't stop her from playing. Maleia loves it and so she will play for her alot and it's so sweet to watch Maleia clap for Noelani when she's done. So that's how we picked it. I know what you mean about the whole card thing. Don't feel bad about cutting back. I think everyone else is too (or they are extrememly late!!!!!)
Those pictures are great, Lily's hair makes me cringe! ;) Yeah, we aren't sending out any Christmas cards this year. I figure next year we'll have the baby so people might want to see pictures of her and Caleb and that's when we'll send them out. :)
Yup! Mom and Dad were going to keep the kids this summer while we worked camp (which Mom still is), but since Dad's trip to India got postponed until this summer, he wasn't going to get in on the fun, so they rearranged Emma's plane ticket and just bought another one for me to fly out on a Monday and come back with them on a Tuesday. We'll see how it goes!
Sorry I didn't answer you earlier. I haven't been on here lately. Christmas Lane is in Dover and it is free. They ask for donations. We had forgotten about it until this year and the kids loved it. Have a wonderful day tomorrow!
Your kids are so cute in front of that tree! I didn't try to take Logan to see Santa. I don't think he would have much to do with him. Have a merry xmas!
I like those movies okay but I will never watch them unless we are having a movie night. I do a lot of sewing and scrapbooking and like to watch girlie movies when I do that. I will never watch the movies he got me when I do those things. I have to have light hearted movies when I do that. I can't watch serious movies when I am working on projects. Can't wait to see pictures from your Christmas. :-)
The only places I've been able to find dress clothes for boys are Burlington Coat Factory and Walmart. Sometimes JC Penney will have suits clearanced. It's pretty hit and miss where ever I go. Have a wonderful New Year!
That is actually my parents house in the background. We passed on the house we were going to get ..... long story. But we are good and it was the right decision so that is what matters!
Wow that was some party Lily must've had to end up with hair like that. Too funny.
P.S. There are some peoples kids that I don't care all that much to read about. But your kids' stories are totally hilarious. It's been great to be able to keep in touch with you in this very small way. God bless you still.
Well, it took me a while to learn, but I was determined to do it because everyone in my family, I mean EVERYONE could roll their tounge so I felf left out. Its kind of hard to explain 'cause there are a lot of different ways:) I should tech a class:). I'll show you next time I see you! And yea Nick is the youngest one, and I am very upset because he is suppose to be witing for me:)..he just doesn't know it, but I'll meet hime someday:)
thanks for your response, I need to add some clarification to my comments that I wouldn't have thought of if it weren't for your helpful response. I too want to simply be a pilgrim in His mighty hands.
Well our baby is now 2! It makes me so sad! But she turned 2 November 21st and we celebrated that same night with your parents and siblings. She got way too many things as usual - which always makes me wonder what it would be like if we invited friends and went all out. We'll hold off on that for now. But we did have a good time. Our sweet girl has the tiniest sweetest voice. She is full of loves and loves to gives kisses and squeezes. She loves to imitate anything her brother does. And although her voice is very small she can scream like a banshee when Luke takes away her toys. She has a little temper and she is ornery just like Luke. We are so glad we have her. She completes our family.
The reason I am just now posting is I started reading the Twilight series the night before her birthday and spent the next week ignoring my family and chores to finish them all up. Then I figured I might as well wait until I had her 2 year pictures to share as well which we took today. The pictures turned out okay. She was kind of serious but we got a few good smiles out of her. Here is my little girl!
Lily couldn't wait for her turn but I think she really just wanted to play with the stuffed animals not sit still and smile.
And here are a few shots from her party. She was so serious then too. She was very interested in her toys but not many smiles. All business. When we would ask her how old she was she would say, "Free." If we told her she was two she would then argue with us that she was one. She's avoiding 2! She loved all the princess stuff (yuck - I didn't want to do that yet!) and her doll house was an instant hit. Aunt Staci got her this crown that she wore the rest of the night.
And because I always have funny Luke stories let me share some of his new found sarcasm with you. We took the kids out to see the Plaza lights the other night and on the way we got some hot chocalate. Luke was just starting to drink his when we got on a bumpy road and some splashed up and got him. He said, "Daddy!" And I told him Ryan couldn't help if the road was bumpy. He said, "Well he CAN help how fast he's driving." Then later we were driving up a hill - apparently fast in Luke's opinion and we heard him say, "Lily daddy is going to KILL us!" Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We went to Ryan's folks for lunch and mine for dinner. We had tons to eat and good visits with both families. Then we hit Toys R Us and 5 am. We were home and back in bed by 6 and saved $70! Holla!
HAha, that last paragraph cracked me up. Lily is so cute!! Looks like she really loved that crown, what little girl wouldn't? Glad you saved so much money, that's always really nice!!
Looks like Lily had a good birthday! It is a good thing that 1 is the first number because we can't get Andrew to say it! We try to count with him and so we'll say 1 and try to get him to repeat after us but he always says 2 instead!
Cute pictures! Her dress is adorable! It's good that you were at your Toys R Us when it opened and were able to get in and out that quick. We were there a little later and ended up in line for an hour and a half. I'm not complaining though. I was in line with a friend and we just chatted the whole time.
I love the pictures and LOVE that dress. I didn't realize she wasn't too much older than Maleia. How did I not realize that? Maleia will be 2 on April 19th so they are just about 5 months apart. They are growing up TOOOOO fast. STOP!!!
She is SO cute...love the crown. I also love Luke's sarcasm - isn't it amazing what they come up with? Kind of scary sometimes too (because I know where Joel heard it before!)
Happy birthday to Lily. She is so sweet! We are going to be moving back to KC at the beginning of the year and Andy and I were talking about how we would love to get together with you guys once we are there and settled.
and I don't know how she comes up with it so FAST! She talks a mile a minute. I can't even talk that fast when I have planned what I am talking about, much less when I am making it up as I go!
Maddie actually got the idea of being the mommy from the show Jon and Kate plus 8. Also on that same show Kate was switching out the kids clothing from summer to winter. I was thinking that we never have to do that. Same clothes all year round. Just add a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt for a few days each year.
Last week I took the kids down to the American Royal to watch a horse cutting show. We went with our friends and had such a good time. It was free which was great! The kids really could have cared less for the event but they did enjoy running all over the bleachers and getting filthy from head to toe. Here are some pictures of them there. And while they ran around like crazy the mommies had a good visit.
Also here is a video I took of the kids. Now keep in mind they were still doing this after we had already watched them a long time and then finally I got my camera. I think they were watching themselves in the reflection. But its fair to say they dance to a different drum! :)
i would be freezing in any place that gets below 70!!! ;) thanks for sharing all your stories of the kids! i love to read them! :) i love Luke's tender spirit and Lily's chattiness! :)
it warms my heart to see that you dressed the kids appropriately for the American Royal, but Luke is right, he needs some boots. I'm still searching for those! Don't try and pretend that you and Ryan don't dance around the house like that all the time... kids dont just come up with these things on their own :)
Ok I love lily dancing...she is hearing a completely different beat! that was so funny she looks so tiny! Oh and thanks for the positive outlook on global warming too :) I'm gonna miss those polar bears
ok, i was already laughing from the kids dancing, but Ryan's commentary had me cracking up! I love Lily's pink boots and Luke's comments are always so sweet!
Those are adorable pictures! They're getting so big :) It DOES seem like forever ago that I was in Kansas City. Funny how that goes. I'm just working and going to school...the usual. I have one more semester after this one and then (if all goes as planned) i'll graduate in May. It's all very exciting/nerve-wracking/weird..but in a good way :)
haha, that's a great video! If you could have gotten them to pose for that pic, it would have been perfect! Those leaves are so beautiful and they even match!
Ha ha...yah Hailey's room used to be my office so I had one in there and we never took it out...I seiroulsy think the kids hadnt noticed it until we did that b/c all this week they have been climbing on things to turn it on! so funny!
It would be great if we made it to the national championship but, we have to beat Florida first. I have been BEGGING Mike for tickets to the championship if we make it but, it's in Miami and tickets are over $1000 each. I'm willing to pay it but, I'm sure you can imagine what he says about that. :)
So since its so close to thanksgiving I thought this might be fun. And I haven't really worked out how this might work so if its a bust no big deal. But I thought it might be nice to share with some of our friends WHY we are thankful for them. I just got done writing a list of why I'm thankful for each of the ladies that comes to our ladies bible class and thought it would be fun to let some other people know why I'm thankful for them to. So just for ease I'm going to pick two people and say why I'm thankful for them. And this isn't like you have to be tagged to do this. I think anyone wouldn't mind to hear why you are thankful for them. I could do this with each one of you but that would get very long. So I will thank God for all of you but just put two up here for all to read.
I'm thankful for my sister because she is amazing! You know the kind of people you hope your kids will grow up to be like? Well for me its my sister. She was born mature. She has an amazing heart - she will cry if she even thinks I'm crying! She is beautiful inside and out. She loves the Lord with all her heart and is always trying to be better. I love you!
I'm thankful for my twin! When someone first mistaked me for you I never thought you'd be one of my best friends! Its so encouraging to me to know that there is someone else out there fighting the same battles that I'm fighting as a mom, wife, preacher's wife, etc. I miss getting to sit by you in church and seeing you in the apartment. You are a true kindred spirit and I'm grateful to have you to call and discuss the things that really matter. I miss you and my roomies! I'm grateful to have friends like you even if you are in the south! I love you!
Awww...crying...and you know how hard it is for me to do that. : ) I love you too and you are truly my "kindred spirit" in an Anne of Green Gables & Diana sort of way. HUGS!!!
I just got done talking to Britni about how thankful I am for you. I tell her about advice you give me and things you say to me and she said "Becky is so smart, how did she get to be so wise?" We're in awe of you :) I can't wait to see you and live near you again, I dont know what I would do without you!
if Lauren made the short list w/ you sister I have a new found appreciation for what YOU mean to her, thanks for being there for her & I need to meet this incredible sister of yours, when are our families getting together?
I love to listen to kids prayers. They say the cutest things. Lily is starting to say her own prayers and they are pretty hard to understand. She mumbles a lot but usually thanks God for her toys and food over and over again. Very sweet. Luke on the other hand is getting to the age where we have to remind him to think about what he is saying so he doesn't say a rote prayer. The other night before his prayer daddy reminded him of that. Here were the results (at least what I could remember):
Dear God,
Thank you for the special day that you have given us. Thank you for my friends. Thank you for our church family. Help us to not be like Balaam but help us to be like Noah and Abraham who followed your plans. (Pause) And dear God please give me a wife. Amen.
Ryan and I got such a laugh out of that one. I loved that he remembered some of the characters that he's been studying but asking for a wife at 4! Priceless! Later when we were talking about it he said, "I said give me a wife SOME DAY!" Which is not what he said but so funny to clarify. Daddy prays with him for a wife and I'm not sure he realizes the importance of why daddy prays for that but it stuck with him enough to ask God for one.
I'll post new pictures of the kids soon! Hope everyone is having a great day!
^^HaHa! Such sweet prayers. We also have to remind our children to think about what they are praying for. It is funny what they come up with sometimes.
That is so sweet. I can remember before I was married and in college, I had dinner with a family and their daughter was praying and prayed for everything including the napkins...now I have one who does the same thing...fun times! :)
I refuse to do the blinds. They're too small to be worth the trouble...I'm just waiting to replace them. : ) That's wonderful that Ryan is teaching him to pray for a wife!
