Christmas Time--at our house!

 The Holiday Season is Here!

The girls listening to a Christmas story from Mrs. Claus at our church Holiday Bistro.

 Our elf George is always watching us in a fun, new spot--here he is riding Christmas Moose!

The still adore Miss Lakyn!

 

Cute, Cute outfit from friend Kindra!

 

 Heading to adult night--Layne's work Christmas party at the Country Club!

 1st Grade Christmas Concert!

 Caden and his wonderful teacher Mrs. Anderson!

 The 1st grade did some songs from The Grinch!

Our music teacher continues to amaze me--she teachers elementary music full time, is a mommy to 3 little boys, and her husband is fighting stage 4 colon cancer!  This family is always in my thoughts and prayers!

 1st grade singing their hearts out!

 Family photo at church!

 Saying Hi to Santa--Lakyn made it without crying--barely!

Love this picture of Caden and Brynn telling Santa what they want..Caden a remote control car--news to Layne and I-and Brynn--a princess castle!

KC in December

KC is one of my favorite places to be in December, so we ventured there for a 24 hour trip.  Union Station is just awesome--and when it is decorated for Christmas--even better--the kids LOVE the miniature trains--and it is FREE!

Love the bond the girls have already!

 

Note to self--before promising the kids a ride on the cool train--check the prices--non members had to pay $5 to ride this train---thank you Uncle Brad and Aunt Lindsey for saving the day!

 

Pretty lights at Union Station!

Biggest Christmas Tree Ever!

 

Had fun eating at the Crayola Cafe at Crown Center!

 

Then it was off to the Hallmark Store for more free art activites!

 

So happy that I found a marker!

 

After some yummy Mexican food--our family ventured off to the Plaza to take in the lights--but my was it an adventure!  Just as we are pulling into the plaza--which is back to back cars--Brynn tells me she has to pee--I can tell it will need to be soon--so I am looking for a good place to stop--as Layne is inching along in the van--we see Barnes and Noble---so I pull Brynn out of her carseat and we run to the bathroom--luckily--no line and we are good to go.  We had planned to take the kids to Topsy's for popcorn--so I called Layne--he is still looking for a place to park--so I told him Brynn and I would walk and meet them there.  Brynn and I got to the store--ordered our popcorn--and as I am checking out--she pulls on my coat and tells me she has to GO again--REALLY---so we walk/run back to Barnes and Noble--since that is the closest bathroom I know of--and again--no line--but I might have steam coming out of my ears---maybe the cold weather hit her--who knows!  So call Layne--still no parking and Lakyn is screaming in the van--so Brynn and I wait at Barnes and Noble and eat popcorn and FINALLY the rest of the gang get there--Caden of course wants popcorn, so back to Topsy's we go--we then walk 2 blocks of the Plaza in the COLD weather--smile (sort of) for one picture and call it good!  Next time will be better--I am sure!

Still love the beautiful lights of the plaza--magical!

Thanksgiving

Brynn had her Preschool Thanksgiving Stone Soup Program in November--our family and the Grandparents had fun eating Stone Soup and watching the preschool class perform!

We made a special trip to Morgaville/Palmer in November to see Uncle Clay and meet his girlfriend Kelly--Kelly is awesome and we had fun enjoying the fall weather outside!

Racing on the bales!

Girl love--Avery and Lakyn with Jess--little fuzzy--but cute!

Celebrated the Haymond Thanksgiving the weekend before--we had fun in Salina watching the Christmas Parade of Lights, going on a Carriage Ride, and eating yummy food in Ellsworth.

Went to Great Grandma's in Morganville for Thanksgiving Day--

Lakyn's 1st Thanksgiving--Yum!

June's 1st Thanksgiving!

Brynn and Great Grandma taking her buggy carriage stroller for a walk

Cousins--jumping in a pile of leaves in Aunt Kristi's truck!

Great family time in November!

Visits

My kids LOVE when Jake and Janell get to come visit--we are so blessed to see them as often as we do considering they live 13 hours away---fun pictures with Nell and Jake in August.

 

Practicing her cheerleading moves!

 

 LOVE!

November marks Grandparents Day at SES--we have it every other year and it is a BIG deal--we usually have over 400 Grandparents that come spend about 2-3 hours at SES with their grandchildren--they do a few classroom activities and eat lunch with the kids and then call it a day---it is very stressful and busy for the staff--but the joy on all the faces make it worth it!

Both Grandparents came to see Caden--the Grandparents are great about sharing the love with other kids that need a grandparent for the day!

 

Caden teaching the Grandparents how to do Bal-A-Vis-X--balance, auditory, vision, exercises!

Making memories!!

 

Oct. Birthdays

In Oct. Uncle Curt turned 50 and we got to go to Cuba, KS for his surprise celebration!

Here are Curt with his brother and sisters that came along with Grandma--Curt's Mom.

 

Uncle Curt with all 3 kiddos!  What a job!

 

Cuba had a fun park to go play at right across the street which helped keep the kiddos entertained!

 

50 and he can still go down slides!  Curt and Mary showed up and watched a few of Caden's soccer games and sometimes Layne gets called to run to Lowes for Curt to get him a water heater, or a part, or a new camera--you never know what Curt might ask you to do, but we know he would do anything for us in a heartbeat!

Glad we could celebrate with you Curt!

 

Grandpa helping Lakyn down the slide!

 

Always time for Daddy Love!

 

We also got to have a yummy birthday dinner with my Dad in October--Caden picked him out a eyeball bouncy ball--just what every Grandpa wants!

 

And Aunt Kristi Turned 30 in Oct.--the kids had fun making her sign!

 

Lots of celebrating to do in Oct.--woo-hoo!