2011 - The Boring Tree

I guess we'll remember Christmas 2011 as the year of

The Boring Tree! After Moriah tipped over the tree 3 times and after we discovered unscrewed light bulbs all over the house, we decided to take down the lights.

We then also felt justified in our decision to skip putting up our very expensive and extensive collection of Hallmark ornaments.

Every year we take a special picture, it's called the "Loot Picture"& it's purpose is to document the fun things the kids got for Christmas that year.

After having to replace many appliances this year, car repairs, and an unexpected cat/vet bill we had a more modest Christmas than years past. I hope we've managed to convey to our children that Christmas is not about getting, but giving. And we had a wonderful Christmas.

(Mike wouldn't call it a modest Christmas,

he would call it the Christmas we finally stayed in our budget.)

Emma's Loot

Aaron's Loot
Bekah's Loot

Mo wouldn't hold still for a "Loot Picture"

So I'll just post this one instead,
She's a beautiful baby!

Merry Christmas to all

& to all a goodnight!

Gingerbread Houses and Sugar Cookies

Our "gingerbread" houses are actually made with graham crackers...but you get the point.

We packed a lot of fun into Christmas Eve.

A party at Grandpa's house, gingerbread house building/decorating, and then we made cookies for Santa. It's a good thing Santa was pre-wrapped this year because he and Mrs. Claus were exhausted after ALL the Christmas activities. We normally don't pack so much into one day, but the stomach flu hit Mo and Mom before Christmas. And then the nasty bug made an ancore preformance for the other members of the family the day after Christmas.

What's that old saying, "It just isn't Christmas unless someone's crying or pukin'!"

Our super cutie didn't have the attention span to decorate a house,

in fact if you check out the next pic, you can tell how she spent her time:

...looking for any candy that may have fallen onto the floor.

The finished product, (antlers included free of charge).

Mike made an pretty incredible igloo this year.

I LOVE Christmas!

Christmas Festivities

These kids are not excited for Christmas, nope, not one little bit.

It's not as if you can literally see the anticipation shining forth like search lights from their very eyes, with smiles that seems to speak aloud, "Presents, presents, presents are coming!"

Aunt Coco & Bekah

Daddy & Aaron

Mommy & Emma

Christmas at Grandpa Russ and Grandma Kae's house.

Gail & Co...doesn't my sister look awesome?

You look gorgeous Colleen!

I am so proud of all you have accomplished!

It wasn't easy, in fact I'm positive it was "in your face" hard and sometimes you probably wanted to quit, but you didn't! You look great! I love you!

The 1st grade gingerbread houses:

The Preschool Christmas Program:

Seven

Aaron is 7! Where has the time gone?!

Here are the highlights of his birthday:

Our Family Tradition - The Birthday Rock!

Chasers: Another family tradition.
A treasure hunt (with clues) for your birthday presents!
The kids LOVE it.

Blow 'em out Aaron!

Happy Birthday Bear!

Five

Our little Button, (Bekah) is 5!

Here are the highlights:

Birthday Rock!

Chasers!
Probably Bekah's favorite part of the day.
If you are unfamiliar with "chasers" they are presents hidden around the house with clues that lead you to the next present. It's kind of like a treasure hunt for presents.
We like it because it draws out the present fun.


"Can I tear 'em open now?!"

Sprinkles and Sparkle!

Over-Achiever

When it comes to the Terrible Twos, Moriah is an overachiever! Here's a recap of her last week:

She dumped out a pitcher of apple juice all over the kitchen table and floor.
She fished out a piece of Aaron's chocolate birthday cake from the garbage and then tried to eat it in our bedroom.
She knocked over the Christmas Tree 3xs...in one day!

This is in addtion to the nightmare tantrums and relentless screaming.




Good thing she's cute.

Trick or Treat!

Off I go with Daddy.

Teddy Bear Mo

What a good lookin' bunch!

Can you see Mike's vomiting pumpkin on his right?

I love these guys!

Halloween 2011 Costumes:

Emma - A Southern Belle, Aaron - Darth Vader, Rebekah - A Gorilla,

and little Mo - A Teddy Bear.

And let me just tell you, Mo would not put on a costume to save her life until it was time to go trick or treating. And by that time I think she had figured out that

costume = candy.






Pumpkin Picking Time:

Schmidts' Market on 90th






Gardner Village Witches:

Rebekah's Preschool Program

Where's My BE-BE!?

Oh ya, it's in my mouth.

Mo loves her binkies, she calls them "Be-Bes"

Two

Every birthday deserves a little sparkle!

(Mo chose the cheese cake.)




Mosey had a little trouble with the wrapping paper,


but big brother and sisters were right there ready to lend a helping hand.


No surprises there.



I'm Two! I'm Two...I feel like shouting it from my birthday rock!

Leftovers?

We cleaned out the fridge a few weeks ago.

Check out these leftovers I found!

The Terrible Twos Came Alittle Early

I don't much care for this stage of our toddlers life.

The MESSY stage!

Here's our little angel with cottage cheese in her hair.

When our the kids going to understand that I don't find this adorable?

Okay, maybe just a little bit...but I'm anxiously looking forward to the days where I'll laugh about things like this.

Look Out Cub Scouts

Aaron is a Tiger Cub!

Get Up For School!

Aaron is a first grader.

Emma is a 3rd Grader.

Bekah started Preschool! Yay!

And Mom has found inner peace once again.

If I Had a Nickle...

Emma is holding a cucumber that grew like a donut! The kids got a kick out of that one.

If I had a nickle for every beautiful cucumber we've harvested this year, I'd be one wealthly lady! Holy Cow!! Every day I go out there and pick seven more! They are going crazy!
More pics to come of our watermelon, once they're ready. And I'm sorry, we can't show you any pictures of the sugar snap peas because we ate them all. They were so good!