December 2011

December (actually late Novermber) started off with the Girls Day out annual gingerbread house.  We were very happy to have Fie come into town for Gingerbread day. Great to catch up with her. 

Christie's House

 Karen's ski lodge (this one had a blueprint and lots of awesome features).

 Lisa's Tiawanna Row House - Lisa always tries something new and crazy.

 Fie's cottage with the driveway and water feature.

 Trina's Chaunaka House

 Judy's traditional gingerbread house - The winner by the way for the second year in a row.

 And finally my house - I had an igloo and artichetual design roof.

 It was also walnut picking season. So the kids and I met Grandpa a the cabin to pick up a bucket of walnuts.  Everyone is showing off their prized walnuts.

 My Mom and sisters and I also had our annual day after Thanksgiving shopping adventure which actually started the night of Thanksgiving.  We went strong until 3 AM then called it a success.  Here is a picture of Mom and Tina in the back seat squisched behind all our purchases.

 Kyrah in her Christmas dress with a Christmas "bouquet" wearing her Thanksgiving hat - a modge podge of holiday celebrating.

 We also got two new additions to the family. Hector (the blond) and Persayis. Brother and sister cock-a-poos.  Dennis was on a dog kick for about 6 months and we got these two as a package deal.  Hind sight is always 20/20 and we now realize we should have stuck with just one. You would think having twins we would know better then to try to train 2 dogs at once, but clearly we have not learned our lesson.

 The kids of course love them as puppies. Now that they are basically full grown and almost a year old it is hit or miss on liking them.

 We made a trip to watch cousin Anna at her basketball game. She had a very good season in middle school girls basketball (7th grade).

 December was also time for the Ste. Gen Christmas parade.  Kids got lots of candy and loved watching the parade. Look at those sweet girls holding hands.

 We tried to get a photo with Mr. and Ms. Clause but Broden threw a fit after standing in line for 45 minutes so only the girls got in the photo.

 The day warmed up and I was able to snap a quick picture of them together which turned out to be our X-mas card photo.

 Mid December we took the kids to Our Lady of the Snow light display in Illinois. They of course loved the pony and camel rides, but really were not into the light display - didn't like sitting in the van driving through it and it was raining so animals a hit - lights not so much.

 St. Nick's Day! Lots of stockings with goodies inside.

 Random night out to Dairy Queen for some ice cream.

 Daycare X-Mas party where the kids had to paint their noses red like Roudolph.

 Pre party photo in their Christmas finerary.

 Kyrah had no problem sitting on Santa's lap.

 Broden and Raya would only go to his bag and get the treats out but would not go any closer

 All the daycare kids singing Santa a song.

 Missing Broc, but hard to get everyone together at the same time all dressed up.

 Christmas morning fun!!! Santa came Santa came!!

 And a random picture of Grandma.

November, 2011

November included Kyray's 4th birthday party which had a monkey theme.  It was a bit of a chilly day which is pretty normal for Nov. 12th, but her big present was a trampoline which all the kids still enjoyed despite the chilly weather.  Here she is with her friends making some crafts during the party.

 The big 4 year old blowing out her candles.

 A super cute little Raya rocking the party hat look.

 Broden enjoying some Debbie time getting lots of attention.

 Wow - that is too many presents for this little girl! Love the deer heads in the background.

 And every party needs a pinatta to beat up right??

 Cozy little kittens sitting in Daddy's big chair. A rare moment when they are getting along and not yelling "she's squishing me!!"  And yes it appears Broden is picking his nose.

 Mommy also had a birthday and Daddy sent her the most deliscious eddibal bouquet.

 The new trampoline getting lots of use.

 Here is Kyrah in her birthday dress.

 Broden working hard on his "school work"  He does pretty much everything left handed except a few tasks, like brushing his teeth or eating, so it seems he will be dominatly left handed with some right handed quirks (which is exactly like Broc who writes left handed but bats and throws right handed) must be something coming from Dennis' genes.

 Princess dress up time - no outfit is complete without heels and a purse!

 Raya was sprouting a high pony tail - trying to grow her bangs out.