2010 Christmas

While Christmas almost seemed rushed because of our move, the days that we spent celebrating with our families was nice and relaxing. The weather cooperated and we were able to enjoy activities as planned.

Grandma Penny came early to do Christmas at our house with the kids. Spreading our Christmases out really lets the kids enjoy their gifts and time with each of the families.

She made each of the kids an apron and pot holder set...perfect for her visits as she is the cookie making queen!





MIZ-ZOU!!! Go Missouri Tigers!






The kids were so funny crawling in the cabinet. I am sure I will always enjoy this picture as they seem to grow so fast and it won't be long before these days that they can squeeze into these places will be over.


Our new house...the sun was in our eyes so I am not sure if any of our eyes were actually open.


Papa and Nana spent the night at our house as the building of the dog house was much more of a task than he had planned for. The kids took advantage of all the cuddle time the next morning.


Cowboy Levi on his stick horse...Giddy-up!!


The girls and I enjoyed putting all of the Lego City Advent Calendar pieces together. Two hours later...we took the kids out in their pajamas to look at Christmas lights. Addy and Levi fell asleep about 15 minutes in to the drive. We stopped at a gas station to get a fountain drink because Jaidyn was thirsty and she and Wes went in to get it. Meanwhile, I locked the van doors because Wes left it running with Levi, Addy and I in it. Friends pulled up beside me so I got out and shut the door, thus locking Levi and Addy in the van. To make a long story short...despite the knocking on the windows, rocking the van, or honking the horn of the friends truck we were unsuccessful in waking up Addy to reach up and unlock the van door. Freezing outside for about 30 minutes we had to wait until the tow truck arrived for his 15 seconds of magic to unlock the doors.

Christmas at Papa and Nana's







Approximately 5 more weeks before Baby Boy Collins arrival!


Wes told Jaidyn that if she pulled her front top tooth he would give her $5. That's all it took as she pulled it within about 2 minutes (maybe next time he should check his cash flow before making any promises as he neither he or I had $5 and he had to take a loan out from Nana). And Grandpa Plassmeyer also pulled out $5 from his pocket (I should have been sending my teeth to his tooth fairy and my dad said the most he ever got was a dime). Jaidyn really made out well with this tooth since it was Christmas Eve and both Santa and the Tooth Fairy were visiting our house.



Christmas morning at our house.

Looking for tags with their names on them so they can continue to stack on their pile.


Jaidyn and her new DS from Santa...Santa was a little late (very late) in getting this gift and had to order it Dec. 23rd with overnight shipping. The one game cartridge ordered was missing from our porch when we returned home Christmas Eve night...Ray had drug it off the porch and chewed the box leaving the game out in the freezing rain and snow all night. Thankfully, the game was still in the plastic wrap and wasn't ruined.


All of the twisties and taping of every single child gift is so annoying. It takes forever to remove something from the box.

Christmas at Papa JR's and Lala's House.





The Thomas The Train wooden track set was a huge hit with the boys. We only opened and set up one and considering they are both only two years old, they were really good about sharing it.

I need to get out and run some errands as the temperature is supposed to drop from about 60's to below 30 degrees in the next few hours. Wes is working a late shift tonight so the kids and I will be ringing in 2011 together, which probably means a couple of redbox movies and in bed and asleep by 10:00. Sounds exciting, huh! Happy New Year!

December Happenings

Yea!! We are finally moved in to our new house. And we actually appear to be unpacked, that is until you open the door to the garage...So we will continue to find a home for the things in the garage one box at a time and actually wait for a warmer day to be out there organizing the rest of it. We still need to bring the dogs from my parents house as we are still trying to find the best place to house them but I am sure they aren't too upset as they are being spoiled by my mom. The girls had a nice week at their new schools and after a couple of days next week they will be on Christmas break.

I have lots of pictures to share from the month of December since I have been too busy to post them before now.


Jaidyn continues to loose a couple more teeth this month and now her two front teeth are extremely loose, so it has been quite fun to tease her with the "All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth" song. She is well on her way towards a toothless grin!!

The girls were able to sing in the Preschool/Kindergarten music Christmas program at their school before we left. They were center front on the risers and I must say we were all quite impressed with their stage presence. They were extremely animated on the song actions and Jaidyn even had a 2 line speaking part that she was thrilled to get to do. I would have crawled in a hole growing up (and to this day would still hate it) if I would have had a speaking part.





Jaidyn and her Kindergarten teacher. Both Addy and Jaidyn had wonderful teachers at their school in Richland. We can't be more pleased with the experiences that they encountered while at the school for a short 5 months.


Addy and two of her preschool buddies.

She's Six!! On December 3rd, Jaidyn celebrated her 6th birthday. The day was bittersweet as it was also her last day at her old school. She opened her presents before school while waiting for Papa to make her waffles for breakfast. Wes made a quick morning run to pick up the donuts I had ordered for her to take for her class to enjoy at snack time that day. Jaidyn's teacher also made it a very special day for her letting her eat lunch with her and giving her a birthday gift.




Lots of fun stuff to open...pillow pet, art set, electronic bank, Teacup Piggies Goldie, books, an American Girl gift certificate and a doll outfit.


An art set from Aunt Charlene


A Penguin Pillow Pet from Grandma Penny.


A big plush bear, chapstick, and bracelets from her Kindergarten Teacher, Ms. Beth.




Kindergarten Classmates


Acting normal!!


Jaidyn with the Kindergarten class next door.


Jaidyn with the Kindergarten teacher next door (And her son was her boyfriend...or at least the boyfriend of that week).

Nana got Jaidyn a yummy chocolate ice cream cake which we decided to dig in to before dinner time.



Caught in the act...licking the bottoms of the candles.


Jaidyn picked Tuna as her birthday dinner...who picks Tuna as their birthday dinner?? Let alone what 6 year old picks Tuna. Blech!

To give Wes and I a day to work at the house along with my Dad and Wes's Dad, Nana took the kids to an elementary school fundraiser "Breakfast with Santa".


After waiting in a long line to get a breakfast of sausage and pancakes, the kids decided all they really wanted was a donut.


Hanging out with the Hough kiddo clan.


I'm not sure how much cookie decorating Levi did as I am sure he was way more interested in the eating of the cookie.




Ornament making


By this time, Addy was in one of her moods...can you tell?


Jaidyn baking banana chocolate chip muffins with Nana so we would all have something to grab and eat on moving day morning.


Papa is getting pampered as Jaidyn was so generous in giving out her massage services. I even got a couple. Although, I think she had an alternative motive as she was also wanting to collect some funds to put in her electronic bank.

And thanks to Lauretta and Haley, we have a Christmas tree up in our house. It is nice sight to be able to see a sparkling Christmas tree set up as I really didn't know when I would get it done.





Jaidyn must have been pestering Papa J.R. as he has her in a head-lock.


This past week Wes's Grandparents stopped by to see the new house and the kids on their way to Texas for the winter.

I'll try to have some pictures of the house in the next post as I have had several people asking when I was going to get around to do it...someday soon, I hope. :)