.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas 2009

We had a busy but fun Christmas this year.  Gree Gree got into town on Christmas Eve midday.  Aunt Kelly came by to drop off gifts and the kids got to open one each.  Jake absolutely loves his T2 (a remote-controlled Star Wars R2D2).  He’s had an ongoing obsession with Aunt Kelly’s Star Wars figurines for awhile, and R2D2 is his favorite.  He’s never seen the movies, just loves T2!

We headed to 4pm Children’s Mass and even though we got there a few minutes early, both the main church and the overflow Mass in the gym were  full.  We ended up watching Mass from the narthex.  After Mass we went home and opened Christmas PJ’s, changed into them, and drove around looking at lights.  We got home, got the kids to bed, and got gifts ready for Christmas morning.

Christmas morning we got up before the kids and were waiting for them downstairs.  Clare was the first one up.  She curled up in my lap for a bit.  Jake was next and he needed some snuggle time in Daddy’s lap.  I finally had to wake Grace up.  She came downstairs and went straight to her new bike.  I swear that girl can go from 0 to 6o in no time at all.

We opened presents and played for a bit, ate breakfast, and then Daddy set up the new bounce house.  The kids jumped for a bit and then went in the front to ride bikes.  Gree Gree and I got started in the kitchen while Daddy cleaned up some of the mess and kept the kids occupied.

George’s family started arriving shortly after 4pm.  We ate dinner around 7 and then opened more presents.  Everyone left around 9, I cleaned up a bit, and we all went to bed tired and ready for good night’s sleep.

In Christmas PJs and ready to look at Christmas lights

IMG_2517-1 

Who needs presents?  The dog’s cage is fun enough!

IMG_2534

Clare on Christmas morning

IMG_2545

Jake on Christmas morning

IMG_2559

Grace heads straight for her new bike

IMG_2562

Jake opens a new Leapster game.

IMG_2568

Gree Gree helps Clare open her presents

IMG_2578

She can’t wait to go for a ride

IMG_2582

He can’t either

IMG_2587

I love this face!

IMG_2590

In the bounce house

IMG_2614

Gree Gree and Mommy

IMG_2645

Tina and the kids have some fun

IMG_2704

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Kids’ Christmas Party

Last Saturday, George’s work had a Christmas party for all the employees’ kids at the Houston Zoo.  The kids each got a special gift delivered by Santa himself.  We had some cupcakes and popcorn then wandered around the zoo for a bit.  Grace cracked me up the whole time.  We’d rush to see an animal, she’d look for all of 5 seconds, and then tell us she wanted to see the next one, and off she’d rush.   Jake was more content to amble along, and Clare took some goading to keep up.  She was happy to just la-dee-dah along at her own snail’s pace.  George and I ran 6.5 miles that morning, so we were a bit dead on our feet.  After a couple of hours, we were all ready to go, and everyone was excited to play with their new toys.

Waiting to be called by Santa

 IMG_2499 IMG_2500 IMG_2501 IMG_2502

Clare goes first (she got twin baby dolls)

IMG_2503 IMG_2504

Then the twins

IMG_2505 IMG_2506

Grace got a Disney Princess Aquadoodle

IMG_2507 IMG_2508

Jake got a remote control Thomas train

IMG_2509

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Decorating the Tree

We decorated our Christmas tree on the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  It looked really good right after, but as the kids pull ornaments off the tree, I put them back on up high out of their reach.  We pretty much have zero ornaments on the lower third of our tree right now.  Oh well, at least I can maintain my sanity this way.  Now if only they would leave the presents alone…

 IMG_2444 IMG_2446

IMG_2450 IMG_2456 IMG_2454IMG_2455  IMG_2453

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Christmas Showcase

Our local Catholic homeschool group had a small Christmas group performance tonight at our parish.  I co-teach the preschool group with my friend Blair.  The preschoolers did a rendition of The Friendly Beasts where they held up pictures of the various animals to go along with the song.  We made the animals in class this past Friday.  Grace and Jake also participated in a Nutcracker excerpt.  All in all, it was a success.  All the kids really seemed to have a good time.  I’m just sad Daddy couldn’t be there.  We missed you, dear!

The best picture I could get of all 3.

IMG_2461

Twins

IMG_2462

Donkey

IMG_2471

Sheep

IMG_2475

Sheep Too

IMG_2476

Skipping

IMG_2494

Getting those naughty boys

IMG_2497

The End

IMG_2498

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Turkey Day 2009

We started off the day bright and early with a 5 mile run near our house.  It was a lot of fun and we both finished faster than we thought we would.  Gree Gree and Aunt Kelly brought the kids to cheer as we crossed the finish line.  Because the line was long and the area was crowded, we opted to skip the free pancake breakfast and go to McDonald’s instead.  After some showers (which we desperately needed after our run), we got everyone dressed and headed off to the in-laws.  Clare took a short nap after we ate and then we headed to my sister’s house.  We walked to a nearby park with all the kids.  They had a lot of fun, but the visit was cut short by a couple of twins needing to visit the potty.  I got a picture of the twins in a swing that just happens to be the exact same swing that I have a picture of them in on their 1st birthday.  After more food, we decided to call it a day and headed home exhausted.  I don’t think we could have fit more into one day if we had tried.

Clare and her new “friends”

IMG_2375

Then (1st Birthday)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Now (4 yrs old)

IMG_2388 

This one loves to hang upside down.

IMG_2399

Swinging with Gree Gree

IMG_2404

Getting a much taller ride than she ever gets around here :)

IMG_2418

Walking home

IMG_2423