Joyful Noise #1

Tuesday night was Andrew's Christmas program. Darren's parents came up to join in the fun. Teresa always sits so perfectly on Grandpa's lap... maybe we need to start going to Church with them every week! Andrew was really excited.

Rebecca was enjoying all of her preschool friends in the audience. Here she is with sweet Anna.

Each grade just sang one song on their own with a little bit of dialogue/acting between songs. It was the Nativity story but from the innkeeper's perspective. Very sweet. (Sorry, the lighting from across the Church is terrible! We really could see him there on the top row singing his little heart out.)

It's a short program which is nice for everyone. Afterwards we took some pictures & chatted with friends. Here is Andrew with his classmate "Gray Gray" as he likes to call him.

24 tiny reindeer

We made these reindeer cookies for Andrew's Christmas party & they turned out so cute! It was a little tricky getting the chocolate pretzels to stay attached, but otherwise so easy. You could do it with peanut butter cookies, too, but we just used sugar cookies. Thanks, Cynthia for passing along the idea!

Our little tiger cub

It has begun. Andrew's first organized non-school activity, that is. He had his first Cub Scout meeting here last week & LOVED it. Darren is the den leader for this year. I'm so excited that they get to do this together. My only real contribution was sewing on the badges... is it bad if I don't encourage him to earn more? Whew, that was a challenge! You can't really appreciate it without seeing the sleeves. But they look so handsome. :)

The girls were just as excited as Andrew! Rebecca kept asking when she gets to start "Flower Scouts".

Since they were learning about the flag, we made these berry flag cookies. Yum!

The boys were SO revved up that this is as close to a posed shot as I could get.

And that's the Cub Scout sign not peace sign... in case you were wondering. Here's to lots more fun in years to come!

Chef pants

Rebecca never ceases to make us laugh. Here's some of her recent quotable quotes.
After laughing hysterically at a not-so-funny joke: "You giggle my pants out, Andrew."
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Explaining to us how we get milk: "Just squeeze the cow's gutters."
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Talking about her classmate's haircut: "I think he gets his hair carved more often than you."
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With a pillowcase around her waist as an apron: "Look! This can be chef pants!"

Spreading a little cheer

We had our second annual GodTeens Christmas caroling party on Sunday afternoon. We filled up a bus with high schoolers in Santa hats & full of cookies for some pretty enthusiastic singing!

Our group made spiritual bouquets for the retired priests & the sisters that we visited.

It was nicest to meet each one of them & chat a bit. Quite a few characters there!

The Pinks joined right along with us. It was so interesting to hear the many different countries that they were born in & have travelled to while in the convent. For at least half of the GodTeens it was their first time meeting a cloistered nun & I think they were pleasantly surprised!

We made a visit in their perpetual adoration chapel & then headed back for a pizza party of our own.There was a good number of kids & we were lucky to have the majority be our sophomores! We had a lot of fun with them.

Senior & Junior Godfathers

Our kids covered in pizza & puppy chow

It was such a nice afternoon. I hope we get to do it again next year!

Funetics #7

I love seeing Andrew's lists! Phonetic spelling really cracks me up. He had rather prolific use of the letter K this time. Can you figure them all out? The headings help. "Kyookumber" is my favorite. :)

Pancakes with Santa

After our Knights of Columbus pancake feed on Sunday, we were able to meet Mr. & Mrs. Claus for a little visit. :) Teresa LOVED it & kept running back to his lap after our turn was over! Each child then received a baby Jesus holy card & candy cane. So cute!

Thanksmas

To keep our busy weekend moving we celebrated "Thanksmas" with Green Grandpa's side of the family on Saturday night. (It's their combo Thanksgiving & Christmas if you hadn't guessed.) We had lots of food, fun, & family. Teresa received this sweet doll as a belated birthday present from Aunt Katie & Uncle Brad. It came at the PERFECT time to keep her from scaling the walls, so double thanks to you Wilkens!

Andrew & Rebecca enjoyed way too many sweets, some serious running around, Simon Says, cars, & general goofiness with their cousins.

Yes, Andrew is still in his Halloween skeleton shirt...why not make it three holidays in one?

It's a party!

Happy 1st Birthday, Nicholas!

Your Mommy is cake baker extraordinnaire!

Teresa started us off with a little simple music.

Your other cousins the enthusiastic entertainment.

She learns quickly.

Then it was on to wearing party hats in unique style. This is called "The Rhino".

And here's "The Pteranodon".

You liked your cake!

Cousins & big brother were very helpful with opening your presents... & playing with your toys.

Glad we could celebrate with you!

Bless the Baby Jesus

After multiple years of wanting to go, we finally made it to "Bless the Baby Jesus" last weekend. It was a relatively small gathering of families & so nice! There was a simple Liturgy of the Word followed by each family going up to receive a special blessing on the Jesus statue from their home Nativity scene. We brought 3 different ones...since we have more than one set...& each of the kids were able to carry one up.

Afterwards we enjoyed a proliferation of cookies & punch while chatting with friends. It was great! Hope we can make it again next year...we still have several more Nativities after all. ;)

Lovely Locks

The time had come. Rebecca's hair was getting caught in her coat, her carseat, her food, her toothpaste... all good signs that it was finally long enough to donate to Locks of Love. Locks of Love makes wigs for financially disadvantaged children who lose their hair due to different ailments & illnesses.

I cut off 11 inches! To make it a little more even, I put it in three ponytails to start instead of one. After I chopped the first, I showed it to her & she said, "Wow! Cool!" (I looked at it & thought, "What have I done?!?" I loved her beautiful long hair. ) Then after the second, she said, "No, Mommy. That's too much. Put it back on." After I explained that wasn't an option, she practically insisted on keeping the third tail! It took a little convincing, but now she is so glad to have it cut. "I want to give my hair to a little girl who doesn't have any so she has a Merry Christmas, too." Cuteness.

Slip slidin' away

They were having a blast. Everytime Teresa would slide down the hill she would yell, "Woooohoooo!"

Love those chills & thrills!

Jolly old St. Nicholas

I've always loved the feast of St. Nicholas. My mom has always made it an extra special day for us. So, we got out our stockings & Santa hats, St. Nicholas statues, books, & video, gifts to unwrap from my parents, & hit the hay. We awoke to a jubilant table full of celebrating. After school we celebrated with some neighborhood friends, too.

Teresa FINALLY let Alison hold her...a gift!

Pin the cross on the miter

Hmm... I'll take this one.Christmas cookie decoratingThen we celebrated Mass at our home that evening for Bible Study. My brother came over & let the kids help him set up.We were able to sing some old Newman Center tunes, Andrew rang the bells (huge thrill!), & appreciate the Mass even more after our study of it's Biblical origins. Rebecca helped me earlier in the day to make these chocolate peanut butter balls & Christmas veggie tree. What a fabulous day!