Haircut

Matthew got his first professional haircut today.  He was excited about his "hairtuck" and kept asking if it was his turn....until he got in the seat.  Then he suddenly became very serious and wouldn't say a word.  But he sat completely still and returned to normal when he got a lollipop at the end.  :)

very serious

so very serious

no smiling here

and....he's back!

so handsome!!

P.S.  Since yesterday was the 20th, he's now officially two and a half.

Christmas Festivities

On Thursday Micah had his school Christmas concert.  God bless the new music teacher: pre-k through 6th grade (including "band"), and it was only 45 minutes long!  Nice work!

This is "form 1", which is first and second grades.  Micah is in the front row on the far right.

the whole school - about 130 students

on the last day before break Micah's class had an "ugly Christmas sweater" party

Tonight our Bible study had a Christmas party, and the kids did a gift exchange.  We are beyond blessed to have these amazing people to "do life" with.

back (left to right): Micah (7), Kayla (9), Sydney (7)  
sitting: Owen (7), Colton (5), Aaron (5), Jackson (5), Carter (8), McKinley (6 mos)
front: Matthew (2), Hannah (5), Ally (7)
not pictured: Leo (5), Toby (1), Charllie (6 mos)

And just for fun - here are a few of those same kids (in the same basement) about seven years ago.  Sarah is holding Ally.  Carter is next to Ally.  I'm holding Micah's hand, and Kayla is in the peach shirt.  

Thanksgiving, The Nutcracker, and Other Nonsense

We drove to New Hampshire for Thanksgiving.  I'll give you a minute to let that sink in.

And we're still alive to tell about it!  Seriously, it really wasn't that bad.  We ended up splitting it both ways and staying in hotels (so thankful that Scott earns free rooms from all his work travel!).  It was about 26 hours round trip.  This pouty face was at hour 24...

The funny thing is that when we finally made it home, the older kids said that their favorite parts of vacation were swimming in the hotel and watching movies in the car.  Good grief.

hanging out at the hotel

working on the fort they started this summer

Lucy was giving the younger cousins rides

MY favorite parts were being with my family.  I offered Eric and Meredith a bigger house, a secured job (in their field!), and free childcare if they moved to Ohio.  They're still thinking about it.  ;)

Wii bowling at 7am?  Why not?

Last Christmas I heard other people talking about going to the Nutcracker, and I thought "I need to remember to get tickets to take Hannah next year".  I also marked it on my calendar because a.)I'm a dork, and b.)it's the only way I can remember things.  Just as we entered this holiday season, a friend posted that she had discounted tickets because her daughter (Ainsley - one of Hannah's favorite friends) was in the show!  And then, even more perfect, the night before the show we found out that Gwen (Hannah's other favorite girlfriend) had tickets to the same performance!  We had a fantastic girls' time, and I love this picture of the three little friends! 

Bahaha!  "The flash was too bright!"

And here's a little bit of the usual nonsense at our house:

Don't tell anyone, but he likes to read now!  I'm SO happy!

The wrestling.  Always wrestling.  It never ends.

I'm actually ok with him playing in the baby toy.  At least I know where he is and what he's doing.

Playing with Jackson.  (What?  Swim goggles are a totally normal fashion accessory.)

Catching up in Pictures

I downloaded the pictures from my phone, Scott's phone, and my two "real" cameras to catch up on the past three weeks.

The weekend of Halloween, Scott to the kids to visit Nana and Grandpapa.  I stayed home and had an amazing time.  I got tons of stuff done without interruption, and I barely spoke to anyone the entire weekend.  It was an introvert's dream.

The kids had a great road trip with Daddy, a fun visit including the Children's Museum, and a second round of trick-or-treat.

playing in the leaves

with our friend Lacy

 Micah's class had a pancake party as a reward for good behavior.

I love the missing-tooth-smile.

Gramme came for a visit.  It was well-timed since Scott was gone for a couple of days and I had a lot of extra stuff going on.

Coaching gymnastics for "Fantastic Friday" at Micah's school

  

Making a wedding cake for a "Real Fake Wedding"  

Making a birthday cake for Cowgirl Sydney

"Take my picture!"

"Is funny, Mommy!"

I probably shouldn't admit that I let my kids do this....but I do.

And Meghan went back to school this week!  McKinley has a super nanny to watch her at home most days, but she gets to come be smothered by us one day a week.  :)

Trick-or-Treat

This year Micah decided that he wanted to be an eagle.  It was one of the cheapest and easiest costumes we've made, and I love the way it turned out!

Hannah had a couple of ideas (princess, fairy, pony, etc.).  I scrolled through costumes on target.com and found this adorable owl on super-sale.  I showed her how adorable and pink and wonderful it was, basically manipulating her into saying she liked it.  Then as soon as she said ok, I bought it before she could change her mind.  :)  Matthew wanted to be an owl to be like Hannah.  We found him an owl cape on Craig's List.  He was pumped about it until we suggested he try it on.  Then he ran screaming.  Oh well.  When it was time to trick-or-treat, he said, "I monkey".  Works for me.  Now all three kids have worn that monkey costume.  :)

Micah in 2009

Hannah in 2011

Matthew in 2015