A Church Christmas Program

Today was our church's Christmas Program and both kids got to "perform" in it. Before the program started our church offered a brunch, so we came early and enjoyed a little snack. Poppa Mike, Grandma Jo, Uncle Eric, and Aunt Cagney came to have brunch with us and watch the program. I got some great shots of the kids with the family.

The older kids came in first and then finally in the middle of the program it was the little kids turn!! I scooted up and squeezed in next to another proud set of parents and proceeded to catch a scowly Dylan

and a picture of Ally

before she scooted to the back of the stage and proceeded to play around with Andrew, until they started singing Jingle Bells when she came up to the front and started pantomiming shaking bells.

After that she went back to being a very cute bored little girl.

All in all it was a great success and I can't wait until next year for more Christmas program fun!!

Fun time with Neighborhood Friends!

Today we had a gift exchange party with our neighborhood playgroup. A few weeks back we all drew names and then got to go out shopping for gifts. We drew K and J's names. So we made our way down to Mrs Marie's house today for some present opening, cookies, and playing with friends.

After everyone arrived we took all the presents upstairs and the kids gathered around the presents patiently waiting for their turn to open presents.

We decided to go in order of age from youngest to oldest.
So we start off with KL.

Then onto AF

Next comes JP

Followed by ML

Onto HY

then Ally

followed right by Dylan

next comes AF

and PP

finally onto SP

and AF

We finished the fun by running around outside to burn off the cookies and then home for dinner. Thanks for all the fun our fabulous neighbors!!!!

Shaggy Gets a New Do

Awhile ago Dylan told me he wanted to grow his hair out, so we decided to let him grow it out....it has gotten out of control. He has been in desperate need of a haircut for awhile now. The only kind of haircut I specialize in is the buzz cut, so I took him down to Master Cuts in the mall. He was very quiet and a little scared but once she got going he relaxed a little and there was even a couple of smiles that came out!

Here is Dylan before:

And here is the handsome Mister after:

A Carriage Ride Through Lebanon.....or at least a couple blocks.

My Mother in law told us about a fun opportunity to take a carriage ride through downtown Lebanon, so yesterday we decided to go check it out. We picked up Grandpa Hotrum on the way and made our way to find a parking spot. I called Uncle Nate to figure out where they were meeting us and we walked down to meet them. I caught this adorable picture of Ally while we were waiting to cross the street. As we are making our way down the street we see the two horse drawn carriages which makes the kids even more intrigued.

We get down to the park and weave our way over to where Uncle Nate, Aunt Kaydi, Grace, and Jude are waiting for us. We spend the time waiting for the carriage, talking, and watching the kids play.

They were very patient and excited! I also got a cute family picture of the Nate Hotrum Family. Finally it is our turn! We make our way up onto the carriage and wait until it is time to go. We make the loop around the town and after a couple smooth starts we are waiting to go at a light and *JERK* we all almost go flying. Grace thought this was the height of hilariousness! So we finally make it back all in one piece safe and sound. We walk around the park for a little bit, then decide its time to go. We make our way past a fire truck and let the kids look at all the cool stuff on it. Then back to the car and over to Grandma and Grandpa's for a yummy warm dinner.

Putting up the Tree!

Yesterday we went out and picked out a tree for us. We are not the go out and cut your own down kind, we tried that last year and got a tree that kept falling over, so we headed off to the Bi-Mart parking lot. We got a beautiful Noble measuring in at 7 feet 6 inches. We got it tied to the van and made our way home in no real hurry. We finally get home and unload the kids, get the twine cut, and heft the tree off the roof of the van. After doing some trimming of branches at the bottom we bring it inside and get it set up in the stand. After a few adjustments we start the decorating process. Darrin and I get the lights put on then let the kids go crazy with the ornaments.

They are still getting the hang of getting the ornaments to stay on, but all in all did a fabulous job! After getting the tree all decorated, we all sat down to play Dylan's new favorite game, Uno! We played for awhile and just had a relaxing afternoon. Now to put the presents under the tree!!