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I ♥ my college bffs. Sorry if that is cheesy, but I do. Over the holiday break we had a long overdue get together, although, we couldn't all be there. :( Casey, Stephanie, and I made the trip to Topeka to Annie's for a little reunion and I was even lucky enough to see Casey twice, as she and Phil visited our house as well. It was so great to see some of the kids together. I haven't seen Kaitlyn since this summer and she is just the sweetest thing ever. And Logan and Parker! Logan is so adorable- his little voice just brings a smile to your face. And baby Parker- so cute and snuggly. The boys look just like their momma.I think of these girls all the time- reading their funny posts on facebook or looking at their pics, watching them on national television (go Rach!), checking out their design websites, and during day to day life. They were/are such a great part of my life and my memories. I wish I could spend more time with them but since we are scattered throughout the country that can be difficult. But I love and miss them always!Annie, Lis, Casey, and Steph (Burtle)
Me and my new bff Kaitlyn (Annie's daughter):
She is so sweet!!
Some of our kids: Sis, Kaitlyn, T, Logan, and Parker
(missing Kristina's kids :( )
Sissy and Kaitlyn:
A trip down memory lane...
In Topeka we talked about old moments and pictures so
I thought I would pull some out of the vault.
The Spice Girls, Halloween Sophomore year:
The Girl Scouts- Halloween Junior Year
(where were you Case?)
In the beginning...
(Annie's eyebrows will forever live on in this picture)
'Whose a better friend' Jenga and a Victoria's
Secret poster...
An infamous night- Case singing Black Velvet at Cinco de Chi O
Legore Lane
A bachelorette party I will never forget- mainly because none of us were engaged! ;)
Molly, Annie, and I at Kelly's wedding
Graduation
We missed you Rachel, Kristina, and Molly!!!!
And I really mean the beginning. It is now December 30 as I write this- and we have only celebrated one of our four Christmases! We will have a very busy weekend as we celebrate with family Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
We began the week before Christmas with a trip to see Aunt Ashlee at Commerce Bank (where she works). Every year we visit her and see Santa. 
Now, this picture is totally not representative of Big Boy. He absolutely loves Santa but I think we may have pushed him too fast on this one. I got several pictures like this and they are priceless!
The week before Christmas we also had our playgroup Christmas party. We had a blast this year, it was our best yet! The kids made all sorts of fun crafts, had pizza and desserts, and Santa even stopped by!
(gingerbread houses)
Sissy and Santa
Now this is the child I know. He hounded Santa from the very second he walked in the door. He was the first (and the last!) to get a picture on his lap.
Sis and Daddy making an ornament
Big Boy's creation:
Sissy also got to go with Grandma K to see some of my cousins caroling. They all play instruments so Sis really enjoyed herself and loved all the singing. This is her waiting to go- and wearing her beautiful Christmas dress. (from Leslie and her girls) She absolutely begs to wear it- she feels like such a princess in it!
On Christmas Eve we went to church with my mom and my brother and then back over to my mom's for awhile. We did not exchange gifts since my sister and her husband were out of town but the kids got to open a couple new toys and Sissy got some beautiful new clothes.
The kids leaving cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer:
Sis was very into picking out some presents this year. She picked out ornaments for her grandmas:
Santa must have thought they were angels because he left a big heap of toys and stockings filled to the brim! Sissy got the 3 Musketeer Barbie that sings, the 3 Musketeer carriage, several princess dolls and Barbies, some new movies, a Jessie doll that talks from Toy Story, a Tag reader and books, some My Little Pony stuff, and an Alice in Wonderland book. T got a remote control car, a Happy dwarf, a moving dinosaur, a Tag reader and books, a talking Woody doll from Toy Story, some new trains, a monster truck, and a Peter Pan book.
On Christmas morning we had the grandparents and my grandparents over for brunch. L and T loved playing with Uncle CaCa. That afternoon my mom and I took the kids to see Princess and the Frog. LOVED IT! The kids thought it was great. We were experimenting with Big Boy to see if he could sit through the movie and he did great. He was enthralled and sat still and quiet the whole time. He earned his right to see Alvin in the Chipmunks when we go next week!
On Sunday we had our first day where we actually exchanged gifts. We went to the McLain's house. It was a fun day. We exchanged gifts w/ Pat's family and did a DVD exchange where we got awesome movies!
Sissy got her Princess polly pocket castle she wanted:
T got a huge monster Jeep remote controlled vehicle (amongst many other things):
And Sis got new Barbies including a 3 Musketeers one (amongst many other things too!)
On January 1 the madness will start again as we have our get togethers/gift exchanges with my mom and siblings, my mom's extended family, and my dad.
:)
Today was Sissy's class Christmas party. Super fun!! The kids got to go in their pajamas. Sis had breakfast at school, watched a movie, and then the parents came for the gifts. Sis' teachers do such an amazing job with the kids. They made them all books with the story from their Christmas performance (see below) and the illustrations to the book were pictures of the kids acting it out. It is so special. They also made the parents beautiful ornaments. (which Sis is so excited about. T has made 2 ornaments at KDO for our tree and Sissy has been so jealous)
Each child brought a Christmas present to exchange with a friend.
Sissy's present is getting passed around- "Musical gifts"...
The teachers handed out the handmade books to some amazed kids. This is Mrs. Jones yelling "Yay preschool!"
After the gifts the kids sang some songs. They turned off the lights and sang a birthday song to baby Jesus. (in the manger next to Sis)
Gma K came down for the party!
After school we went back to Grandma's class for a couple pictures. Big Boy wore his pjs to school of course, so he was not left out.
I do have to document a funny Big Boy story. After dropping Sis at school we went to the Y so I could work out. When we got home I had about 30 minutes to shower, dress, and get the teacher's presents ready before the school party. So I plopped T in front of the TV and ran off to get ready. About 20 minutes later I went in to get him and there he is- still in front of the TV- with an open gallon sized bag of chocolate mint cookies just eating away. I yelled "T!" and he said "Mama...cookie...good!"THE PERFORMANCE
Last Monday Sis came home from school and told me they were doing the manger scene for their Christmas performance at school. I knew they were choosing parts and rehearsing that day so I asked what part she was playing. "Mary" she replied. I called Pat, told him to take off work, and was thrilled at the idea of my child playing Jesus' mother. A few hours later I talk to my mother who happens to have been talking to Sis' teachers. I find out that, not only is she not Mary, but she has insisted on playing a cat in this performance. A CAT! And she intends on wearing her leopard print Halloween costume as she sits next to Baby Jesus. Ouch. At first I took it kind of hard, but after awhile I arrived at the conclusion that it doesn't really matter which part she holds- even if it is just a part that she made up. It turned out to be perfect for her because she loved her costume and felt good about her role.
In other Sissy news, (my poor second child) she had a Christmas performance for ballet last weekend at a local retirement home. It was very interesting... The dance was cute and the girls looked adorable, but most of the "retired" people were in pretty bad shape. I'm not sure that any of them really knew what was going on and most looked like they weren't sure where they were- but hopefully it made a couple of them happy and that would be worth it. I did not capture many pictures, as I was trying to use my camera and camcorder at the same time, but you get the idea.
Sis and M
And a random picture because I can't resist my kids hugging each other-
And to continue on in the longest blog post ever, a few thoughts about Christmas this year... I can't believe how quickly it is coming. The kids are already out of school. They've been sick on and off for weeks so it will be a nice break to relax and sleep in a little. I feel like we have gotten some nice family time between the four of us lately, and it has been good for us. It seems like Pat and I have been so stressed out lately it is easy to forget that nothing is more calming than reading your kids a story or cuddling with them.
I feel like we've been beat down a little recently- Pat isn't where he wants to be with his job and thanks to Barack Obama (grrr) some tax issues and Medicare cuts are looking to make things difficult for us in the next couple months. HOWEVER- I am making the choice daily to be thankful for what we have. First and foremost, of course, are our children who take my breath away some times with how sweet they are. My kids are huggers- I have no idea how they got that way- but they are and I am thankful to receive twenty a day. And next is our family. Our parents have been so supportive of us in so many ways, and we are so grateful for that. They are always volunteering to help out without being asked and they have been such blessings recently. And Ashlee and Brandon, who are our kids' second parents- what more can I say?
I feel lucky. I feel lucky that we live where we do, in the United States. I feel lucky that my kids are happy and healthy, that they have toys and clothes and everything they need- and want! ;) I feel lucky to stay home with my kids and to be able to be around them all the time. Yep, all the time. I feel lucky to be able to drop my kids off and work out! (which I don't do nearly enough) And I feel lucky that we have everything we need and a lot of the things we want.
And on that note I will end. Steaks for dinner tonight (I don't care how cold it is- I miss grilling) and then we are off to look at Christmas lights!!!
