Christmas Break (the abbreviated photographic version)

With a few minor exceptions we had a most glorious Christmas Break. The kids and I have had a great balance of staying home and going fun places with friends. Christmas weekend itself was a successful whirlwind as we celebrated 4 times in just over 48 hours with various sets of family. Our kids did amazingly well and I think they *may* be learning, gradually the joy of giving and the art of being thankful and patient at Christmas. They truly LOVED everything they received. So, without further ado, here is a brief recap of the past two weeks around our house. (Not that it matters to most of you, but these photos are NOT in chronological order...me and blogger have issues)

playing in the snow Dec. 27th

Kaden at Grandpa Mike and Grandma Teri's

Marin and Auntie

Brielle and I

Annelise and I

Cousins on the couch: Brielle and Marin

Grandpa Mike and Brayden eating pizza

Marin singing while she waits for her turn to open a present

Kaden's new Cardinal's sweatshirt from Grandma & Grandpa Steckel

Kaden with Grandma Steckel

Marin with her new Hello Kitty...the first thing out of her stocking at Grandma & Grandpa Steckel's

Reading the Christmas story at Gramie's house

Daddy opening his Christmas presents from the kids

Leaving cookies for Santa

Sprinkling reindeer food on the front yard

petting a real reindeer at WonderLab

Marin and the Dinosaur at WonderLab

Kaden at WonderLab

Catching a bubble...yep, at WonderLab

Making candy cane cookies (yummy, but hard for kids!)

fishing at Jolly Days at the Children's Museum

Kaden wore this hat, quite literally 24/7 for the two weeks leading up to Christmas...so cute!

The note Kaden wrote himself for Marin's present: "Marin, I hop (hope) you lic (like) my prasit (present) I got you so it is sbachil (special). Love Kaden"

Kaden hugging Marin for her gift to him

jumping on their new gift from Great Grandma Sauder

Christmas at the Zoo

A fun annual tradition...wish we could somehow get a VIP pass, so we didn't have the fight the crowds. The kids loved the dolphin show, the polar bear, the tiger, the sea horses, and the penguins. We went early and were so glad because it got REALLY cold!

Stage Experience

Sunday Kaden sang in his first Christmas program at church. He was in the front row and did SO well! He really listened to the directions and was so responsible with remembering what to do. I didn't get a picture of him on stage, but I'm going to ask around to see if anyone else got a good one.

Grinchy Tuesday @ the Library

Tonight our local library had a Grinch themed event from 5-7pm. We didn't stay the entire time, but we did get to do a craft, see the Grinch, get the kids' pictures taken, listen to stories, and undecorate a Christmas tree. It was a fun event because it was so open ended and laid back, all of us could enjoy it. Hope you get a laugh out of these pictures!

Roger and Peggy Christmas card 2011

Pictures Galore Christmas

Turn your favorite photos into Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Three!!!

The cake

The birthday girl at her long awaited party with her much anticipated cake

("It's gonna taste nummy!")

Our big 3 year old!

Marin and I at dinner tonight at Red Robin

Marin opening her gift from Kaden

(he said watching her be so surprised and happy was the best part of his day)

Marin and her pillow pet from Kaden

(she said her pillow pet was the best part of her day!)

Marin with daddy

(not related to her birthday, but we needed a picture of daddy and his girl in here)

Halloween 2011

I am wondering if I'd blog more if I just gave you photos instead of feeling like I needed to write something witty to go along with it. Who needs whit when you have kids this cute?

New Bike Rider

Oh my...I really still can't believe this is true...but take a look for yourself and see who's the newest rider (with training wheels, of course) in our family! Hint: It's the same precious girl who will also be turning THREE in a couple months!

Fun Run

A few weeks ago Kaden had a fundraiser at school. It was unlike most fundraisers in that they did not sell anything. He simply ran/walked for 30 minutes and got pledges. It was a fun day overall (he had a cold, so the final lap was not much fun). Marin and I got to go watch. I was able to walk his last lap with him, but siblings were not allowed on the track, so Marin hung out happily with the other moms. Kaden's total was 7 laps, or just over 2 miles! Yea Kaden! Our vote is this was a great way to raise money for a school.

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