Christmas Festivities - Part 2

Lucky us -- we had two Christmases this year! 

 

 

 

A couple days after Christmas, we went to my son's house

for Christmas with his sweet wife and kids.

 

 

 

It was so much fun! 

The kiddos are growing fast and so so sweet!

 

 

 

Philip and Catherine made yummy Mexican food. 

 Mr. Tennis went nuts for the enchiladas -- they were extremely delish!  

Everything was so good!

 

 

Maddy had suggested we start having a "talent show"

after the gift-giving, so we gave it a try!

 

 

Results = hilarious!!

 

Connor did a yoyo trick!

 

Mr. Tennis had no ideas so Maddy and I suggested he be "Mr. Napkinhead." 

 Yes, we had recently watched "The Holiday." 

He was very funny.  I was busy filming, so couldn't get any photos

 of the contestants but, believe me, we were all laughing our heads off!

 

Philip did a magic trick -- how did he make that quarter disappear?

Catherine played the piano -- so lovely -- one of my fave songs -- theme from Cheers!

 

Maddy and I did our own rendition of "Call Me Maybe."   If I didn't know it already, the video confirmed, I have no sense of rhythm. 

 

While the littles napped, Maddy and I played Scattergories

with Philip and Catherine.  What a fun game! 

And Maddy and I introduced Philip and Catherine to one of 

our all-time favorite shows, DC Cupcakes. 

 

 

 

Thanks again to Philip and Catherine for hosting us. 

It was a blast and made Christmas so special.

 

 

Christmas Festivities!

Didn't Christmas just sneak up on you this year? 

It sure did at our house!

 

On Christmas Eve, Mr. Tennis returned from a  quick trip to Illinois to visit his family.

We were so happy to have him home again!

 

The weather was frightfully cold, snowy, icy and Maddy came down with

quite a sore throat/cough-type virus -- boohoo!

We all had it one at a time throughout the month and called it

"The Christmas Cold!"

What was I thinking -- we dressed alike???

After mass on Christmas Eve and setting out our luminaries,

we had a yummy homemade Stromboli for dinner

and opened one gift - or was it two?

Maddy was up at 4:30 AM on Christmas morning --

to find the Cookie dog that Santa left for her!  

We had a low key but lovely day and I cooked and cooked and cooked --

which is so not typical for me! 

We missed Philip and Catherine and the littles,

but spent the 27th with them celebrating again --

update on that celebration to come!

 

 

Merry Merry Christmas!

 

The gift of Love,
The gift of Peace,
The gift of Happiness . . .
May these be yours this Christmas season!
 

The Nutcracker - A New Tradition?

Every year Maddy and I try to attend some type of holiday event -- usually a

musical production or a Christmas play. 

 This year . . . the ballet!!

A new holiday tradition may be starting this year! 

Maddy and I went to the Nutcracker Ballet! 

So fun, so festive! 

The dancers were seriously amazing or

as my friend, Guiliana, would say  -- amazeballs! 

We met Jodee and Kamree there --

the girls enjoyed the ballet and the

cute items on sale -- not surprising is it? 

We have shoppers on our hands!

 

 

And that "curly" hair as Maddy calls it -

does take a little work!

 

Fun Photo Outtakes

Whenever I take Miss Maddy out for photos,

there are a generally A LOT of outtakes!

 

She gets antsy and starts dancing . . .

 

Dance in the water anyone?

Or singing or . . .

 

Or  making funny faces!

No matter what silly face and pose she makes,

she always looks sweet to me!

The Birthday Bunch

We celebrated Maddy's birthday with her

girlfriends last weekend!

These girls are all so sweet and thoughtful and kind!  

Truth be told, she almost

invited a couple boys, but was afraid they would be so outnumbered

they might feel "weird."

And we certainly wouldn't want anybody feeling weird!

We had a great gymnastics helper - thanks Tyler!

Maddy's been doing gymnastics this year and really enjoying it,

 so it made sense to have her party there.

The girls jumped on trampolines, swung on ropes -

yes, these 10 and 11 year old girls

were doing Tarzan impersonations and 

also zoomed across the floor on a zipline falling into a foam pit!
Lots of giggling ensued!
 

When we were planning the party, Maddy said that she really wanted to have
 fun with friends and didn't need any gifts. 

 So, instead of gifts for her, she asked her friends to bring an

 unwrapped child's gift for Catholic Social Services to distribute.

  A proud Momma moment, to be sure.

 

Since I'm wearing my big Santa boot and Mr. Tennis was not available to assist,

Jodee and Kamree helped us out.

It was so fun to have them celebrate with us and
 we are so thankful for their help! 
 

Deja Vu

Hmmm --
Not sure if she is thinking about the holidays
or wondering if I will ever be able to talk someone else
into going out for photos???

Back to deja vu . . .

Remember this post about my options for boots last winter?

Well, deja vu . . .

all over again! 

 

I'm back in the boot!
 

Due to an unfortunate encounter with a stroller

[yes, the stroller won]

and my continued running on it,

the diagnosis is  . . .

broken foot AND a broken toe!

Waaaah!!  

So, I am back in the boot until the middle of January

 

Guess I could put some bells on it and call it my Santa boot!???

Think I might be calling this the  year of the "gift card."

Hello December - Starry Starry Night!

Hello December!

 

The first day of December found us at a

benefit called Starry Starry Night for our local City Mission. 

 

 

For a small fee,

kids can do crafts,

 

Meet with Santa

 

Listen to some great music,

 

Lincoln Boys Choir

 and

look at some gorgeous decorated trees!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took Maddy's good friend, Janie,  with us

and met Jodee and Kamree there.

 

Thanks for meeting us and spending holiday time together!

 

Silly, funny 5th graders!
 

 

It was a fabulous start to December!