Christmas Adventures 2009

To view photos from our christmas vacation, simply click the below link. It is a facebook album, however, you do not need to have a facebook account to view the photos.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2087784&id=15306215&l=c3ed4e4a6d

Meijer Gardens and WiseMan Sam

We went to Meijer Gardens to see the Christmas trees and train. We always enjoy looking at the tree decorations from all the different countries and the train is a lot of fun too. Zeke LOVED it. The next night we had the christmas program at church. It was successful (yeah!!!) and Sam was an adorable Wise man- his crown was too big so his ears looks funny, but still adorable!

Christmas Goodies and Josh's Christmas Program

Joshy had his preschool christmas program this morning. The kids got to choose their parts. I was surprised Joshy didn't choose a shepherd, but he made a very cute wise king. It was fun to see Josh with his friends. He sang some of the songs, but really spent most of the time picking at his outfit while sitting on the ground. At least he was cute!

Snow again

Sam was so excited after school one day- he had learned how to make big snowballs. The 'big' kids at school had taught them. So he right away came home and made his first snowman. That was Monday before all the snow melted. This morning I took a picture of the deck so you could see how much snow we got from the 'blizzard'.

First Snow

From the moment they woke up (7AM) the boys were gawking at the snow and begging to go outside. Daddy promised to leave some driveway for them to shovel. At about 8:45AM we all put on the snow gear and headed out to enjoy the snow.

Zeke- did not like his snow gear, he cried and cried.



Sam and Josh LOVED it! They are excellent shovelers too. I helped shovel and ignored Zeke- hoping he would get used to it.




Still crying...



Finally we took his gloves off and he was happier. But only for a moment- snowflakes were all over his eyelashes and I think his hands got cold...and the crying resumed again.






Finally Zeke found a spot to enjoy the snow! Zeke and I were inside and ALL the neighborhood kids came out for snowball fights and shoveling. Lots of fun!

Tis the Season

We had a lot of fun putting our tree up. The boys LOVE it. The loved putting ornaments on and telling us which one is their favorite. Soccer ball for Sam- he thinks it is probably Uncle Brian's favorite too. The snowmen with our names on it are Josh's favorite (but we don't have a Zeke one...). They really like the presents underneath too. As soon as the tree was up Josh said, "Is it Christmas now?" And he asks that question everyday. He also was caught starting to open a present...and was told, if he opens presents before Christmas mommy and daddy will return them and he doesn't get them.

Zeke's favorite thing: Looking at the toy catalog. He sits with it and oh's and ah's- especially at the train page!







For those of you who give us a hard time..Reasons we have a fake tree:
1. We are always gone over Christmas. A real tree would die and make a mess.
2. $$$$ Fake is cheaper! Why waste money every year on something that dies and makes a mess?
3. Easy to put up and the kids LOVE helping with the branches and they branches aren't pokey when they hang the ornaments.
4. Smell you ask? I have candles that smell like real trees

Crafty boys

Over Thanksgiving Break Sam's teacher asked each family to decorate a tree that will hang in the hall at school. We had a lot of fun! We thought ours looked really good...(but clearly the ones at school had much more PARENTAL doing- one of them even has real branches and real ornaments!)





Josh had gingerbread man day at school- it ran away and they went all over the school looking for it!

Josh and Preschool

Thanksgiving Feast Day





Field trip to the GR museum - josh's teacher told me he was the only kid who knew what matched with what. She was VERY impressed with his memory.







Corn shucking - the next several pictures are funny because Josh's teacher told me "Josh shucked and shucked corn today! He was the best at it!" Sure enough- kids come and go at the corn shucking station...but Josh is always there!







Sink or float day- josh brought a shark. He really enjoyed this and was soaking wet when I picked him up.



not sure...crazy indian dance??



I came for Josh's birthday.





Josh and Nana on Grandparents day



Kevin went on the field trip to Mr. Sinke's train



The next two pictures are from josh's first field trip in September to the children's museum. He cried and cried when I left him at school that morning. I felt like the only parent NOT going. The mother he was with said he had fun, but I swear he looks like he is crying in that group photo!