Christmas 2014

It’s about time I posted our Christmas pictures! Christmas was great – lots of time with family, lots of decorating cookies and lots of air hockey. This year we started in Baldwin for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On the 26th we went to Lebanon for a few days.

The highlight of Christmas Eve was the cookie decorating contest. Somewhat suspiciously, both boys received ribbons (Grandma and Grandpa were the judges). Regina and Nathan also won awards, but they kind of cheated since they custom cut their cookies – although the fishing scene and Ninja turtles were impressive.

We rounded out Christmas Eve with church at Grandpa Bill and Grandma Pat’s church and then home to open Christmas jammies. They put out milk and cookies for Santa, along with carrots and special food for their reindeer.

We went home to Liberty Christmas afternoon and the next day went to Lebanon. We had another Christmas morning on the 27th and that evening went to Marshfield for the big Lewis Christmas party. Jack and Henry got to stay up for the white elephant exchange for the first time this year. They both had a blast playing with lots of aunts and uncles and cousins. Hungry Hippos was a hit with the little and big kids! The next day it was back home for us. We had one more week of vacation before Jack had to go back to school and preschool started again.

Jack's Lego Castle

Jack got a 996-piece Lego castle from Santa for Christmas. As soon as we got home from Lebanon after Christmas, he started building. It took him three days to put it together and he only needed help a few times. I am amazed by his concentration when it comes to Legos! The castle is really cool. Jack's favorite parts are the drawbridge (that raises and lowers) and the treasure box. There are even tiny little keys that open the castle doors.

Henry's Pajama Day

Today was pajama day at preschool! Henry was so excited to wear his Paw Patrol jammies from Grandma Pam and Grandpa Glen. He got to do fun activities at school too. A storyteller came and told a story about a bear, fish, berries and honey. They also had lots of fun math stations. They used marshmallows and toothpicks to build shapes and played fun games. Henry says he would like to have jammie day everyday.

Henry–4 Years Old

Today is Henry’s 4th birthday. Yesterday he was so tired out from his birthday party that he went to bed at 7 and didn’t get until 8:15 this morning. After he woke up, he came downstairs and opened his presents and then had his birthday pancakes.

After breakfast, Jack and I had to head to church so I could teach Sunday School, but Henry and Nathan stayed home so they could put together his awesome Batman lego set from Grandma Donna and Grandpa Dee. They met us at church and Henry got to sit in big church with us. He is not used to doing that but he did a pretty good job being quiet. Aside from coloring all over his pants (on purpose) and talking in a loud whisper a few times too many, he was perfectly behaved. After church, Aunt Regina, Grandma Pam, Grandpa Glen, Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Anthony and Luke came over for a birthday lunch and cake.

What to say about Henry at 4? He is just the sweetest little boy in the world. He is kind and funny. He is curious and smart, and is learning so many things so quickly. He’s a good brother and a good friend. I still think of him as my baby, but I am thankful he is growing up to be such a wonderful little boy. He has such kissable little cheeks and he’s still very cuddly. Really, I still think he is this little…

Here is his birthday video. I need to stop looking at his baby pictures before I start crying.

 

Henry at 4

First Snow Day

It snowed Wednesday night, enough for school to be cancelled on Thursday. It wasn’t all that cold and the snow was great for sledding and building snowmen. We finally got to use our snowman decorating kit from Aunt Christy and Uncle Kevin!

Henry’s Paw Patrol Birthday Party

This morning we had Henry’s birthday party here at our house. Six of his friends from preschool came, along with our neighbors and a little friend from church. (The only girls allowed were Taylor and Cameryn, our neighbors, because according to Henry they are his favorite girls in the world.) It was a great party, but Nathan and I were too busy running the games and activities we didn’t have a chance to take nearly enough pictures.

As the guests arrived, they all colored a Paw Patrol Christmas coloring page. Then they each got their own stuffed white puppy and they used fabric markers to decorate them. Next came the funniest game – they had to get down on all fours like a puppy and try to eat a donut off of a string with only their mouth. After that we played Pin the Nose on Marshall and did a puppy obstacle course. And to finish off the games we played Pass the Parcel. I wrapped a present in 13 layers of wrapping paper and they passed it around the circle. When the music stopped, they kid holding the present got to unwrap one layer. After cake Henry opened presents. His little friends were so generous and he got all kinds of fun new toys.

We had such a fun time celebrating Henry and hanging out with his friends.  He really had fun and is looking forward to his family party tomorrow… when he’ll finally and officially be four years old!

 

Henry's Christmas Program

Henry's Christmas program was this morning and it was so sweet. He was a donkey. Next year he graduates to being a shepherd. The kids worked really hard learning lots of songs. After the program they had a fun Christmas party. Now he gets a nice, long Christmas break!

Say It Ain't So

Henry's 4th birthday is this Sunday -- can someone make time slow down? We kicked off his birthday festivities at preschool on Monday. He brought cupcakes and juice boxes and got a special crown from Ms. Marti. Now we're looking forward to his first friend party on Saturday and his family party on Sunday. Think of us Saturday morning at 10 -- we will have 7 four year olds and 1 three year old at our house!


We made our annual gingerbread house on Saturday. It is quite beautiful.


And this little guy is loving Cub Scouts. He had an awesome Christmas party last Friday. Next up is the Pinewood Derby.

EPiC is Awesome!

Jack's new school is so great. He loves (a lot) his teachers, especially Mrs. Compton. The difference between his kindergarten year and this year is huge. That's saying a lot, considering his teacher last year was really great. We're so proud of him because last week he received the character award for his class. He got a certificate, poster and a t-shirt. Yay Jack! It is awesome to watch you growing up and becoming such a wonderful little boy.

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Today is Nathan's birthday! Happy Birthday to the best husband and daddy in the world.