Friday, January 1, 2016

Christmas Festivities

We had a fun couple weeks leading up to Christmas...
 Craig and I went to an ugly sweater party and he shaved his beard into this awful moustache just to be funny!  It was pretty creepy! ;)  But we had a fun time at the party!
 Maxy's preschool Christmas program... can't believe this was our 5th and last preschool program.  We loved watching him and he was so sweet up on stage!

 Mrs. Murdock... Maxy's Pre-K teacher and Cole had her for 2 years of preschool as well!

 GG came to the program.  She and Poppy had to split up because Grayson's program was the same night.

 I made these Grinchy snacks for both of the boys' holiday parties at school
 Poppy came to stay with Max so I could go to Cole's party
 Cole's first grade classroom... making ornaments
 His first grade teacher at Leawood Elementary, Miss Nelson :)
 We've had lots of playdates over winter break.  This is Cole's new friend, Evan

 We went with some of our buddies to Crown Center to see Charlie Brown and had such a great day!  The boys and I ventured over to Union Station afterward too...

 They love the skywalk between Crown Center and Union Station

 Beautiful weather before Christmas...
 Trolley party Erica and some friends hosted, so fun!
 Making Grandma Evelyn's Christmas cookies... the tradition continues
Maxy made this cookie special for Poppy because he knows how he loves red hots :)

Monday, December 14, 2015

Cole's first piano recital


Cole's First Piano Recital

Last night was Cole's very first piano recital.  I think I was just as nervous as he was.  I could tell he was nervous, but he handled himself so well with such maturity and calmness.  I absolutely love listening to him play the piano and watching his love for music grow.  It is one of my favorite events of his I've had a chance to witness so far.  I hope he continues to love music and playing the piano. 
 
 These are all of Cole's piano teacher's students.  We really like his teacher, Donovan.  He has been a great influence and mentor.


A Mild December

We've been spending a lot of time outside as it's been a very mild December.  Our neighbor down the street has a "Little Free Library" where you can bring a book and take a book.  So sweet.  Love!
 Speaking of sweet, the boys often end up in the same bunk even though they have their own beds.  They have been doing so well sharing a room thus far!  But I'm sure that won't last forever.  We have 2 spare rooms, luckily.

 Our partially painted house with primer up in great room... Craig has been working so hard.  We also had ceilings painted and our master and dining room.  Once I have light fixtures up, I'll put some before and after pics on the blog.  It's coming along!
 Christmas tree with boys' homemade ornaments, which are my favorite!


 Playing chess with Grandpa over Thanksgiving break
 Max is up to 237 "bead things" that he has made!
 A stop at "peek a boo" santa house
 Boys have been having so much fun with this Lego Starwars advent calendar
 Luminary walk the weekend after Thanksgiving.  We took Cole's new school friend, Holden.  It was a fun evening but very, very crowded at the Arboretum this year!


 Took forever to get through the woods, luckily there was an apple cider station for refueling. :)
 Maxy was tired and wanted to be carried the whole time.
 A visit to Santa of course.  Cole is hoping for an xbox, but Mommy and Daddy think he is too young.  We told Cole that Santa will know.  Max is hoping for Minecraft legos and a bunch of little random things.
 Maxy helping Daddy paint.
 Beautiful sunset

 One of Cole's "personal narratives"... love this!

 An afternoon jeep ride on a beautiful day with 2 great buddies

 At the dentist, no cavities, yea!
 Cole made this picture for Stampy, a guy who does Minecraft videos.


 And then Max had to make one too of course. :)
 Annual gingerbread house