December catch-up

December was a very busy month for us and here are some of the things that kept us occupied...

9th: Leon's PAWS (Performing Arts Winter Showcase)

Madie played clarinet with the concert band. She only played in 2 pieces and the concert was 2 1/2 hours long. It was very good and Leon has a lot of talented kids. Kelly fell asleep during the performance.

13th - 14th: Thunderbolt's tournament

Michaela's travel team played in a tournament in Madison and we almost froze to death!!! It was so cold that the girls were really having a hard time hitting the ball. Michaela spent a lot of time playing 1st base and did a good job. The Thunderbolts did pretty well and they started the 2nd day in 3rd place but lost our playoff game and were out.

16th: Christmas Cafe

Kelly's 2nd grade class worked on their manners and how to behave when eating out. They enjoyed salad, baked spaghetti, bread and dessert. Some of us parents came to help out and acted like their waiters. The kids all looked so cute dressed up. Kelly spent several hours the night before picking out just the right clothes to wear and getting them ready. He was so excited about this special day in class.

19th: Girl Scout Christmas outing

Our little troop went to paint pottery at a cute little shop on Lake Ella (can't remember the name of it right now!) and then went for dessert at The Melting Pot. We shared two different kinds of chocolate fondue and ate till we were sick!!! Believe it or not neither Robin or I brought a camera to document the event!

20th: Busy day!

Jeff and I went Christmas shopping and Madie babysat the Hobert kids all day. Later that evening we went to Michaela's Thunderbolt's travel team's Christmas party. The girls (and the rest of us too) had lots of fun visiting, eating, dancing, and exchanging their Secret Santa gifts.

21st: SANTA!!!

We took the kids shopping and to see Santa. Kelly was the only one who would sit on Santa's lap this year and tell him what he wanted. The girls said they were too old! Afterwards we took the kids around the mall so that they could buy presents for each other.

24th: Christmas eve we drove around and looked at all of the wonderful lights, including the ones at Dorothy B. Oven Park...once again no camera. I know, I'm slipping!

25th: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The kids were very patient and waited for Nana to drive in so that she could watch the kids open gifts (Abuelo was working). Of course then they had to eat some breakfast and take pictures in front of the tree so it was after 9am before we opened presents. Criminal!!! Madie got a Zune & Michaela and Kelly both got Nintendo DS's from Santa.

Later we went over to Grandma and Papa's for lunch (Nana came too) and then the kids opened presents there too.