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.

Up a tree!

Wendy has learned how to climb our Christmas tree. Thank goodness she is so small that nothing really moves when she gets in. I've had to haul her out several times. One time she stepped on a light and screamed...we thought maybe she would stay out of the tree from then on, but no such luck.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve we usually spend down at Nana and Abuelo's but they headed north to Pennsylvania this year to spend Christmas with Grandma Grandma so we were on our own. Jeff had to work all day so when he got home we went to the movies to see National Treasure...the kids had been begging to see it. It was very good although Jeff kept whispering facts about Lincoln in my ear during the beginning of the movie! :-) When we got home we put cookies and coke out for Santa (We heard he likes it better!) and then went outside to put food out for the reindeer...another family tradition.

Christmas morning the kids woke us up about 8am. They were surprised to see that Santa brought them all new bikes and helmets. They were also happy that they received Wild Adventure Park passes from us. Jeff and the kids surprised me with a Cricut. Jeannine had introduced me to it when we were in PA for Thanksgiving and it had intrigued me. Guess I will have to get busy scrapbooking again. We had a wonderful and relaxing morning opening presents with the kids.

We enjoyed lunch at the Grandma and Papa's house and then we opened presents with everyone there. The kids all had fun playing together with all of their new toys.

Keel Family Tradition

For many years we have been going to see Santa with the whole Keel family. We usually meet at Governor Square Mall and each family gets their picture taken with Santa and then all together. When we are done we all go out to eat. I love this tradition...

and I know that the kids will love looking back and seeing themselves grow bigger each year with Santa.

Christmas card photo shoot

This morning we went to Shell Point with kids, cat and dog in tow and finally took our Christmas card pictures. The kids and Tink had lots of fun playing in the water. Tink got disgustingly wet and dirty! Hope you enjoy.