Christmas Kick-off

We continued two great family traditions: putting up the tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the Children's Holiday party at my work the following weekend. It is a wonderful and festive way of kicking off the holiday season.

 

 

Looking for the perfect spot

 

 

 

 

 

Finished product...Including three new "block" ornaments made by J & j

Holiday Party - My work has an annual holiday party for children of its employees. There are games, crafts, snacks, and SANTA (the picture is taken by a photographer and will be posted soon).

This was the first time Daddy was able to go with us. The kids and I enjoyed sharing this with him. We were missing Grandpa John as he usually stood in for Daddy. But we know he was "with" us for the fun.

Snack break

 

This boy loves to color

Making reindeer food (i.e. oats and glitter)

Craft time!!

OWLS!!!

Lil' Miss Fix-It

Jenna insists that girls get to play with "big boy" toys too. She wasn't shy about helping Daddy tear apart an old motor. Daddy is very patient to help her learn. It helps that she has the knack.

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

The frigid weather couldn't keep these two goblins in for trick-or-treat.

This year, Jacob was Bumblebee from Transformers. Jenna was a ladybug (homemade and I am pretty proud of it).

But we definitely were not out long. As we came back in the house, poor Jenna looked at me and said "Momma, I can't bend my hands!"

It actually worked out because we ended up with a reasonable amount of candy.




Jenna had just as much fun handing out candy when we got home. She loved looking at the costumes and was only scared of a few.

Milwaukee Vacation

In mid-October, we took the family to Milwaukee to celebrate my sister's wedding. Since we were making the long trip, we decided to stay a couple extra days to enjoy more time with family and to see some sights. If you ask the kids, their favorite part was probably the hotel pool. It wasn't very big and one end was shallow enough for Jenna to touch, but they insisted we visit at least once a day.

Other than time at the hotel and the wedding festivities, we also spent an entire day at the Milwaukee County Zoo and arranged for a play date with some new friends.

It was a short-lived break from reality that was much needed by all.

Rehearsal Dinner

Uncle Dave is a great influence

 

 

 

 

Not many photos from the wedding itself...I left that up to the professional. Here are just a few I snapped:

Milwaukee County Zoo

 

 

 

Do you know why jellyfish are kept in a round tank?...

Because they don't have a brain and can get caught in the corner of a square tank and die...Now you know.

Aunt Megan calls this "How to lose your kid at the zoo"

Hitchin' a ride

Another hitch-hiker

Jacob insisted on doing the sky ride

That smile was stuck for a while

 

Jacob's favorite...Penguins!

At the hotel

At the Lake

It was rainy and cold but we didn't get a picture on Saturday with the Lake so we decided to try.
Jenna was in disagreement.