The kinect is always a fun time. The highlight this year for the kids was kinect sports 2. Skiing was a good time! It was also great that Papaw was able to do some racing with us this time, it was able to recognize him in his wheelchair. He also threw down on darts. I was the weak link on darts, everyone else kicked me to the curb! I couldn't win for nothing, and thank goodness that is what we were paying for. I might have had bragging rights in boxing, but not in darts! Fun is all I could get!
We were going to tell Keelan this is a baby picture of him. Unfortunately when Keelan was little they had a fire and lost a lot of keepsakes and baby pictures! We told Roni we wouldn't put Bryson on this blanket, but then when we thought he could be a double for Keelan we let her do it. Get a good look now because we won't be having andy Go Big Red items in our house even though we live in Go Big Red country!
Grandma Debbie found these cute blankets for the kids. They are a huge hit. Ellery is a lady bug while Mason is a dragon. Not pictured is Bryson the monkey, but he is pictured in his adorable sock monkey hat. Grandma Debbie had the kids crawling around on the floor as their animals and they had a great time playing in them. They are super soft as well. The kids don't know it, but they will get matching pillows for their birthdays!
Everyone enjoyed opening presents. Ellery gave the classic, look it's a box response to some openings and was excited to get the box. They are spoiled with love from Papaw and Grandma Debbie, but it doesn't stop at just love. Christmas was a fun time for everyone!
We headed back to see my dad and took a detour through Topeka to see my grandparents. The kids enjoyed seeing them and they even have a squirrel that they rescued. The kids enjoyed seeing her, they think it is a her because she left for a few days and came back and seems to be growing fatter? Hmmmmm? They think she might have gotten herself pregnant when she was out and about! We went out for some pizza and were able to visit a bit. It was nice catching up and I am sure she enjoyed watching us trying to play catch a kid!
Ohh, how I love our zoo. We experience new things every time! The highlight this trip was while we were eating lunch. I was so fascinated or frightened that I didn't pull the camera out until the very end and almost didn't capture any of it! 
She isn't lacking for love, that is for sure. I am not sure if I understand her anymore? She could run from the kids, but I don't know if she is that desperate or just too exhausted. She is old, but she lets Ellery carry her around and pet her. I found DC in Ellery's room the other day cuddling with her. Bryson isn't so sweet, he pulls her hair and tail. I did hear Ellery telling Bryson the other day to be nice because she will bite you if you aren't. I think Ellery is talking from experience, every time I see her with DC, DC is surprising loving and nice. I think the claws or the teeth might come out when I am not around to monitor the "extra" love!
Mason isn't that fond of her, but when everyone else gives her attention he joins in as well!
We forgot to take a picture in front of the tree, but what can you do? 
Since I wasn't able to capture the best picture with Santa I went on a quest to get one. I am not sure this one is it, but I am more pleased. Poor Bryson has hated every Santa sitting!
We started a new tradition in our house this year. I had never heard of Elf on the Shelf until this year. I fell for it and bought one. I almost skipped it, it cost $30, I am lucky I didn't because they are sold out. I got a hot ticket item this year without even realizing it. The point is you buy the elf, read the book, and give your elf a name. We are original with our name: Shelfie the Elf. Basically, he has magical powers and he flies back to Santa every night and gives him a report on your behavior, he then flies back to your house and hides in a new place and you have to find him. If you touch him he could lose his magical powers so you can't play with him. He hid all over our house, but the favorite spot that the kids went nuts over was when he was in the car with us all day. I found him creepy, but they were thrilled. Next time I am going to ask Shelfie to hide in Rob's car. Those beady little eyes watched me drive all day long.
Manners? What Manners?
Oh, how we loved after school bowling and we fell in love with it more when we got a trophy at the end. I can't remember if I mentioned this program or not, but it is slick. Our bowling alley partnered with our school and picks the kids up on a bus, takes them to go bowl, and then brings them back to the school for pick up! Once I get all 3 kids in school and in the after school bowling program, I am planning happy hour for 8 weeks for Rob and me! 
I took the kids to our new grocery stores first cooking class. They requested the kids be 5 years old, but I asked if I could bring my 3 year old. I sensed some apprehensiveness from them, but I assured them she would be good and they would never know she was 3. Thank goodness she was her usual happy go lucky self. She was thrilled to be in class with Mason and Sam. This cooking class was what I expected a cooking class to be. Instead of having the kids stand in line and help stir, pour, turn on the mixer, etc they each got all the supplies at their spot in the table and followed the directions given. Happy kids and they loved making their food. They made chicken skewers, mini english muffin pizzas, and decorated a cookie. They then ate it all at the end of class. I didn't have to prepare a snack and we only needed a light dinner since they ate so much at cooking class!
We had such a great time on our trolley tour this summer that we all decided to do a neighborhood Christmas Light Tour. We decided to skip the ritzy ritzy neighborhoods and go for the classic Griswald houses. Actually some of the houses we saw put the Griswald house to shame. They synch up their lights to music or you could tune into radio stations for music! Spectacular. I never took a picture of the lights we were able to see, but let me just say some were soooooo amazing that I am thankful the bright shining lights aren't outside my bedroom window! Although if I had to give directions to my house it would be easy to find!
Regardless of the terrible photo, the kids had a great time at all of the activities! They had face painting, which is always a favorite in our house, tattoos, crafts, stories with Mrs. Clause, balloon artist, magician, and the pancake man serving breakfast. The pancake man would throw up a pancake and catch it behind his back along with other tricks. Mason was very impressed with his skills. Tis the season to be jolly!!!
We went to Ellery's Christmas program at school today! She was a very cute performer! We were very proud parents. It was nice that Grandma Ellen could come to the event as well. Ellery really enjoyed showing her the school and classroom!
My favorite item is the present she made for us! It is the classic hand print on the ornament made into snowmen, but I adore it and will cherish it forever!
The fist page is Mason's ninja house and a bad ninja's house
We sav the dav=We saved the day
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