Day 24

Christmas Eve was much different this year.  Karter spent a good portion of the day at the doctor due to an ear infection and asthma issues.  The doctor's office made all "sick" kids wear masking to help prevent the spread of germs.  Karter thought this was hilarious!

Shane had to work all day and we didn't even get to church. 

Gaven writing his part of the note to Santa.  Notice the finger placement for spacing.  That is for sure the influence of his first grade teacher. 

Gaven and Cael all snuggled in tight.

 

 

Karter all knocked out from the day. 

 

cookies and milk, note, an ornament and the TV remote (Cael thought he might like to watch some TV while eating)

 

 

 

Stockings were hung.

 

 

Presents all ready to be ripped into!

Day 23

Wrestle Mania

 

 

Pre-match pep talk

Score 9-0

Victory Walk

 

 

Gaven went 6-0 at his first wrestling tournament

 

 

 

Day 22

 

Last night we had a late night visit from Squidy Claus and Mrs. Ashley.  Of course, they came bearing gifts for the boys. 

 

Cael and Gav each got a gift card. Kart-man got a nerf gun! A high powered one, I do believe.

 

After breakfast at Michael's, we headed to the mall so Cael could buy new video games with his gift cards.  Another shooting activity!

 

Tonight we had dinner at the Elks with the newest babies on the Bichsel side of the family.

Our cousin Jacelyn traveled in from Florida, for some pre-holiday fun.  Maggie ventured out with baby Addy as well. 

Jacelyn holding Addy, Mimi holding Joseph

 

 

Maggie holding baby Joseph, Karter watching closely.

 

 

 

Day 21

 

Annual cookie exchange with my girlfriends and all of our kids.

 

 

 

This is only about 3/4 of all the kids.  What a great looking bunch!

 

 

 

 Cookie decorating is always a big hit at the cookie exchange.

 

 

 

 

 

So is jumping on the furniture for these two little monkeys!

 

 

 

After the cookie exchange, the Hanner kids came over to play and decided to have a dance party.

 

 

I laughed soooo hard watching these kiddos dance!

 

Caroline was the DJ most of the time. 

Day 20

First day of Christmas Break.  Ms. Deana asked if the boys could come over and play with Tyson.  This was like a little reunion for the boys.  They discussed how they wished they were still younger, so they didn't have to go to school every day.

 

Ms. Deana let the boys make kool-aid ice cubes/slushies!

 

Karter is really into independent reading (or retelling from memory)

 

 

 

Day 19

Busy day at the school.  Boys had a Christmas song, sing-a-long.  It was cute to see them, singing in front of their school and classmates. 

 

 

Holiday parties are always a fun time (if you didn't lose the craft for the party)

 

 

Day18

Jen has been in town a lot lately, so we've been able to catch up.  This morning Karter wanted to join in on our coffee and conversations.

 

 

 

Jen entertained Karter while I got read for work. 

 It's tough being 3!!

 

 

Random Karter & Mommy shot

 .

 

 

Special thanks to Jen for putting up with my pouting, grouchy butt on Tuesday night.  It's humorous now, but it was not when we were at WalMart at midnight buying crafts.  See below.....these cute little snowmen were ordered special for all three 2nd grade classes to construct at their holiday parties on Wednesday.  Well, Karter's birthday part on Monday brough a whole lot of extra trash.  Somehow, in the mix, the box of crafts got misplaced.  So Jen and I went shopping to buy new crafts for the 2nd graders.  Wednesday morning, after Shane searched a dumpster, I found the box of crafts....in our firepit on the back patio.  Still don't know how they got there and probably never will, but the kids got their ornaments.

 

 

 

 

Day 17

Happy Birthday Little Man!!

 

He sat still thru the whole Happy Birthday song.

 

Cael helping Karter open his first bow and arrow of the day.

Karter and Brody are loving bow and arrows.

Karter wanted a 4 wheeler on his cake.  He loved the splashes of mud on the tires.

 

 

Cael and Grandma Penny getting some quality time during the party!

 

 

Day 16

Gaven had another wrestling match today.  Today was a tough one to swallow.  He was paired with a strong, little guy that had 3 years of experience.  Tears are so awful when you know it's their heart that hurts.  Gaven gave it his all and tried his best.  Super proud of him for that.

Started with Christmas cookies while older boys watched a movie with grandma. 

 

Thanks Lex for the motivation to get me movin!

Boys watched their personalized videos from Santa tonight.  Cael's comment, "I'm tingling with excitement".  Love this 'magical' time of year for kids.