Gingerbread Choo Choos

Before Christmas, we had a play date with the lovely Addison Rose. Melissa and I decided it would be fun to make gingerbread houses with the kids. Due to a sweet donation from my Aunt Sarah, we made gingerbread choo choos instead!

Addison "helped" the whole time. Brian mostly played with his toy trains in the front room, but popped in occasionally. We also were lucky to have help from the very creative Auntie Whitney!

Reading the directions. Such a good little supervisor...

Very excited about the candy decorations...

Both kids did their fair share of sampling. We actually told Shawn that we used their spit to attach the candy decorations. He refused to eat any of the choo choo.

Finished products...

Opening presents!

A special gift! The recordable "Frosty" from Hallmark from Auntie Whit!

We're Still Here

Just a quick post to let you know we're still here. I have lots of pictures to post from Christmas, and even before, but we have been super busy! Tomorrow we are heading to Louisville for our last day off before we go back to work. Yay for the Louisville trip, but UGH on the back to work part!

This is a fun picture of Brian in his favorite hat. Shawn looked back and said, "Oh my God, you have to take a picture of that."


Our little thug, flashing his gang signs.

Happy New Year!

The Most Christ Like Monkey

Tonight at Mass, Father Jeff asked three questions:

1. Who among you decided to attend the 4:30 Mass to avoid the snow?

Lots of chuckles...

2. Who prayed for a White Christmas?

More chuckles...

Before question # 3, the children of the parish did a skit about how God got really frustrated with his people because they weren't being Christ like. He sent lots of messages (rainbows, stone tablets, etc.) and eventually had to come down here himself in the form of a baby.

After the skit, Father asked the final question:

3. Children in attendance tonight, which of you think you have been Christ like? Who has been good this year?

More chuckles from the parents, followed by groans from their children.

But not my child. My child piped up at the top of his lungs:

"Ooo-oo, ahh-ahh" (an excellent imitation of Curious himself).

My child. The most Christ like monkey at St. Patrick Church.

Awesome.

Christmas Wish

Dear Santa,

Here is what I want for Christmas. I would like for Brian to start talking in full sentences all the time. I would like to be able to understand every word he says. Then I could stop worrying about his hearing loss affecting his speech. I don't care if he talks all day and all night and drives me crazy. It would be better than the worrying.

I promise to leave cookies for you and celery for the reindeer.

Thanks,
Maria

Cape

We made it to Cape and back. Whew, what a long trip! It supposedly takes 6 hours, but with Brian it's more like 8. Ugh.

Archie was surprised, and we got to spend lots of time visiting the fam. Brian was excited to open his presents from Aunt Beth. He also very much enjoyed Andrew's company and his toy trains!

We're both worn out and recovering today. It's really cold,but eventually we are going to have to venture out to Kroger and maybe work for a few minutes. Brrr!!

Playing chase and tickle monster with Andrew...

Opening presents with Aunt Beth...

Bad Omens

We are leaving on a 6ish hour trip this morning to visit my Grandmother. Here are the bad things that have happened this morning before 10a.m. Note: We haven't even left yet.

1. We woke up to a power outage.

2. Brian could not watch T.V.

3. The van (vehicle we are taking on the trip) would not start.

4. My parents' roof if leaking.

5. Jon stubbed his toe getting in the shower.

6. Teri lost her keys at Kohls and had to go get them.

7. Pappy backed into the neighbor's mailbox.

Pray for us.

Festival of Lights

Last Thursday was the Keeper's Circle event at the zoo. We braved the cold and went mostly because we knew the actual member's event would be inside (with free hot cocoa)!

The event was really cute. They had all kind of animals for the kids to pet and wear...

Brian wouldn't have any part of this and was NOT happy that Shawn chose to. He kept saying, "No 'nake Dada, no."

The had lots of food and a few age appropriate crafts that Brian enjoyed. He got to make an elephant Christmas card for Nana (with a real picture of Sabu the elephant) and a peanut/seed feeder for the birds in the bird show!

The lights were really pretty too, although we didn't stay outside too long. Brrr! Brian really enjoyed them and spent most of the time running around the zoo...same as last year.