So, About This Santa Guy....

Even though little Nevie didn't quite "get" Christmas yet, she could definitely feel the excitement in the air.  She happily traveled north to PA, got dressed in her finest wares (actually Katie's old ones from five Christmases earlier), and waited with glee on Christmas Eve night.  She could sense that her older siblings were jubilant with anticipation, so she responded with an especially jolly Neve mood (thank God).  So...it was almost time for the big man to arrive....more tomorrow!

Merry Christmas!!!

Just a quick post to demonstrate that we did indeed survive the holidays (barely).  With Christmas travel, clean-up, and preparations for Katie's birthday, these weeks are always the busiest of our year.  We promise to get back on the schnide and post more regularly.  But, until then, we hope you all had the merriest of holiday seasons!!!

What's a Christmas Party without a Drug-Sniffing Dog?

Today marked our third annual trek way, way out to Daddy's work for their Office Christmas Party.  The office really outdoes itself for the kids, providing all kinds of food, decorations, crafts, and a visit from Santa himself.  Sure, that sounds all sweet and traditional, right?  But, take a look closer:  you'll find a tree decorated with forensics materials (see photo), a drug-sniffing dog displaying his skills, and some bomb squad materials for the kids to play with.  'Tis the season for explosives and drug addiction, right?  Mommy just laughs and shakes her head...

Low-Rent Theater

PRESENTING......our middle-of-the-afternoon presentation of "The Nutcracker," starring Katie as brave Clara and Michael as the valiant Nutcracker.  Never mind that the plot suddenly takes a strange turn toward fire-fighting.  And, never mind that my Nutcracker Pandora station failed to play a single Nutcracker selection through the whole performance.  And, never mind that Clara suddenly decides to do splits and cartwheels for the heck of it.  You get what you pay for in this house!  Enjoy our new-found obsession with the Nutcracker....

Visions of Sugar Plums

Check out these three little nuts at the Nutcracker!  Katie and I, along with our pals Kim, Patrick (7), and Colleen (4), all attended a local performance of the Christmas classic this afternoon.  We weren't sure how three kids with short attention spans would do, but they all LOVED it!  (Well, Colleen actually fell asleep for most of the second act, but we'll cut her some slack.)  The show had their rapt attention, and Katie stayed up way too late studying her entire playbill afterwards.  We had a fantastic Mexican dinner post-show, and Katie happily chatted the whole hour-long car ride home, so I would consider the day a major success!  She has already asked if we can go next year.  That would definitely be a YES!

They Know Us Too Well....

If you've been following this blog from the beginning, you would know that one of Katie's oldest friends (essentially from his birth) is a boy named Connor.  His mommy and daddy are good pals with us and his little sister Maddie has entered the fold as a great little pal as well.  A few years ago they moved back to Milwaukee (sniff), but they are spending an 18-month stint back in our area because of work.  We haven't seen enough of them due to school and work schedules, but we had a fantastic play date tonight.  Before we go on about the kids, can we just show you the gifts they brought over for our kids?  Miniature Katie, Michael, and Neve for the tree!!!  How awesome is that?

Anyway, the kids ran all over the house playing with everything as the parents chatted away.  We all sat down for a huge meal, and then we brought out the piece de resistance:  Connor and Maddie's gingerbread house (aka dessert).  We set up the kids picnic-style on the living room floor, turned on some Christmas specials, and let them wreak havoc with the candy house.  We're not even sure if a crumb was left when they were done with it.  (No wonder everybody went to bed with a belly-ache.)  It was all worth it to spend time with a family who knows us too well...and spoils us too well.  Thanks, guys!

On My Honor...

Apologies for the quality of picture above, but we wanted to capture Katie's big day for posterity!  This evening, Katie was officially welcomed into the Daisy Scouts, taking her official pledge and receiving all of her earned pins and badges in front of the parents.  Since Daisy Scouts has been strictly a drop-off experience this year, it was nice to meet her new buddies and to find out more about what she has been doing every Thursday evening.  What we find amusing about his picture:  apparently Katie doesn't know her right from her left...  Anyway, we are proud of our little Daisy and look forward to her new adventures in the spring.  Now, off to get those new patches sealed on.....