Bug's Christmas Concert

I'm kicking myself for not remembering to grab the real camera for Bug's Christmas program this year. We weren't in a good position to see Bug, but that's okay. At least I have these. She was adorable, as usual. Mt. Calvary Preschool had their program on a Wednesday at 11. It was short and sweet, about 15 minutes. The pastor came and told the Christmas story. And occasionally between scripture verses he would stop and they would sing an appropriate song for that part of the story. It was very sweet. They probably had 10 little songs to learn. Back in November Mrs. Kurecki sent a lyrics sheet home to practice. Not gonna lie, we only did it twice. There was one song that was supposed to be 4 verses. On a whim, Mrs. Kurecki decided to omit the 4th verse because they hadn't really rehearsed it, but Kiersten didn't get the memo and belted it out anyway. It was cute. So proud of my sassy little singer! After the program, Gigi took us all to Dairy Queen for lunch. It was well deserved. Performing is such hard work!

1st Grade Christmas Concert

Leah was so excited for her Christmas concert this year, and it made my heart happy. I worried that the transition to Mt. Zion schools might be difficult for her, but she is doing wonderful. Making friends and doing great.

She told me before the concert that she had a surprise. She didn't want Gigi and Daddy to know, but during the show, she was going to get to hug Santa Claus. I kept her secret, and of course she was adorable. Here are some pictures of her with two friends before the show. The top picture is of Emma Harmon. We know Emma from dance. Her family is moving to Bloomington over Christmas break and we are going to miss them so much. And the second picture is of Audrey Brent. I am good friends with Audrey's mom, so we were super excited that these two sweethearts were in the same class for their first year at McGaughey. Great job, ladies. It was a wonderful show!

Big Girl Haircuts

Well, two and a half years and I finally bit the bullet and had Hattie's hair cut. The rat tail in the back was just too much. At first she was totally nervous. She wasn't sure about it, but it didn't take her long to warm up. She was super excited about all the animals on the cape. And then Noelle made the chair go up and down...that was a big hit too. Now she aks all the time "haircut?". It's pretty cute.

Kiersten just got a trim to give her curls a little bounce. She will forever be my curly-Sue. But Leah...well, we got a real Big Girl haircut. We went with the elongated bob. Which means its shorter in the back and longer in the front. She loves it and she looks so grown up. And now I'm straightening her hair every morning before school. Thank goodness it's thin and doesn't take long. Someday their trips to the salon are going to cost me a fortune...I will enjoy these little trips while they last!

Santa Session 2014

Christmas Cards were mailed a few days ago, so it is safe to put these on the blog...Santa Session 2014! I look forward to these all year long. I think they are just beautiful. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME! I mark my calendar and set a reminder so I don't miss out...they sell out fast. Leah and Bug were super excited to see Santa this year. They had their list already to go. They even asked him what kind of cookies are his favorite...oatmeal chocolate chip, with mini M&M's, in case you were wondering!

Hattie on the other hand was still a little standoffish...however she didn't cry and climb off the couch to get away from him this year, so I call that progress. I think next year she will love him, and be just as excited as her big sisters!

Trimming the Tree

So for our first Christmas in our new house, we busted out a new tree and new ornaments. Actually the ornaments were old, the teal blue snowflakes were all used as decor for our December wedding 7 years ago. So it was so nice to finally have them on the tree. And the girls loved them. They thought it was a Frozen tree, and if I wasn't over that movie, I probably would have bought some Anna, Elsa and Olaf ornaments. But I was ready to "Let it Go" so we stuck with our tree just the way it was!

I had a hard time with the mantle this year. It got done eventually with a little help from Gigi, but next year it's getting done first. Our summer picture from Busch Stadium sticks out like a sore thumb in these photos. But regardless, trimming the tree was fun. Hattie is finally at an age where she was excited about it. In the days that followed she kept rearranging the ornaments. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of your children is the ultimate gift. It's a shame it only comes once a year. Can't wait for all the Christmas celebrations to begin!

Frozen Party

So I mentioned that we went to see Eric Church the other night...and while we were doing that, the girls were doing this! The YMCA was having a Frozen party...the girls had seen the signs for weeks and were dying to go. Fortunately, I had a babysitter that was happy to take them. Sometimes I think Morgan is still a big kid...er, or an early childhood major in college who just loves to do fun things with little ones!

Anyway, she took the girls and said they had a blast. When I got home there were glittery snowflakes to hang, and the next morning the girls wasted no time telling me all about how much fun they had. Morgan even sent me these pictures of the girls having a great time. We got to go to the concert, they got to meet Elsa...I call that a win, win!

Eric Church is My Homeboy!

This past weekend we went to see Eric Church in concert at the Peoria Civic Center with Jason and Tracy Habrock. We bought the tickets back at the end of April, the day after they went on sale and we were still in the top row...close to the stage, but top row. Matt and Cynthia along with Brandon and Ashley Combs were at the show too, and they were actually behind the stage. But every now and again Eric Church would wonder back there to show them a little love.

This was the first time that Mitch and I had gone to a concert together. He will argue that it's not, but I refuse to count Bret Michaels. He was playing on the lawn by the arch in St. Louis a few years ago, it was free and we were so far away from the stage it doesn't count. Plus we were just there waiting for the fireworks :)

Anyway, I was the designated driver, but still had a wonderful time. He is a fantastic entertainer and I love his songs...no wonder he has the album of the year! I will definitely go see him again, if the chance arrives.

Sunday Funday

Sunday was our last full day in Florida. We decided to stay at the house and take it easy...well as easily as you can with 7 kids in tow. Aunt Carol and Uncle Randy drove over from Sebring to see us, and we had such a nice visit. It was the first time they had seen Jackson and Natalie. I am so glad we were able to spend the day together. The kids spent most of the day in the pool. They just loved that we had a pool right out the back door, and I just loved that the pool was heated!

Later that afternoon Mitch and I went to Downtown Disney to do a little shopping. When we got home we finished laundry and packing up. Monday morning we headed back to the airport. We can't thank Gigi and Papa enough for the wonderful vacation and the memories that will last a lifetime. We are blessed!