Isabella's Art

Isabella's art teacher called me the day before the students went back to school from Christmas break. Her teacher called to share with us that one of Isabella's pieces of art had been picked to represent her elementary school in a school-aged art show. Her teacher ranted and raved about how creative Isabella is, how he has enjoyed having Isabella in class and how each of her art works have been creative. It was really cool to hear, especially since Brett and I are both such left-brained people ;-)

After church this past Sunday we went to one of the local shopping malls where Isabella's art work is on display with other art from school-aged kids. Isabella was picked as one of 12 students (out of 670) from her elementary school. I realize that I'm bragging, but that is part of my job as her mom! We are both really proud of her and her creativity.

Christmas in January

Orion giving his Grandma a box that he decorated himself. I helped him fill the box with chocolates. Orion is wearing his new super hero cape that Grandma made him for Christmas.
Sabrina sitting in between her Grandma and Grandpa. She thought she was the queen sitting there. Sabrina is holding her new baby doll and crawls and cries.

Isabella was very excited to get new make-up. She has had on blue eye-shadow every day since.

Hunter proudly wearing his new super hero cape that his Grandma made him for Christmas.

Creativeness

Orion was proud of the multi-colored mustache he made for the playdough guy. He insisted on saving it to show Brett when he got home from work.
The pictures is hard to see, but Isabella and her friend made an eloborate pictures out of Wiki sticks on her door.

Even though Brett and I are both mathematically minded, our kids appear to have some creative genes.

Wordless Sunday ;-)

Cousins

My kids are really lucky; they have 11 cousins and they love spending time with them.

Isabella, Kelsey and Maelynn dancing with the Wii game, Just Dance.
Brad (one of Brett's brothers), Jake (Brett's sister's son), Nancy (Brett's sister), Brett, Sabrina and Hunter - hanging out on New Year's Eve.

More cousins dancing to the Wii - Orion, Isabella, Maelynn and Sam

Steven flying Sabrina on his legs like she's an airplane. She could not get enough of this.

Presents

Christmas this year was a little different for us. We flew to Indiana on Christmas Day. Most of the shopping that Brett and I did, we did online and had things shipped directly to Indiana. My mother-in-law wrapped EVERYTHING for us. (I could kiss her feet.) And then . . . we didn't actually open our gifts amongst our immediate family until Decmeber 27th after dinner. I think we did a decent job of getting the kids meaningful, fun gifts and not an overwhelming amount of them. We did not have the opportunity for the kids to shop for their siblings like years past, but there's always next year. Here are a few highlights of gifts:

I found a chapter book series for Isabella who has recently started reading like gangbusters. The series is Ivy & Bean and is about two younger girls who become friends - even though they don't want to. Isabella devoured these books.
The kids received a Wii which is hands-down Orion's favorite present. We are ALL enjoying it.

Hunter with his new golf clubs. I have mixed feelings about this present. I picked it out and the kids love golf clubs, but they also provide so many opportunities to agitate or injure a sibling.

We got Sabrina a Touch LeapPad. I actually got this books, cartridges and all for free through Freecycle. Pretty good deal and Sabrina really enjoys it.

One of Isabella's art drawings (a self-portrait) was put onto a mousepad for Brett to take to work. Isabella is quite proud of her artwork - more about in another post.

Puppies!

My sister-in-law has a dachshund named Lillie. She is very cute and reminds Brett of his childhood dachshund named Lucky. The kids love playing with Lillie, but during our visit to Indiana over Christmas the kids were even more overjoyed. Lillie had with her four puppies; the puppies were about four weeks old. They were SO cute and cuddly that I might have considered bringing one home.

Isabella, Sabrina and Kelsey (their cousin) with two of the puppies.
Kelsey holding Sabrina while Sabrina held a puppy.

Orion and Ashley (their cousin) holding a puppy.

Sabrina and I cuddling with a napping puppy.

Christmas Morning

Orion wishing his grandparents a Merry Christmas while we waited to board our airplane.
Hunter was excited about the Hungry Hippos game he got in his stocking from Santa.

Isabella brought all FOUR of her new coloring books she received from her aunt & uncle for Christmas.

Santa was smart and brought Sabrina Color Wonder markers for the airplane.

The kids dig into the presents that Santa left for them at Grandma and Papaw's house in Indiana.

Isabella received a my Little Pony.

Orion recevied a watch and a remote controled flyer, but he is playing with Hunter's disc shooters in this picture.

Hunter is crazy about his disc shooters. Grandma's house was covered with discs.

Sabrina received pretend kitchen appliances - toaster, blender, mixer and a coffee maker.

Christmas Eve

Isabella's note to Santa.

The stockings were hung . . .

Isabella and Sabrina in their Christmas dresses made by Grandma Linda.

Special Moments

These rare moments make me really happy. One morning before Christmas the kids all sat and played a game TOGETHER. They played for probably 30 minutes. It was really cool to watch and listen to them.