Christmas 2010

"Happy Birfday to Jesus.  He be 10." 
This was one of Landon's favorite Christmas songs (that and "Jingle Bells.") and it just made me smile because with all the busyness of the season, a 2 year old reminded me what the season is all about.  Yes, he did actually make up the song.  That's one of his favorite things to do...make up songs about random things.  I wonder who he learned that from.... :)  With 4 Christmas parties in 4 days (and 1 a week earlier), we were definitely blessed by a lot of family time and a lot of gifts.  We had the Hahn Christmas on the 22nd.  We enjoyed beef stroganoff and watching the kids open their gifts.  Landon is really enjoying his Lightning McQueen Dominoes and Em is loving her padded Princess chair and nursery.  The kids had kind of a difficult time sharing the cool chair, so Uncle Nate bought Landon a Cars chair too so they each have one!


Landon as Santa's helper



Emmy loving her new chair



The kids performing their rendition of "Jingle Bells" (with Gma singing, them ringing the bells and shouting, "Hey!")

Then the next night, we had our annual Friend Christmas with the Frye's, Davis's, and Jenn.  We had some fun times playing in the snow, eating yummy pizza, decorating cookies for Santa, and playing card games.

John pulling "the kids" on the sled behind the 4-wheeler

Emmy smiling saying, "No" (which means snow) and Landon crying saying, "I wanna go in the house.  I chan't run fast."

The kids going for a "horsie ride" on a tired horsie!

Everybody helping to decorate, or eat, cookies.

Landon and Emmy's creation

 The next night was Christmas Eve and we had the Bergers and Clarks over for haystacks and more gifts to open!  The kids did a GREAT job with gifts this year.  I think Landon is starting to understand that he can leave his new toy to open another gift and his toy will still be there when he gets back.  Landon enjoyed his "big truck, semi trucks" that he got and Em really enjoyed her new baby.

New Christmas p.j.s

Aunt Tina and Uncle Steven gave the kids a book with their voices recorded to read each page

 Then the next morning, the kids woke up and Emerson immediately found the crumbs from the cookies that Santa left and started to eat them.  So we decided to open stockings at 7:30.  They loved pulling out the presents and Landon got his new car that he asked Santa for so he was pretty excited!  After stockings, we ate breakfast and opened our family's gifts.  Landon got a car ramp/garage and Emmy got a dog with puppies in the belly.

Christmas morning...opening their stockings from Santa

 After naps, we headed over to the Vantine Christmas at Todd and Cathy's house.  It was great catching up with everybody.  The kids did well with all of the excitement (except they had no interest in eating supper, so we had a few meltdowns before bedtime).

Our Family Christmas picture

The extended family (this picture was taken WAY TOO CLOSE to bedtime...as you can tell by Landon's "smile" :))

Landon and great Papa.  Everybody feels happier with a cup of milk! :)

 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.  And may 2011 bring you many more happy memories!

Landon's in his "big boy bed"!

One night and one nap in the process and Landon has taken to his new toddler bed like a champ.  He just lays there and talks himself to sleep (just like he did in his crib).  And he actually slept better last night then he had been in his crib (no waking up at 4 am for his "banetees"-blankets).  He is such a little rule follower that I didn't figure we'd have too much trouble with him! :)  I'm sure he'll figure out that he can get out when he wants to, but I'm also sure that after a few times of getting in trouble, he'll stay in his bed until he is told to get up! :)  We're so proud of our little-I mean BIG boy!

Landon and Emerson for one last time in his crib

Landon happy to be getting a big boy bed!

Landon helping Daddy put his new bed rails on

Landon trying out his new bed with his "new stuff" (a Lightning McQueen pillow and blanket)

A Star and A Star....in the Making! :)

On Sunday the kids at church put on the annual Christmas play and this year our kids got asked to participate.  They were all supposed to be non-traditional Christmas ornaments (note the dragon and giraffe below).  Emerson was a super star.  She LOVED being on stage with all of the other kids.  She stood there like a trooper and even followed the directions to sit down and get off the stage at the right time!  They had streamers to hold for one song and "baby Jesus" dolls to hold in another.  Everytime we asked her if she was ready to go back on stage, she smiled and said, "DO!"

Tyler and Emerson holding their streamers



Emerson watched the other kids and sat down when they all sat.

  Landon was another story.  He absolutely bawled when we tried to put him on stage.  He cried at the practice and we tried to get him all excited about going on stage on Sunday and he acted happy....until I put him on the stage! :)  He ended up sitting with Daddy and his Papa's, while I helped Em on and off the stage.  So I guess we'll try again next year with him.  I think once he starts going to Kids Club on Wednesday night, he'll get more used to all the kids and the noise, and maybe he'll like it! :)

Landon: It too LOUD!



New hair

Matt decided a few weeks ago that he wanted to try to cut his own hair to save money (and apparently many of his friends do it, so it must be cool! :))  So on Sunday afternoon, he cut his own hair (which looks really good).  But then we had a problem because Landon always goes with daddy to get his hair cut.  So we decided to be brave and cut Landon's hair at home.  It was funny because we said, "Landon, do you want to get a haircut?"  And he said, "I get sukder (sucker)."  He always gets one at the salon to keep him still.  But we had an even better plan and let him watch "cartnoons," which is actually Super Mario Bros. on the Wii.  He sit perfectly still and his hair turned out great (although a little short!)



Landon's new hair cut at home

  And Emmy of course wanted her hair cut as well so Matt had to pretend to cut her hair.  But the exciting news for her is that her hair has finally grown enough to put a bow in!

I also had to include these pictures (even though they don't follow the hair theme).  On Saturday, we went to a baby shower for my cousin, Erin, and her little girl Alaina.  Emerson absolutely LOVED the "bebe" as she called her.  I've never seen her love on somebody so much.  Thankfully Alaina didn't seem to mind! :)  She just wanted to hug and kiss her and everytime someone else wanted to hold her, Emerson had to go over and make sure she was alright.  It was precious!

Christmas (tree) Shopping DONE!

On Sunday, we made our annual trek to Wilfong's Tree Farm to pick out our tree.  The kids did a great job and it was probably the quickest we've ever found a tree.  It's a tad bit short, but pretty full and it's the 1st time ever the star fit perfectly the first time it was placed on top! :) 

We tried really hard to get Landon and Emerson to sit on Santa's lap to get a picture.  Every time we would get close Landon would yell, "NO, NO, NO!" and Emerson would start bawling hysterically.  I finally got Landon to go up to Santa when I told him he had to or he might not get anything in his stocking.  So he yelled from 3 feet back, "CHARS!" (cars)  I told him he had to get closer and we finally got a picture of him and Santa.  Emerson still bawled (but we didn't want to leave her out so her picture is included too! :) )

Both kids LOVE the tree.  Landon loves the lights and Emerson loves the ornaments (she smashed 3 when we were decorating). 

Happy Thanksgiving

"Gos is great, Gos is goot.  Let us than 'em for our food.  An our fends, and our famee.  Ahhhhmen."
This is Landon's version of our mealtime prayer...usually with some other people mentioned and things (like cheese, or big trees, or new trucks) at the end of the prayer.
God has given us sooo many blessings and that little boy is a big one!  Along with his adorable little sister too.  And of course, we can't forget the best daddy who loves them and takes care of them and plays with them like no one else can.
Another one of our many blessings is our family, near and far, who we get to see a lot of over the holidays.
Friends and making time to build and sustain relationships is important and something I try to appreciate every day.
And especially on days like today, I'm thankful for all things warm: a house, blanket, coat, and snuggies :)
I could keep going.  There are so many amazing things that God has blessed us with.  Most of all, I'm thankful to live in a country where God can be worshipped where ever you want.  He is the reason all of the above things and people even exist!

Trick or Treat!

This year we took both of the kids trick-or-treating at some relatives' homes. Landon mastered, "Trick-or-treat" very quickly and said it many times before anyone even came to the door. They did a great job in their costumes and very much appreciated their treats that they got. (Love everyone who thought to give them snacks instead of candy! :)).  Emmy loves the baby and necklaces that she got and Landon loves his brand new car and school bus. 

Walking right in to Gma's and Papa H's house

"What's in the bag?"

Looking at his new "ta-tahr" with Great Papa

Emmy showing Great Papa her "bebe"

Yeah...this is the best picture we got of both of them trick-or-treating! :)

Em loves to "love" her blankies and dollies by laying down on top of them and kicking her feet like crazy! :)

I think the kids had a great time on their "first" Halloween experience. (Last year we tried to go and our car broke down after 2 houses! )

Halloween Party 2010

Last weekend we hosted the annual Halloween Party.  This year the theme was scary/monsters and our guests did NOT disappoint!  We had a lot of scary make-up, masks, and food.  Then we played Halloween Jeopardy.

Mikel and Jessica

Jessica and John

Amos and Jess

Alicia and Matt in the coffin that he made

Melanie and Scott



Nate and Trent



Amos won for "Scariest Costume" and Melanie won for "Most Original Costume"



The exciting Final Jeopardy Question



We always enjoy hosting this party.  Half of the fun is decorating our basement and figuring out our costumes.  I do have 2 points of advice though if you want to be a vampire at your next Halloween party. 
1. Do NOT get the fangs with the putty attachment.  Neither Matt or I could get our teeth to stick in. :( 
2.  When wearing black nail polish, remove as soon as possible so it does not stain your nails for 3 days even after using 3 coats of polish remover! :)

Happy Halloween from our Little Doggie and Giraffe!

Messy Kids

Here are some recent pictures of our kids enoying some chocolate...and other things!

"I like chocit puddin' "



"I like Vasoline! :) "
(She didn't actually eat any, thankfully!)



"No, brownie batter is definitely better!"

 Landon also got a chance to ride in a combine as our church was harvesting the soybean crop for our Food Resource bank.  He loved the "chombine"!