Visit to Santa

Two Peas in A Pod

We took our annual trip to see Santa at Bass Pro last night. The kids were excited. I just knew this would be the year when Jack would sit on Santa's lap. For more on that, please see below.

I love the activities at Bass Pro. Besides seeing Santa, kids can pretend to shoot animals (okay, so it's a little barbaric), play with remote control cars and watch a train.

Liam is cool with pink.

Davey, Davey Jack Crockett.

"Tell me again how I work this thing?"

Jack informed me a couple of times that the train was making the light in the tunnel. He thought that was so cool!

Time for a little bow and arrow action.

Even I got to have some fun.

This is what Liam really wants from Santa this year!

Doesn't he look cool?

And here we go...

No tears. I guess Liam didn't want Santa to see him.

Maggie is totally NOT cool with Santa.

 Matthew doesn't care.

Jack wants me to relay his wish list to Santa.

Dirty Job

We took a tour of the city's Waste Water Treatment Plant today. I gotta admit - I had a lot of fun out there. I walked all over the plant with the gentleman in the black leather jacket. Took a ride on top of the sludge. Joked about how corn really is not digestible. And wished for hot chocolate as we walked over the murky water. I also enjoyed wearing the purple hard hat. I love my job!!

Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving weekend was a nice time to relax and enjoy extra time with our children. We spent Thanksgiving with my family. Grandma made a feast of Whoo-ville proportions. :)

Mike is growing out his stache for Movember. Make it stop.

Me and my girl.

Mr. Cuteness!

The Cool Kids.

My three brothers.

My brother Steven tries to bond with Miss Maggie who normally only has eyes for grandma.

I think he has a future on Broadway.

Steven decorated mom and dad's house by himself - nice job!

Matthew has recently discovered his reflection in the back door.

If Looks Could Kill

...you'd be dead already.

Mike's Wish List

Every year, my siblings and I and our spouses come up with Christmas wish lists. The kids pick a name from the hat and buy something for that person and my parents give us a gift or two (or three if we're really lucky) from the list. Mike finally sent out his wish list this year and guess what was included on it? Yep, at the very bottom of the list was this adorable Tinky Winky outfit. Don't you think he'd look so cute in it? Too bad I already bought his gift last week or I'd be really tempted to buy it.

Not Ready for This!

 Big Boy is pulling up on everything - where did the time go?

Rocket Men

These boys are ready to fly in their rockets. Anyone got more than 500,000 gallons of super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen? Pls text me.

Spidey Girl

Who says only boys can have Spidey fun? Not this girl. She's our little super hero.

Poor Giraffe

I don't think that giraffe is going to make it much longer. Where have all the good camels gone?

Wedding Fun

 My cousin Kim and her beloved were married last Saturday. I got a little misty here.

 My brother Doug was the cantor. His acapella of Ave Maria was beautiful. Poor guy suffered from a migraine that morning. I'm pretty sure I would not have sounded that good if I was coping with a major headache.

This picture does not do justice to the beautiful decoration. It was a gorgeous intimate setting modeled by my niece.

 

 

The groom's cake. Apparently, he likes to fish.

 The bride and groom arrived by her father's golf kart. Of course, it was just a hop and skip from the church.

What a gentleman!

The Mr. and Mrs.

Goofing off with Grandpa and a cracker.

Maggie looked so cool - my brother thought he ought to do it too.

Picture of mom's siblings and their spouses. Thankfully, my aunt was there to organize everyone.

This is what I get when I asked them to be goofy. Only mom played along - love that woman.

Mom and dad

 Me and my smallest monkeys.

Mom wrestling with Matthew - that boy has the strength of a bear.

 

Jack had no trouble finding a new friend. When asked the name of his friend, well, he didn't know.

Me and my cousin Kim.

"You can't catch me!" The boy is too fast.

Mike and Matthew. Mike is growing out his facial hair for Movember - how many more days are left to this month?

Kim and her husband's initials - awe...

My nephew with his sparkling cider decided to photobomb this lovely photo of my niece.