Two by Two

Cousins enjoying the Ohio sunshine
-which is not to be confused with the much warmer Florida sunshine from which we've just returned - but we're not complaining. We'll take what we can get.

Lucky for us Chase thinks Max is a bonafide rock star and will do just about anything he suggests.

So far this baby-sitting gig is easy-peasy.
And I'm being paid in chic-fil-a nuggets tomorrow!
A whole tray, I think.
Nice.
AL

Pampered

This Christmas, Darren arranged a wonderful getaway for us! Today we are heading to Al & Jer's (they are graciously watching the kids overnight - THANKS so much!!!), then we are off to the Hilton at Polaris in Columbus. I have an hour long peppermint massage and then we have reservations at Ruth's Chris for dinner . . . YUM!! And the best part -- we get to sleep in!!! Should be so fun, I'm so excited!!!! Jen

Handmade Christmas

How talented/thoughtful/creative are my sisters?
SO VERY!
Thank you,
Alison

We're back home!!!

After a fantastic trip to Florida (pictures will be posted soon :) we have safely landed back in Indy. We left Mom & Dad's around 1:30 pm, our flight left after 5, and we arrived home a little after 9 pm. It was a LONG trip! Every flight was packed. Luckily Chase slept from Jax to Atlanta and Ryan slept from Atlanta to Indy. Both kids were fantastic!!!! I was so worried about Chase because he has not been pleasant to be around these past few days (he has in fact been more like the Tantrum King), and my worry escalated when a Mom, Dad, and SCREAMING toddler were escorted OFF our plane before leaving Jax. I did ask the attendant if you get kicked off if your child is crying too loud and she said, "No, they can cry as loud as they want . . . but he/she must wear the seatbelt. This little boy was screaming, kicking (his parents even - we've all been there) and he would not keep the belt on. He was a paid seat and way over 2 so could not sit on Mom's lap - so they had to get off." I felt so bad for the Mom and Dad and so grateful that for a change Chase demonstrated model behavior, chatting up the attendant and blowing kisses!!! We had such a great time this past week and a wonderful Christmas!!! Thanks to Mom & Dad for EVERYTHING and we were so excited to see everyone!!!!! We cannot believe all of the gifts and are so thankful!!! WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!!! Jen

Hustle and Bustle of Christmas

It's been a crazy week! I'm still taking a 3 week online college course, which is literally shaving years off my life! This was the last week of school for all of us, LOTS of teacher gifts to buy and wrap. We just mailed our Christmas cards out yesterday (thanks to Darren) so you might see those by New Year's. Before I sound TOO scroogy there have been some bright spots this week: Darren & I celebrated our 9th anniversary, a 2 hr school delay (my first one - I slept in on a Wednesday!), I mailed off all my pkgs to Florida - can't wait to get there, the kids in all of my classes were really great this week and just showered me with way too many gifts, Chase had a cute little program at school yesterday, and tonight is Darren's Christmas party (our first date since September). Here are a few photos I'd like to share! Jen

This is my favorite "teaacher gift". It's a hand-painted ornament, the snowman is holding a Reading book and above him it says "Language Arts" and beside him, my name. On the back the name of our school and the year - it was so personal and I just love it! Also, I think I'm going to hunt this lady down and have her make gifts for all of my kids' teachers next year!

Chase getting ready to sing "I'm a little Snowman" at his school party.

For Christmas, Ryan's cousins Maggie, Jack, and Annie gave her a Magic Science kit. We made a magician hat and a cool purple wand this week. There are lots more experiments to do so I'm sure you'll be seeing more of my little scientists.

Happy Anniversary, Jen and Darren!

Hope your day together is boogie-tastic!
Love,
Al

Back in Business - and with a little Swiss Miss

YAY! My camera came home safely to me yesterday (are you tired of hearing about this yet?) and I was SO happy that I tried to take a picture of myself kissing it. Seriously though, I did take a self portrait with Li - which I really never do.

As promised, we had lots of cocoa with friends yesterday. Lilah even has some in her sippy cup -- is that bad?



And I HAD to take this one of the contradicting mugs. It's one of those odd things that I find totally hilarious. And yes, I served that white mug to one of the kids, no questions asked. (If you can't read those red letters, click on the photo for a closer look!)

Having a hot cocoa day

No school today -- no snow either, though. Just ice, which is definitely not as much fun. To my way of thinking, if someone has deemed it unsafe for buses to be on the road, then conditions are far too dangerous for me and my Taurus. So we're going to hunker down here and take care of that wrapping paper explosion in my bedroom.

I'm STILL waiting on my camera! There's so much every-day amusing/boring, photo worthy stuff going on around here. For instance, Lilah actually begged to sit on Santa's lap at the library holiday party, though she became a little hesitant when just inches away from that fake beard. And, oh, did she look cute in the Santa dress from Linda!

Kirby was dancing and spinning a couple of nights ago and gashed his head on the table corner. Though after consulting with my back-up Jeremy (MY Jeremy is out of town, skiing in WV - FOR WORK!), we decided against stitches. However, to keep his hair out of the wound, he wore a beautiful pink dangly barrette for a day. It really would have made a lovely photo.

And then there's all my crafting, which I'd like to take pictures of before I wrap so that I can remind myself next year that I do USUALLY finish my projects and that I'm USUALLY proud of the end result.

For now, though, I need to decide: hot cocoa or just more coffee?
LOVE,AL

Gingerbread Galore!!!

Today we met all of our neighbors for our 2nd annual Gingerbread House decorating! We had a really great time! We played games, read Christmas stories, ate yummy snacks AND made gingerbread houses!!! Thanks to all my neighbors who pitched in and really made this a special day!!! Enjoy! Jen

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday JER

This is his present. He's psyched. And ready for this summer's 80's party.
AL

I like 'em old

I have really missed my camera this week while she was away undergoing surgery. I did get word today, though, that she's as good as new and on her way home to me via UPS. So in the meantime, I decided to fool around with some old photos. This one was taken just a month or two ago, but I found this website:
http://labs.wanokoto.jp/olds
that makes current photos look a hundred years old.
I love it.
Yeah, I know it's in Japanese/Chinese? (I apologize for my ignorance, I don't know the difference.) Either way, you just 'Choose your file' and then click the blue rectangle underneath.
Jen - let's dress Chase up in some knickers and a page boy hat!
AL

The family that discos together...

We elfed ourselves again this year - it just doesn't get old for me.
It wouldn't actually allow me to post the video here, so I'll try the link:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/xsIwvyhBvSyJKGskZtnP

Hope this works - you may have to copy and paste
AL
P.S. My favorite part is when we all do The Bump

Are you impressed, Jen?

I'm your back-up web designer! Doesn't Mable look great? And I choose the quote mostly because Jer's been making fun of my homemade gifts -- they do in fact look like part of an 8th grade Home Ec. assignment. Prepare yourselves. LOVE, AL
P.S. Camera is being repaired; I would have loved to post pics of our first real snow of the year. Everything is white and lovely.