Micah's writing

Micah has been working on writing throughout the year.  Here is a video of his teacher sent us mid October of his work.  There are few things sweeter than kindergarten spelling.

Tree Trimming

After our guests left we got busy decorating the house for Christmas.  The kids love going through their boxes and looking at special ornaments from over the years.  These days they decorate the tree all by themselves and it turns out perfectly.

 Another kid favorite, old Halloween costumes that we store in one of the bins.  Let's see flamenco dancer was 2002...I think.

We let the kids pick a new ornament each year. 

Celia chose Anna from Frozen.

 Noah chose a giant peppermint.

 Micah chose a soldier.

Thanksgiving

 We had a house full of guests for Thanksgiving weekend, my favorite!  Grandpa Dennis & Grandma Jane, my brother Tyler and sister-in-law Rachel, and Shawn's brother Darren and three of his girls Julia, Brooklynn and Hallie.  The whole weekend went incredibly well.  We didn't even have any food making issues on Thanksgiving.  Surrounded by our family was the perfect way to spend a holiday focused on gratitude.

Grandma & Micah making a dessert.

 We love Uncle Tyler, he's always game for dress up.

 Love these girls, too!

 Celia thinks Aunt Rachel is quite special.

 Rachel was kind enough to take some family pictures for us in hopes of getting one for our holiday card.  We had many, many outtakes but in the end found a winner. 

 Took the kids swimming at the hotel pool where Darren and the girls stayed.

We pieced together enough winter gear for the big girls and headed to a nearby sledding hill.  Good cousin time.

Feast

One of the traditions at Celia's preschool is the Thanksgiving feast.  It is a big deal for the kids.  Everyone brings something to share, older students make a favorite recipe at home and bring it to the feast.  Celia's group was asked to bring a piece of fruit that became a mixed fruit salad.  Celia chose to bring an apple and even helped cut it.  Families are invited to come and watch the kids feast and listen to a couple of songs.  Each child made a placemat for the meal and answered what he/she was thankful for.  Celia was thankful for daddy.

The new, new snow

This photo was taken November 10th, we had taken the boys to the bus and Celia stayed out to play in the fresh snow. 

Halloween 2015

Ready for trick or treating.

Snow White

 

Soldier

 Special Ops Ninja

Candy sorting the next morning.

Kindergarten Halloween Party

As a room parent for Micah's class I help plan the classroom parties.  The Halloween party highlights for the kids were donut decorating and mummy wrapping.  Mummy wrapping was a late addition due to bad weather.  A pack of toilet paper can sure be fun. 

Here is a video of Micah talking about the party that his teacher sent out. 

Celia Halloween program

Celia's preschool does a wonderful job of putting on simple, no stress programs for the holidays.  The kids sit on the floor around a piano and sing and interact to seasonal songs in a way that doesn't feel intimidating.  Yet, the parents get to watch them perform.  A win/win.  Here are a couple of shots from Celia/Snow White's Halloween celebration.