Odds & Ends~

Just a few things I missed~

You can kind of see all six teeth in this pic.

This is the morning after Mikayla's first sleepover. I am not really ok letting her go to sleepovers. Mainly because she doesn't sleep well away from home, never has. Even as a baby she wouldn't fall asleep in the car. I reluctantly let her go because it was her best friend's birthday and she told me that morning it was going to be the best day of her whole life! She came home and fell asleep on the couch for an hour, got up and ate lunch, went to her room and slept another 3 hours. I know she had a blast, but next time I may go get her at 10pm.

Zach's tooth fell out the night she was at the sleepover, December 11th, tooth #6!

Our Christmas 2009~

Christmas Eve~Going to church, having a delicious pot roast made by daddy, and opening one present each. Aren't they soooo handsome!?!

Mikayla Paige~9.5 years

Sweet brothers

Landen Alexander~6.5 months, Zachary Logan~7.75 years

Zach chose to open a present from Papa, RuthAnn, and Grammie-- a star wars ship! He loved it, thank you!

I really don't know what they are surprised at in this pic, but it's cute.

Mikayla opened her present from Zach, a webkinz chihuahua.

Putting the cookies out for santa.

Mikayla actually woke up first at about 6:50am, which is rare, and she went in to Zach's room to wake him and they waited patiently on his bed for us to wake up. I heard them at a little past 7, it was so cute to see them sitting on Zach's bed talking about what was going to be under the tree!

The box always gives it away!

After opening their stockings, the kids read Luke 2 and then we started in on the presents. Landen was still asleep, our little night owl likes to sleep in.

Another Star Wars ship from Papa, RuthAnn, & Grammie! Thank you!!

A hat from Kelly and figures from Papa, RuthAnn, & Grammie! Thank you!

Daddy got some beautiful diamond earrings for Mikayla.

Money from G&G Schnell! Zach had some pretty great hoorahs that morning.

Mikayla opening her card from G&G Schnell and gasping at the money that fell out. Thank you!

We all got these beautiful handmade aprons from Grandma Frieda made by Aunt MaryKay, Grandpa Don's sister. Thank you! We love them!

You can see next to Mikayla the big present we got for the kids!!

Mikayla got Kit! Now Ruthie has a friend! Thank you Grandma Barb and Grandpa Tim! She spent hours combing her hair and trying new hairstyles.

Landen finally woke up at about 9am and I think we were all most excited to see him experience Christmas. He was a little groggy, but enjoyed ripping the wrapping paper.

He loves his John Deere tractor! Thank you Grandma Barb and Grandpa Tim!

Doesn't this picture look like it should be a coke ad?! All those presents and he goes after that red bottle! Zach's in the background putting together one of his Lego sets from G&G Thiesen. He sat there for an hour and a half putting it all together! He loved it, thank you!

He wasn't sure about those dolls.

We had such a blessed Christmas! Thank you to all the Grandparents for always making our kids wishes come true!

Kelly's Visit~

As I said before Aunt Kelly(my little sis) came for a visit in mid December and she absolutely fell in love with Landen. Actually, he stole her heart, can you tell?

Kelly got this cute outfit for Landen and we just had to take some pictures. So I guess this is his 6 month photo shoot.

Love, love, love his hand in this one.

Landen actually got 3 teeth while Kelly was here. His other top one and 2 more bottom ones! That makes six teeth total by six months! And we didn't even know he got the bottom ones until the next day. The only way I knew was I could see them in some of these shots. Such a trooper, was only a little fussy and also had a cold on top of it.

We also went to the Children's museum with Kelly.

Mikayla ice skating...

...and of course she found a drawing table.

Our little Jedi master.

Kelly and Zach. He was so shocked by her new hair color, he kept telling her she had to cut it short and dye it back to blond by the time we saw her next.

Landen's first carousel ride! He wasn't scared at all, just looked around at everything.

The highlight as usual, the Yule Slide! Just for the record. Mikayla beat Kelly, Kelly beat Zach, and Zach beat Mommy.

I know I posted way too many of these next pics of Kelly reading to Landen, but I just love his reaction to her.

Kelly made these really cool presents for the kids. They are cute scrapbook paper books, one for each month of the year, decorated with stickers, bound with thread on the sides. Like little journals for each month. Must have taken forever to make! Thanks Aunt Kelly, we love you and miss you already!