Happy New Year!

To be very honest, I have never understood the hoopla that is put on New Year's Eve/Day.  I think the last time I actually saw the New Year ring in was many years ago and that was because I was awaken by an infant wanting to eat.  We are usually in bed, sound asleep as others celebrate.  Real exciting, I know.  I'm fairly certain this year will not disappoint either.  Our plans are somewhere along the lines of renting a few movies, dining at home and probably heading to bed before one or all of us get too crabby.  A simple "Happy New Year" will be shouted from each bedroom multiple times before a welcomed silence will take over.  

Even as I ponder it, I'm really not able to pin point the exact moment that we migrated to old, tired and uninterested...but we're here.  Might as well embrace it.  ;-)

But, for those of you that haven't joined us, I wish you a very safe, fun and Happy New Years eve celebration.

Many Blessings for your New Year, too!!!

On a Scale of 1 to 4

So, sometimes I like to tease my kids.  One of the ways I like to mess with them is when they ask for something, I will ask them, "Well.....How much do you love me?"

Cody and Samantha know the drill and through all of their irritation they will mumble something along the lines of "Lots, mom."  or "This much"(with their arms stretched out as far as they can go)

Today, Miss Chloe asked for me to get one of her toys down from the top of her closet.  I thought it was time to introduce Chloe to my crazy ways, so I simply asked her, "How much do you love me?"

Without hesitation she responded, "Four".

I'm sure this was on a scale of One to Four...so she got her toy.

Like a Kid at Christmas

Our Christmas was wonderful.  Being able to be with our family was so much fun, as always.
Like every time before, the time goes by so quickly.  We have to remind ourselves to enjoy each moment.
These kiddos make it easy to do just that!

Christmas Stockings

Christmas stockings are for gifts, candy, small presents from Santa....Right?!

Apparently not!

Chloe has her own idea of what they should be used for...

 

A Day on the Farm

Cold or not.  The kids love the farm.  

Any excuse to run around outside, feed the animals, or ride the tractor.

Their sense of adventure is always in full force when they are on the farm together.

Some great memories are made here.

And lifelong friendships too!

Why I love Missouri

Every once in a while I find something else that makes me think "Oh my... This is definitely a Missouri thing."

Reading the paper the other day, I find this...

Only in Missouri is "Fish Hook Removal"  listed as a normal service at the local clinic.  

Made my Day!! :-)

From Samantha

Our Christmas Gift from Samantha.
Love it!  Love her!!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Santa Claus made many visits around town this year.  We decided to go see him while he was at 1/2 Pints Frozen Custard.  What could be better than custard and Santa on the same day?!

Chloe was so excited.  She couldn't wait to talk to Santa.  She kept waving at him while she was waiting for her turn.  When it was finally her turn, she went right up to him and said, "Hi, Santa."  Although she refused to sit on his lap, she still told him what she would like.  A visit with Santa and no tears...I thought that was success!

Miss Samantha and Mr. Cody also visited with Santa too.  They both were hesitant.  I'm thinking they are on the fence of thinking they are too old for this "kid" stuff.  I say that's just nonsense and was glad they went up there too.  We had a great time and it was great to see such joy on all of their faces!

First meeting with Santa.

Santa showing Chloe his jingle bells.

Chloe refused to take her eyes off of Santa.  One wrong move and she would be outta there!

Miss Samantha and Santa

Mr. Cody and Santa

A Big Idea

I always have big ideas.  Usually, they never pan out.  That never usually stops me from always coming up with more "great" ideas.  This time is no different.

I found an idea on the web for making Christmas ornaments.  I thought it would be a simple and creative gift for friends.  Creative is correct.  Simple it was not.

It kinda turned into a mess.  A big mess!

I had the grand idea of just working on the kitchen table....with steel letter punches, super glue and spray paint.
Whoops!

My ever patient, helpful husband stepped in at this time and lent his assistance.  :-)
(I think he just didn't want me to destroy what was left of our kitchen and table)

Many hours, mumblings and dirty looks later....

Our 2010 Christmas ornament.

Lullaby

During bedtime earlier this week, Chloe decided she would help get "her Cody" in bed before she headed to bed herself.  She says, "Come on, Cody.  You need to get in bed."

He rarely argues with her.  I think he's learned that it's not worth the effort.  (a good lesson I think he'll use most of his life when it comes to girls)

He climbs into bed and she is close behind and begins to cover him up.  

She says, "Cody, I'll sing you a lullaby."   And so, she begins.

Lullaby and goodnight.

Shut your eyes and sleep tight.

Curly Shirley, Quack Quack Duck.

Under blankalets(blankets) I will tuck.

Goodnight.

He played along and closed his eyes.  She tiptoed out of the room, turned off his light and closed his door.  

Then, she headed to bed.  Her work was done.  

Dear Weatherman,

Traveling is in our near future.

We are leaving late next week to go back to Nebraska for Christmas.  So, I've been watching the weather reports.  Everyday.  Usually a few times per day.  Hoping and praying that we get to have nice weather for our trip.  It can be cold.  I expect the coldness.  Just please, no snow or sleet.

We would have some very disappointed children(young and old) if we didn't get to spend Christmas with our family.  So...
Dear Weatherman, I would appreciate it very much if you could accommodate my wishes.  I will gladly take many feet of snow in January if you could hold off for a few weeks.
Thanks so much, Tammi

Just Because

Because I love to see the excitement on our children's faces...

Because Chad was home with us all weekend...

Because it was bitterly cold out and there was snow on the ground...

Because the presents have been sitting under the tree for over a week, just begging to be opened...

Because it was a cozy Sunday morning and we were all in our pajamas...

And mainly, just because....



We let the kids open one Christmas present each!!!!

Chloe got a band in a box.  

Samantha got a Illustory.

Cody got a Star Wars PS3 game.

Girlfriend

Chloe has a friend.

Girlfriend.

It's the name she gave her new toy.

A spontaneous purchase that Chloe COULD NOT live without. (the drama)

She brought it home and has called it "Girlfriend" ever since.

It doesn't really fit, but who are we to judge.

She loves this toy!  

She spends forever playing with him her!

She winds him her up and closely watches as he she moves across the table.  

Who would have thought?! Not Me!

Oh, Girlfriend!!

Finals, Finally!

It's Finals Week!

Chad and I both have three finals before we get to enjoy a month break from the books.  These last few weeks have seemed to move in slow motion.  More homework than ever really made the long hours so much more enjoyable.

The kids are really getting into the Christmas spirit, but Chad and I are not real with it.  I think it has something to do with the hours of studying that is happening each night.  So to say that Friday can't come soon enough is an understatement.

We're all ready for a school break and some family holiday time.  Only a few more days!

Dad Who?

The other evening I was on the phone with Chad.  Like many evenings, he was working late.  After hanging up the phone I had a small child approach me and say, "Who's that?"

Miss Chloe thinks she needs to know all that is going on.  (It's inherited...)

I say, "That was your dad."

"Who?", she replies

"Your dad"  again was my response.

"Who?" she asks with confusion.

"Your DAD!"  a little more clear from me.

At this time she stops....

She thinking....

Pondering....

Hand on hip & tapping her toe...

I see the wheels turning.

Finally, she says "Ohhhhh.  I remember him."

I know he's been working more hours lately, but really?!! :)  It made me laugh and it's fits her personality!

Christmas Dance Recital

Miss Samantha had her Christmas Dance recital last weekend.  She was so excited to finally show us both of the dances she has been learning.  Her class did a tap dance to Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow and a ballet dance to Silent Night.  It was wonderful!

I think Samantha would say that the highlight of her weekend was that Grandma Sillman, Great Grandma, Aunt Katie and Logan(cousin) were able to come down to watch.  Grandma did her stage makeup and Aunt Katie did her hair.  So much fun!