What a Character!

(Disney Trip, Part II)
Our second day started off with a delicious meal at “Disney World” (a.k.a. The Royal Palace).  We had fun meeting all the Princesses and definitely agree that having character meals are the best way to meet them…no standing in line for a picture and autograph!  Haley loved being on the inside of the castle and Trey LOVED getting a sword.  After breakfast we ran around riding rides and ran into a few more characters.  We lucked out twice- we were the last family to meet Jasmine/Alladin and Peter Pan.  Peter Pan was magical for Haley…if you know our Pirate background, then you understand why.  He was quick to tell her never to grow up, and she remembers all that he told her and has reminded me several times.  Since we’ve been back, Haley has been whisked off to Neverland almost every night when Peter Pan comes to her room at night to take her on an adventure.  She is always back by morning and he leaves her a note under her pillow.  (This is 100% her imagination and nothing I started- the note he leaves her is our Mickey Mouse luggage tag that our travel agent gave us!)

We rode magic carpets and played with everything the gift shop had to offer in Akrabah.  Trey was REALLY tired so I took him back for a nap while Haley and Hayden got some time in the park together.  They rode the jungle cruise then took some pictures of Haley in her dress before coming back to the resort for some time in the pool.  The pool staff had the party going on!  Dancing, hoola hoop contests, water balloon toss, and more!  Hayden LOVED the water slides.  We had a relaxing afternoon and headed back to the Magic Kingdom for more rides and dinner.  The weather was perfect and the lines were practically non-existent in the evenings.  We took full advantage of this and ran from ride to ride.  Being so carefree and non-scheduled was exactly what Hayden and I were hoping for and that is what made our trip so special. 

On our way out of the park, we saw that the line to meet Rapunzel was REALLY short.  This was a first and we jumped at the chance.  Meeting Rapunzel gets it’s own paragraph because this was a true highlight of our trip.  Haley was SO excited and couldn’t stop talking in line about things they could discuss.  When it was our turn Haley was in awe.  Trey was jumping up and down.  Haley and Rapunzel compared hair color- it was the same- and did some twirls together.  It was a precious time.  As we left, Trey was blowing her kisses until we couldn’t see her anymore.  I was jumping up and down too because I was so happy to see the kids experiencing the magic of Disney.

Day Three was our day at Hollywood Studios.  This was an exciting day because we were going to have lunch with JAKE!!!  (from the Neverland Pirates)  Other characters were there too, but he was definitely the MUST SEE.  We got to dance and sing with Jake while we ate lunch…it was really fun and the kids couldn’t get enough…and I still have the songs in my head.  June, from Little Einsteins, was there too.  Haley thought she was so clever because while we were about to leave she asked if she could go ask June one quick question… “was her birthday in June?”  The characters couldn’t talk to the kids but since that was a “yes” or “no” question, I let her run to ask.  June nodded yes.  Haley walked away like she was such a clever cat, smiling so big.  She said, “that is why her Mommy named her June, I guess!”  I told her that was probably true and that I was changing her name to March.  She loved it.

After standing in line for 40 min (they had fun photo ops along the way), we got to meet Buzz and Woody too.  This was not the highlight.  The minute it was our turn, our kids got totally shy and wouldn’t even get near them. Luckily, this was the only shy experience with characters.  We hung around the park the rest of the day (although there wasn’t much for kids to do there.)  Hayden and Trey took a nap on a bench while  Haley and I explored some.  We had to wait till 5pm to go home because we wanted to ride the Toy Story ride-our fast pass was for 5pm.  It was really fun!  We were glad we rode it, but were ready to get home and rest.

Magic Kingdom- real or pretend?

Magic Kingdom- real or pretend?

(Disclaimer: this will take several posts…probably more than you
want to know about our trip, but it’s our way of chronicling our
adventure, so bear with us or bypass the next few posts- they will be
long.)

We just got home from the best vacation we’ve ever been on as a
family.  Hayden and I took Haley and Trey to Disney World as a
surprise and spent six wonderful days exploring all the Magic we could
find.

It was killing Hayden and I not telling the kids.  We would lay in bed
and just talk about how excited we were-weeks before.  The packing,
planning, and dreaming really built up the anticipation for us.  I had
been collecting Disney t-shirts and treats for Mickey and Minnie to
leave every day for months.  The morning of our departure, we woke up
early and had everything already packed and hidden.  We blew up
balloons and attached them to a present, from Mickey and Minnie that
was left on our doorstep.  The kids ran to the door to see who it was
and were excited to find a present.  (actually more excited about the
balloons.)  When Haley got the gift opened and found
embroidered-with-love (by Mom) Mickey t-shirts with our names on them,
she said, “UH! Clothes.”  It was apparently very anti-climatic and
quite the let down.  Luckily, a treasure map had been included- the
redeeming aspect of the gift.  It was a map showing our car, the route
to the airport, an airplane…then it was ripped.  So, we decided it
would probably be best to put on the shirts and follow the map.  Haley
navigated us to the airport.  In the car, we found the missing part of
the map!  That is when the kids were told where we were going.  After
big smiles all around, Haley got real nervous because she had heard
that Disney World was really loud and she got scared about riding on
an airplane.  The smiles were gone until we got to the Park It Here
lot and rode a bus to the airport.  Bus rides are super exciting and
we sang “Wheels on the Bus” til we got to the airport…the bus driver
chimed in and almost forgot the words to “the driver on the bus
says…”  We were able to jog his memory!

Once we got to the gate- the kids VERY excited to pull their own
suitcases, we got to watch the airplane get serviced before take off.
The excitement really started to build and Haley was telling everyone
around us about how Mickey and Minnie sent us shirts AND a treasure
map and how we were following it all the way to Disney World…and
that it was her first time to go.  When Haley gets excited, it’s
non-stop talking.  So cute (for a little while!). She had a few tears
of fear on the plane before take off, but Trey was all for it.  He
ain’t scared!  It helped when I told Haley it’s like when I step on
the gas of the car and make it go really fast and the kids say, “again
Mommy, again!”  Both kids loved looking out the window and did really
well on the plane.

We didn’t waste anytime once we landed in Orlando.  We followed the
people wearing Mickey gloves and they led us right to the bus to our
resort…plastering us with stickers along the way.  (Trey’s dream
already coming true…the boy loves stickers!)  We took a little rest
in the room before hitting the park.  First stop, Magic Kingdom! 

If you notice in the picture, the dark clouds were rolling in but it didn’t give us pause. A little rain wasn’t going to stop this parade! We
were all amazed at the Castle, and everything else we got to see.  We
ate dinner first because we were starving, then hit the rides.  First
things first- It’s a Small World!  Next was the Peter Pan ride- a
family favorite that would be repeated several times before leaving
Orlando.  Haley knew the park was called the Magic Kingdom but kept
saying, “Let’s go to Disney World!”  She had in her head that the
castle was Disney World.  It was closed off our first night there but
we had planned for a Royal Breakfast- invited by Cinderella, of
course- for the next day.  I asked Haley what she thought we’d be
served and she said, STEAK!  She was right. Not only was the
atmosphere and food amazing, but we got to spend a few minutes meeting
several princesses.  Haley wore her Rapunzel dress so she fit right
in.  The girls got magic wands and the boys got swords.  Both of those
gifts could not have been more perfect and rarely left the kids’ hands
the rest of the trip.

Haley was Hayden’s riding buddy, and Trey was mine.  This was decided
by Haley because Hayden convinced her that he was very good at driving
elephants- the Dumbo Ride.  She was a little nervous about going on,
but since Hayden is an expert, she thought it’d be okay.  He taught
her how to drive the elephant and she talked about it ALL NIGHT.
Every time we got in line for a ride she’d ask Hayden, “Dad, do you
know how to drive this ride?”  He ate up all the attention and
preference she showed him. Trey was up for all of the rides.  He loves
adventure.  We laughed just trying to imagine what it was like for him
taking it all in…it was sensory overload for us…he was just
turning his head right and left in amazement.  We were glad to have
the stroller, he would have gotten lost in a second, not watching us
but trying to look at everything around him.  He was too cute watching
TV come to life.

Hayden and I were OVERLY impressed at the characters playing their
parts so well, the cleanliness of the park, how organized the staff
was, and how Disney really does feel magical.  Our Haley is a VERY
literal child (example- her yellow blanket is named “yellow blanket”;
her big maroon blanket is named “big blanket”) and she also is very
quick to point out how movies and shows are in the “pretend” world.
This is only Part I of our Disney post, but I come to tears thinking
of the last memorable comment said on our trip that completely summed
it up- As Tinkerbell flew down the zip line away from the castle and
the fireworks were about to begin, Haley said, “Mom, the pretend world
is REAL at Disney World!”  I looked at her and thought of all the fun
we’d had and said, “YES!”

Needless to say, the kids slept very well that night!

Family Photos

In light of Haley turning 5 and Avery hitting the the 8 month mark, we had to do a quick photo session.  Trey was already in his PJ’s but we couldn’t leave him out.  Scary how grown up trey is starting to look at 2.  Time sure is flying. 

Princess Haley!

This has been such an amazing week of celebrating Princess Haley’s birthday.  Haley turns 5 on Tuesday, March 6.  She has been counting the days and minutes for weeks!  (Which has been great for working on the concept of time and months.)  I told her a while ago what I had planned for her birthday and she has been talking about it A LOT!  I started getting nervous it wouldn’t meet her anticipated expectations.  Luckily, it was a perfect day and we all agreed we wouldn’t have changed a thing.  The celebration started out on Friday evening.  Hayden’s parents and Grandmother (Nana) was in town and we went out to Haley’s favorite restaurant- Cracker Barrel!  Of course, she wanted to dress up and couldn’t decide which princess dress to wear, so she wore two.  Ariel’s gown, with the Rapunzel gown over it…and the plastic dress-up high heels.  When we got home she couldn’t WAIT to dive into the presents.  Nana got her a new (and fancier) Rapunzel dress with matching shoes.  Mammaw and Pappaw got her several princess shirts, a beautiful sparkly silver dress, and some other nice goodies.  When we tried on the Rapunzel dress, it was a little too big so we rushed out to the Disney Store to get a different size.  I knew she’d want to wear it to her party downtown.  Mammaw, Haley, and I went- just the girls!  Haley also had some Birthday Money and we let her pick something out.  She grabbed the new Rapunzel Barbie immediately and could not be swayed to get any other item- even though she’s talked about getting a Flynn Ryder doll and Pasquale for a while.  She was hopping all around that store feeling like the Queen of the World.  They gave her a birthday crown and a button, too.  Before leaving the mall, we all took a ride on the Carousel.  It almost made me tear up because Hayden and I took Haley on the same Carousel four years ago on her first birthday…oh, how time flies.
Saturday could not have been more exciting.  Haley’s friend Ainsley came over early and the girls had a chance to play and get ready together.  Talk about a “flash forward” kind of moment…I could just see the girls giggling and doing hair together in 10 or 15 years.  Oh, I am not wishing for those days to hurry.  At 10am, Peyton arrived and the Princesses were excited to get their gift bags with bracelets, a necklace, a purse, princess gloves, and a crown inside.  After adorning themselves with all their goodies, we were off!  Prince Trey could not have looked more cute in his tuxedo…and neither could his daddy, also wearing a tux.  Once arriving downtown at the Peabody Hotel, the girls were getting a lot of “ooh’s” and “ahh’s” from the guests in the lobby.  A staff member escorted the girls to a prime spot on the red carpet to watch the ducks come off the elevator and into the fountain.  After watching the ducks for a bit, it was time to head outside, for our carriage awaited our arrival.  We hopped into the gold (Haley’s favorite color) horse-drawn carriage and were off on a tour of downtown.  The girls had a ball waving and calling out to all the pedestrians.  Some had seen the girls in the Peabody and were yelling back, “Happy Birthday, Princess!”

Hayden took the kids upstairs on the mezzanine level of the Peabody while I set up lunch.  Pink table cloth, candles, chocolate covered pretzels, heart shaped sandwiches, and of course, birthday cupcakes.  The girls drank Shirley Temples, with twisty straws, and had a great lunch together.  Again, they were quite the talk of the hotel- many patrons were taking their pictures.  Luckily, we took a full batch of cupcakes with us and were able to share with other “friends” in the lobby.  Everyone clapped after we sang and it was a special day.  We all needed a nap once we got home!  I couldn’t have been more proud to parade our little party through downtown. 

My Hunting Partner

It all started on when we went to Jackson for Thanksgiving.  I’ve been hunting a lot more over the past few years, but Laura’s desire to go hunting has been pretty "limited" to say the least.  However, when we were in Jackson for Thanksgiving, Laura mentioned to me that she thought she could kill a deer.  I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.  So I asked her what she meant.  She repeated her statement.  This immediately forced me to challenger her a bit.  I responded that I didn’t think she could.  That maybe she had the skill to do it, but I didn’t think she could pull the trigger.  She didn’t let up, though.

Fast-forward to January 26th when we headed down to Jackson again for a surprise birthday party for my dad.  Mississippi’s hunting season runs a little longer than Tennessee’s so she’d get her shot (pun intended).

We ran through the basics of what she’d need to do in order to fire the .444.  In MS, certain single shot cartridge guns (.444 included) are legal during muzzleloader season.  I knew if she could get the crosshairs on a deer, she wouldn’t feel the kick.  But I was hesitant to let her shoot it beforehand.  If you’ve never seen a .444 cartridge, it closely resembles something you’d shoot an elephant with.

On Friday afternoon we headed out to some land my dad owns in Kosciusko.  This place is a deer haven.  I was extremely confident she’d get a chance to see some deer.  On the way there, we stopped at another piece of land he has in Thomastown and set up a paper plate for her to shoot a .22 rifle at.  At 30 yards, she squeezed off 8 rounds that would fit inside a half dollar.  She was ready.

We hit Kosciusko and climbed into the shooting house.  The weather was perfect.  We’d just gotten a cool snap and the wind dropped down to near non-existent.  We’d had a lot of rain over the previous few days so the deer were sure to move.  We kept our eyes peeled.  We saw nothing.  Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.  We did hear a couple of turkeys gobbling, but didn’t see any deer.

On the way home, we passed back by Thomastown.  Dad made the comment that we should consider trying it again the next morning.  That he’d stay home with Mom and help take care of the kids.  We talked it over that night and decided we’d give it another shot.

Saturday morning we were up EARLY.  It’s about an hour drive to Thomastown and I wanted to be in the shooting house when it was still dark.  As we got settled into the stand, I had to chuckle.  A few months ago, I could almost imagine Laura going hunting with me just to spend time together.  But I never imagined she’d be trying to bag one herself.  And I DEFINITELY couldn’t imagine her getting up at 4:15 in the morning to do it!

We planned to leave by 8:00 at the latest so we could get home to help with preparations for the surprise party.  As the sun broke, we looked around just admiring the beauty of the world waking up.  Seeing that sunrise and sunset…watching God’s creation wake up and go to bed…that’s what keeps me hunting.  For me, it isn’t really about the killing.  That’s an added benefit.  I was excited to share that with Laura.

The day was nice again.  Clear and cold morning.  There was no sound other than our breathing until the faint light of day started to appear.  Like a well trained symphony, all at once the noises began.  Squirrels chirping and rattling in the leaves below us.  Birds chirping.  Odds seemed to be in our favor.  About 7:20 Laura looked at me with eyes like saucers.  "There’s a deer", she said.  A doe was bee-lining it through the food plot and stood directly behind the one pile of brush that was around.  It stayed there for about 10 minutes.  Laura could see the outline through the scope, but it was probably a 50/50 shot that the bullet would hit one of the larger limbs.  Not good enough odds.  I kept telling her to be patient.  That the likelihood of it bolting off was slim and that it should come back and feed in the food plot.  It kept watching the woods closely…which made me think ole big boy might step out.

Not sure what exactly it was in the woods, but it spooked her.  All of a sudden she bolted.  Never to return.  There went our chance.  Laura put back on her gloves and tried to warm up.  She was sad she didn’t get a shot, but excited to have seen one.

Around 7:45 I saw one step out about 250 yards away.  It was coming our way.  From Laura’s spot in the stand, she couldn’t quite see it yet.  Then 2 more came out with it.  They were headed towards the food plot.  At around 150 yards away, Laura put it in her sights.  The all three continued towards us quickly until they stopped about 75 yards out.  Right behind the brush pile again. 

This time, I wanted to give Laura a chance at it at least.  She got the deer in her sights.  I told her to give it a shot if she wanted to.  There was a chance she’d hit the brush, but it was one we were going to take.  I watched her gently squeeze, squeeze, squeeze that trigger just like we’d practiced on the .22.  It went off like a cannon.  And all three deer briefly scattered.  She’d missed. 

They weren’t running so I quickly got the gun from her and reloaded.  She got it back through the window and cocked the hammer.  This time one was in the food plot. This time she wouldn’t hit the brush.  She gently squeezed again.  She nailed it!  We saw it running, and saw where she was hit. She wouldn’t run far.  40 yards or so and she went down. 

I gave Laura a high five.  She was grinning ear to ear.  As I looked back out, the two other does that were with the one she shot came back out.  I quickly grabbed the bun, reloaded and dropped one of them at about 100 yards. 

It was an absolutely amazing experience.  I couldn’t have scripted it better.  I am not sure how much more Laura will hunt.  I know she won’t go nearly as much as I do.  But she will be back.  And I can’t wait to go with her.

Cupcake Wars!

Hayden and I (especially me) LOVE the show Cupcake Wars on the Food Network.  Although it makes me crave yummy cupcakes- it also inspires me to want to make fun deserts.  One day we decided that over Christmas break, Hayden and I would have our own Cupcake War.  We challenged each other to make two cupcakes, each having our own baking assistant, and to be judged by our neighbors.  We borrowed another mixer and set to work.  Two hours and a GIANT mess later, we were ready!

Hayden and Trey presented two delicious cupcakes:
1.A s’mores milk chocolate cupcake with a whipped vanilla icing, topped with graham cracker crumbles and two homemade marshmallow meringue cookies.
2.A dark chocolate toffee cupcake with a toffee buttercream icing, topped with a caramel toffee drizzle and toffee chips.

Haley and I presented two cupcakes:
1. A lemon cupcake with a lemon zest butter cream icing, topped with a white chocolate snowflake.
2.A dark chocolate cupcake with a chocolate raspberry ganache filling, topped with chocolate raspberry ganache, vanilla icing and dollop of raspberry jam.

The boys won and we had a great time.  Our neighbor asked what we had wagered…nothing at that point except bragging rights.  She suggested the loser have to clean the kitchen.  We both looked at each other and agreed that was WAY too high of stakes.  Next year we decided we are going to challenge the neighbors and expand the event!  In the mean time, I’ll be heading to Muddy’s or GiGi’s for my extravagant cupcake cravings!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!  So I’ve been slacking on blogging (so has Laura), but we’re working on getting back on track.  I’m not sure why, but it seems like time is slipping away from us more than I’d expect.  I know we’ve had Christmas.  I know we’ve got a new kid.  But it still seems like it gets away from me more than it should.

I read through my prior resolutions this past weekend.  Interesting to see what has and has NOT been accomplished.  So, in true form, here’s my NYE list for 2012.  Starting with our major milestones:

• Avery was born
• Now 3 years in the same house
• I got promoted to Director at work
• We got some land in Millington (well, my parents did)
• The hunting bug definitely bit me again
• I read the chronological Bible through
• Went to Honduras again for a mission trip – I led it this time
• Trey’s talking and starting to speak in sentences
• Avery’s near crawling
• Haley’s incredibly intelligent
• The discipleship group I was leading fizzled out
• The discipleship group I was in disbanded
• I felt like my work-life balance has never been better

Some things I hope to accomplish in 2012:

• Reading back through the Bible again
• Purposefully modeling Christ for our children
• Recognizing blessings as coming from God rather than my own doing
• Finding a family that needs assistance and helping them – not through monetary contributions only, but by making them a part of OUR family
• Taking time to build relationships…and not SELF SERVING relationships
• Letting others know what they mean to me.  Starting at home.
• Doing a triathlon – I’ve been slacking in this department

He Came!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!  I apologize for not sending out Christmas cards this year, but hopefully our faithful readers already know what we’ve been up to all year!  We have had a wonderful Christmas holiday
and LOVED having Hayden take off work and spend some time at home. One word to describe our Christmas would be “relaxed”.  How often can people say that about Christmas?  A few years ago we decided not to travel anywhere for Christmas day and that Santa would be able to come down our chimney each year.  Our decision to stay home is affirmed each year when we get to spend the entire Christmas day playing with all the new toys, staying in pajamas, and enjoying some family time. We have established a Christmas Eve tradition as well, Chuck E. Cheese.  This year was more crowded than normal but the kids had a ball.  (I laugh because every time we go to Chuck E. Cheese Hayden goes crazy wanting to play all the games himself too!  Definitely a kid at heart.)  After playing at Chuck E. Cheese we went home for dinner and cookie baking.  Hayden helped the kids bake cookies that Santa would love- Gingerbread with TONS of icing and sprinkles.

Christmas morning was magical.  I’m not sure if Hayden and I were more excited knowing what the kids were getting or if the kids were more excited anxiously awaiting Santa’s visit.  I’m pretty sure it was us that were more excited.  Trey came down at 3am.  He came in our room and since it was WAY too early so I got him a blanket and pillow to lay down next to our bed and go back to sleep.  Before going to sleep I followed him out to the Christmas tree and he just stood there staring in amazement.  It was so sweet to see him just taking it all in.  Two hours later, Haley came down at 5am.  This time there was no going back to sleep- she was TOO excited.  “Mom, HE CAME! And he brought me EXACTLY what I wanted!”  Haley got a Barbie princess castle.  I kicked Hayden and got him moving, Haley woke up Trey and practically dragged him to his feet so we could start opening presents.  It’s amazing that we even got the other presents open after Haley started playing with the Castle.  Once she started, she didn’t stop for DAYS!  She really loves it and I couldn’t be happier that I was able to find it for her- thank you again, Craigslist!  After opening the presents Hayden read the note Santa left commending the kids on being so great this year, especially in welcoming the Avery into the family.  The note also directed Trey to go outside into the garage for his big gift- A FOUR WHEELER!  This is the perfect gift for Trey because we can’t go into Bass Pro Shop without sitting on EVERY 4-wheeler in the store.  He was a little nervous about it at first but after Haley showed him how to drive it, it was on!  (Little did Haley know, we also bought her one- both used- but since we bought it in Jackson, MS, we couldn’t give it to her on Christmas morning. Hayden’s parents brought it up the next week.)

Avery missed the opening of gifts but the kids helped her open hers later on in the day.  The kids shopped in their own toy baskets for gifts and wrapped them for her.  They were so excited to give her the toys they picked out. Definitely learned the spirit of giving without having to buy anything!

I entered the age of technology with my new phone- I can take videos, send/check email, surf the web, and play Words With Friends now!!  I’m so excited and have had fun playing with all the new features.  Hayden did a great job picking the perfect gift for me.  He took a professional step up with his gift too.  He got a great leather brief case and has been looking very stylish carrying it back and forth every day.

Our prayer Christmas Eve night was one of thanksgiving- 1) for a God that loved us so much he allowed His son to humble himself to come to Earth- coming as a baby, to become the man that would bridge the gap so we could have eternal life.  He is faithful to His word and promises and Jesus’ birth is just one more reminder of that.  2) for being able to buy gifts that our kids only dream about.  We are not in this position because of anything we do, but because of the blessings we’ve received.

Cookie Day!!

It comes every year with great anticipation…yes, I’m talking about COOKIE DAY!  About 25 years ago, my Great-Grandma, Stella Bretzler, passed down the beloved Cruschiki recipe to me. This is one of the most memorable honors I’ve had.  She was the only one who knew how to make these cookies that the ENTIRE family waited for each Christmas.  No, there was no recipe.  We just had her over to our house so she could make them in front of me while I wrote down everything she put into the bowl with my fifth-grade handwriting on lined paper from school.  I still have this lined paper, grease and sugar stained now, many years later.

Each year since, my sisters, mom, and I have gotten to work- worker bees in the kitchen carrying on the beloved memory of Stella and the cookies that make Christmas complete. The St. Louis crew still anxiously await for the Platten’s to arrive with their share of the cookies. Today was even more special, now that my kids are able to appreciate and participate in the cookie making fun.  Now that I have an embroidery machine and have gotten quite handy at the sewing machine…not to mention pinterest inspiration, I got to work making personalized aprons for the occasion. (a little more involved than I had originally planned but luckily, my handy and loving husband helped me out so I could meet my deadline!) They turned out "Fabulous" and made the day even more fun.  Haley and Julie made my day as I listened to the two of them talk about Christmas, sing songs, and fold cookies.  Haley was so happy to be so involved- I think she helped do almost every step…and I could not have been a more proud mama.  (I say that a lot!)  Trey was the master of powder sugar shaking and dragging chairs across the kitchen.  We all ate our fair share of cookies.  Haley got to thinking that Santa must have to throw up at the hospital each year after eating so many cookies.

Kathleen was missed but she’ll get her apron in St. Louis when they meet up with the family.  She’ll just have to save it till next year when she can join us for Cookie Day 2012.  We texted pictures several times to help her feel like she was a part of the family day.

Lame, Lame, Lame

Lame, Lame, Lame.  Three words to describe our blogging efforts over the past month.  For crying out loud, you’d think we’ve been too busy to post.  Funny how that happens.  During the busiest times, you don’t have time to write down what’s going on.  But really and truly, those are the times we want to remember most.

A large chunk of the past few months has been consumed with the Singing Christmas Tree at Bellevue.  I had a very minor part in the production, but had plenty of practices nonetheless.  And I’m not complaining about the practice.  Bellevue’s productions are second to none…so I knew going in that there would be a lot of work.  We put on 7 shows over 5 days with between 4,000 and 4,500 in attendance at every show.  Not too shabby of a turnout.  I definitely enjoyed it, but am glad it is over too.

The kiddos are wrapping up their school year.  They had their productions a week or so ago.  At the end of the song they sing, each child says their name into the microphone.  Haley’s class went something like this:  Jimmy, Susan, Jessie, Megan, Haley Michelle Pirate Simons (followed by laughter).  Sweet Haley girl really is a pirate at heart.  Trey did a great job.  It was cute to watch him get into doing the hand motions to the “Reindeer Hokey Pokey”.  I think his favorite part was “Put your backside in, put your backside out, put your backside in and you shake it all about.”  Videos of the kids songs are below.  They’re only about a minute each.  (which as a parent, I can appreciate very quick programs…nothing worse than having to wait through two hours of kids you don’t know singing songs).

This past weekend we went down to Brandon to have Christmas with my parents, grandmother and Laura/Ryan/Seth/Caleb.  It was a special time since it was our first chance to meet Caleb!  I had a fantastic time doing some hunting with dad and we really had a special time hanging out with family and catching up.  While we were there, we managed to have a quick photo shoot for Caleb.  I’ve still got to finish editing the pictures (my Sister’s going to kill me if it isn’t done soon).  But there were a few that stuck out.  One is below.

A little background on the “I Surrender All” picture.  About this time last year, Laura and Ryan were pregnant with their 2nd child.  Kate was going to be her name.  Laura went on bed rest about half way through her pregnancy.  They were in the process of building a new house and life was centered around this gift that was about to arrive.  Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.  She went in for a checkup and the tech couldn’t find a heartbeat.  Laura had to deliver Kate, stillborn.  Of course Laura and Ryan took it hard.   Laura and I took it hard.  My parents took it hard.  But amazingly, after briefly grieving, Ryan and Laura showed strength, faith and perseverance like I’ve never seen before.  The truth of the matter was, they didn’t lose a child.  They’d already given her to God…it was never theirs to begin with.  The little hand that you see in the picture below is Caleb’s.  He was born two days before Kate’s birthday- they brought Caleb home from the hospital on Kate’s birthday.  That significance was not lost on any of us- God is so good, has perfect timing, and children are a reward from Him.  And they’ve surrendered Caleb to God as well.  Their work, their money, their marriage and themselves…they surrender.  I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to pull this together into a photo.