Christmas Day 2011

Christmas morning was filled with squeals and shrieks of "Just what I wanted!" "Oh my gosh!" "I told you Santa knew what I wanted!". Three very happy kids open their gifts from Santa and one group gift for all three kids from Santa...LEGOS!

Before the chaos...

Kids with Lego group gift...they LOVE it!

We left Santa the tradition milk and cookies like always, but this year the girls had a little questionnaire for Santa. You can click on the two pics below to enlarge them and read their questions and Santa's answers.

We were able to squeeze in a little play time before heading to the Ossege family Christmas. Randy, Kimberly , and Lexus played Buzz Lightyear Operation.

Many more fabulous gifts were opened and delicious food devoured at Grandpa and Grandma Ossege's house. Oh, how we love that ham!!! Earlier this summer we had a group family picture taken at Tower Park. For Christmas, we gave Grandpa and Grandma Ossege that photo as well as individual family photos taken that day to hang in their home. It turned out beautifully!

My BIL got an accordion as a gag gift before the real thing...hahaha!

I heart my SIL Ann who got me the cutest bag ever! Isn't it cute with the polka dots and my name embroidered in hot pink? She got me the softest gray/silver scarf that matches my purse too!

Our house has one tradition the day after Christmas...the kids get to stay in pj's and play all day! They don't have to put things away or clean up, just be kids and enjoy the fun of Christmas! Below are some pics of us having LOTS of fun!

Sheriff Austin shot the bad guy (Daddy).

Austin playing with his Matchbox wall tracks

Kimberly and I created "Barbie World" in her bedroom.

Christma Eve 2011

The week leading up to Christmas Break is always insanely busy, busy, busy! I am usually planning and in charge of the kid's Christmas parties at school. We are wrapping up any last minutes presents and making lots of yummy dishes to bring to our family celebrations.The kids are bubbling over with the excitement that Santa will be at our house in a few days!

Kimberly at her class Christmas party

 As I mention every year, we are lucky enough to spend Christmas Eve with the Grothaus family and Christmas Day with the Ossege Family. We spend Christmas Eve at my Uncle Dick & Aunt Lois' house. We have the best time playing our favorite Christmas games...Christmas Lotto and Quarters!

Our family on Christmas Eve

Scott, Colin, Halle, & Dana

Dad, Steph, & Mom

Kimberly, Lexus, Halle, Colin, & Austin

 The kids received many wonderful and thoughtful gifts, Lexus especially LOVED her basket of crocheting stuff. She was a natural and had quite a long scarf going by the end of the night.

Aunt Dana giving Lexus her 1st lesson



Halle, Maggie, & Kimberly playing Barbies under the pool table.

Halle & Kimberly playing Christmas Lotto (like bingo)

Randy, Austin & Kimberly checking out the Christmas Lotto prizes.

 No matter your age, we all have a fabulous time!

Top Row: Aunt Lois, Aunt Sue, Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Karen, Mom
Bottom Row: Uncle Dick, Uncle Paul, Uncle Dick, Dad

Lexus was the BIG winner of the Quarters game!

 Our Christmas Eve family tradition is for Randy to read the "Night Before Christmas" to the kids before we tuck them into bed to dream of Santa coming and the surprises that will be waiting under the tree for them. We also track Santa throughout the night using NORAD Santa Tracker.

The BIG 4!

Our lil' man has turned 4 years old!!! Austin has really amazed us this past year with all the things he has done. He asked for a backhoe cake for his birthday; which made me happy since it was pretty easy to make. I always panic when I ask "What cake do you want mommy to make for your birthday?". One of these days they are going to ask for something I cant make...then what will I do?

Austin wearing his b-day hat from school.

The boy is literally obsessed with trucks in all shapes and sizes. He has told Santa at least 3 times he wants monster trucks. He loves garbage trucks, monster trucks, matchbox cars, construction vechicles, etc... So it was no suprise when over half his gifts were trucks ;-)

Austin tried out his new shotgun on Stan the deer. I think Stan and DAn (when he arrives in May) will be shot at a lot in the future as Austin pretends to hunt like daddy in the house.

Austin loved his cake and I thank him for letting me use some of his toys to decorate it. The dirt is crushed oreos and the rocks are chocolate covered raisins. Wish us luck this new year...we never had terrible "2's" or "3's" at our house. Age 4 was the worst year for both girls and I knock on wood that Austin doesn't follow in their footsteps.

Christmas Activities

We are in the full swing of getting ready for Christmas which includes making cake balls for 12 teachers. All those cakeballs and none left over for us...doesn't seem right, does it?

Austin's gifts for his teachers Mrs. M & Mrs. D

Kimberly & Lexus' gifts for their teachers

Austin is feeling the Christmas spirit, wearing his HO-HO hat around the house.

Austin had his preschool Christmas Party this past Tuesday. He sang really loud and clear for all his guests - Daddy, Mommy, Grandpa & Grandma Grothaus and Aunt Stephanie. He loved all the treats to eat and got to sit on Santa's lap. He told him he wanted "monster trucks" for Christmas

Awwwww! Such a cutie pie!

Austin singing Jingle Bells

Mommy, Austin, & Daddy

Austin with Santa Claus

Lexus had her Winter Choral Concert the same day. The 6th graders sang beautifully!

Here are more cards I have been making with some new dies...

We took the kids to see the Holiday Train Display at Union Terminal this past weekend. It was so odd to see the Duke Train Display in another setting. I wish they hadn't decided to move it. It is bad enough that 95% of the Christmas displays that used to be downtown during our childhood are gone. Randy & I had tried to start our own tradition of going downtown to see the trains, visit Murray Bros. Old Fashioned Candy Store, ice skate on the square and eat lunch downtown. After only a few short years, we can't even do that anymore. It just makes me sad to see these family traditions die out. We are doing our best to find new traditions like Sharon Woods light display.

Kimberly & Austin waiting to ride the train.

I will have another post later showing us celebrating Austin's 4th birthday yesterday!

9 Years & Counting! Happy Anniversary Babe!

Happy 9th Anniversary to the BEST hubby in the world! I feel soooo blessed for the past 9 years and the WONDERFUL life we have created together! He is even more wonderful for sending me these beautiful flowers; come on what girl doesn't LOVE flowers ;-)

Below are some random pics of what we have been up to:

Austin snuggling with Bella

Kimberly's fabulous hair by mom

The kids had fun this past weekend baking and decorating Christmas cookies!

Randy had a great idea this past Sunday night to go driving around looking at Christmas Lights. We found some great displays in Fort Thomas, Bellevue, Southgate, and Newport. I took pics of some of our favs! If you are still on the lookout for a good lights and music display visit 101 Breckenridge Court in Newport courtesy of The Blanchet Family. You can get a sneak peek at their website www.blanchets.com/christmas . If you drive down the road to Broadway St. in Newport you can see the BIG Christmas display put up by the Peluso family. We have been going there since I was little.

3 images from the Peluso's Christmas display - click to enlarge

Above and below are some cards I made recently.