Love/Hate Relationship

Caroline doesn't quite get Christmas just yet.  Especially this whole, big red guy with a beard thing.  Today we went to one of Tommy's work friend's house for a holiday party.  In the middle of the party, Santa showed up.  Caroline couldn't  take her eyes off of Santa.  She needed to know where he was at all times.  When it was her time to see him, let's just say she wasn't the first in line. 

Having her coloring interrupted by the sight of Santa entering the room.

Jack sat in Santa's lap willingly this year.

Thrilled to be there.

Caroline willingly went up there to see Santa when she realized he had a gift for her.

Still not so happy about being that close!

Love the group photo.  See Caroline on the far left.

Early Snow Days and Christmas Presents

This past week we had 2 snow days.  We were out Monday with about 3-4 inches of snow and then Thursday with 4-5 inches of snow.  This is much more than we are used to this early in the year.  I'm starting to think we'll be in school until the end of June!  Don't get me wrong, I love snow days, but we were just a week away from Christmas break.  Plus, I really enjoy my summers at home with the kids.  Anyways, here are some highlights of our snow days.

Playing and clearing the deck before the next snow

Paiting our sugar cookies.  Caroline just used the white icing!

So messy, but so fun!  We had to let her help.

Jack loves painting the cookies.

Some of the finished products.

At the neighbor's house trying to figure out her new snowblower to get rid of the 5 inches of snow on our driveways.  Who wants to shovel?  Tommy decided to snap some pictures as he was working from home that day.

We caught him!

Grammy and Grandpa came in this weekend to visit and bring some Christmas gifts.  Caroline loves her new kitchen and dressup clothes, while Jack was thrilled with his legos and remote control monster truck.  We had such a fun visit.

Checking out her new kitchen.

Playing and cooking with Grammy

sweet cuddles with grammy

Caroline had fun with Grandpa

cooking up a storm

So that she can feed her monkey

Didn't get any pictures of Jack building, but here he is (with the help of Caroline) to open his monster truck!

More pictures to come soon of Christmas.  We are expecting to get more snow/ice this week, so we'll see what happens!  Looking forward to 2 weeks home with the kids!

Update in pictures (and some words)

We've had a busy month since Thanksgiving.  My sweet Grandma passed away the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  What a blessing to have such a great relationship with a sweet, strong, Christian woman.  What an encouragement to hear the strong stories people were telling us, one after another, at her celebration service.  As I make her sour dough bread recipe this holiday, it is hard not to be sad when I can't call and tell her how each batch turned out, but I try to remember that she is now rejoicing with her Savior!  I'm just so glad to have the great memories with her and that the kids remember their sweet Gigi.  During the visit, the kids got to meet their cousin Sarah Beth.  Elaine came in from California with SB.  Some pictures of the kids first visit...priceless.

Pretty good group pose.

Uncle Mark had fun babysitting all the little ones...as long as they didn't poop!

Love it

Caroline is baby crazy right now.  She was pretty happy to see a real one!

Jack loved SB.  He said, "she'd be a good brother."



Trouble, trouble, trouble.  I think we made Elaine nervous!



Here was our first snow of the season last weekend. About 3 inches.

Caroline enjoyed it much more this year!

Yep, here she is ducking from a snowball that Tommy is throwing at her.

Being a ham

Breaking out the sled

Jack going by himself.  He's getting so big.  I guess he probably needs a helmet?

Caroline did not go voluntarily.  She kept telling Tommy "no, no, no!"

We visited the Creation Museum last night for the live nativity.  Great!  And the lights were beautiful.

My sweet boys, yes sweet.

I actually got my pic with the kids!

Jack loved that they had dinosaurs there.

Caroline being Caroline in front of the tree.

Like Mother...

We took advantage of a local company that offers pictures with Santa.  Jack was so proud of himself.  "I didn't cry mom. I was brave," is what he kept telling me after his pictures.  He was even able to tell Santa about the car track he's been eyeing and circling in some of the toy ads that fill each week's paper.  And Caroline, well, that's where the title of the blog comes in...

like mother...


Like brother....

Sister comes by it honestly...

And one of the two of them...

Catnapper

(Keep reading below...I've actually posted more than once today!)

Caroline is sneaky.  I think we are going to have our hands full (or even fuller) as she gets older!  One of the funniest things is that when she gets tired, she goes to sleep...wherever she gets comfortable.  At school, they laugh because she will just go laydown on the toys or in the corner or wherever around 10-10:30 and take her catnap.  Yesterday while Jack and I were running errands, Tommy caught Caroline making her nest and taking her nap.  She got her "monkey george", puppy and blankie up under her and she went to sleep...in the laundry basket!  He was able to pick her up without her even moving to put her down in her bed for her nap!

Halloween

Finally, here are some pictures from Halloween.  The kids had such a great time getting dressed up trick or treating.  Being that it was on Sunday night, I was worried Caroline would have a hard time since we had school the next day.  I think that girl could have stayed out longer than Jack.  It broke her heart when she had to go in to bed!  It really was such a fun night. 

Caroline was ready to go!

Jack showing off his muscles

Our neighbors passed out our candy while we were out.  Jack was helping to keep Ms. Ashley warm once we came back.  We love our neighbors!

Caroline was realizing it was about time to go in!

We had to get our hams with the pumpkins