Monday, December 13, 2010

Braving the COLD!

Last Friday was the first time the temps got above 32 degrees so we played outside for just a few minutes! It was nice to get some fresh air and get out of the house for a bit.

Look at my blue snowman!!

and my sassy girl!

and my sweet one!

LOVE!

Conner impressing the ladies!

and he leaves them behind ;-)

This is the cutest thing to watch! I tried to video him riding but my camera battery was dead. It's now charging getting ready for a busy, fun week with Christmas programs. He can only go backwards, so he goes around in circles forever and just laughs the whole time. Such a mess!

Christmas cookies

The girls and I made our first batch of gingerbread cookies last week. We made the cookies one night and then iced them the next day during a playdate. How festive they look in their holiday pj's!
The first ones out of the oven!! They are saying MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And here goes the fun and tasty part! Savannah came home with us from school so she got to join in on the fun.

some serious concentration going on!

The finished products....they had already eaten one. I finished up the rest during naptime ;-)

A Christmas Tea

The first weekend in December, the girls and I attended a Christmas tea at the Basgier's home. The Taylor's also joined us. These 2 year olds and 4 year olds are all best friends. They were so cute making their Christmas crafts and eating at the big girl table with fine china and special Christmas dishes. Hopefully this will become an annual tradition, especially since Emily will be at a different school next year. What wonderful memories!

Here they are making their notebooks.

Sweet Emily and her best friend Savannah.

Hard at work! Allison and Campbell.

All the sisters together, minus Allison. She was having one of her meltdowns. And yes, it was because of that dang e. coli bacteria that has attacked her system again.

And here is proof of her being there, but not really cooperating. Poor thing, she just didn't feel good.

Another attempt on the sofa to be with Allie B.

YIPPEE!!! Allison just needed some special love from her 2 yr. old friends.

Only Emily!

This was from the week of the Iron Bowl. Emily's class had a "tailgate" day and the teachers asked each student what they thought the score would be. Too cute! Some of the numbers cracked me up. War Eagle!!

Another picture too funny not to share. Ethan was helping me with the ornament box! "You caught me, Mom!"

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Thanksgiving 2010

I can't believe I don't have more pictures of the family/cousins from Thanksgiving weekend. All 7 cousins were together for 5 days and I have ZERO pics of them together. Lesson learned. Anyway, this year was the Kiel side Thanksgiving. Everyone was together plus a few friends scattered in and out. We have so much to be thankful for.....

As always, Rock Band is the favorite! The kids really got into it this year. So fun!

Ethan just wants to play, too!

The grown-up table at dinner

Oh geez. Mark and I are in trouble. Tutus and microphones....singing Beat It! Emily requests this song (for almost a year) everytime we get the Wii out. She knows all the words. Hilarious!

This was Friday during the Iron Bowl. Becky Barrett (and Jerry) are very dear friends of the Kiel family. Quick story: I flew to Orlando to meet Mark and his family (who were coming from vacation) for an AU bowl game. They hadn't gotten in yet, so Becky and Jerry picked me up. This was about 13 years ago so they were able to greet me at the gate. They had a "Barrett" sign so I would know who they were. At the time, that was my last name too. They took me to Steak & Shake and then to the grocery store and welcomed me into their home. Long story short....we had WAY too much fun that night and we bonded; friendships grew. They came in town for a few days and they got to meet all the kids and we got to visit. Sweetest couple you'll ever meet. Barrett's are smart - right, Jerry? Love you guys!

A night in the life.....

...of a family with small children. The kids and I were goofing off one night before bed and the camera just had to come out. These 3 crack me up!

The Kiel Kids Train (or an Allison sandwich!)

so silly

hilarious! (sorry for the undergarment show - she's going to kill me one day)


Please tell me when my 4 year old became 13. Such a sassy little diva!

sweet photos...

These are just some favorite pics from the last few weeks. They make my heart smile. Enjoy!

I ran errands one Saturday morning and came home to this. How sweet! And brother was just playing on the floor by himself. They were out!

My all time favorite picture of my baby boy! I think I've posted this before.....but here you go!

My handsome son! Love this little dude!

Breakfast with Aubie Claus

A few weekends ago, Daddy and Pa took the kids to an Auburn Alumni Association breakfast with Aubie. I had talked this event up with the girls a few days prior. Allison's comment: "I just want to watch him on TV." Well, they lived up to that statement. They enjoyed their pancake breakfast and when it was time to have pictures with Aubie (dressed as Santa), they would not go anywhere near him. They did, however, enjoy the blow up Aubie outside the restaurant. WAR EAGLE!!


I think maybe Em has some syrup on her hands ;-)
Future AUBURN cheerleaders!!

Pa helping Ethan stay in one place. Ha!

all 3 in their own little worlds

We are #1. Aubie already knew how the season would turn out!!

It was very bright outside.

How hard can it be to get 3 kids to pay attention at the same time?? It's impossible!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Ethan's 1st Flight

I had the opportunity to take Ethan on his first flight this past weekend. We flew to Dallas, where Daddy was waiting on us. Mark's cousin was getting married so we took advantage of the 'under 2 flies free.' The flight didn't go quite as planned as we were detoured about an hour due to weather. He did well and I was super tired by the time we got there. The wedding was beautiful, even from the back room!

The boy loves airplanes!

A Dallas Santa. I was so thrilled! I love Dallas!

Dancing at the reception

getting down to their own music ;-)

boys will be boys!

and he takes a break! poor guy!

Me and my favorite date of the evening, all hot and sweaty from dancing!!

2 out of 3 is not bad!

Pa with 2 of his sisters, Marcia (mother of the groom) and Merrily

on the flight home. It's so early, we're still in our pjs.

Love this picture of my 2 favorite guys!