Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa Riechmann

We traveled up north to Carrollton to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Riechmann. Grandma Riechmann made a YUMMY roast (which Mommy requested) and too much other yummy stuff. We ate till we couldn't eat another bite and then we started ripping into the presents (or the kids did). Braden and Kendall (and us too) were completely spoiled. Braden loved his Buzz Lightyear and Kendall loved her Barbie Thumbelina. We played for a while and then they had fun in the shower. Grandma and Grandpa don't have a tub, so the kids love to sit under the shower. They are a hoot to watch! By the time we got home the kids were tired. We went to bed and got ready to do it all over again the next day (in Brighton)!

Riechmann/Rodgers Christmas

As we usually do, we got together with the Rodgers family to exchange gifts for the kids. Braden loves to get a present for his "Bro" and Kendall enjoyed getting a gift for Olivia as well. Braden was there when I was wrapping Jackson's gift and saw what it was. He promised he wouldn't tell Jackson what it was (we learned last year that the boys have a hard time keeping gifts a secret). I shouldn't have believed him. He did tell Jackson what it was, but Jack was still glad to have his Buzz Lightyear. Olivia enjoyed her princess roller skates and storyreader book. Braden loved his new Batcave and Kendall was ecstatic with her new princess dress-up trunk. The kids had fun playing with their new toys for about an hour and then it was bedtime...we're tired (at least Mommy and Daddy are!)!

A Visit with Santa

Our friends, Kate and John, arranged for Santa to come to their house a few days early to make sure all the kids were ready for his visit. We were invited and went along to see Santa. The kids (and adults) were in awe! He had a small toy for each child which they received when they sat on his lap to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Braden said he wanted trains and Kendall wanted princesses. I'm sure Santa already knew that, but it never hurts to tell him one more time! A good time was had by all of the kids and adults. Santa reminded the kids to be good because he was still watching them to make sure they stayed on the nice list. This worked for our kids for about...45 minutes!

Christmas Program

This was the second year our kids have participated in their daycare and preschool Christmas programs. The church where the program was held was packed! Kendall and her "class" sang Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and the 5 Days of Christmas (12 is too many for 2-year-olds!). She was cute, but took to climbing on the stairs like most of the other kids in her class and showing everyone her tights and diaper. But she looked cute doing it!

Braden's daycare class sang the Reindeer Hokey Pokey and his preschool class did Silent Night (with sign language), Away in the Manger, and a Candy Cane poem. He was cute and spent most of his time looking at his family and playing with his antlers. All in all it was a cute program and we look forward to Kendall's next year (Braden will be in Kindergarten...tear, tear)!

Wild Lights

My mom and dad called and asked us to go to the Wild Lights at the zoo. We quickly agreed! The kids had gone when they were really little a few years ago, but Dustin and I had never gone. We loaded up in the Tahoe and headed to STL. It was pretty cold, but we found some hot chocolate and warmed up by walking around. The kids enjoyed the lights as well as the annoying, I mean wonderful, strobe light that Mimi bought even though Mama said "no." I guess that's what Mimi's are for!

EHS Christmas Play

We have a girl down the street who babysits for us from time to time. She was the lead in the annual High School Christmas Play. She asked if the kids would want to come and we agreed. So, on a rainy Saturday afternoon we took the kids to see their first play. Braden kept calling it a movie, and rather than keep explaining we just let him call it that. Hannah was great and the kids really enjoyed the sing-a-long at the end. They looked scared the whole time, but talked about how fun it was!

Breakfast with Santa

This was the second year we did a breakfast with Santa at our church, but it was Kendall and Daddy's first time. We got up and dressed and headed out to eat pancakes with the youth group from St. Mary's. The kids ate well (because they actually like pancakes) and sat on Santa's lap with no problem. Afterwards we made crafts and got faces painted. They enjoyed it and I think they will look forward to it again next year!