Christmas Day 2014

Christmas Day is a busy one! It starts before dawn as we see what Santa has brought, then off to Grandma and Grandpa Millner's and lastly to the Blooms for dinner and games. We are blessed to be able to spend time with our family making more memories. It is an added bonus that we all live so close.

Marble Run

Doc McStuffins 

Fun and games at the Bloom house

Shake your bootie to win!

Move the marshmallows between plates with a straw for the kids

Increased the difficulty with M&Ms

Christmas Eve 2014

The Roboles spent Christmas Eve again last year. We don't spend enough time together throughout the year so this night is a special one. The kids adore their big cousins!

Fancy kids

Gifts galore

I think he liked it

Cousins

Christmas Program Videos 9-11

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Christmas Program Videos 5-8

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Christmas Program Videos 1-4

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Church Christmas Program 2014

On the Saturday before Christmas, the kids joined all of the Sunday School children in putting on a performance of songs and readings. The birth of Jesus presented in song and word from kids from age 3 years to 6th grade. The kids are now veterans of this program so knew what to expect. As you can see Dru still needed to see what was going on with the baby. It was cute as always. We lost Dru afterwards at the cookie reception in which the pastor needed to track us down, oh the memories. 

Our beautiful church during the musical offerings

Leo seemed a little bored at first

 I love this with him among the chaos, and the other boy waving

Dru trying to read the words

Dru kept creeping closer to the baby and got to the closest spot

(without actually being in the nativity scene)

Mom Love

                               by Dru (December 2014)

 

I wanted to make sure I saved this as proof for the day she isn't so fond of us.

It doesn't specify which one so it will work for either of us! HA!



Leo's Kinder Holiday Program

The kindergarten classes put on a holiday program for parents and grandparents last week. Leo's class performed in the afternoon with 2 other classes. All four grandparents were able to make it! Dru was able to leave class to be there to support him as well. He did such a great job and had a few moments I thought he might explode from excitement.

Watch and enjoy!

 

part 1

 

part 2

 

part 3

 

part 4

 

part 5

 

 

Thanksgiving 2014

 

Yep, this is pretty typical.

We are thankful for these two crazies.

Santa Visit 2014

The kids had a day off from school on a Friday in November so I took advantage of it and made an appointment to visit Santa. We see him at the Mall of America and he is so good with the kids. Dru asked for a Doc McStuffins doll and Leo asked for Super Fun Marble Run. I sure hope Santa comes through for them, they have been trying to behave and work at it each day.

 

 

Family time for Dru's birthday

Dru chose Chuck E. Cheese's for her birthday outing. The four of us went for pizza and games on her actual birthday. They were able to choose a few trinkets with their tickets.

 

taking a ride with CEC

They played this for awhile

Skee Ball

 

 From the picture machine

Pile of tickets I was guarding at the table

Dru turns 7

Dru turned seven!! She chose a beach theme this time. Her family came to help her celebrate. She is lucky to have such wonderful people in her life. Thanks to all who made her feel special for her birthday.

 Reed shared the evening since he was sick for his birthday

Thanks everyone!

Zoo with Kaylee

On Saturday November 8th the kids and I met our friends Desi, Becky and baby Kaylee at the MN zoo. Here are some of my favorite photos from our visit. We see different animals each time we go.

 

 octopus

 black and white colobus monkey

lynx

 

 

 sweet Kaylee

 ready for a nap

kids helping the staff fill the turtles' water pond

Busy Saturday: Nov. 1st

This was the last day of swimming lessons for their fall session. They both did well and enjoyed a little free time in the warm zero entry pool since they both passed their safety test. Before, I would have to be in the pool with them and wasn't always interested in having all three of us to change afterwards. They will start again in January.

 

 Leo practicing his back float (with Sammy)

 Working with a pole in the deep end

 

playing with her instructor Austin

 

Afterwards we met up with Reed, Heather and Grandma Sue and went to Chutes and Ladders park. It was a bit chilly so we didn't stay too long. The kids really enjoy all the different things to do there. Since we were in the neighborhood we stopped to visit the grave of my uncle Tom. He died in 2006 and I had not been there since the funeral. It is hard to believe he's been gone for 8 years, and that he wasn't able to meet the kids. We miss him.