Gingerbread Houses

The kids made gingerbread houses on Wednesday here are some pictures.

Irelyn had to sit in her chair because she wanted the icing and candy

Allyssa got caught

sticking the tongue out helps

The finished products

Christmas Parties

Things have been crazy here since  the beginning of December.  Russell and I have had several O'Charley's parties to go to, we've had breakfast with Santa at Jacelyn's school, and we went to a get together at my Aunts house for my mom's family Irelyn was overwhelmed with the whole thing hopefully she will get better at other parties.  I've been cleaning and baking like crazy this week getting ready for a party here on Friday.  We leave Saturday morning to head to Scottsburg for christmas with Russell's family then Sunday we have to be back here for christmas in Sheridan with my dad's family.  I love the holidays but I sometimes think we try to cram too much into a short time.  The high point is that we are not going anywhere on Christmas day.  We are going to Christmas Eve service at church then we will come home and decorate cookies for Santa, watch Polar Express, and read a christmas story or two.  Christmas morning we get up when the kids get us up and open presents then usually fix a big breakfast and then lay around and play with the new toys all day.  Here a some pictures that we took at my Aunts house, and Irelyn and Jacelyn with Santa.

Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken a few weeks ago.  I didn't get all of the poses that I wanted because they were busy, behind, squeezed someone in the was scheduled for the next week and moved another lady whos husband left and wasn't back when they called them.  Anyway Irelyn was not in the mood for pictures by the time we finally got in there so we just did what we could.  Here are some of them.

Halloween Fun

The kids had a blast on Halloween this year. Allyssa, Taylor, and Jacelyn went trick or treating with some of their friends in the neighborhood and Irelyn and I just went to a couple of houses then came home and helped daddy pass out candy and glow necklaces. Here are some pictures of the kids on their costumes Allyssa was the Wicked Witch of the West, Taylor was Legolas Greenleaf from Lord of the Rings, Jacelyn was Dorothy and Irelyn was our little ladybug.

Wedding Reception

We had a party at our house for my dad and his new wife Debbie today.  We had a pretty good turnout good thing we have a big house.  The kids had a blast playing with cousins that they don't see very often.  Irelyn was so tired by the end she refused to take a nap once everyone got there she was afraid she might miss something.  She had fun sharing her toys with Allie and Cade.  After everyone left we went out to BDs Mongolian Barbecue for dinner.  They were packed I have never seen it so busy there, but I guess we usually go there for lunch on a weekday.  Here are some pictures from the day.  The last two are what the kids did to the balloons after the party.

Oklahoma G2K

Taylor got one of the lead roles in this years drama club production of Oklahoma.  He is Tom a cowboy.  I always knew he was a drama king.

It's all about the kids!!

Irelyn's new thing is to give great big hugs when ever we pick her up.  I love it, it makes me smile everytime she does it now matter how bad of a day I am having.  Also whenever one of us comes in the garage door she drops whatever she is doing and runs to see who it is and holds up her arms so she can give a big hug.

Allyssa has her first choir performance coming up.  They are doing Michael Jackson music (surprise surprise).  She has been staying after school learning a dance to Thriller she is so excited for the show she doesn't stop talking about it and she made us download Thriller from itunes so she can practice at home.

Taylor tried out for a part in the drama clubs production of Oklahoma he is really excited.  Also since he didn't get his posters done for student council he has decided to join the yearbook club.

Jacelyn is playing soccer and loving it.  She scored her very first goal ever a couple of games ago.  As soon as it went in she looked for us on the sidelines and smiled and gave us a thumbs up.

That is all for now Irelyn has had enough of playing alone and wants some attention.