Breakfast with Santa

This year our ward had Breakfast with Santa. Kaid was super excited to get to see Santa so that he could ask for a Buzz Lightyear for Christmas. (This was his one and only chance, seeing as how I do not believe in waiting in line to see Santa at the Mall. Does that make me a bad mom? Maybe I'll work on that for next year...) Brielle had no idea who or what Santa was. I was anxious to see how she would react.

Standing in line, she kept looking at Santa and Mrs Claus, and then back at me, then gripping my shirt a little tighter each time. I could tell she was not going to enjoy this.
Nope, no enjoyment whatsoever! But I really wanted a picture so I tried to make her. Bad idea! Can you see how red she is? She was so scared of Santa!

But I did get a good picture of Kaid. He did chat with Santa for a minute and then ask him for Buzz Lightyear. Then to his great delight he even got a candy cane!

Here's to hoping she likes Santa a little more next year!

This Girl Loves Sauce!

She is most definitely my daughter. This girl won't eat things without something to dip them in, and she doesn't just dip, she scoops. She gets that from me and I get that from my dad. It's like the food is just a conduit to get the sauce into my mouth. It appears Brielle feels the same way! Just look how cute that girl is!

Here and There

Throughout the beginning of December I took the opportunity to take some random pictures of the kids and the family. I wanted to be able to have enough to choose from for my holiday cards. I did not know it would be so hard to get everyone to cooperate! Brielle has been in a camera funk lately. When I get the camera out she hides, cries, gives the dirtiest looks ever, or just plain ignores me. It's driving me crazy! Anyhow, I wanted to put a few of the good ones, or the ones I laughed at here. I love my family!

Brielle was trying really hard to get away from Kaid, who was listening to me and holding her there as tightly as he could!

This was the best I could get with them this day. We took like 10 pictures of this particular pose, and this was the best one. (big sigh!)

Look at my beautiful girl! This was the best smile she had willingly given in weeks.

The two most handsome guys around!

In spite of Brielle's sour face, this one turned out pretty good.

Not bad...

Ok...what is Kaid doing? By this time he was bored out of his mind! His fake smile glued to his face with his finger in his ear! And Brielle...

Temple Lights!

I love looking at Christmas lights! ( I suppose by know you have just guessed that I really love Christmas!) It makes me feel happy. Especially at the temple, where I feel happy anyway. This year was fun, because we got to explain the nativity scene to Kaid. He was happy to see baby Jesus, and loved the big bright star. It gave the opportunity to teach him what Christmas is really about. I think the meaning of Christmas can easily be lost on a 4 year old. Brielle just ran around like a crazy person looking at all the lights, but what's new? It was a very fun night!

Kaid on the steps of the Mesa Arizona temple.

This is how Brielle was all night. I told you, a crazy person!

Just Us

Tonight Kaid and I spent the night together. I found a gingerbread train at Target, and knew that he would love to make one. So we built it together. When we were finished we headed out for ice cream, because how could any night be perfect without ice cream to end it? Kaid loves ice cream almost as much as I do. Definitely my son! We had a great time spending time together, just the two of us!

Look at that smile, who wouldn't love that?
He really liked putting the candy on. Even though only about half of it made it on the train...

The finished product!

At the ice cream shop.

That's my Kaid...and I love him!

Decorating the Tree

I love decorating the tree! Christmas decorations are complete when the tree is up and decorated. This year it was raining when we brought home the tree, so we left is out to dry on the patio for a couple days. When we finally brought it in I was ready to go! Brian always does the lights, thank you honey, and I do the rest. Each of us put on our special ornament and we take a picture. A tradition from the Melcher family, but I really like it, so I do it now too! The kids are always so helpful, in their own way:), and eventually it all gets done. Usually after they go to bed! I turn on a little Christmas music, drink hot chocolate and really get into the Christmas spirit!

This year Brielle was totally into the lights. She would not leave them alone!
Kaid was actually quite helpful. He's old enough now to follow directions.

Brielle, more than once, got all wrapped up in the lights.

Brielle putting on her ornament with a little help from daddy.

Kaid putting on his ornament.

This year we had a train that went around the tree. The kids loved it! When we first set it up, Kaid watched it for like 20 minutes strait!

Me with my ornament.

Brian with his ornament.

Watching the train!

Underwear

Brielle loves Kaid's underwear. What can I say? Maybe she fascinated by something she doesn't have. Maybe she's just weird! But I catch her all the time with his undies. Dirty or clean, she is not partial! (which is pretty gross if you ask me!) But today I came around the corner to find her at the computer, where she's not supposed to be anyway, looking like this.

When I tried to take them away she threw the biggest fit! So I put them back on her head and let her go her merry way. What a silly girl!

Picking Out a Tree

Picking out a Christmas tree has always been fun to be. It's never glamorous, we just go the lot at Home Depot, but it's fun. It means Christmas is just around the corner, and I love Christmas! We go as a family, even when I was a kid, and we decide together which one would look good in the living room. It just feels good, you know the spirit of Christmas and all!

If you think it's hard to get your kids to be serious and take a picture, you should be thankful that Brian is not your husband! He's just another one of the kids! I love him more than I know how to say, but honey, take normal pictures every now and then!
Kaid wants this one, "OK mom?"

Brielle loved running around and touching the pine needles. She laughed every time she touched them. They must have tickled her hand!

I love my kiddos!

That's the one! Chris and Brian strapping it to the Jeep.

Singing Christmas songs on the way home!

A November of Fun! (2009)

November went by really fast, but was loaded with LOTS of fun and laughter. At the beginning of the month we got to cheer on Grammy (my mom) as she walked in the breast cancer 3 day walk. That same weekend I "built" a gingerbread house from scratch with a good friend Maren. I even baked and cut out all of the pieces. It was a lot of work, but with such good company it was a lot of fun too! The weather was great in November and we spent a lot of time outside with the kids. Brielle LOVES (if that is even an adequate word) to be outside and get dirty. I love watching her little personality grow! Kaid is loving being the big brother and is continually teaching Brielle new things. Some things that I like, and some that I don't! I hosted Thanksgiving at my house for my family and Brian's family. It was a full house, but it was a blast! November came and went and we enjoyed every minute of it!