blog about it. I regret that now because this is going to be a looooong post! Just scroll through to the things that interest you :)
Jen and Billy came again for Thanksgiving, and we all enjoyed their visit!
Jaden greets Aunt Jen...
Caitlyn was shy for awhile, but she had a big sister to comfort her...
When she warmed up, Caitlyn had fun playing with Uncle Billy. I think he knows her game...
Craig and I with the girls. Yes, that's a purloined cat toy in Catie's hand...
Jaden loves taking pictures...
I was disappointed that Kharli had to work on Thanksgiving and Christian went to his grandparents' house. It doesn't feel right when they're not around, but I know they're growing up and that happens. I hope as they get older and start their own families that we will all be able to meet in one place instead of having to choose.
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Hanukkah came early this year...it kind of snuck up on us, so we missed lighting the menorah for like, 4 nights. That's okay, I guess, since we don't know the prayers anyway. But even as a shiksa I really enjoy the menorah, so I swear I'm going to make up my own prayers! I will make them really good ones too. Like, "We light this candle to honor those who give selflessly to others throughout the year."
On the eighth night of Hanukkah...
Jaden and Caitlyn fully participated in decorating the tree this year, at least they think they did. Kharli and I had to go move all of Catie's ornaments when she wasn't looking because she put all 10 of them on the same branch. Their favorite thing to do every evening when we came home from school was to turn on the tree and sit near it. Each day without fail Caitlyn exclaims, "Yook! It's a twismas twee!!"
Reading by tree light...
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My sisters and I took all of our kids to the studio to have portraits done as a Christmas surprise for my parents. It was no small undertaking. It was quite an ordeal to coordinate, and I had a hard time dealing with a terribly shy Caitlyn, but overall it turned out to be kind of fun! It was funny, because I think the teens are all getting old enough to be embarrassed by the family ruckus (which THEY cause, by the way) and I am getting old enough to not worry about it anymore. Shoe's on the other foot, Kids...hahaha. They were great that day, and we got some nice portraits.
The whole bunch...
Can't get them to be serious for anything...
Caitlyn's not in that shot because she was busy doing this...
My four...
Number 1 and Number 2
Number 3
Little Number 4. The best she'd do.
Cousins and friends...
So pretty...
Afterward, they all went outside to the courtyard and hammed it up. I like these even more!
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One Saturday Craig took Jaden to see a Willy Wonka gingerbread house, complete with chocolate river. Jaden was amazed, and she got to see some Oompa Loompas too!
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One thing this year that I really enjoyed was our staff Christmas Party for the kids. We had a potluck, games, crafts and treats, and a book gift for each child. Jaden and Caitlyn had a really, really good time. I hope we do it again in years to come.
Hanging out waiting for the festivities...
Musical "dots"...
Painting picture frames. Yes, my kids are wearing trash bags!
Sugar cookie decorating...
Another Bear book...
Up past bedtime...
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At their school, the girls were in the annual Christmas show. It was performed in the chapel, which was weird for Craig, but he held up nicely with minimal eye-brow raising at the "Jesus is Lord" posters. But then, I drank manischewitz at our wedding. A little tit-for-tat makes the world go 'round, right?
This year the theme was Noah's Ark. Jaden was a kitty cat, Caitlyn was a monkey, and I thought those choices were VERY appropriate. We couldn't believe it when Caitlyn's teacher actually got her to go up on that stage and sing with the crowd. Amazing. She made it almost all the way through her group's song.
Here are a couple of videos. They manage to capture the chaos of this event quite well. Watch, but stand warned: I'm NOT the greatest videographer, especially when Caitlyn was pulling on my arm during Jaden's song.
Jaden singing "Away in a Manger" and "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore"...
Caitlyn singing"This Little Light of Mine"
Well, sort of singing. She'd kind of had enough of the spotlight by then...
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On Christmas eve we went to Jacque's house for dinner. I got to be in charge of appetizers this year and it was the most fun I've had cooking in years. Forget turkeys and pie...I only want to make apps from now on. Anyway...as usual it was loud, and people ran around, and people got silly. Some cried, some laughed, some yelled. All in all, a successful family gathering!
I love my family. My nieces and nephews are all getting so big...it's nice to see how time and circumstance are shaping them into real human beings. Sometimes I get so busy caring for the little girls and keeping them from breaking things and each other that I never quite get to enjoy my family as much as I'd like. So if any of you are reading this...I love you!
Happy Holidays to everyone!
This was great!
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