Snow is fun!

We drove up to Michigan after being in Indy for just a few days. We were very excited to see Mema, Papa, Aunt Shell, and Uncle Brett! We also were lucky to see Cousins Allison and Darren who stayed a little longer just for us. Thanks!

Cousin Alison with Evan and Caitlin

Caitlin checking out Maizey

There was snow in Indiana, but being from Texas, we had not invested in any "snow" gear for the kids... just didn't seem worth it!  However, Mema went all out and got Evan a complete snow suit.  He's too cute in it (and loved wearing it)!

Ready for the snow!

Right away, we got him suited up and then Papa took him for a ride around the yard and then onto the frozen lake (made me nervous, but there were snow mobiles on it so I figured we were okay).

Caitlin stayed inside but enjoyed watching!

The next day, everyone went into Midland to a sledding hill!  It was Evan's first time really sledding (and Uncle Brett's as well).  He had a blast.

We kept Caitlin warm with lots of hugs and a blanket!

I took lots of videos and uploaded them all to You Tube.  So, I'll post links to them all here if you want to watch them. 

First video is of his very first time down the hill (and Uncle Brett's first time too):



Evan and Aunt Michelle sledding:

Evan and Brett sledding:

Evan and Mommy sledding, Bryce sledding:

Evan and Daddy on the tube:

I was very happy for Evan to get to experience a white Christmas and the things we enjoyed doing as kids when you live up north.  And bonus, now Evan is prepared for any Texas snow we might get!

The Annual Hammel Christmas Bash

One thing I was really looking forward to was the Annual Hammel Christmas Bash. Every year for as long as I can remember, my family has thrown a Christmas party with a white elephant (i.e. gift exchange). I love it because we get to see so many wonderful people at the Holidays. And this was one major benefit to actually going home this year for Christmas since I've missed quite a few in the last couple years.

Evan hanging out before the party:

My best friend Angie and Caitlin - don't they look festive?

Evan really enjoyed the chocolate cake:

Evan and Angie's little boy Hadley (he's 6 months younger than Evan).  It took until the end of the party for the two of them to really start playing, but once they did, they had so much fun.  Here, they enjoyed putting these bows on their head and having them fall off... cracked them up each time!

And who wouldn't enjoy cars crashing on a piano??

Caitlin liked the bows too! (Liked to eat them):

And that's it for now!  Next stop and blog - Michigan!

To Grandma's House We Go

For Christmas this year, we had a little road trip planned. We headed north to Indiana and Michigan (driving for the 2nd time this year). Overall, it was a great trip and I apologize for being very behind on blogging. So, I'll try to do some posts over the next couple days and catch up.

The drive up went surprisingly smooth. Both kids did great. The new car (we got the Acadia if I didn't tell you) was fantastic.  We both loved to drive it, loved the navigation, Evan loved the DVD player... all the bells and whistles on it were awesome.  We definitely made a good decision and I have to say at this point, I'd recommend it!

We arrived in Indy late Friday evening.  On Saturday, we spent the morning at our favorite place, The Children's Museum!  Bryce had never been so I was excited to show him.

The first thing we did was the Christmas slide!  The museum turns their staircase into a huge slide at Christmas.  I wasn't sure if Evan would go by himself so Bryce took him up there.  As you can see in the video, Evan did go by himself so he got to race Daddy to the bottom.  They had a blast!

Video of them sliding:



Next, we headed up to the Carousel, my personal favorite.  Evan and Oma road together.

And I got to ride with Caitlin for the first time!

Picture of all of us on the carousel:

After that, we headed up to the infant/toddler area.  Evan had fun playing in the water:

But of course his favorite was the train table - tears of course when we had to move on:

Next was the Christmas area where you can see Santa and do "winter" things like brush reindeer, go "ice skating", go in a winter caste, etc.

And last we went to the see the Dinosphere where we always have a ROARING good time:

Roar!

Saturday evening, Bryce and I headed to the wedding of my friend Bill Witchger - had so much fun and loved getting to see a bunch of college friends.  Hope we can all get together again soon!  And that's post number one from our trip to the Midwest!

Evan's Preschool Program

On Tuesday evening, we attended a little Christmas program at Evan's preschool.  The four of us were there along with Aunt Baba and Uncle Casey.  We first headed to Evan's classroom for some cookies.  It was nice to see all the kids and their parents in his class and also see how he interacted with the other kids.  He showed us where he puts his backpack and some artwork they had done. 

Then, we headed over to the church for the performances. We dropped off the 2 year olds at the nursery where they would hang out until it was time for them to sing.  Evan cried for just a few minutes when I left him.  Finally, it was showtime.  They came into the auditorium and up to the front of the church.  I was very nervous that Evan would just run off the stage or run around (like Thanksgiving).  That, or he would see me trying to film and run over to me.  I tried to hide behind some people while filming so that maybe he wouldn't see me... that's part of the reason the camera work isn't great!

But, he did great!!  He stayed up there for most of it and although he didn't sing, he participated.  I couldn't ask for anything more.  After the performance, he sat with us while the rest of the preschool sang their songs.  Overall, it was so much fun seeing him do his first school concert and I'm really proud of him. 

Here's the video of the performance!


And here are some pictures I took at his Christmas party during school on Tuesday.

Evan icing his Christmas Tree

Looks good!

Tastes good!

Ms. Jenifer handing out Christmas books to the kids

Evan and Ms. Jenifer

Here are pictures from the Christmas Program:

Family photo

Evan and Avery

Aunt Baba, Uncle Casey, and Evan

Santa - Friend or Foe?

This year, I was really hoping Evan would enjoy Santa, and I'd get some good pics of him. In the past, he hasn't been thrilled with the idea of sitting on Santa's lap.  I was optimistic that maybe this year, he'd think differently.  So, the results are in.

First Santa visit was at Evan's preschool.  Let's just say this first encounter was definitely a "foe" vote for Santa.  Evan did not want to sit on his lap (neither did Caitlin as you can tell).  I am actually standing next to Evan as it was the only way he'd even get close to him.  Here's the best picture from that attempt:

This past weekend, the neighborhood we live in had their annual Holiday party.  They have a great hayride around the neighborhood to see the lights and then of course Santa is there. So, we had encounter #2 with Santa!  This time, Caitlin was having none of it.  Poor thing!

Evan, on the other hand, actually sat next to Santa on his own, told him where his car was, and seemed okay.  No smiling or anything, but I thought it was a big accomplishment that he sat next to him without screaming!

Here's the four of us on the hayride!  Evan LOVED it.  We had fun too even though it was a little chilly. 

And our last Santa encounter was at my MOPS meeting today.  This was actually the best looking Santa I'd say and the experience was better than the last. Evan actually sat on his lap all by himself and told him things (nothing like what he wants for Christmas, probably just about his candy cane).  I put Caitlin on his lap too... she again was not thrilled with the idea. Maybe next year we'll have even more success!

Evan and Santa

Caitlin, Santa, and Evan

Evan and Avery!



Christmas is coming!

The Holiday season is here so we've been extremely busy (hence the lack of blogging).  I've been really fortunate though because I actually had more vacation saved up than I'd planned to take.  This has been great because I've taken a couple afternoons off while still having Elizabeth take care of the kids.  I've been able to just sort of relax and do some Christmas shopping without the kids.  Bryce and I even went to a movie one afternoon.  Next week, I'm going to the spa one day.  It's nice to have some time completely to myself.
We did our annual trip to the Downtown Christmas tree lighting with the Blankenships (sad the Krolls couldn't join us).  But, Becca and Michelle did and new friends the Groffs!  We enjoyed our dinner at Hickory Street before proceeding to the tree lighting.  It was fun, but this year we didn't do much singing as the kids just wanted to run around so we spent most of the time watching out for them.

The young ones hanging out in the strollers

The ladies

Caitlin and me

Caitlin and Bryce (Capital in the background)

Best attempt at a family photo

Group shot!

My cutie!

We've also been having lots of fun with friends.  We've been to a few Holiday parties and cookie parties.  One day, we met Ange/Amanda and kids down at a bounce place called Loco-Motion.  The kids had a great time and we even managed a few adult conversations. 

Evan bouncing

Caitlin enjoying the bounce place

Avery serving Evan and Leah

We also celebrated Brian Crandall's birthday with a nice party at their house.

Evan, Avery (behind him), and Aidan hanging out by the fire

Food time!  Evan, Aidan, Avery, and Leah chowing down. Aidan was very entertaining to them all!

Aunt Baba and Caitlin

And last but not least, we've been enjoying family time at home.  Here's a random picture to keep you entertained until the next blog entry!