6th & under Kids' Christmas Party

On Sunday, November 29, 2009, we had the the little kids' Christmas Party after the one o'clock service we had because it was a fifth Sunday. We just had snacks since we had just eatten at church for lunch. We played a game.




Then we built gingerbread houses. It was too cute! Jared said his and Xander's was the best trailer in the trailer park!









Last, we played some more games and won some more prizes! We have the most precious little kids!








Oh! We also opened presents!

Thanksgiving

We had so many different family members from all sides come together this year for Thanksgiving! My mom's parents, my mom's sister and family, both of my dad's brothers and their families (minus Jeff and kids), my dad's aunt, my dad's cousin and her family, my immediate family, and Jared's brother and wife! I loved it! We had lunch at mama's. After lunch we played games and ate some more. Let me just say that I have the best family!

My dad and his two brothers and aunt
Lloyd, David, & Marty
Aunt Enola



Brianna & Erica
So pretty!

Turkey Toss '09

Early, Tuesday morning, November 24, 2009, Xander and I got up and met Pam and Addi and Kim at Academy Sports where Rick & Bubba's annual Turkey Toss was held. Ok, so we really don't ever expect to win (Pam is our only hope), but we still go for the fun of it. This was Xander's first experience throwing a frozen turkey and I must admit that we won't ever with him either!




While there we saw a couple of clowns who made balloon animals and such.





We also spun a Hillshire Farms meat wheel. I won a football, Xander won a backpack, I think Pam won a football, too, and Kim won the best prize... some bratwursts! Go meat!





There were other games and face painting and meat to taste! The late night and early morning caught up with out little man and he was ready to go.


Pam and I went inside Academy Sports for a while and we began to play. Xander and Pam found a scooter and took it for a spin in the store. When it was my turn, Xander pushed me and I almost ran into a man who was perusing the aisle! I had to fall off so I wouldn't hit him. Pam and Xander thought it was funny!





We left Academy and went over to Target to do a little Christmas shopping.

I left Pam and Xander at Target and headed over to a friend's house where Tracey taught us how to sew. I decided ahead of time that I would sew Jaiden a dress because I thought it would be easier. How hard could a newborn dress be to make? It wasn't! I made Hannah a matching one, too! And... they are reversible! Go me! Come to think of it...I need to put the snaps on them so they can actually wear them...and then make Lila one. Oh! I also taught myself how to make the cutest tutu's, so...I need to finish those, too... Maybe when I finally get my blog up-to-date!
I met Jared, Pam, and Xander at Habanero's after sewing, for dinner. Then it was off to church (our church changed our midweek service to Tuesday because of Thanksgiving.)

Build-A Bear Workshop

On Sunday, November 15, 2009, Mama, Jared, & I took Xander to Build-A-Bear Workshop. Mama was letting Xander build a bear for his birthday. It is always so cute to see a child build their first bear! Xander was no exception!
Xander picked out a rabbit to build.

He decided to put a giggle heart in his rabbit.

Time to stuff the rabbit!

Warming the rabbit's heart and everything else you are supposed to do to the heart!


Pushing the pedal to stuff the rabbit.


The rabbit is ready!


Washing & brushing his rabbit!


Time to dress the rabbit. We thought it was funny because we just knew he would choose one of the Star Wars or Batman or Spiderman outfits, but he chose a regular outfit. A t-shirt with a treasure map on it, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. That kid'll surprise you!





Time to name the rabbit! After careful deliberation, Xander came up with a name! (The couple beside us were laughing at Xander as he was throwing names out there!)

Meet Map Ears!


Jared took Xander over to the Lego store after he had finished building Map Ears. Jared said Xander walked in and the man who works there said, "Welcome to the Lego Store!" Xander replied, "We're not buying anything, we're just looking!" Jared said the man laughed. You never know what kids'll say!

Disney Pajama Party

On Friday,November 20, 2009, I took Xander on a date (Shhhh! Don't tell him cause he'll freak!)to the Disney Store pajama party. I left straight from work and went to pick him up. He was wearing his cool new flannel Transformer pj's and he was so excited! When we got to the mall, we made a stop at JC Penney's restroom. While there, Xander finished before me, and then began looking for me... in the cracks of every stall! I heard laughter, but I kind of thought it was the teenagers just giggling. So, I come out and we wash our hands, and the girls were still laughing. Now I'm wondering what Xander did! Finally I turned to the girls and asked if he peeked in the stalls and they kept laughing and said that he did. I knew I had seen his little feet walk past me and then come back. The girls thought it was funny and said he didn't hurt anything. Xander said, "Emily, I was just trying to find you! How am I suppose to know if I don't look?" Always an adventure...
Well, we started toward Disney Store, but not before we passed Victoria's Secret. Really? Do we have to have the manequins wearing nothing in the windows but underclothes? Xander shouts, "EEWwww gross! It's that girl store! Gross! Their wearing panties!" Whew! We got past that one, but then we encountered the man who sells beauty products, who can barely speak English, who shouts at you as he beams toward you and tries to grab you! Well, that guy began shouting something I couldn't understand at me, but I kept walking. But wait...Xander stops and says, "Hey Emily! That guy is talking to you!" Grrr! Now he's talking to Xander and Xander has no idea what he is saying and why I am ignoring him. I grab him and make a beeline for the Disney Store. Whew! We finally made it! We looked around the store until the party began. First, they colored a Disney Christmas picture until more kids arrived.


Next, they played Disney Pictionary. I thought it was a little too hard for the kids, but the adults had fun!

Next, they listened to the store manager read them Prep & Landing. They were given a snack while they listened.

After the story, they played Disney Pictionary one more time, listened to some Disney Christmas music, and were given Prep & Landing cardboard cutouts, more like paper dolls, but I would never say that to Little Man.
After the pj party, we visited Build-A-Bear, but just looked and also the Lego store. Next, we met Jared at Olive Garden. A lady there was having her birthday celebration and the workers sang to her. Xander asked if they would sing to him since it was his birthday in a few days. So they sang to him and when they were through he wanted to know why they didn't sing it right. They had sung it in Italian! :) Then it was time to go home. We made up "There was an old lady who..." stories all the way home. It was a perfect evening!