Are you ready to rock?

Playing Rock Band is a family affair.  Maybe we have a musician in the works?!?!?

J.T.'s Award

J.T. received a certificate and a patch, yesterday, for passing Snowplow Sam 2.  We are so proud of him and so lucky that Mom-Mom and Ashley got to see him skate.  Next up, Hockey Tot 1!!

Goodbye Grandpa Walt

Today, the world lost a very special man.  He was an awesome grandpa and I learned so much from him.  He is my strength and now he is my angel.  At least I have the comfort of knowing he is in heaven with his Father.  

I love you and miss you Grandpa Walt.  

New Bikes

The kids must have been extra special this year because Santa brought them some new bikes.  Both kids were so excited to see them waiting in the living room.  I think Zoe spent most of the time on her bike trying to look into her stocking at the same time!  What a wonderful morning it was.  

The first glance!

What did we get?!?!?

 Time to test out the bikes!

I think it is time to take this outside!

Test drive outside.

 Pros

 J.T. doesn't need training wheels
 

So much fun!

I think this may be backwards

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night...

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!!

J.T. passed!

We found out on Wednesday that J.T. passed his Snowplow Sam 2 class and is now recommended for Snowplow Sam 3!  Now, we just have to figure out if that is where he wants to go, or if we are ready for Hockey Tots 1!!!  Good job J.T., we are so proud of you!!!

Lansing Lugnuts last game

Today was the last game for the Lansing Lugnuts t-ball team.  J.T. had an awesome day hitting (switch) and fielding!  I was so proud of him out there.  He has improved immensely since day one.  Each game, he went out and did his best and that is all that I can ask of him.    

Last one to bat gets to run all the bases!!!

Almost caught it!

Good Stop J.T.

Another Grounder

Fancy Dance

Coming Home

Handshake

After game ritual

Getting his award from Santa

J.T.'s award

It was a great season and we are going to miss our Saturday t-ball!  Go Lugnuts!!!!

Skating 12-15-10

J.T. is getting to the end of his skating class, only two more sessions to go.  Next week we should find out if he passed or not!  Either way, he is getting better and better with every lesson.  Now, we just need to remember to grab our gloves after class and all will be good.  Thank you to the good Samaritan who turned them into lost and found.  

Working on stopping

Spins

Obstacle Course

Jingle Bells

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Don't know where she learned the song, just started singing it today!!

Baking Cookies with Mom

On Friday, Zoe helped mommy start making her Christmas Cookies.   I don't know what she was better at, stirring the mixture or sneaking the chocolate chips!   She was a great helper and the cookies were delicious!!!

You have to have the proper outfit

Dress Up

Zoe decided that she wanted to be "pretty" today and pulled out all of her tutus, necklaces, bracelets and shoes. 

J.T. was feeling left out, so he decided his job was to dress Zoe.  After a while, that wasn't enough so he joined in the fun!  He will hate me for this in about 5 years!!!
 

Christmas Program

Last night was J.T.'s Christmas Program at school.  It was a crazy night, as we had skating lessons before.  After a quick change of clothes and some dinner in the car on the way, we made it with time to spare and actually found a place to sit.  He looked so cute in his black and white and so big compared to the other kids in his class. 

J.T.'s class sang "Little Drummer Boy", "The Greatest Gift" and "Happy Birthday Jesus."   He did awesome and sang all the songs.  He was practicing at home a lot this week, especially to "Little Drummer Boy" as that is the only song that mom knew the words to.  

For some reason, I am having trouble uploading the first two songs.  Here is a bit of video from the last song.  Sorry so shaky, but by the third song by arm was ready to fall off! 

 

Zoe got a little cranky toward the end, as J.T.'s class was the second to last to sing.  

Happy Birthday Jesus

Beautiful

Thank you to my wonderful father-in-law for the beautiful creche!  I love it!!!!

Lansing Lugnuts 12-4-10

Today was J.T.'s first game back after missing the last two games.  He was put on first base for the start of the game and that was quite interesting.  I don't think he has quite grasped the concept. 

He did, however, do a very good job of hitting and did not cry once for not getting a ball!!!

Thanksgiving in Carmel

Finally, I am getting around to posting some pictures from our wonderful and relaxing trip to Carmel.  We all enjoy our visits to CA and just wish there could be more of them...to MN as well!  We really miss family, especially during this time of the year.

Anyway, after a pretty uneventful flight to San Jose, in which mommy got a whole row to herself (first time in 5 years I haven't had a kid on my lap), Pop-pop met us at the airport and we headed to Carmel.  It was pretty late by the time we got there and the kids were tired.  So, we spent the evening catching up and meeting new friends!

The next day was pretty laid back.  It rained on and off, so we spent most of the time in the house.  J.T. talked Mom-Mom and Ashley into some Sorry, while Zoe played with daddy.  

After a fun day of games and a bit of hockey it was bedtime.  The kids were right at home!

Day two had mommy, daddy and Zoe doing some shopping and then we all headed off to the beach, but not before a stop at the Christmas tree in Del Monte Center.
 

The kids love the beach and J.T. went right in the water, even though it was probably 50 degrees.  BURRR!!
 

Day three was Thanksgiving!  Who doesn't enjoy this day...okay maybe the people who have to do all the cooking.  We are fortunate to have wonderful cooks who prepare a fabulous meal. While Mom-Mom and Ashley cooked and Pop-Pop and daddy put up Christmas lights, the kids and I wore off some energy outside.

Who needs snow to have fun on a sled! 

I gave the camera to J.T. for awhile and here are some of the pictures we were blessed with!

Before dinner, we went for a little walk to one of J.T.'s favorite spots...the water tower.  It is a pretty steep hill, but Zoe insists on doing it all by herself.   She was nice enough to let J.T. help her a little!   Uffda...she is going to be the death of me!

Finally, it was time for the meal and it was worth the wait!  J.T. took pictures of the turkey in four different stages!  I would just like to clarify for Mom-Mom and Ashley that the turkey is not burnt...it is the paprika!

Friday was another beautiful day and we again headed to the beach!  

Saturday was time to head home...all too soon.  It rained all day, until it was time to leave.  We got in a few games before we headed off to the airport.  Again, we gave J.T. and Zoe the camera...this is what we got!

It was a wonderful week and we can't wait to go back.  More pictures will follow, but I need to get Christmas Cards out first as I used a lot for those!!!