Christmas Program

Each year at preschool they put on a little Christmas program for the parents.  The Pre-K acts out the Nativity each year, and lucky Laurel was chosen to play Mary.   The girl was ecstatic.  She loved being Mary and did a good job too.  Here's Laurel with her good friends -  a wise man and an angel - before the show.

The Nativity

Michael had his debut in the Christmas program this year, although he wasn't as excited about performing as his sister was.  He sang sometimes.  But he did ring the bell and look really cute.  Good show, guys!

A Little Snow

I have relatives who live in Alaska and Minnesota that will laugh at our meager 2-3 inches ( I mean, what is it really compared to the 4 foot snow drifts that covered their windows?).  BUT, 2-3 inches here warrants a snowman and outside playtime for sure.  Of course, we're not really equipped, so we don't last long, but we have a good time.

SNOW!!

 So, Laurel's class Christmas party was the same day and they all made reindeer hats and had red noses.  She's lookin' pretty fly sportin' the red nose and dancing the happy dance.  

 They named him Thomas.

 Cutie.

She THINKS she's gonna belt me with that gargantuan snowball, but she got the neighbor instead.  It was awesome snow for a snowball fight.  Man, Erik, you missed out.  I would have totally destroyed you!  (Well, I can say that because you're not here, but we know what would have really happened.)  Good times, good times...

Happy Birthday to Me

For my birthday this year Laurel and I enjoyed a matinee show of Disney's The Lion King.  Erik and I saw it 8 1/2 years ago in LA when we were dating.  I thought it deserved a second visit.  Laurel was my date this time.  She enjoyed the show.  

Afterward, we picked up the boys from a friend's house and went and got Chinese take out.  We enjoyed dinner at home and a little ice cream cake.  Laurel sang Happy Birthday to me.  It was pretty awesome. 

A Few Pictures

Michael in his new church clothes (Thanks Grandma Biz!)

Laurel in her new dress from Grandma Biz

Snazzy

The Party

Laurel couldn't decide on a theme for her 5th birthday party, but she knew it couldn't be a girly party because it was very important to her that Jake be invited.  He is her favorite.   So we had a good old fashioned balloons and streamers kind of party.  Everyone had a great time.

 An awesome ice cream cake by the best Ice Cream Co in town.

 Laurel was super excited to have cousin E and friend Elena at the party.  They were in town for the holidays.  

 Birthday Girl

 We played "Pin the bow on My Little Ponies Tail" - and the boys even got into it.

 Thank goodness Jake did come to the party.  Who on earth would have busted that pinata if we hadn't had him around?   Of course, after everyone had a few turns, we let Laurel have at it.  Later Laurel told me that was the best part of the party.  She liked hitting the pinata "over and over."  - She has an aggressive streak.

 Happy Birthday!  Again!

Tangled

Laurel with her magical golden hair as Rapunzel for Halloween.

 So, this summer at the beach I took the kids to the Disney store.  There Laurel saw the Rapunzel princess dress and long golden hair.  Laurel was sold.  Then in California, she saw the movie previews on Daddy's computer.  That was it.  She HAD to see Tangled!  She had already insisted on being Rapunzel for Halloween.   There was no denying the girl and it just so happened that it opened in the theaters just in time for her birthday.  As a surprise for Laurel, her good friend Elena joined us at the theater.  She was very excited!

 The kids really liked it.  It's a winner!

 Baby B hung out with Grandma and Pa while we enjoyed the show.  Does he look like he missed out?  The boy is following in the footsteps of his big brother and is very PASSIONATE about cars!

Of course, once out of the theater, Michael had to have a turn too.  Gotta keep the troops happy. 

Thanksgiving Girl

Laurel at 3 weeks old, December '05

Laurel's birthday landed on Thanksgiving this year. 

 She didn't mind sharing the spotlight.  She loved eating her birthday dinner on the "pretty dishes."  And I'm not sure how much she noticed I was in the kitchen.  She and her cousin E were having too much fun running around together and with the "boys."

 FIVE??!  My firstborn is 5? 

 After dinner we sang Happy Birthday and she enjoyed her very own birthday cupcake.

 It was still a little frozen though!  You can see that those girls got a kick out of that!   Well, they giggle at just about everything - especially cousin E.

Happy Birthday, Bug!