Hello Alexander

When we returned home from Thanksgiving, we were greeted by our Elf on a Shelf Alexander. It is the holiday season and Alexander works for Santa Claus. Each night he flys back to the North Pole to let Santa know if Cooper and Campbell have been naughty or nice. The girls were excited to see that Alexander had brought them each a gift. This year it was a Rubik's Cube.

Thanksgiving

I was so excited when my dad told me in August that he and Marie bought a new house. Once the final details where set we agreed that Thanksgiving would be celebrated at the new house this year.

As the day grew closer, the guest list increased. With our family, my sister's family, and 3 siblings of my dad's; it was going to be a full house. How exciting!

We had a great time. There was so much food and drink. We played cards, watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and reminisced about years gone by. The girls reviewed all the sales ads and did some Black Friday shopping. The big hit was watching The Polar Express on dad's new 3D tv and playing games on Marie's new touchscreen computer. We made sure to complete the weekend by decorating the Christmas tree, hanging lights outside on the house, and walking the neighborhood to see other decorated houses. It was a great holiday weekend.


The girls did a great job decorating Papa & Gma's Christmas tree.


The outside view of the lights that Pat & Chad put on the new house.


Dad and Marie in front of the new house.


Family Photo

A girl's cat

Our cat, Champagne, has been with us since 2000. She is a Minx cat and isn't quite the lovable little kitten most cats should be. Most of the time she is asleep, hiding in a place nobody will find her, and wants nothing to do with others.

That was until Campbell came along. Champagne loves Campbell and Campbell loves Champagne. Those two are inseparable. I took this photo one afternoon while they were snuggling on the chair.

Campbell's Thanksgiving Feast

Today was Campbell's preschool Thanksgiving Feast. A day Campbell has been looking forward to for weeks. She was so excited that Oma was able to attend as well. The class had been practicing their songs, fingerplays, and actions all month; and their hard work paid off. A preschool program is the cutest thing. The kids have no fear, they sing their hearts out, and they are so proud of what they can do. It was a delight to watch. Songs like ABC's, Two Tom Turkeys, and Eat Beef/Chicken/Veggies. After the program, we all gathered in the Hall for Stone Soup. Each student brought one ingredient for the soup and it was delicious. Along with pumpkin cookies and all the table decorations made by the students. It was a proud day for Campbell.


Campbell is all smiles.


Campbell saying hello to the camera.


Campbell getting ready for the next song.


Such cute 4/5 year olds.


Rowing the Mayflower.


Campbell and her friend Claire.

Just joining in?

For those of you who are just joining in, welcome!

I apologize that you will have to tune back often to see all of my updates, as I am behind in my posting. I hope you'll enjoy the adventures, stories, and day to day life I share here.

Thanks
Chris

Horse Project

Cooper and her friend J had a research project to do for Reading. They had to choose what project they wanted to do, research it, and work up a proper display technique to teach what they had learned.

They chose to research types of horses and make a display board to share with the class. It turned out great and they received a good grade.

Cooper's 9th Birthday

A birthday is a special day. A day to celebrate, rejoice, remember, and dream big. Cooper's 9th birthday was all of those things and more. Turning nine is that middle age, that not little kid and not teenager yet, that what do you buy her age. Her wish lists are always over the top (she must get that from her dad) so we decided she was ready for an ipod shuffle. We spoiled her all day with gifts in the morning first thing, lunch out at Pizza Hut, birthday treats at school, dinner at Rock a Belly Deli (her choice), and dessert at Orange Leaf. She was delighted to have Uncle Jeremy & Aunt Beth join in the dinner/dessert portion of her special day. For her the real celebration would come in the form of her first official sleepover party. She had 5 girls spend the night. The night/morning was filled with pizza, puppy chow, ice cream, monkey bread, dance parties, hairdos, movies, scarf making, and lots of high pitched girlie screams. Of course, what else would 6 nine year old girls do? All the girls had a great time and it was a very happy 9th birthday!


Cooper opening gifts.


It's an iPod Shuffle!


Soul Surfer DVD - just what I wanted.


The next Precious Moments doll in her collection.


Cooper at school as we celebrate with her classmates.


Campbell, Cooper, Uncle Jeremy & Aunt Beth at Rock a Belly Deli.


Dinner time for the slumber party.


Opening gifts with friends.


Happy Birthday Cooper! Look at our new scarves.