Christmas 2009

Christmas this year was so much fun with all three kids being totally into it. We started bright and early with a yummy breakfast that mom whipped up and TONS of gifts. You'd think these kids had actually been good this year! It was great all being together! Among many other things, Hayden and Talan got this year's hot gift... Zhu Zhu Pets, which they all loved playing with. Rainah got a few games, a Leapster, a personalized book from Grandma and Papa, and a "Big Sister" shirt to announce the news that we are expecting.
We had a fabulous traditional ham dinner and then vegged out pretty much the rest of the evening between all the yummy desserts and chasing after over-tired children. It was a great day, though- next year will be even crazier with FIVE little ones! WoW!

Rainah in awe of ALL the gifts

Hayden and his Pez Dispenser

The kids checking it all out

Breakfast!

Hayden and Talan warming up for the days events

Rainah getting her personalized fairy tale book- she LOVES it!

Pop beads rock!

Rainah "helping" Papa with his gift

Dad's new netbook from everyone

Rainah opening her "sponges" - Santa listened!

The "Big Sister" shirt

Mom getting a back massager

Talan germing up Uncle Justin's Starbucks cup

A Visit With Santa

Rainah and I went over to Novi for a few days and had to make a trip to see the amazing Twelve Oaks Santa.  We met up with Jess, Justin, Jill, Hayden, Talan, and Mom and Dad.  The kids were all great and went willingly right up to Santa, telling him what they wanted.
Rainah told him that she wanted sponges.  Yes, that's right, sponges.  Now, you might be thinking... "Yep, that's Jenn's daughter... NEAT FREAK".  But actually, she loves those little capsules that you put in water and they turn into little sponge shapes.  They are her favorite bath toy.  I'm not sure how Santa reacted to this request, but he didn't seem phased by it.  After the pictures, Santa gave the kids a Polar Express train that you could put your picture in- just a cardboard type frame.  At the end of it was a ticket they could tear off.  Later, when it was bath time, Rainah had to run and find it and wanted to turn it into me to get her sponges.  It took me a few minutes to put it all together, but apparently she thought Santa gave that to her in order to get her sponges.  I had to explain that Santa would not be bringing them until Christmas.  So funny how their brains work sometimes!

Hayden, Talan, and Rainah- the cousins

I have no idea why she is making this face, but she chose today to do it every time we asked her to smile

Driving the Polar Express

Playing in the "snow"- which we can't figure out why they would put right BEFORE the photos with Santa!

Santa talking to Talan and Hayden

Santa reading Hayden's letter

Rainah's turn

Here comes the silly smile

Getting her "ticket"

Happy Halloween~ 2009

This year the halloween tradition continued starting with mom making a yummy chili dinner. Jill and Dave came over with Hayden and Talan and after dinner we began the task of dressing them up. This year Hayden elected to be Superman. Talan was the cutest spider you've ever seen and Rainah was a ladybug. Rainah had been saying all day that she wasn't going to dress up, but she did cooperate. When the three Yahoos were ready, the picture taking commenced. They actually did much better this year than in years past- it helps when they're being bribed with brand new Pez dispensers from Grandma.

It was pretty cold out, but the kids didn't seem to mind. At the first house, Rainah had a field day. Miss Rochelle made the mistake of letting the kids pick what they wanted out of the basket- needless to say, Rainah needed to be escorted off of the porch before she cleaned them out.

Hayden was raring to go and was racing from house to house. Rainah was over the whole thing after about the fifth house. She eventually just rode in the stroller and Don and I went ahead back to mom and dads. Talan did well, but no one could keep up with Hayden! He came back with quite a haul.

Rainah's favorite: the ring pop

T.C.

Striking a super pose

Poor Talan lost his Pez dispenser in all the leaves!

The first house- Tucker was ready and waiting for them

The other kids are gone and she's still taking more candy

Finally, Uncle Dave escorts her away from the candy








All done