Silent Night

Another tradition for our family is the Candle Light Service at Badger Lutheran Church. We got to meet Uncle Chris's girlfriend Susie, and the kids fell in love. Max and Holyn sat next to them at church and behaved really well. Max was so quiet that we were a little surprised, until we looked down to see him asleep on Susie's lap. The last song we sang was Silent Night while the lights were dimmed and everyone's candles were lit. (I would take pictures, but I think it would be a little distracting). "Sleep in heavenly peace" for Max had new meaning, can you tell he is a little groggy in the picture!

Celebration Continues

The Iowa trip continues with a little time in Badgertown. We stayed with Boppa and Papa Jim and opened presents on the 23rd (boy, Santa is getting his workout delivering for us this year). Holyn got a V-tech Laptop Computer and Max scored the Smart Cycle video game system. Uncle Chris gave Holyn a Rachael Ray Kids Cookbook and Max finally got the long awaited "Whack a Mole Tower". If you haven't witnessed this marvel, well you are missing out!

We also got to celebrate Christmas at Cousin Jill's house (Grandpa George's old house). Its great to keep the tradition going in a place with so many memories of my grandparents. More cousins to have fun with and catch up with. Great food and lots of laughs. The night is not complete until we take a group photo, it only takes 10-15 tries!

Christmas with Cousins

Holyn and Max got to hang out with their Doran cousins at Grandma Ellen's house this week AND have a slumber party. Lots of fun, but not much sleeping went on. Max and Joe wrestled and the girls gave a concert with the talking Santa. Holyn and Melanie even had matching pajamas. Their cousins are Joe (10), Melanie (7), Megan (6) and Mallory (12 - not pictured). The next morning they all opened presents with Grandma Ellen, Mom, Dad, Uncle Tom, Uncle Jess, Uncle Patrick, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Amy and Mallory.

Santa Delivers on Saturday

We had our family Christmas this morning with the kids. We woke them up around 7, still dark here and told them that Santa had delivered some of their Christmas gifts early. Because we will be in Iowa seeing Grandmas and Grandpa, Santa made a special exception. They ran down the stairs, still a little sleepy eyed and started looking for their names on the packages. Max kept saying "what's it gonna be?" while he opened his. Holyn reacted a little like Uncle Chris used to and got very excited tearing at the papers. They were very polite and thanked Santa and Mom and Dad for all the gifts. They even shopped for Mom and Dad on their own at school (the school sets up a little store called the Christmas Boutique and all the kids bring a couple bucks and buy for their family members). Dad got a flashlight/toolbox from Max and a pair of thermal socks and screwdriver gadget from Holyn. Mom got a pair of fuzzy gloves from Max and chocolate from Holyn. The kids even bought for each other, Max got a puzzle and dissolving egg from Holyn and Holyn got a fuzzy frog stuffed animal from Max.

Decorating the Tree

The kids had a ball decorating the house yesterday and today. They love looking at Christmas lights and when they see a house all lit up I hear, "Wow, they are REALLY in the Christmas Spirit"! So far their favorite is decorating Grandpa George's little tree. They love that it is their size. And don't forget all the handmade ornaments from Grandma Hoyer. That makes it extra special. We used ornaments from Grandma Ellen to decorate the big tree in silver and gold. Holyn hung up the angels as Max got out the glass ornaments. I held my breath! They both did a great job being careful. Only one fatality, they broke a candy sucker ornament like they were wishing on the wishbone. Oh well, superglue fixes everything, right?

Thanksgiving in Chicago

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Chicago with Grandma Ellen, and Uncles Patrick, Tom and Jess. We ate at Fulton's on the River in our fancy clothes. The kids were so proud of their outfits. As we entered the building one of the hostesses greeted us and told Max he looked very handsome. Holyn piped up and asked, "What do you think about me"? Never to be out done! The food was wonderful (chicken, salmon, duck, beef and don't forget turkey). Holyn and Max loved the desserts, chocolate mousse and lemon bars were the faves! I did some shopping in the windy city on Friday with Grandma Ellen, and sucessfully dodged the PETA protesters outside of Macy's! On Saturday, Holyn got to visit the American Girl store on Michigan Ave. with Grandma Ellen. Wow, what a zoo! Max stayed behind with Uncle Tom to do some shopping of his own. Thanks for a great weekend!

Visiting Santa & Friends

The kids and I went to the Fort Wayne Botanical Center to see the Christmas flowers and visit Santa. Holyn was most excited to talk with Mrs. Clause. Max finally sat "near" Santa this year, he wanted nothing to do with him the last three years! We got to hear stories on a train that looked like the Polar Express and sit in a real sleigh. Next we said hi to the two live reindeer Teeka and Becka. After a chat with the "big guy" they had cookies and went home for some hot chocolate. Despite the full day of rain we enjoyed our trip.

It's Official

Well, today I finally took the test for an Indiana license, and passed. Thank God it only took one try. I held out as long as I could with my Iowa license. I had two days to spare before it expired. With my luck we will probably move soon and I will need to take the test again. I am keeping the book just in case!

Costume Contest

Unfortunately, Holyn has been battling the flu all week and missed her school Halloween party. She felt well enough in the afternoon to hand out some candy to trick or treaters and accompany everyone to the Arcola Lions Club Party. Max won 1st prize again this year in the catagory of Superhero (he started the night as the evil Spiderman and then changed back to good). Holyn won 1st prize as a Bat and even Boppa won for Most "Experienced" Trick or Treater!

Trick or Treat

Candy, Candy and more Candy! Holyn and Max joined their buddies Lauren (Dora the Explorer) and Nathan (Tigger) for some trick or treating in our neighboring town of Arcola. Max was Spiderman with muscles (he calls them bumps) and Holyn was ever so fashionable as a Bratz Bat. The weather here was beautiful and we stayed out until dark. Needless to say, we have lots of candy for all.

Preschool Party

Papa Jim dressed up for Max's preschool Halloween party (complete with eye patch and parrot on his shoulder) and surprised the class with a visit. He helped the kids with games, making crafts and bobbing for apples. Max dressed up as spiderman but really hated wearing the mask. When we asked Max what he thought of Papa Jim as a pirate, he said "ya looked dumb". Gotta love that honesty.

Hilger's Haunted House

Boppa and Papa Jim arrived for a visit and the kids couldn't wait to scare them. We made a second trip to the pumpkin patch (Hilgers) mainly to brave the Haunted Attic again. As before, Max wanted no part of it and Holyn (the pro with 4 trips through the attic during the first visit) needed a little time to build up her courage. With the help of some Hilger's helpers and a flash light, Papa Jim, Boppa and Holyn were successful. The kids also rode horses, the train and carnival rides, navigated the straw maze, jumped in the bounce house, listened to stories from the scary giant and watched piggy races. Can't wait until next year!

Chicago Pumpkins

We traveled to Chicago this past weekend to visit Uncle Tom and Jess. They hosted a halloween party for 6 kids and parents. The kids dressed up in costumes and picked out pumpkins to carve. The parents did all the carving, in fact Lant carved his very first pumpkin ever. Check out his handywork. Next everyone enjoyed making caramel apples and playing outside in the wonderful warm weather. Before bedtime we took a walk and Holyn and Max posed outside a bar on Broadway with all the pumpkins (no, these are not the ones we carved). One pumpkin even had a little skeleton in it that moved when you made noise.

Glamour Girls & Gator Guy

We had a lot of fun playing with our pal Lauren (Holyn's Pre-K buddy) yesterday. After baking cookies and the infamous makeovers (check out the bright red lipstick, glitter and blue eyeshadow), they headed outside for some cruising. Max gave rides until he ran over mom, then the "Glamour Girls" (as they call themselves) tooled around our house in style with a little cargo in back. Max loves the John Deere Gator but Holyn requests that her next vehicle must be pink. Good luck with that one kid!

School Days

Hi All,

Burrrrr!! Cold day here in Indiana. Holyn had another successful school day, not kissing any boys (got into a little trouble Monday about blowing kisses at her boyfriend during class). She has school Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and Max has school the opposite days. He tells us he can't wait to "learn and do projects", and that's about all he tells us. He is one of only 3 boys in the class, with 6 girls. So odds are Max might find a girlfriend of his own. Sorry Kailly. Attached is a picture of the kids at the local pumpkin patch from a couple weekends ago. Can't wait for Halloween here!

Patient Status

After having his tonsils and adenoids out on Oct. 1st (oh and don't forget tubes in the ears) Max is still on the mend. Yesterday was a bit rough, a little pain from the scabs, but still recovered enough to play baseball with Dad in the yard. Holyn had a little trip to the ER on Oct. 6th after getting injured at Sam's Club. She needed 4 staples in the back of her head, ouch!! She was very brave and bounced right back. She gets the staples out on Oct. 11th along with her 5 year check-up.