Kids Christmas Party

The Ops Group hosted a giant Christmas party for the kids in the Load Barn. Santa arrived on a jet, what else?!
There were tons of activities ranging from storytime and bouncy castles (Will's definite favorite) to cookie decorating.

He enjoyed his sprinkles!

Meredith pretty much slept up until it was time to meet Santa...

at which point she was quite content to sit on his lap. Big brother, not so much! We were hopeful that this time might go a little better than last year.

Aaron kept trying to get a good shot, but the situation continued to disintegrate...

Only after he was removed from the situation was he able to utter what he wants for Christmas.

Top of the list is a "blue present". I think Santa can handle that!

Aaron's Christmas Time W"Rap" Up

We thought we'd try a little something different this year in regards to our traditional Christmas letter update. Click the link below to check it out! But WARNING, this site sometimes has profanity in the sidebars, so keep little reading eyes away. And, after you're done listening you probably want to hit pause, because it immediately streams into another track someone uploaded and there's no telling the content there!

http://iamtpain.smule.com/trackid/1753166

Also, a bit of blog maintenance...
There are several reasons for the time being that we'd like to continue to keep this blog private. However, we've run into a slight complication in that we've nearly reached our Blogger limit of 100 readers. To work around this issue we created the guest login that was included on our Christmas card. If you already have a user/password assigned to your own profile you can continue to use it, this is just a work around to allow new readers.

Merry Christmas!

A Tour of Trees

The halls are decked and the stockings hung. But as I stepped back to admire my work, I realized somewhere along the way I went a little Christmas tree crazy. As you'll soon see...
You'll notice two as you enter through the front door. As you walk into the family room you'll see our main tree or what I like to call our sentimental tree. This is our only real one (Aaron thankfully obliges my strong feelings on the subject... nothing like the smell) and it holds all of our keepsake and milestone ornaments like from places we travel or "baby's first christmas."

Baby girl was enjoying some tummy time while taking in the lights.

Next is the Air Force tree, including ornaments from each year at the Academy and each squadron/assignment. I do love a theme!

Then, my mini Meredith College Angel tree. My friend Whitney made this for me as a hostess gift for my Senior year Christmas party, as well as one for our traditional angel exchange. This weekend I'm hosting another party for the college gals. It will be so fun to see them and their families after being out of state for the past 5 years.

Kate made this cute-as-a-button tree for me. Isn't it adorable?!

Trees, trees, and more trees! When I set up my Alpine Village, it's the trees that really make it come to life.

I suppose this is really the tree that started it all. It's the one I had in my room all through my childhood. It's the only one with colored lights! I was using it in Will's room, but this year I reclaimed it for my bedroom.

The lemon tree stays in my kitchen year-round, but the ornaments add a touch of Christmas whimsy, don't ya think?!

Will got a new tree this year to match his room.

As did Meredith. They will get an ornament in their stocking each year to add to them. Thought that might be a fun tradition!

So maybe I am a little Christmas tree crazy, but all the glitz and glamour of the decorations contrast for me this...

How Christ entered the world. Quietly. Humbly. God could have come to earth in the biggest display of fanfare, riches, and majesty, but instead He chose a stable and shepherds, and to come as an innocent little baby. It also contrasts how He would go on to sacrifice himself for our sins by being crucified on a tree, saving us from eternal suffering and through his resurrection, give us eternity with Him in heaven. As I ponder that this Christmas, the twinkling tree lights sparkle that much brighter. How great our joy!

New Wheels

I don't know why I'm just now getting around to posting about it, but back in August I said good-bye to darting around town in my Jeep Liberty.
Perhaps I was in denial. But now, I'm officially a member of the minivan-driving mom's club. And I'll admit, I actually really like it. Way more than I even thought I would. Besides the fact that we can now fit two children, the dog and our luggage when we leave town, I like cruising down the road feeling like I've got my own airliner. And the fact that all I have to do is press a button to open the sliding doors is a major plus...especially when everywhere I go lately I seem to be loaded up like a pack mule with no hands to spare! It certainly was a handy way to bring home the Christmas tree, too. Isn't she a beauty?!

80's Prom Christmas Party

So, Aaron's squadron like totally had an 80's theme Christmas party this year...
Don't be jealous of our fab looking threads! I found my dress at Goodwill for $6, I was loving the shoulder pads. Aaron was like totally rockin' the double popped collar trying to channel Don Johnson. I don't really know about the wig???

The guy with the mullet took home the title of Prom King, and Prom Queen went to what I considered the best side ponytail of the night.

We had a totally rad time on the dance floor. Madonna, Journey, Michael Jackson, White Snake just to name a few. Blue eyeshadow and krimped hair...classy!

Radio City Rockettes

Mom, Kate, and I kicked off the Christmas season by going to see the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. I've always dreamed of seeing them perform in New York City but for now I'll settle on the touring production.
The show was fabulous and we loved every minute of it! We were inspired to strike our own Rockette pose.

The tap numbers were by far my favorite. So, I'll leave you with their version of "12 days of Christmas"...stay tuned until the end to see their trademark kickline.

2 months

Sweet baby girl is already 2 months old. She has been such a jewel and is content as can be. At seven weeks old she started sleeping through the night for eight to nine hour stretches and hasn't looked back. And this "little" one loves to eat! At her well-baby check-up she tipped the scales at a whopping 13lbs 4oz and measured 24 3/4 inches long, pushing her well into the 90th percentile. I can't believe she's already wearing size 2 diapers and filling out her 3 month clothes. Why do babies grow up so fast?! She also got her first round of shots and was such a trooper. Of course she cried a bit, but as I laid her down to put her clothes back on she kept flashing me grins. Bless her sweet heart!

Turkey Time

Per our usual Thanksgiving Day tradition, we feasted with both sides of the family. We started the day with the Kisers. There were new faces for Meredith to meet, including her Aunt Meredith!
Baby Meredith got lots of love and Will enjoyed playing with his cousins and all of their fun toys.

For the dessert table at both homes, I tried my hand at cookie-dough pops, and trust me, they did not disappoint! Not only were they easy, but they looked so pretty, too. Click here for the how-to.

We spent the afternoon with the Kemmerer/Nethery family. Once again, Nana and Mom outdid themselves with the meal.

Aren't we a bunch of turkeys?!

All in all it was another year of fabulous feasting and fellowship. We are so very thankful for our loved ones!

Greensboro Weekend Recap

When Veteran's Day provided us with three-day weekend, we jumped at the chance to make a quick trip back home. Meredith enjoyed her playmat for the first time while I packed. To think, I almost forgot how much luggage a baby requires...sheesh!
Our first stop was a visit with Gigi, who is still recuperating from foot surgery. Meredith soaked up some cuddles.

And Will enjoyed the circus. This miniature bigtop has a whole cast of performers that move when the music plays. Just the kind of thing to supply endless fascination at grandma's house.

Next stop (for the gals) was the beauty parlor. Dawn has been cutting our hair for years, so it was fun to catch up with the ladies. Meredith is sure to be taking her turn in the chair pretty soon with the locks she sporting.

We spent the afternoon at the Greensboro Natural Science Center. We mainly went to check out the Titanic exhibit. Unfortunately, pictures were not allowed, but we saw some amazing artifacts recovered from the wreckage, like stacks of unbroken china and perfume in glass vials that is still potent. Each of us was given a ticket with passenger information and at the end of the exhibit you could see if you survived. I thought I was doomed as a third class passenger, but my lady and her two children survived. Aaron's second-class guy, not so much!

After the Titanic exhibit we wandered out to the zoo area. Will loved the animals... especially the tigers, and apparently the feeling was mutual. Visitors can get amazingly close and the tigers were not shy by any means. Of the brother and sister pair, the female was especially fascinated by Will and started following him right up against the glass. Seemed cool until we noticed a portion of glass boarded up because a kid had thrown a rock and broke one side of it...so, what would a 400 pound tiger be capable of?! Peace out!

Almost the whole gang observing the wolves...

and Will, excited to see the turkey that will soon become Thanksgiving dinner.

Inside, Aaron and I demonstrated what stellar parents we are. ;)

As we were leaving we looked around at the new construction they are doing as they expand the museum. Aaron and I started reminiscing about our first kiss 12 years ago that had been on a park bench where we estimated this new parking lot now stands...hence the photo. Will picking his nose makes this so romantic right?!

But wait, our estimate was a little off. There it is! Just off the end of the lot, at the edge of the trees (to the left of my shoulder). Kinda glad it wasn't paved over!

The next day we began with hotcakes at Nana and Papa's. Meredith was a fan.

Then, Meredith met Great Grandma and Grandpa for the first time, while we celebrated Grandpa Kiser.

It was a good way to bring our fun weekend to an end, wishing happy birthday to a great man!