Here's her version of the bridge:
"Oh Ho, the mistletoe, hanging secretly. Somebody catches you; you'll get kissed you see!"
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Hutchinson Christmas
The closest we got to a white Christmas this year was our trip to Hutch. There was a small remnant of snow on the ground, which Sam immediately made plans to play with. Good luck with that.
The whole Brown family descended upon scenic Hutch for family Christmas this year. I thought it was such a treat to attend and not host, even if we did have to do a bit of driving to pull it off. We got showered with way too many gifts, as usual, but it sure was fun. Sam got a spy video watch and Harry Potter wii game and blu ray. Stu got Star Wars and gift cards. Kate received her big gift from Nanny (it didn't make the trip to KC as planned), her very own American Girl doll! What a hit! Mom and Dad gave her some clothes to go with it, so Kaylee changes clothes each morning.
We went and shopped with Phil and Molly in downtown Hutch, and ate at their favorite, Lone Star. After they left for MN, we went to Wichita and split off... Sam and Stu went to Exploration Place and Kate and I went with Mamaw and Papaw to see the Muppets and shop for jeans for Kate, who took an unexpected like to them this week. (The Muppets is such a huge hit around our house, even 6 weeks after initally seeing it. The reviewing kicked off a new frenzy of "Mahna Mahna" and "Man or Muppet" that cannot be stopped. Love it!)
We had a great time just hanging out a a family, watching movies, playing games, ping ponging, and of course, working on the trains. We may have to look into a ping pong table for the new house!
Leaving was hard, but as Kate told me, "Sometimes you have to do things that you don't want to do, even if they are hard. But at least we can visit!"
The whole Brown family descended upon scenic Hutch for family Christmas this year. I thought it was such a treat to attend and not host, even if we did have to do a bit of driving to pull it off. We got showered with way too many gifts, as usual, but it sure was fun. Sam got a spy video watch and Harry Potter wii game and blu ray. Stu got Star Wars and gift cards. Kate received her big gift from Nanny (it didn't make the trip to KC as planned), her very own American Girl doll! What a hit! Mom and Dad gave her some clothes to go with it, so Kaylee changes clothes each morning.
We went and shopped with Phil and Molly in downtown Hutch, and ate at their favorite, Lone Star. After they left for MN, we went to Wichita and split off... Sam and Stu went to Exploration Place and Kate and I went with Mamaw and Papaw to see the Muppets and shop for jeans for Kate, who took an unexpected like to them this week. (The Muppets is such a huge hit around our house, even 6 weeks after initally seeing it. The reviewing kicked off a new frenzy of "Mahna Mahna" and "Man or Muppet" that cannot be stopped. Love it!)
We had a great time just hanging out a a family, watching movies, playing games, ping ponging, and of course, working on the trains. We may have to look into a ping pong table for the new house!
Leaving was hard, but as Kate told me, "Sometimes you have to do things that you don't want to do, even if they are hard. But at least we can visit!"
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| As Philip and I agree, the trains are much more interesting when one gets to actually touch them. |
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| Sam at Exploration Place. Not the only time he was in time out this vacation... |
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| Hanging downstairs. |
Monday, December 26, 2011
Jack
Before we left for KC, we got our very own Elf on the Shelf. The kids named him Jack. For those few who are my privy to the Elf-lore, I will summarize: Santa has scout elfin who live with kids during the Christmas season and return nightly to the North Pole to report. He moves to a different spot each night, but he cannot be touched, or else he'll lose his magic.
Since we were spending Christmas away from home, the kids left Jack a very nice note explaining that we were going to Grandma's house and asking him to meet us there. And he did! When we arrived, Jack was waiting in Grandma's TV room. The kids were very excited, and it was all the better when Santa made it to us on Christmas Eve.
Santa brought a lot of toys the kids had asked for, so Jack must have given a good report. Sam got his Beyblade stuff and Kate got Barbie stuff. And he even brought treats for Stu and I too!
The kids are looking forward to seeing Jack again next season. He left us a note explaining that he'd be back after we set up the Christmas tree. Sam has already requested setting it up early next year.
Since we were spending Christmas away from home, the kids left Jack a very nice note explaining that we were going to Grandma's house and asking him to meet us there. And he did! When we arrived, Jack was waiting in Grandma's TV room. The kids were very excited, and it was all the better when Santa made it to us on Christmas Eve.
Santa brought a lot of toys the kids had asked for, so Jack must have given a good report. Sam got his Beyblade stuff and Kate got Barbie stuff. And he even brought treats for Stu and I too!
The kids are looking forward to seeing Jack again next season. He left us a note explaining that he'd be back after we set up the Christmas tree. Sam has already requested setting it up early next year.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Nanny Christmas
We went to great lengths this season to balance out the gift giving with Nanny and all of the great-grandchildren after some chaos ensued last year. So, at our appointed time on Christmas Day, Mom and Dad and our family all went and had lunch with Nanny and then back to her place for presents. We get all settled in to give Kate her BIG surprise, when oops. It wasn't there. See, I had ordered the present online and shipped it to Mom, who ordered a few things to go with it and would wrap and deliver for Christmas with Nanny. Only, the present was mislabeled, so instead of Kate's American Girl Doll, it was a present for Phylis. Oh, the tears. The agony. I'm not sure who was more disappointed-- Kate, who was really into the present-getting thing this year, or Nanny, who had the idea to give Kate the doll in the first place. Sam took the high road and offered to wait to open his present from Nanny (a very cool Lego set he wanted) when Kate did.
So, Nanny opened her presents, and the kids bucked up enough to get through the afternoon. We gave Nanny an early copy of this year's blog book (minus December) to entertain her through the year. Sam was particularly good about talking to Nanny and answering her questions. We left about 3 to go to the movies, and Molly and Philip were in town in time to go with us. We finished up Christmas day with Chinese food (again, very Christmas Story-esque. Love it.). Kate was concerned for days about being a Chinese dog or rat or whatever she was.
Of all the things back home that I miss, being so close to Nanny is definitely one of the hardest. I enjoyed solving her phone issues, running to the store for her, and helping her around the apartment. I'm planning to try to call even more this year than I had before, and may take my friend up on her offer to Skype with her.
It was another wonderful Christmas. We are so blessed!
So, Nanny opened her presents, and the kids bucked up enough to get through the afternoon. We gave Nanny an early copy of this year's blog book (minus December) to entertain her through the year. Sam was particularly good about talking to Nanny and answering her questions. We left about 3 to go to the movies, and Molly and Philip were in town in time to go with us. We finished up Christmas day with Chinese food (again, very Christmas Story-esque. Love it.). Kate was concerned for days about being a Chinese dog or rat or whatever she was.
Of all the things back home that I miss, being so close to Nanny is definitely one of the hardest. I enjoyed solving her phone issues, running to the store for her, and helping her around the apartment. I'm planning to try to call even more this year than I had before, and may take my friend up on her offer to Skype with her.
It was another wonderful Christmas. We are so blessed!
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