Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Gingerbread Party

A couple of weeks ago, on Kyle's last day of preschool, before the Christmas break, his class had a Gingerbread Party. The parents were invited to attend so I joined in the fun. The classroom was divided in several different sections, each with it's own gingerbread theme. First stop, was the area to make a gingerbread house with stickers, second on the tour was gingerbread stamps, third was to decorate a gingerbread cookie, which he later ate at snack time. There was also a station where Kyle received a temporary tatoo on his arm...he chose a lollipop. It was a fun, creative, and cute way to end the year at preschool and begin the holiday festivities!

Although, it was a nice event, Kyle got very fussy and upset when I was in the classroom and was very clingy to me and only wanted to be held. Unfortunately, it didn't come as a huge surprise since this behavior occured several weeks ago at another school function I attended. It is a little overwhelming and stressful for me, but I want to be as active with his school activities as possible. Maybe, I need to wait until he is a little older and can completely communicate what causes this particualar reaction. All the teachers can't figure out what the issue is because they say he is very happy when he is at school. Just another mystery I will need to solve about Kyle in the future!

Our Future Rock Star

We recently purchased a Wii and have been having a blast playing the games. We are still in the learning mode with the majority of features of the games, but have become hooked. One of our favorites is the Guitar Hero World Tour...which includes a guitar, a drum set, and microphone. As you can see...even, Kyle wants to be a future rock star...LOL! Actually, one of our rules is not to play Wii when Kyle is awake. I assume we will have several late nights in our future.

Do you have a Wii? If so, what are some of your favorite games?

Monday, December 29, 2008

Bad Doggy

Is it bad when your dog seems more high maintenance than your three year old? Lately, this has been the case with Chloe. She has a new fascination to dig out the moss from a plant in our bedroom. Tonight, she was up to no good once again and this is what I found. It sure is hard to stay upset with Chloe for very long since she is so darn cute!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Santa's Magical Kingdom

Monday evening, we took Kyle to Santa's Magical Kingdom here in STL. It really is a sight to see and certainly is a magical experience. The kingdom is decorated with about two million lights and various children's theme displays. Kyle certainly was fascinated seeing all the pretty colored lights. They do offer a free photo with Santa and train/wagon rides, but unfortunately the night we drove through the display the temperatures were much too cold to get out of the car. We are planning to revisit the kingdom with my parents in the next day or two so we may have the opportunity to enjoy these activities. If you are in the STL area it really is worth visiting Santa's Magical Kingdom. The pictures below certainly don't do the light displays justice, but wanted to include them with the post.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Dogs Love Christmas Too!

Even Chloe had a Merry Christmas! She found a bag of candy cane rawrides in her very own stocking! Chloe LOVES rawhides...they keep her busy for hours! If you have a pet, do you give them a Christmas present?

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas Day 2008

We had a great Christmas Day, especially Kyle! Each year, is more enjoyable for him and he loves to open the presents. Kyle received plenty of fun gifts...including an easel, crayons, markers, paper for the easel, Thomas train engines and carrying case, Thomas plate, bowl, and utensil set, latch puzzle, two books, dinosaurs, vehicle puzzles, and wooden fire truck from Santa. Ce Ce and Poppie (my parents) gave Kyle a one year subscription for High Five by Highlights and money so he can go shopping! We loved watching Kyle in all the excitement of the day! Enjoy our pictures!

We hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas with family and friends!

Kyle is so excited to see what Santa left for him.
Kyle discovered the choo-choos that Santa hid in the Christmas tree.
Having a great time opening his gifts. Kyle is saying..."What's in here?"
Kyle's favorite...the bow...LOL!
Kyle's new favorite book.
So happy!
Oh, another gift!
All of Kyle's Christmas 2008 loot!
Kyle's stocking!

Merry Christmas

We would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas! I hope everyone enjoys spending this special holiday with their family and friends! Please check back...I'm sure I will be back to share pictures of Kyle enjoying the Christmas festivities!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

T'was The Night Before Christmas

Looks as though Santa has arrived in Missouri and has everything all set for Kyle. Kyle is tucked in bed, so he will be rested for his 4th Merry Christmas! I'm certain he will be very excited to see what was left for him since he was on Santa's "nice" list!

Christmas Memories From The Past

Recently, I posted Kyle's photo with Santa from this year. I have been doing a lot of reminiscing of past Christmases with Kyle and wanted to post the pictures of Kyle with Santa since he was born in 2005.

Kyle met Santa for the very first time while he was in the NICU. It was so sweet that Santa spent time with everyone in the NICU. John and I weren't exactly in the holiday spirit that year so this was a nice treat.

December 2005

We take Kyle to the same mall to visit with Santa as you may notice it is the same Santa in the next two pictures.

December 2006
December 2007

New Favorite Ornament

Kyle made this cute snowflake ornament at preschool and gave it to Mommy and Daddy for Christmas. I really enjoy seeing all the cute "crafts" Kyle makes at school. Maybe, one day he will be a little artist.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Christmas Card Carousel

I realize in a previous post I pictured our holiday card, but as I was blog hopping I came across this fun bloggy event, Christmas Card Carousel. Since this is my first holiday season as a blogger, I am having such a great time participating in these creative events and am looking forward to viewing everyone's holiday cards.

Several weeks ago, we took Kyle, our three year old son, to have his '08 Holiday portraits taken. The pictures all came out absolutely adorable and we had such a hard time determining which picture to put on the card. We decided on this photo since the background shows the snow, presents, and the tree. I pictured the five other poses from his photo shoot in a previous post, so if you would like to view them please click here.

We mailed our Christmas cards a couple of weeks ago. One of my favorite things about the holidays is receiving Christmas cards. We have a special holiday card holder on the wall to display the ones we have received. Several cards we receive include "update letters" about how their family has been during the year. We don't send one with our cards, but enjoy reading others. Do you include an update letter with your cards?

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Past Holiday Cards

I thought it would be fun to show our previous holiday cards since Kyle came along in 2005. I always enjoy looking at past cards to see how much Kyle has grown and changed from year to year.

2005 - Photo of Kyle in the NICU
Typically we don't include an update letter, but in 2005 we did to update our family and friends on Kyle's progress so I wanted to include that with the post.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

First and foremost we would like to thank everyone for their continued thoughts and prayers for Kyle.

Kyle has been making wonderful progress. He is rapidly approaching five pounds and has started taking two bottles per day. We have had the opportunity to hold, feed, and bath Kyle on a daily basis. We are even becoming pros at diaper changing! It has been great to witness the day-to-day journey he has taken since birth. We are hoping to welcome Kyle home sometime in the beginning of the New Year! (actual day was 12-30-05)

We hope your Holiday Season will be as special as ours!

2006 2007

Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas Tour of Homes

Welcome to the 2008 Christmas Tour of Homes. I am thrilled to be participating in this exciting blog event and look forward to viewing all of the homes featured on the tour.

I would like to welcome everyone to my home. My husband and I LOVE to decorate for the holidays...both inside and out. I hope everyone enjoys my tour!

Welcome Pole by our front entrance to our home Welcome...Come on in!
Our holiday light display Mailbox Our new snowman collection Christmas Tree Garland on the stairs. This year I added picks to dress it up. Our family room...including the mantle and smaller tree I love poinsettas. Unfortunately, I don't get live poinsettas because of my son and dog. Dining room table centerpiece Festive holiday wreath. New addition I made this year. Hand painted rocking horse which plays a Christmas song Another holiday favorite of mine...nutcrackers!
Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season! Thanks for stopping by and visiting my Christmas Tour!