I Did It!

When it was time to decorate the mantle - I began to panic! Mom always does this part for me because the entire wreath & mantle greenery has to be put together piece by piece. (she is so much better at this type of stuff than me) Since Mom had surgery on her shoulder a few days ago, I knew she wasn't going to be able to do this for me. I called her a couple days ago and said, "O.k. Mom do you think you can come over sometime and just walk me through this and tell me what to do step by step?" Well, today after putting up the Christmas tree I decided I was going to tackle the mantle by myself. Since I was already in the Christmas decorating spirit I was determined to get it done. Well, I did it. Now, Mom will still have to come over and put her finishing touches on the wreath because for some reason it doesn't look as good as when she does it, but I'm pretty proud of myself!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Today we put up our Christmas tree. I always love putting up the tree. My job was to get the ornaments out of the boxes. This is my favorite part. I love remembering all of the memories that come with each ornament I open. Ben put the hooks on and we let the kids hang the ornaments on the tree. Kyle reaching up high to try and put an ornament on
Kyle & Hannah hanging ornaments

I went over to check out the tree once I got all of the ornaments out. This is what it looked like all the way around the tree. (Most all of the ornaments touching the ground). You could definitely tell Kyle & Hannah had been working on it.


After some help from Mommy & Daddy our Christmas tree was complete.

Fired Up

Kyle's friend Laura celebrated her birthday at Fired Up on Saturday. Kyle & Hannah both had a great time painting plates. I can't wait to get them next week to see what their finished masterpieces look like. Kyle with his buddy Nathan
Hannah enjoying every second of this project

Kyle's plate in progress

Kyle & Hannah painting their plates

Broeker Thanksgiving - Supper

We went to Ben's cousin Alex's house for supper on Thanksgiving. This used to be Ben's grandparent's house, so it is pretty special that we can still go there for Thanksgiving. I didn't know it but Ben's Uncle Allen used to hunt bears. This rug is in Alex's living room. The kids were scared, but fascinated with it. Hannah was fine as soon as she covered him up with her 'me' (blankie). Uncle Allen didn't kill this bear. This rug was given to him by a friend. He has killed a bear before, though. He said he used dogs to chase the bears down. This doesn't sound like a way I would like to spend any time I had, but he sure has the stories to tell now.

How would you like this on your living room floor? It looked so real.

Kyle & Hannah had fun hanging out with their cousin Aryn. I tried getting a good picture of the three of them. We all know how that goes, though.

I loved this picture. Aryn is looking at Kyle as if she's saying, "What exactly are you doing, anyway?"

Hannah & Aryn hanging out together

Broeker Thanksgiving - Lunch

We went to Ben's Mom & Dad's house for Thanksgiving lunch. We celebrated twice because Mark was stuck at home recovering from surgery. So, we had lunch with him and then went to Huntingburg for supper with the extended family. It was a fun day and was so great to see everyone. Kyle & Hannah posing for a picture with their Mamaw & Aunt Benecia after lunch
After lunch Aunt Benecia (bless her heart) thought she would try to get Hannah to take a nap. Hannah was so tired but just too excited to lay still for any longer than it took to listen to this book. Thanks for trying, Aunt Benecia!

Hannah had so much fun riding in this Little Debbie car that Daddy got down from their garage loft


Kyle's legs were a little too long to peddle the car, so Papa gave him a push with the broom.

I just had to throw this sweet picture in, also.

Mark just hanging out on the couch. Kyle is used to Mark being able to wrestle with him, but not today!

Kyle & Hannah telling Mark bye before we head to our next Thanksgiving stop. (Can't you tell that Kyle was sad that Mark wasn't going to be joining us).

Hannah & Kyle telling their Papa Rich bye. Papa Rich stayed home to help take care of Mark.

Such a Big Girl

After months of this:

We decided it was time to move Hannah to her big girl bed on Wednesday night. She loved it. She got out of bed only one time. I asked her if she wanted her baby bed back and she said, "NO!" After that threat she didn't get out of her bed again until morning.

Here's a picture of our nightly routine. Kyle & Hannah just love being read to. Every night Ben or myself reads two books to them. They each get to pick out the book they want read. I love this time with them.

Lunch with Hannah

I'm so excited to be home for 5 days from work! I look forward to this time I get to spend with the kids. I would say Ben, also, but we all know what season it is. Ben's new home is Target! Hannah has a way of making me laugh everyday. She's so sweet and innocent, yet independent and knows what she wants. Today at lunch she said, "Momma, sit." and pointed to the chair next to her. I had put a bib on her today since she was eating spaghetti and meatballs and had the most adorable outfit on. She got up when I sat down and got a bib out of the drawer. She said, "Momma bib on." So, there we sat eating our lunch with our bibs on. I think she also got me the smallest bib out of the drawer. I had to have a picture of this. So, Kyle got some training in on how to take a picture. (We are a little off center, but not too bad for his first attempt). It was so cute to watch him. You could tell he thought it was a really big deal he was getting to use Mommy's camera. He even told us when to smile.

A Future Gymnast??

I was on my Mom & Dad's computer tonight and came across these pictures of Hannah. She's quite the gymnast. She loves showing off her flip. I thought these were just too cute not to share.

Fancy

More pictures from my Mom & Dad's computer. I just love them. Hannah reminds me so much of the character Fancy Nancy. Aren't these just adorable. She's such a girly-girl. Fancy Nancy aka Hannah Grace

Going on a Bear Hunt

Today at preschool Kyle went on a bear hunt. All of the preschoolers dressed up like Indians and came over to the 'big school' (as Kyle calls it) and hunted for bears in all of the classrooms. Each preschooler brought in a teddy bear and then us teachers hid them for their hunt. I decorated the morning message board to welcome them at the entrance of our resource area.
I got to hide Kyle's bear in my classroom. I put his bear up high sitting on my overhead screen. I thought for sure that he would be hard to spot up high, but I was wrong. Those preschoolers are good hunters.

Here's Kyle spotting his bear in my classroom

Kyle with his teddy bear

Family Pictures

Natalie's sister, Alisann, took our pictures today. You can find them on her website here. I was impressed with how well the kids did getting their pictures taken. They never seem to cooperate with me too well. We had a lot of fun. Thank you, Alisann! Now, I just have the tough decision ahead of me of which ones to purchase. She took so many good ones. So, if you have a favorite, leave me a comment and let me know. All of you know how indecisive I am anyway!

My Sweethearts

I took this picture of the kids today. The sun wasn't cooperating with me, but I still think they are just adorable.

Thanksgiving --- Just a little early

Lastnight we had our Thanksgiving celebration with my side of the family at our house. It was good that we all got to get together early. On Thanksgiving Day we have so many places that we all have to be that it just gets complicated. So, we had a great time celebrating last night. We had lots & lots of yummy food. With my mother-in-law's recipe in hand I was successful at my first attempt at making homemade dressing. After dinner we had fun playing a game of Scattegories. It's been awhile since I'd played that game. I had forgotten how much fun it is! Hannah & Christian cooking something good in the kitchen

Christian & Jason having a fun time -- Christian didn't know what to think of this ride in the dump truck


Me with my brother, Steven & his wife Kara


O.K. - Kyle has this great obsession with Redi Whip. He has even asked for it to be put in his Christmas stocking!


Hannah loved it too

Uncle Jason reading to Hannah & Christian

Hannah just LOVES books and to be read to. I believe most everyone got their chance to read some books with Hannah. Here she is with Mamaw reading

Papa got his turn to read with Hannah

(Are you wondering yet why it seems Hannah has changed her clothes so many times? For some reason, she kept spilling her water on her shirt. Hannah can't stand for her clothes to be wet at all. So, she'd run and get something else to put on).

I just had to get a picture of Christian in his adorable hat. This was right before they left, so he was so, so tired.

Kyle & Macie

Last Tuesday Kyle wanted to hold Macie but didn't get to. This Tuesday he remembered we had told him, "Next week you can hold her." So, here they are. Macie is already a month old. I can hardly believe it's already been a month since she was born.

Mommy's Little Helper

The other day I was dusting off the plant with the vacuum cleaner. I left to go answer the phone and when I returned Hannah had taken over. Of course, she had her Princess dress on which made it all that much cuter.

Christian's Birthday Party

So, I'm only a week late posting Christian's birthday party pictures. It's been a busy, busy week! Christian celebrated his 1st birthday last Saturday. I still can't believe he is already 1. Time goes by way too fast! Natalie didn't miss a detail for his carnival themed party. We had such a fun time. Here are some pictures from our day.

Me with my brother, Jason, posing at the photo shoot booth

Christian & Grandma

What's a carnival without face painting, right? Hannah got a heart painted on her cheek. There is the most adorable picture of her with her heart on this blog.

Hannah's heart

O.K. Aunt Natalie - are you up for the challenge? Kyle asked for a tiger on his cheek!

Hannah with her clown nose. Natalie had all sorts of carnival goodies for the kids in their treat bags.

Christian's cake - Under the Big Top

Christian trying to swing at the Pinata

Kyle with all of the goodies he gathered up after the pinata busted

Well, watching Christian eating his cake was definitely the highlight of the day for me. I've been to many, many 1st birthdays and I have never seen a kid eat cake like him. He didn't hesitate at all, but just dug right in. He didn't stop until it was gone either. It was the cutest thing to watch.

Christian loving his cake...yummmm!

What to do when the cake is gone......what else, lick the plate clean!

I hope Christian has just as much fun with the barn we got him as Kyle & Hannah had with their barn

After an exciting time at his party Christian was ready to go to sleep. Hannah had to give him kisses night-night.

Hannah having fun with her Uncle Jason

Kyle & Hannah love Uncle Jason

Kyle was saying his good-byes because he was going on a date with Mamaw & Papa Pickerill to see Madagascar 2 at the IMAX theatre.

Hannah showing off the BIG glasses she got in her treat bag