Loving my new cook book!

Thanks mom and dad. 

Perfect day for a walk in the woods.

Ross is standing!

Baby ballet

So much more about the process ...

Bad santa

Tonight was one for the books. We arrived at the mall for a Santa pic and there were two Santas. One poorly disguised in an overcoat, the other just back from break. (Apparently not enough of one).  We should have seen the writing on the wall 

At our turn I was getting the kids into his chair and said, "guys say hello snd merry Christmas". He replied, we'll do that after the picture. 

Then Jane asked for mrs Claus' cookies. He said, you can't have those I eat all of them. I thought, odd, but maybe trying to save me some work. Jane was a little taken a back but kept on. "Could I have a rain deer that flies?"  He said, "Santa brings toys. Don't you want a toy?  Besides how would I fly my sleigh if I gave you a rain deer? ". Jane was mad by this point and said, "hey, I meant one that you aren't using"

He then reprimanded turner for taking a coloring book before asking and when jane went to get one he said, "now I just told your brother not to reach into my bag (fake bag situated next to the chair on the way out). Is that how you listen to your parents?"

Everyone else had standard request so we got out quickly only to have the clerk convince Matt that they did away with the least expensive photo opt.  I bent down to see jane and there she is crying. "Well Santa was meaner this year."  This might be the night she figures it out bc when she asked if he was real I said not that one!  That seemed to help. We all laughed about how mean he was and how he needed more of a break. 

Last year for Santa at the mall for us!  

Cookie making

We started some holiday traditions today. Making buckeyes and Christmas cookies!  Georgia had 3 buckeyes in her mouth before I got the plate away from her.  Here are some shots from the fun. 

Making the dough

Having a cookie party with friends!

We ended the night imagining Jesus as a twin. 

Jane's oreo party

We celebrated today with black and white crafts and Oreos!  Two of my neighbors and a couple older kids were a huge help as we made winter lanterns and silhouettes. Happy birthday Janey bea!!

Lucky us! Jane is 7!!

We love our sweet bold creative and jazzy Jane!  Her favorite memories of the past year include meeting the Boston ballet dancers, going to the valentines dance with papa, riding a 2 wheel bike in the PCM kids ride, learning to read, playing uno with mom on a hike, going to Ohio on an airplane with Turner, dressing up Kaya (her doll), sleep overs with Ellie, loosing a tooth and playing with Hank. 

Happy Birthday Jane!