Christmas Morning

Just a quick post to remember what the kids got for Christmas this year.

These were the kids' big gifts this year.

Donny got a keyboard. He loves playing the piano at Grandma and Grandpa Drummond's house, and he enjoys playing the organ at Grandma J's and Aunt Amy's house.

Braelyn got a guitar...a real one. You can see from the picture how much she loves it! Now, we just have to find someone to teacher her lessons.

Saying "Good-bye" to Gene

We had a lot of fun with Gene this year.

He did a lot of fun things this year such as:

* brought snow donuts straight from the North Pole

* decorated the tree with toilet paper

* went fishing in the toilet with goldfish crackers

* brought us a new book about Jesus and Christmas

* brought us new Christmas movies

* sat in a bowl of Cheerios - he even made a mess on the counter for Mommy to clean up!

* napped in the cake tray because he was sick :(

* sat in a bowl of marshmallows and took a bite out of one of our sugar cookies

Just like last year, he got permission from Santa for the kids to give him one hug and kiss each to say 'good-bye' before he had to leave Christmas Eve. We can't wait for him to come back again next year!

2012 Advent Activities

**Updated on Jan. 4, 2013 to note which activities actually got completed

Dec. 1 - Make a paper chain to count down to Christmas; Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting (done)
Dec. 2 - Write a letter to Santa (done)
Dec. 3 - Adopt an Angel (done - we adopted 2)
Dec. 4 - Make Smores
Dec. 5 - Indoor picnic by the tree (done)
Dec. 6 - DQ Peppermint Blizzard (done)
Dec. 7 - Take goodies to the neighbors (done)
Dec. 8 - Go out to dinner - kids' choice (done)
Dec. 9 - Pictures w/ Santa (done)
Dec. 10 - Make paper snowflakes to decorate the glass door
Dec. 11 - Make ice cream sundaes (done)
Dec. 12 - Play a game
Dec. 13 - Nighttime walk to look at neighbors' Christmas lights
Dec. 14 - Get new Christmas PJ's (done)
Dec. 15 - Cookie decorating w/ neighbors (done)
Dec. 16 - Buy a gift for your teacher (done)
Dec. 17 - Breaksfast for dinner (done)
Dec. 18 - Hot chocolate w/ marshmallows & sprinkles (done)
Dec. 19 - Hunt for chocolate kisses while listening to Christmas music
Dec. 20 - Read a Christmas book (done)
Dec. 21 - Neighborhood hayride/kids' gift exchange (done)
Dec. 22 - Christmas movie w/ treats (done at a later date)
Dec. 23 - North Pole Express train ride (SOLD OUT) :(
Dec. 24 - Make reindeer food to sprinkle in the yard (done)

This is the first year for us to do something like this. I'm so excited about it! Do you do this with your family? I'd love for you to share your ideas. :)

Adventures in Potty Training

Conversation with Donny:


Me: Donny, go potty.
Donny: It came out by itself.
Me: Then go change your pants.
Donny: By myself?! (in shock that I would even suggest such a thing)
Me: Yes. You're big enough to know better, so you're big enough to change your own pants.

And, yes, he did change his own pants. Thank you.

Some things NEVER get old

Donny has been telling me on almost a daily basis, "Mommy, you're the best mother ever!"

Yes, he really uses the word 'mother'. :)

Isn't he sweet!?

State Fair 2012

Why do you go to the fair? The rides? NO!! You go for the ridiculously overpriced fried food. Does it surprise you that our first purchase of fried food was chicken fried bacon? If you know the Wiest family at all, it shouldn't surprise you one itty bitty bit! :)

My favorite fried food was the FRIED OREO...YUMMY!! Totally worth the 50 billion coupons it cost. Ha!! Lucky for my weight that they only served us 4 fried oreos and there are 4 of us...so we each only got one. :)

The kids killed some time while we waited for Don to do some shopping by making grass angles ... in fake grass. :) I'm sure people nearby thought we were nuts!

And what better way to end the day at the fair than to add a few things to your "I'm never going to own this," wish list. :) Check out this spa/hot tub. It's large enough to swim in, and according to Don, it will fit PERFECTLY on the side of our house in the backyard. One day...maybe...

Pumpkin Patch 2012

There simply aren't enough words to express how much I love these two babies.

They're growing up WAY TOO FAST!

Donny was being silly, and this actually ended up being one of my favorite pictures. It makes me laugh -- just like he does EVERY single day!

I think I say every year that these two can't possibly get any cuter...and every year I'm proven wrong.

We got to feed the animals. The big ones aren't too nice to the little guys. They really do push them out of the way just to get at your cup full of food.

Don't they look like they're having fun?!

Donny loves giving hugs and kisses!

HAPPY FALL, Y'ALL!