Shoe Night

One of my favorite family traditions is Shoe Night.  I love this tradition that has been passed down in my dad's family for generations.  It is so much fun to put your shoe out on Christmas Eve Eve and see what he brings you!  I love passing this down to my boys and hope they will continue it with their kids.

Ready to be filled!

Bennett said "I'm going to put out a boot!"

Henry plowed through his Christmas tree peeps at 7 am in about 6 seconds.

Of course, we had to go to Pops's house to see what the elf left.  Wow!  Everyone received an apple, orange, and a $5 Red Mango Gift card...all except my dad who received $100.  Bennett also got a putter in his shoe.  So much fun!

Pops even made a Butter Braid for breakfast for us.  Thanks to Bennett for his fundraiser.

Henry's Christmas party

We've been celebrating Christmas around here left and right.  I love this season!  It is especially fun seeing it through the eyes of my kids.

Henry's school usually has no parties for the kids.  I just asked if we could do a little something and the director said yes but nothing sugary!  We had fruit, pretzels, and crackers.  The kids loved it.  They even got to make a little Santa craft.  I made the little "grinch" fruit kabobs and they were a cinch.  

Sweet little thing!

My boy loves to eat!

all boys and 1 girl in his class!

Pops even stopped by for the fun after helping himself to the tea that was out in the hallway for the teacher luncheon we had earlier.

Henry made his little Santa craft and was very proud!

Looks GREAT!  I only helped him take the paper off the back of the sticker and let him do the rest.  All the other kids had perfect looking Santa's, but Erinn says you are supposed to let them do everything.  The beard is on the head and that's ok!

Raines's Tacky Sweater Party

We donned our gay apparel and headed to the Raines's house for their tacky Christmas party.  It is so fun every year.  Before we headed to their house we made a stop at Twisted Root for my new craving : a toasted marshmallow S'more shake.  Oh wow.  Talk about a party in your mouth!  Delish!  I've had 2 and Neil says I can't quit talking about them.  Enough about food...onto the party.

Andre' catered the whole shindig which took lots of stress off Leigh and I know she loved that.  The red beans and rice were great.  The company was better.

Andre' and Neil

Neil and me...I really need some lipstick on in this picture.

We had a tacky gift exchange and this farting bubble blowing Santa made a re-appearance from 4 years ago.  Neil received this as actual Christmas gift a few years ago.. It was a hit and was even stolen!

We received a box with beer, expired Johnny's coupons, and half-eaten snacks.  We re-gifted it all to the Buteaus'!

Amy and Daniel in his sweet apron.

Russell and Margaret

I have a cute picture of Leslie and me but I can't get it to upload...Will add soon.

Bennett's Christmas Party

I was thrilled that we were able to work out someone to go to Bennett's Christmas party and pick him up at 11:30 since that's what time he got out of school.  It was so nice that Neil could swing by and then pick him up.  My principal let me leave during my planning so we got it all worked out. It was a lot to get done, but we are resourceful!  Bennett loved having Neil there with him.  Bennett had blast at the party.  Neil kept sending me texts saying "how loooooong does this thing last!?" haha!  It must be a mom thing, because I love those parties.

Apperently they made cookies, reindeer food, colored, played in centers, and ate a snack.  How fun! I loved that Neil went AND took pictures for me.  I love those little reindeer antlers on Bennett.  So cute!

making reindeer food

Bennett said "I made a Christmas tree cookie with lights and snow and snow on the tree" ("but I don't want to talk about it anymore because I am relaxing."

Gift exchange

hugging his teacher

Bennett and his teacher

Mingling and Jingling

We've had some fun times recently.  Erin and her mom had their Mingle and Jingle girls' party again.  It is such fun to hang with the girls.  And she always has great food!

me, Erin, and Leigh

 We went as a family to Chris Burford's 50th birthday party.  Ann totally outdid herself planning this extravaganza!  She had 10 stations set-up to celebrate all of Chris's adventures.  What a creative idea!  Chris is one of the most interesting and adventurous people I know.

She gave everyone a sheet to describe each station.

Our first stop was the "soda jerk" station.  We each had to make a cherry limeade to commemorate Chris's job as a soda jerk.

Next, we celebrated his Navy career with knot tying and "diving" for apples!

Bennett got his apple like a pro!

The last station we went to was the underwear making station.  Chris designed and made his own undies that had a little pouch for you know what.  I love that story!  Anyway, we each got to design our own undies to hang on the clothes line.  I love my bedazzled and personalized panties!

Bennett and Max jumping on the trampoline

Bennett at the "nurse station" playing Operation

Ann and me

Bennett's Christmas Program

Bennett had his Christmas program on Tuesday and it was the cutest thing I've ever seen.  My mom and I were teary throughout the first couple of songs because of all the adorableness.  To be honest, I was worried sick and kept praying that Bennett wouldn't try to show off like last year.  I WAS SO PROUD OF MY BOY!  He really did a great job, sang all the songs, and totally wowed us.  

Neil was sad he had to go out of town for work and couldn't be there.  That's OK because Gammy, Pops, Nana, and Granddad all came to cheer him on.  He was so proud to have a whole row of people watching him.  We were on the front row and he kept blowing us kisses and watching us.  Oh, he was so good!

getting lined up!  This was when I was the only one there waiting on everyone. 

So handsome!

blowing kisses

Singing like and angel

this was right after he yawned during "Silent Night" after singing "sleeeeep in heavenly peace." 

His audience

We got to go back to his classroom for a couple pictures.

I love this big boy.  I was so proud of how well he did I could hardly stand it.

He did NOT want his grandparents to leave.  He kept hugging them and finally sat down in the circle and cried HUGE, silent tears.  It was awful.  

Gammy and Bennett

I did take a half day off work to attend the program and it something I will always do.  I will not miss these special moments because of a job. It was a special morning that I will NEVER forget.

Bennett's School Party

Next stop of Bennett's birthday morning was at his school for cupcakes.  It only lasted about 10 minutes, but he felt special and that's all that matters. 

The kids loved when Bennett got his birthday spankings from Mrs. Elgin!  They thought it was hilarious!

Sweet cake Bennett chose for school

Our BIG 5 year old!

5 spankings!

He thought this was hilarious!