Snapshots Leading up to Christmas 2014

 For the 8th year in a Row, Mike was "Santa" at the Village at Lowry, where I work.  Having both kids so involved this year made it especially memorable and fun!  Of course, playing the piano was pretty fun too!

 Good times, with no pants on, getting ready for Christmas!  Jak seems to never have pants on when we're at home (or when we're at anyone elses home for that matter!). 

 Our little bitty tree that fit so well in the front window at Meade Street was barely visible in our new large living room!  We're the only family who un-decorated and redecorated a tree on the 21st of December!

 Now, that looks better! Hope the "pre-lit" lights last for 20 years!!!

The Nutcracker

 We took the kids to an amateur ballet performance this weekend.  The ballet was 15 minutes with a 15 minute intermission and a 20 minute second half.  Perfect.

 We sat front row and clapped louder than the ballerina's family members in the audience.  Jak held his matchbox car in his hand the whole performance, but as soon as a dance would end, he'd hand the car to Daddy so he could clap with both hands!  Then, immediately after clapping, he'd nudge Mike and say, "car, Dadda, car". 

 We dressed nice and went out to dinner after the "show".  It was a wonderful (simple) holiday memory for us.  But the best part was, Lillian got to meet a real live ballerina.  This sweet girl gave Lillian and Jak each a yellow rose from her bouquet after her performance.

Mrs. Claus

Lillian got the part of Mrs. Claus...and she stole the show!

 Lillian's friend Ryan, couldn't have been happier to be on stage.  He was an adorable Santa Claus, but he froze when it was his turn to speak!  He didn't sing, didn't speak and didn't even mutter a Ho Ho Ho.  He did however, have an infectious ear to ear grin the whole program!

 Lillian sang the loudest, and nailed her line; "I'm as busy as busy can be"!  She received a huge giggle from the crowd and quite the applause too! 

 She was so proud of herself, or hyped up on adrenaline, that she forgot all about her fear of Santa Claus and hopped right onto his lap after the show!  We missed the photo op, but here she is right after she came down.

Grandma and Grandpa Cooper sent Lillian this adorable Mrs. Claus apron.   Miss Patty said Lillian could wear it over her dress and she looked so authentic!  Miss Amber did Lillian's hair and makeup and made her feel like a big girl.  Lillian sure got a taste of the Hollywood lifestyle this week!

Everett's 6th Birthday Party

 Another great cousin get together at Aunt Kim and Uncle Ian's house.  Happy Birthday Everett!

 Keira has grown up so much in the last few weeks.  She was really trying to be part of the big girl fun this get-together!

Santa Comes to Mia's

 Mia's family was one of ten families that won a visit from Santa Claus on the Westminster Fire Truck this year.  They were allowed to invite up to 10 kids to visit, it's like my dad always says, "It's not what you know, it's who you know"!

 Lillian's still not comfortable sitting on Santa's lap, but Jak ponied right up!

 And of course, Jak loved the fire truck!

 Santa gave each kid a sucker to enjoy after he left. 

What a great time!

Home For the Holidays...

We have the best family and extended family of any body I know!  Traveling at Thanksgiving is so hard, (unless you take a full week off) and it's especially hard with little ones.  But thanks to really generous Grandma's and Grandpa's we were able to make it happen this year! 

Lillian made her way right into the cockpit when no one was looking.  Last summer, the flight attendant invited her up, so this flight - she just assumed she was welcome! Lucky for all of us, this pilot was more than welcoming.  He even let her wear his hat.

 Grammy and Opa had a nice casual evening planned for us, and they "resurrected" ALL of our toys from when I was a kid.  I swear they moved the whole basement from Chapel Hill Road for their future grandkids to enjoy in Indianapolis!

Lillian didn't nap on the flight, or in the car from the airport or at Grammy & Opa's.  So after dinner, she began getting a case of the sleepy's.  I carried her to bed around 8:30 Indianapolis time and she fell asleep in my arms before I could even lay her down!

 Grandpa with all 7 grandkids

 Grandma with all 7 grandkids.

And some good snuggles from the Colorado Kerschen Kids:

 My Favorite Men.

 The traditional after dinner hike.

Two hitchhikers.

 Great Grandpa Cooper will be 100 in February.  He drove himself to Lansing for Thanksgiving dinner and took part in the after dinner hike on the golf course.  He makes life look easy even at 99 5/6th's!

 Grandma Kerschen gave each of the kids a new Christmas book.  All the adults had to take a turn reading the stories to Lillian and Jak.

Lillian blessed the crowd by singing "Let It Go".  She knows every line verse for verse and couldn't miss the opportunity to show it off!

A little pj time back at Grammy Kerschens - letting our turkey settle!

Next, we headed to the cabin and a little taste of winter!

 Lillian got to participate in the annual Cooper-Kerschen holiday craft project!

 The kids got to enjoy a little time playing in the snow...

And the men got to enjoy a little hunting...

We all got to escape the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, work and home life and just relax a little.

Then we headed back to Indiana to see Grammy and Opa again.

 We explored downtown Indianapolis a little.

And played with 35 year old toys again!

 We got to the airport in plenty of time for our flight.

And while we were walking on the tarmac to board the plane, the pilot walked by, squatted down next to Lillian and said, "Would you like to come up and see the cockpit?".  I kid you not, it's like she has a sign on her that says, "I'd like to fly this plane please".

 Then the pilot turns to me and says, "Get your camera out mom, you can take a picture.".  As if I don't have quite a few like this already!  But this was Jak's first opportunity.  God I hope he gets another chance in the future, cause they've come to expect this treatment every flight!

Great trip and great memories - we came home counting our blessings!