O, Christmas Tree

Joel and I bought our very first home in December of 2000.  Joel moved in right away, and then I moved in the following summer after our wedding.  One night over Christmas break we went to the store to grab a few things and found a Christmas tree on clearance.  We can't remember the exact price, but it was something like $16-$18.  The only thing wrong with it was it was missing two branches, so I called the company and they sent us two replacements.  Problem solved!

It's been a nice tree--very nice and full, which we love.  However, 2 or 3 years ago, the stand started to break, so we started looking for a new tree.  I was surprised at how sparse many of the trees look--even the ones that are $200 - $300!  So each year we look, then put it off since we can't seem to find a "wow!"

Well, we may have waited too long.  One Friday afternoon, Reid wanted me to "fick da train" (fix the train).  I set it all up and turned it on, then realized the tree lights needed to be plugged in since the cord was on the track.  I sat down next to him and we watched the train go around the track a few times.  Next thing I knew, I heard a creak, followed by a crack--and before I could do anything about it--the tree was falling over right in front of me.  Reid and I first looked at the tree, then each other, and then back at the tree again.  I think we were both thinking, "It wasn't me!"  

I quickly jumped up and grabbed the camera--mainly because Joel and I had been betting on how long it would take for it to fall over.       

 Reid was still trying to figure out what happened.

 He even walked over to the other side to check it out.

 I love the hands on the hips here...he was really trying to figure out what happened!

I thought I would just pick it up and set it back where it belong.  However, I quickly realized one of the legs from the stand had broken off and it was not going to stand upright again.  I started to pick up some of the ornaments that had fallen off of the tree and noticed a few had broken, including this one:

This hand-blown glass ornament was given to me by my third grade class in 2006.  I was so bummed as it has always been one of my favorite ornaments.

Joel came home later with a new roll of duct tape and was able to rig the tree stand so the tree could be upright again.  It fell two days later, but we used even more duct tape and took off half the ornaments.  We thought about going to get a new tree, but we were only a week away from Christmas and didn't want to hassle with it.  There's no chance in putting it off any longer, though, as I refuse to even store this one for another year.  But I think since it only cost us under $20 twelve years ago, we've definitely gotten our money's worth out of it!    

Christmas Program 2012

We had our school's Christmas program a little early this year, which was fine by me.  It seems that last week before break is always a crazy time of year, so I was okay to have it moved to a different week.  I thought this would be a good time to get a picture of my kids for the Christmas card, too, since they would all be dressed up.

 I tried to get a shot when we first came in.  There was too much going on all around us, plus I didn't really care for the background.  So I scratched that idea.

 Ryan is in the top row--all the way to the right.

 The first graders did a great job!

 I didn't realize Reese would be all the way over on the other side of the gym for a song.

 I was glad when they moved to the risers so I could see her better.

 Reese and her best friend, Taylor, had parts on the xylophone.

 After the show, I was telling another mom about how I failed on getting a good picture of the kids for my Christmas card.  She is one of the most positive, energetic parents and insisted we try again.  She stood behind Joel and was jumping around, trying to get Reid to smile.

 At first he was just looking at her...

 Then he finally looked at the camera--even though it was more of a pursed smile.

 I thought this laugh was cute, but he was looking at that mom again.  :)  We decided to go with the picture above this one for our card.

While I was talking to the mom in the lobby, the kids ran into the gym and started singing into the microphones since they were still on.  Reid even ran over and was playing on the piano...it was so loud!  Of course right after I snapped this picture, the music teacher walked into the gym.  Busted!!!  :)  Joel and I took our little performers to McDonald's for some ice cream, then took them home and put them to bed.  It was a fun night!

The Nutcracker

One of my students was in the production of "The Nutcracker," and Reese and I were invited to her performance.  We were supposed to have gone to a tea at her family's house before then, but unfortunately her mom came down with the flu a few days before the show and had to cancel the tea.  I was looking forward to going to the show as I had seen my student's older sister in the same show 9 years ago when I was pregnant with Reese.  (This wonderful family has 5 darling girls, and I've taught 3 out of the five.)

Sophia, Rebecca, and their mom after the show. 

Rebecca and Reese

Rebecca did a wonderful job for her part as a butterfly.  I was so happy that Reese and I could go see her while having some mom & daughter time.  We need to do more things like that, for sure!

Kelly's {Surprise} Birthday Party

Keith contacted Holly and I about planning a surprise party for Kelly's birthday.  Since December was kind of a busy month, the only night that seemed to work was Joel's birthday.  So Joel and I got a sitter and first went out to dinner at his favorite Mexican restaurant, Friaco's.  Then we headed to Chatham Tap to wait for the birthday girl to arrive.

I think she was surprised!

We had a lot of fun just hanging out together.  It was a fun night!

Kelly, Jessica, and Molly

Kelly, Jessica, and Emily

Kelly and Emily

Holly and I

Keith and Kelly

Melissa and Dean

The 3 sisters

The guest of honor with the birthday boy.

Happy Birthday, Kelly and Joel!

Joel's (Surprise) Birthday

Joel headed to Fort Wayne the day before his birthday to spend the day shopping with his mom.  I would never say that I consider Joel to be a big shopper, but I think he was thinking it was a good way to spend some time with his mom.  After all, she did help bring him into the world 35 years ago.  :)  He was planning on driving back later that night after dinner at his favorite restaurant, Cork and Cleaver.

What he didn't know was that his mom had called me earlier in the week with an idea.  She thought it would be fun if Amy & Brad and I would all join them at dinner to surprise him.  I called and asked my parents if they could keep the kids for the evening, and my mom went a step further and they would keep them overnight.  That meant we could stay even longer and play cards after dinner!

I drove up to Fort Wayne without Joel having a clue.  In fact, I even spoke to him right before I left the house and tried to play it cool like I was just going to grab Mark Pi's takeout and have a low-key night with the kids.  The funny thing is, he called my cell phone as I was sitting in the parking lot of Cork and Cleaver.  Since I didn't think I could lie very well, I just didn't answer the phone!  Amy, Brad, and I got there first and waited for Doug, Marsha, and Joel to arrive.  I didn't have my camera out and ready, but he was really surprised to see us!

We ate a fantastic meal, then Joel opened a present from his parents.

What could we possibly do with M&M's and playing cards???? 

We headed back to Brad & Amy's and played several hands of cards.  I know Joel just kept saying how surprised he was, and how cool that day had been for him.  The next morning we woke up and had birthday donuts--a tradition in Joel's family.  I think it was fun for him to be home on his birthday because it was really special!  Thanks, Marsha and Doug, for the great idea and wonderful meal!  And thanks to my parents for keeping our kids so I could join them!  Love you all!

Thanksgiving 2012

I'm s-l-o-w-l-y catching up on my blogging, but had another setback: My laptop crashed again!  This time it's a more expensive fix, so we'll see what happens.

I took my camera with me to Fort Wayne for Thanksgiving, but unfortunately did not make sure it was charged and ready to go.  It was flashing low battery the whole time, so I didn't use it very much.  We met Doug and Marsha and Amy and Brad's family downtown for the lighting of certain storefronts and buildings. It was a comfortable night to be outside, and it was fun to do something to kick off the holiday season. We even ran into our good friends Darren and Kelly and their kids!

The next day we celebrated Thanksgiving at Doug and Marsha's house.  We were so grateful that Grandma Sheets could make it, even though she was still recovering from her foot surgery.  Doug and Marsha also invited Amy Cox, the music director from their church.  She moved to Fort Wayne about a year ago and lived with them for a month until she found a place to live.  She has come to a few family gatherings, and we enjoy having her around.  

Amy's tradition in her family is to make candy turkeys, so she brought the supplies to make them with the kids.

 Reid was just more interested in eating the icing.

 They turned out great!  We even made some Ryan friendly ones with his brownies to make it more fun for him.

The next day was Black Friday, so Joel and I got up and did some shopping while the kids stayed with Doug and Marsha.  While we didn't see a ton of great deals, we did pick up a few things for Christmas.  Later that afternoon, Amy and Brad came over and we all made candy.

 The kids enjoyed decorating the white chocolate candy suckers.

Then everyone worked together to make buckeyes.

 

The kitchen smelled heavenly, and everything tasted delicious!

That evening we all went to Casa's (our favorite restaurant), and then the whole family went to see "Wreck It Ralph."  This was Reid's 2nd movie, and he loved it!  He sat in his own seat the entire time and was enthralled by the big screen.  We headed back the next morning and then met the whole family again at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy.  This time it was to cheer on Joel and Amy's alma mater, Snider High School, in the football championship.  Even though they lost, we still had a great time hanging with the family.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

Ryan and Grandpa Go Horse

My dad invited Ryan to a Colts game in November.  Ryan was so excited and had been counting down all week until game day.  :)  I took this picture later that day when my dad dropped him off at home.  Thanks for taking him, Dad!

Veteran's Day 2012

Each year I look forward to our school's Veteran's Day program.  I've been to every one except the very first one when the school opened, as I wasn't hired until after Christmas.  Each year it has been organized by a Navy Veteran, Mrs. Cathy Cederholm.  She is now one of our 5th grade teachers, and we are honored to have her on staff.

This year I was excited to have Kelly and Keith as well as Keith's mom and dad join us for the program.  It's even more special this year since Grace is now at our school!

 Miss Miller, the new music teacher, led the students in singing a song to the Veterans.  Reese is third from the right.

 I cannot remember his name, but our keynote speaker has been at every Veteran's Day program that I can remember.  He is such a wonderful man!

 Keith and his dad stood up when the students sang the Navy fight song.  

My favorite part is when we close with "I'm Proud to be an American."  It gets me every time!

Thank you for your service to our country, Keith!