Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Breakfast with Santa

Each December, Jason's work hosts a huge "Breakfast with Santa" event for the kids of employees that are under 10.  It was a little sad this year because it's Katie's last official year (she can still come but won't get a kids gift).  We've been doing it for seven years and have it a little streamlined.  We pick up Flour Mill Bakery donuts on the way and skip the cafeteria breakfast.  We head straight for the popular activities.  This year, we did face painting, balloon art, crafts, Grandpa's Puppet Show, cake walk, and a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  The girls loved it as usual!

Katie getting a Penguin on her face

Lucy wasn't sure about face painting, but sat VERY still.

Addie went with a Frozen look...of course

Elsa Addie

Lucy liked her lights

The girls liked the face painting

Watching the puppet show

Picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus...Lucy was not too comfortable with it, but no tears!

Oh Christmas Tree....

Due to a nasty case of bronchitis right after Thanksgiving, I was not much into the Christmas decorating mood.  I got out the decorations and let the girls do it.  It is very colorful!  We also waited to get our Christmas tree.  As we do each year, we visited Cottrell's tree farm last week.  I work with Betty Cottrell at Purdue, so it's fun to see her at her farm each year.  We select the tree and Jason cuts it down.  After we get our tree, we head down the road to Betty's father-in-law's house to look at his awesome light display.  The Lions Club helps him set it up each year and in December he dresses up as Santa and hands out candy canes to all the cars that come through.  The girls love it!  This year, we let the girls pick the kind of tree.  I am partial to Frazier Firs because the hold the heavy ornaments.  The girls really liked the darker Scotch Pines, but then decided they were too prickly.  They decided on a fat, tall White Pine tree.  They decorated it all by themselves and it looks beautiful.  I do have to pick up a heavy ornament off the floor every now and then, but it is a nice, fat, and soft tree.  Here are a few pictures of the event.  At least this year, it was about 60 degrees when we went to cut it down.  The girls didn't even need coats.  It's a great tradition that I hope to continue for years to come.





Monday, December 14, 2015

Cheer Clinic 2015

This is the first time (and last time), the girls got to do Cheer Clinic together.  Katie had the option to join the actual 5th grade team, but decided against it to save her voice for music.  However, she was excited to do the small cheer clinic and cheer one last time at the varsity game.  It was Addie's first year doing it, and she also had a good time.  I was down sick the day of the performance, so Jason was a trooper and went to the game and took pictures.



Lucy wanted a picture too.







Addie, Claire, and Katie at the performance.

Katie's Winter Concert

Katie had her winter choir concert in early December.  Grandpa Jim, Grandpa Jim, and Grandma Judi got to attend.  Katie was in one of the small chorus groups as well as the main chorus.  It was a very memorable evening as one of the boys in Katie's class got sick all over the end of the stage in the middle of the concert.  They kept right on going until a janitor could be found.  We then had a short intermission.  I'm sure it's not one performance that will be forgot.