NYE - The Fox

We celebrated this year at the Johnsons...  Good Friends, Great Drink... Fun Times.  Our children lasted longer than all the other children and stayed up until the new year (impressive Hertel children!).

It's been a tradition that we come up with a "pose" to say goodbye to the year.  This year we represented The Fox (remember...What Does the Fox Say).  

this picture cracks me up!!!  

the dog, my child, and somehow I'm the only one doing an interpretation of a fox face???? 

previous NYE

Rocket Ship!

First Masterpiece!

Staying Dry

Happy Birthday to ME!

I spent a lovely morning with my mom and sister (painting toes and having lunch). 

Later the evening we had dinner, cake and fireworks at my sisters.

And that night we went to the Outtens for drinks and dessert and late night chats :)

((which i have no pictures of???))

Thank you to everyone for the sweet messages!  

Boys and Their Toys ;)

Moslener Family Christmas

(and this wasn't even ALLL the gifts??!?!)

We had our Moslener family christmas today :)  We are missing a few people...hopefully we can get everyone together soon!!!  It was a lovely evening with four little ones opening gifts and even some surprises for the adults. 

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!!!!!

merry christmas

This year Mason really wanted a truck and parking garage and Olivia wanted a guitar and some boots. 

Thank you Mama for taking all these photos :)

Christmas Eve

Today was a full day!  We made cookies for santa

 

Attempted to build a gingerbread house

Played some games...Mason dominated...booyah!

Wrote letters to Santa 

Sprinkled Reindeer Food outside

It is such a blessing to have both sets of grandparents here celebrating the day with us!!!

Lots of love everywhere

SANTA!!!

And no tears!!!!

Families

loooove all these families together in TEXAS :)

1st Birthday Celebration

Recently we met Paul and Andrea ... Paul went to the Academy with Tim.  They invited us out to celebrate Paul's birthday that's coming up...just a few days after mine ;)  Sooooo, we decided to celebrate me too :)

I didn't argue :)  love any chance to sip a 'tini and eat bread pudding!!!

Foto Friday

They could think of no better way to start their winter vacation: subway, eating upstairs while watching a movie :)

The Polar Express

For many years, we've heard of people taking their kids on The Polar Express.  So this year we got tickets....and then discovered that it's 2.5 hours away!!!!!  oooopsss...

The kids had a great time.  We all wore our pjs, sipped hot chocolate, nibbled on sugar cookies, sang some Christmas carols, got our tickets punched by the conductor, and read the book Polar Express.  Then, the highlight of the trip was receiving a bell from Santa!! 

Then, as we are driving the loooong drive home, Olivia's bell kept jingling and I turned around to talk to her about it...and this is what I saw...

The Magic of Christmas

Comfy

Doing lots of laundry, preparing for guests...  

This morning I put the washed bedding on our mattress (where Jerry does sleep) 

and he managed to curl himself into a tiny ball on our "clean" sheets. 

He does look comfy though.

Christmas Parties

The kids had their Christmas Parties this week at school.  I always feel bad for the teachers during these events...their class is out of sorts, the children have lots of sugar, and there are TONS of parents everywhere.  But in the end, it's only for an hour.  Olivia and Mason both had a blast.

Loving this season.

Ham-Brella

Mama - look how big my leaf is, it's like a ham-brella (umbrella).

Santa's Wonderland

For the past couple of years I've heard about this "Santa's Wonderland".  2.5 million lights spread out over a 30 minute drive.  It was really cool to see.... The downfall was the 90 minute drive to get to it...

That being said, the kids want to do it again next year.

Christmas Paaaaarty!

Seriously one of my favorite times the whole calendar year :) And this year was one of the best yet!  Love getting dressed up, love hanging out with all my besties, love staying out late, love seeing everyone really enjoying the holiday season.

And this year, I managed to grab my phone and take some pictures :)  I continued taking pictures during our walk home until I DROPPED my phone and shattered my iphone screen....ooopps!  

Pre-Dinner pictures (do you see Kickie that I was talking about on Olivia's birthday post)

 This is your warning...I took LOTS of pictures

Even more pics!!! 

And all of these pictures are selfies ;)

 In 2011, Tim picked up and held Justin...

\

This year, Justin picked up Tim....

Thank you Outtens for another AWESOME night.  

Happy 5th Birthday Olivia

Happy 5th Birthday Olivia!!!

For her birthday this year she had a birthday party at bouncin' bears!!!  15 of her friends celebrated with us.  Everyone had a blast and including OLIVIA :)

At the end of the night she said, "My birthday party was super duper fun.  All my friends were like 'Olivia it's your birthday!'  They were big fans."

Looooove you!

Tidbits:

*height: 43 inches

*weight: 43 lbs

*wears size 5T and XS girls (some 6 and small)

*shoe size 10-11 (depends on shoe)

*often skips as her mode of transportation

*if she is crying, and is near a mirror, she will DEFINITELY check herself out

*has procedures and will break-down if asked to alter them.  Example:  going to bed-all doors must be shut, fan must be on, no toys on the floor, decorations hung up, only certain animals in her bed, water in between her pillows, pillow pet turned on purple on the right pillow...
*enjoys listening to books and reading books.  Reading Level B/2
*colors in lines and writes her first and last name using appropriate capital/lower case letters
*knows and appreciates rules/consistency
*sleeps 12 hours a day...she will still take a nap, it's not every day, but it still happens!!!
*does not like dark or loud noises and will cover her ears

*learning more about rewards and works hard to receive them
*frequently bends both arms up to her neck with her wrists flopping down in a bunny manner??
*has a hilarious fake laugh
*will help with chores around the house (feeding jerry, vacuuming, doing the dishes, setting the table, cleaning playroom and bedroom, making her bed)
*still sucks her thumb :( 

*loving all things "my little pony"
*enjoys gymnastics, swimming, and soccer

*like her mama, sensitive to smells
*likes a nice warm bath
*really enjoys alone time with either mommy or daddy
*only wants to wear skinny jeans...she has a couple pairs of cute bootleg and has never worn them!
*also loves leggings and her minnie mouse ears
*says "nerember" (remember)
*becoming more socially aware
*sensitive
*great helper and loves a job
*likes to play with real babies (thank you connor)
*will drink OJ first thing every morning, but prefers water throughout the day
*competitive
*independent
*not a huge "sweet" eater...often doesn't finish the treat

According to Olivia

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Person to Play with: Alison

Best Place to Shop: Walmart

Good Place to Play: Bouncing Bears

Favorite Food: Nuggets

Favorite Drink: milk (even though she doesn't drink it??)

Favorite Song: Call Me Maybe

Favorite Show: Tarzan (not exactly sure where this is coming from)

Favorite Movie: Auroa

Favorite Thing to Do Outside: Play at school

Favorite Book: Christmas books

Favorite Toy: Kickie (new horsie stuffed animal from the Hawks)

Favorite thing to sleep with: Kickie (you will see a picture of pink Kickie tomorrow)

Favorite Breakfast: Pancakes
Favorite Lunch: Turkey and Cheese sandwich

Birthday Dinner: Nuggets

Favorite Dessert: chocolate

 DO NOT like to eat: Taco Bell (daddy took her there last night)

Favorite Game: trouble

Favorite Sport: biking

Future Occupation: doctor

The Christmas Program

This event actually happened on Friday, but since it's also her birthday....we are posting it one day in advance :)

It was that special time of the year again, the annual Good Shepherd Learning Center Christmas Program.  This 20 minute program brings tears to my eyes all the time...usually with some laughter too.  This year Olivia had a three lines that she said with two other girls.  She did SUCH an excellent job. It was also nice that Grandma and Grandpa and The Hawks could come and see our star :)  Love having family here!!!

And if you are a family member....you might enjoy this sweet video.

Two Years Ago - 12/11/11

CAUGHT!!!

Cheeeeeze

Powdered Sugar Donuts

 There was a "not proud" Mommy moment a couple of years ago where I "may" have over encouraged Olivia to eat a donut and she refused and I insisted....  

Needless to say this morning, there were no issues with devouring the sugar coated breakfast treat.

The Nutcracker

Today Olivia and I went to see a local dance company's production of "The Nutcracker". I briefly debated taking her downtown to see the real deal, but didn't know how she would respond.

She absolutely LOOOVED it (including our snack during the intermission).  Only towards the end (last 20 minutes) did she start to get squirmy and say she wanted another intermission to get more snacks ;)  I think I see a new Mommy/Daughter tradition.

Mall Meet-Up

Foto Friday

Train Tunnels

Christmas Craft

A huge thank you to Chris for inviting us over to create Christmas Trees.  In my opinion, this is exactly how crafts should be done.  One person is excited about it...buys the stuff, organizes the space and invites people (me and my kids) over and allows us to participate :)  It was a lovely afternoon spent with great friends!!

Me and My Cutie

drummer girl

Oh Christmas Tree

The kids LOOOOVE this time of the year.  Decorating the tree is seen as the step BEFORE setting up the tree.  I believe the kids put all the ornaments on the tree in record time ;)