Making Santa

We have had some oatmeal boxes waiting in the wings for a few weeks.  Waiting to be made into Santa.  Grandma Suzanney made these when Kelley was a kid.  Now she started helping the kids make their Santas out of the same tall, round boxes.

When we cleaned up the table for dinner, the boxes were not yet finished Santas.  Grandma Suzanney said something about Mommy helping the kids finish, but the boxes are waiting patiently on the kitchen counter for her to come back and finish what she started with the kids.  After all, she was the original creative genius behind this idea and having completed some in the past is the best source for helping finish the design of these.  :)

Happy Birthday, Grandma Eloise!!!

This morning was so foggy.  Could barely see more than 20 feet ahead of us when I took the kids to school this morning.  It was burning off fast by the time I got home, so I ran in as quick as I could to get my camera and then jogged up to the end of the street.

We went to Miyoshi for dinner with the Grandmas to celebrate Grandma Eloise's 93rd birthday.

The kids love being up close to watch Grandma open cards and presents.

The chef had fun teasing the kids.

That would be Owen catching some flying rice.

He was pretty impressed with himself for catching the rice.  :)

Aunt Kiki came out and joined us to celebrate, too!

The flaming volcano.

As usual, Chloe was in hiding during the volcano.  She's scared of the big flames.

The chef teased her and asked if she was scared of a little flame.

The chef made something special for Owen.

But he had to eat more vegetables to earn each component.

He got a strict warning after this to NOT point it at people.

Chloe earned a little cork and toothpick dog by eating more of her vegetables (including a mushroom!).

Even the chef and waitress sang Happy Birthday to Grandma Eloise with us.

To many more happy and healthy years, Grandma.  We love you so much!

Owensk Under Attack

The Grandmas were over for dinner this evening.  One little Owen boy got caught and tickled and had his little face smushed.

I think she might have loved him and kissed him and called him George.

Grandma Vicki Arrives!

Owen had soccer practice and Todd was coaching, so I took Bean with me to the airport to pick up Grandma Vicki.

She waited very patiently on the floor at the top of the escalators from the trains.  For over 30 minutes, she waited patiently.  Who knew there would be such delays on the tarmac?

I think they were both pretty excited to see each other.

I love the flying hair.

By the time we got out of the airport, Friday night rush hour wasn't too bad.  We met our guys at our favorite Mexican restaurant and enjoyed a late dinner together.

The kids did a good job eating their dinner and earned a tootsie roll pop.

Not sure what they liked better.  The lollipop or the fact that their tongues turned red. 

Dinner Out with the Grandmas

The roads were better the day after Christmas, so we decided to skip eating leftovers and drove to our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner.

Chloe had to bring her new camera to take pictures of everyone at the table AND our food.  :)

She was fascinated with looking at the LCD screen to see all of the pictures she had already taken.

How did we get this sweet picture of Owen kissing Grandma Vicki and not catch one of Chloe doing the same?

It was nice getting out of the house and not having to cook for the evening.

Grandma Suzanney's Birthday

The Grandmas came over on Grandma Suzanney's birthday to celebrate.  We had meatloaf, fresh green beans and mashed potatoes and then a Publix cake for dessert --> everything that Grandma Suzanney asked for and a special treat after staying away from meatloaf and cake for months in order to get healthier again.  Woot!

Of course Owen was right there to help her blow out the candles on the cake.

And Bean, too.  Bean!  Get your hair out of the cake, you goat!

Chloe was right there as Grandma Suzanney opened up her birthday card that she had picked out and decorated inside.

I think Grandma Suzanney liked the cards that the kids picked out for her and signed.

She liked her new rain coat and kids had to be in the pic with her to show it off and do karate moves.

LOVE the reactions over the picture of the kids with Grandma Suzanney standing in the Gulf of Mexico together when we were at Clearwater Beach the week before!

Owen is just clapping away with excitement!

HaPpY bIrThDaY Grandma Suzanney, we love you!

Owen's Birthday Celebration at Home

Owen couldn't wait to get home and put Rumblebuffin in her new cage.  Within an hour, she was re-named Hammy. 

By the time the Grandmas came over to join us for dinner, she was re-named Sugar.

Owen was beside himself to show Grandma Suzanney his new hamster and how the cage opens and closes and how the wheel turns.

The wheel seems to be Sugar's best friend.  We hear it turning every night when we check on Owen before going to bed.  :)

Dylan is a big Daddy's boy.

Owen wanted brownies for his birthday dessert, so that is what I made.  He really wanted to help light the candles.

He still really wanted to light the candles, but we thought that probably wasn't very good idea.  Even though the boy is now eight.  years.  old.

Can you tell he was loving having us all sing Happy Birthday to him while he focused on when he could blow out the candles and for what he was wishing since bringing home a new hamster?

This boy just loves his Daddy!

This girl didn't get to share in birthday brownies because she didn't do such a great job eating her dinner, but....she didn't seem too disappointed.  Chloe had a blast laying out all of her silly bandz to show her Grandma Suzanney.

So much more fun now that Owen can read his own birthday cards.  :)

Chloe had fun taking pictures with Grandma Suzanney's camera.  :)

Owen gave Daddy a big hug after opening up his extra present of a Pokemon book.

Owen absolutely LOVED this Hammy shirt!

He thought the exercise ball for the hamster was pretty cool, too.