Christmas in November

Since my parents don't usually get to see the kids open gifts, we decided to celebrate Christmas early.  The girls were thrilled this morning when the awoke to find presents!

 Even Logan was happy about it :)

 The big hit was the Imaginarium Train Table.  This thing rocks!  It even makes noises (LOUD ones) - and of course does not have any volume buttons.  I think overall it has 5 sounds.

Kaelin as a 'bow' snowman

 Hailey helping Papa Bob eat his Mike & Ike's

Hailey also got a Rapunzel doll, a Little Pony remote control car and a set of Duplo blocks.  Kaelin received a set of Duplo blocks, a Littlest Pet Shop remote control car and a doll/talking puppy set.

The adults did a name exchange. Justin bought Dad a Packers hoodie.

I got Ray a beard trimmer/shaver and a gift card to Vintage Estates.  Mom and Dad also bought him and Justin Salty Dawg sweatshirts (from Deadliest Catch).  Justin also got another Underarmour sweatshirt from my mom.  Ray had Mom and bought her some Calvin Klein perfume she wanted.  Dad had my name - my microwave for over the stove arrives tomorrow!!!

 Mom and Dad bought this for Logan (he's a little young for it yet...give him a few months!).

Merry Early Christmas - from Logan

Tonight we plan on looking at Christmas lights - there is a neat house in Canfield where the lights flash to music.  Then we will go to Eat n Park for pie and cocoa.   Tomorrow we may attempt the Youngstown Children's Museum. Then Tuesday K goes back to school and Wednesday my parents leave.  So far it has been a quick trip, but I am glad they are here and have gotten to see the beginning of Logan's personality!

Kraynak's 2011

Every year Kraynak's Lawn & Garden Center creates a Christmas Lane with many different Christmas displays.  They also sell a ton of decorations, kids and collectible trains and toys.  Justin has gone since he was a kids.  We have taken the girls since we moved here.  We usually wait for a weekday evening, but I thought it would be fun to do with my parents.  So, we went Saturday night.  It was busy.  There were lines.  However, our kids did great and really enjoyed it.  

K saying Hi to Frosty in line. H wanted NOTHING to do with 'the big white guy'.

Sisterly Love

K really liked the dancing penguins.

After Christmas Lane you can meet Santa (we think Santa was female this year!).  K wanted a doll, dress....etc.  Hailey wanted a Rapunzel doll (which she receiveGd this morning from my parents :) ).  Logan was indifferent.  I always let the girls pick an ornament when we are done and we usually look at toys (though this year it was already pretty late).  K picked a sparkly gold ball, H picked a sparkly blue ball and my parents bought Logan a red ball with his name on it. 

When we got home, the girls went to bed, while the adults got ready for Christmas. We are celebrating while my parents are here.  We wrapped gifts and spent an hour or so building a new train table. 

Decorating for Christmas

Mom helped me decorate for Christmas this year.  It was neat having someone else arrange my stuff in new ways!  The girls helped with the tree of course!

Confession: I did have Ray redistribute a few ornaments later in the day.

 Playing in the storage boxes.

Dad, entertaining Logan

FINISHED DECOR BY MOM:

 1/2 bath

This is where all the Christmas cards are hung

Above the Pack N Play - Playroom

 Tree in the Playroom

 Dining Room

 Kitchen - Yes there is a hole above the stove

 Fireplace Mantle

When we moved in this house the stove was really nice (black/stainless/Kenmore).  Unfortunately, when the previous owners updated, they did not update the hood!  It has bothered me since day 1!  I also hate that our microwave takes up precious counter space.  We did an adult name draw to celebrate Christmas when my parents were here this week.  Dad got my name.  I got a stainless/black/Kenmore over the stove microwave!  It will be in Monday evening! I am so excited.  Here is a picture of the guys prepping for install, but installing a plug, removing the old hood and moving a cabinet.  This was their contribution to 'decorating' :). 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was fun as usual! We started with a brunch at Justin's Mom's and then a late lunch with Justin's Dad's family. I took a few pictures, but somehow Hailey evaded me :).  I swear she was there with us!

Logan has started smiling in the last two weeks. 

He was being really cute with my dad and Mom got a few good pictures.

Kaelin in her Native American vest.

 Great Grandma Magee and Logan

 Big Papa Magee (Great Grandpa) and Logan

 Mom's pretending to sneak Logan some Pumpkin pie.

The week before Thanksgiving...

I have been a lazy blogger.  We have been having fun preparing for the holidays and the arrival of my parents. Here are some pictures from the week before Thanksgiving:

Logan's first movie:  We took the girls to see Lion King 3D.  He did great!

 Hailey Planking

Kaelin had to make a Native American vest for her Thanksgiving Feast at school.  

Here is the finished product:

Hailey made a vest too:

Kaelin also had to make a gingerbread person for a take home project for school:

 Hailey's Gingerbread Girl

Logan often gets swaddled up twice a day in his warmest blanket to get K on and off the bus. 

He is so adorable all wrapped up.

Last week I needed to take the trash out to the curb and it was raining.  

So I laid Logan on the floor of our van.  He fell asleep.

When Daddy's Away...

This week Justin was in Boston, and when he's away (and Ray is working) we get bored!  Thankfully Tuesday Grandma Cindy came to take each of the girls on a date.  She spent lunchtime with Hailey and dinnertime with K.  Then, yesterday Jecca brought over apples, caramel and decorations...so Auntie Amy and Dominic joined us fro some pizza and then decoration fun :).  Here are pictures from yesterday:

Logan was supporting Daddy's work: our little Schmolz & Bichkenbach man :)

Caramel Fun:

 Dominic got a little carried away with the caramel...so Amy helped him clean up :)

On a different note, Kaelin brought this pumpkin home from art class.  I thought it was really cool.  The kids cut everything out and put it together.