Visiting Santa

We took the kids downtown to see Santa again this year.  We still think it’s the best thing around.  No line, take your own pictures, decorate crafts and cookies for free!  Awesome. 

This is amazing.  The first year that Zach has sat on Santa’s lap.  He was pretty excited this year.

Lauren was the one who refused… so Daddy ended up in the picture, yet again.

Heading to Santa’s workshop!

A little crafting!

Decorating Gingerbread men, and making a decorative bag.

A little candy eating, and a lot of melting down.

Mailing their letters to Santa!

Warming up.. she decided to give Santa a high-five.

Cookie decorating.. and eating. I’m pretty sure Lauren just sat there and licked the frosting off her plate.

Then we took a little ride on the holly jolly trolley!

Tay & Mom. See.. I was actually there!

Fam pic! Now we are ready for Christmas.

SMLS Christmas Program 4’s

Zach’s Christmas program at St. Mikes went amazing well this year.  I will admit, we were freaking out about another possible incident (with pulling his pants down), after last year’s surprise incident.  However, I’m happy to report.. my little man was so brave and I was so proud of him for standing up there and singing his little heart out.  Hard to imagine that this is our 4th year of St. Michael’s programs and most likely our last.

Zach & Mommy!

Just being silly!

Lining up on stage. Sorry, blurry.

It was hard to see him, but we managed.  We were in the gym this year, and it is my least favorite of the places to watch for obvious reasons.  After the show, Zach was so proud of himself! It was so great for us to see the huge change in him from last year.  He knew all the words and all the motions.  He’s definitely growing up!

Gymnastics Jingle Bell Fun Meet!

Taylor has her 2nd gymnastics meet as a team gymnast this winter.  She was pretty nervous, but did a great job!  This is really a “fun” meet.  The kids are judged on each event, and they receive ribbons for how they do, but nothing serious. It’s  a great experience, they have to memorize routines and perform them in front of judges and in front of people.   I’m not sure if Taylor will stick with gymnastics or not, but for now she is enjoying it and so we are taking it day by day.

Vault.

Bars

Beam

Floor

Receiving her award!

The level 1’s & 2’s!

KCES Christmas Program- 1st Grade

Taylor had her first Christmas program at K-Christian this year, and she did such a great job.  She loves to sing & she was really looking forward to having us come to watch her.  We were so proud of her.  She has has always been such a great performer.  Just hops right up there and does every motion and knows every word.  Great job Tay!

Taylor & Lauren before the show.

Lo & Daddy waiting for the show to begin. This was about the only time she sat.

This is the K,1st & 2nd grades. A big group!

2nd row, 3rd one in..

O Christmas Tree

To keep up with tradition we visiting the Mott’s Farm Christmas Barn again this year before we bought our tree.  We love this little barn, and it’s just starting to feel like a fun like tradition for our family.  After Mott’s we headed over to Lowe’s where we found our perfect Frasier Fir, and we brought it home.  Once again, Lowe’s did not disappoint! 

Keeping it real, this is as close as I could get to a picture with everyone.

Inside the barn.. Free popcorn and hot cider!  The best.

A picture in the sleigh. This is just before I yelled at them to get out of the sleigh.

The upstairs in the Christmas Barn.

Zach was fascinated with the Popcorn machine, and talked the ear off of the lady who was working it.  We are pretty sure he has decided this is going to be his career path.  She loved it, and asked if she could take him home with her. 

See what I mean?  A few minutes after this, the lady actually picked him up.

Over to Lowe’s to find the perfect tree!

Another great picture.

Daddy setting her up.

Oh yeah, super excited!

The next morning the kids started helping with the ornaments.

I love how full the tree is becoming with all of the new ornaments from the kids each year.  I remember when we had no ornaments and no kids!

We take turns with this job.  Taylor’s turn.

TA-DA!  Our tree.  Merry Christmas!!

Thanksgiving 2011

Fall Recap

Fall was a busy time around the Leonard house. Taylor was busy adjusting to full time school, soccer & gymnastics, Zach was loving every minute he got to go to school & Lauren, well she was pretty much just busy be naughty. Here is just a brief recap of our fall activities.

 Lo worked on a little design..

 Zachie stuck his hand inside the pumpkin  & pulled out the guts for the first time eva...

 Halloween party at the DeVissers...

 Annual trip to Gull Meadow farms...

Pictures at Milham Park of the Kiddos...

Halloween fun!  The Vet (again), The Indian (Taylor's old costume) & Thomas the Train (again).  So much fun to see all of the kids get excited this year.

Ready & Waiting to go!

Pictures with the Royce Ave. friends!

Such excitement!

Pumpkin Carving

Lo's favorite part of Halloween.  Candy.  The night ended with a meltdown and a bath.