Last day of 2015!

Unfortunately, Ryan took in house call on New Year's Eve so we had to party without Daddy!  Since the kids had all been fighting bugs and we didn't get to do all of the fun things we wanted to over break, I decided to let them stay up until midnight to celebrate.  I let them all choose things to do to stay busy! Earlier in the evening we made a trip to Barnes & Noble (along with the rest of the Fargo metro) so the kids could spend their gift cards from Grandpa Ken and Grandma Debbie.  The kids had so much fun picking out their own things!  They each chose some new books so we spent some time reading our new books!  We also played A TON of games! So fun!

I made a giant blanket bed on our living room floor and after some coloring we turned on New Years Rockin' Eve!  The kids loved the music and we had so much fun being silly.  I had made snacks per their request-chex mix, puppy chow and rice krispie bars.  Apparently, we LOVE cereal.

I was shocked but we all made it to midnight and were able to say "Happy New Year" and smooch one another.  Kenzie just didn't understand where the ball went when it dropped?  We all snuggled together and slept on the floor ALL night long!  I'm so lucky!

Pukesmas?

 This pretty much sums up the end of our Christmas celebration.  It always seems as though our family gets some type of illness around one major holiday every year.  Unfortunately, we usually share it with those we love and everyone ends up sick.  Oh the joys of 3 young children!  I am pretty sure we had a Norovirus and spread it through the entire house of people for the Strasburg Christmas very quickly.  Yikes!

Hopefully this will be our bad bout of the stomach bug for the year!  Tis the Season!  Stay healthy! 

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas from the Strasburg's!  Happy Birthday Jesus!  

Strasburg Christmas.

We had Christmas with the Strasburg's this year and had a lot of fun (aside from the illness).  It was our first celebration at Gary and Sue's house in Harrisburg.  With warmer than normal temps we were able to spend some time outside and just had lots of fun!  We went bowling, played cards and dice, ate lots of delicious food and had a lovely time sharing some nice gifts.

We went to a lovely Christmas Eve service and everyone dressed up so nicely!  The girls loved wearing their Christmas dresses again!

We had a chance to drive through Falls Park and admire all of the pretty Christmas lights.  We got out long enough to peek at the colored water and snap a quick picture.  It was pretty windy (see Jessie's hair) and we were not dressed warm enough.  It was fun to look at lights around town since we used to always do that with my Dad when I was younger!

Yet another fun Christmas celebration in the books.  On a side note, this is how we now ravel with a packed car!  Poor Landon was a tad hot!

Kenzie's Preschool Program

Kenzie had her first school Christmas program at preschool today!  She is pictured above with her two sweet teachers Miss Liz and Miss Ashley.  She was so excited for her program and was glad to have extra family members in town to watch!

They started out their program with the Lord's Prayer which was adorable.

They sang a couple songs and had a lot of fun!  We frosted cookies and had juice and snapped some pictures before leaving.  I was such a proud Momma!

 Kenzie and her best friend Kendra.  They sure know how to be silly!  Kenzie sure adores Kendra!

 Kenzie was very excited to have her cousins Annabelle and AJ and Grandma Debbie and Auntie Jilly come watch her.

While we where at the program Grandpa Ken was at school with Kadence doing some Gingerbread House making!  Thank goodness he was able to step in because the events were scheduled at the same time, of course. I think Grandpa had just as much fun as Kadence!  

Baller

 Landon has been having a riot playing basketball this year.  It is his first year playing an organized basketball league with practices and games.  He has improved so much already and loves being part of the team!  I really enjoy watching basketball games and look forward to watching him in the future!

Singing in Church!

 These two adorable kids sang in church today!  They sang 3 songs and did a great job!  Poor Landon always gets stuck behind a really tall kid so you can't really see him in the pictures or video.  I think he was ok with it considering he probably didn't have the words to the songs memorized...

Kadence was front and center and very fun to watch sing!  Don't tell anyone...she wears socks under her tights so her shoes don't slip off.

While her big brother and sister were all dressed up and performing, this little nugget got to wear her PJ's to Sunday school.  It was PJ day for the preschoolers and I don't think Kenzie could have been more excited.  She insisted on wearing her fancy heels with her PJ's...and that's how she rolls!

Christmas Dance Show.

The girls had a formal Christmas dance show this year and were so excited to be back on stage again. They both get so excited for all the costumes, makeup and family that come to watch!

 Getting ready at home!

 Kenzie did a ballet dance to "Let it Snow." It was simply adorable.

 Kadence did a tap dance to the Hawaiian Christmas song.  She was the star as usual!

I think Kenzie may have been a little nervous but big sister did a great job of getting her more excited than nervous!

 We all had so much fun watching and can not wait for the big spring show.  Grandpa Ken, Grandma Debbie, Papa Gary, Grandma Sue, Jill, Curt, AJ, Annabelle, Holly, Mike, Jack, Christina, Landon and of course Ryan and I were all able to watch the big show!  How lucky are they to have all these people to love and support them!

The Nutcracker.

My mom, Jill, the girls and I were fortunate enough to go see The Nutcracker ballet.  I had never been to it live so I was very excited.  I wasn't quite sure what the girls would think with no dialogue and a lot of sitting but they LOVED it!

It was so cute, when the show was over Kenzie was just sitting there, I wondered if she was not feeling well.  Then she said, "Momma, I don't want to go.  I just want it to start over and watch it again!"  I'd say that was good feedback!  So fun! I think we'll have to make it a tradition! 

How cute were these three getting ready together!

The boys were at a Fargo Force hockey game while we were at the ballet.  They had a great time as well!  

Snow Fun!

 We finally got enough snow for the kids to go out and play.  They had fun shoveling and playing with each other.

These two could play all day together.  They were pretty cute pulling each other around in the sled while Landon was playing with the neighborhood boys.

They always want to have some hot cocoa when they come in to warm up.  How could I tell these 3 faces no?!

Cookie Time.

Today was the annual Christmas cookie baking with the kids.  I always try to tackle the cut outs when Ryan is around because I really think they are the most high maintenance cookies to make, especially with little people helping.  Each year it gets a little easier.  They have fun decorating them and eating all the goodies!

These two helped all day.  Even when Kadence was at her birthday party!

Kenzie's Church Program.

Kenzie had her Christmas church program today.  She did so well.  We were not really sure she was going to get up there and sing because she was pretty nervous about it.  Much to our surprise she got up there and sang and did all the hand motions.  It was adorable and we were able to see her perfectly from where we were!

Kadence's School Program.

 Kadence was very excited for her school Christmas program.  She has been practicing her songs for a month at home and at school.  She was very glad both mom and dad were able to see most of her program (daddy had to leave a few minutes early to get to work.)  It's always fun to see their school programs.  The music teachers do a really good job with them!

 Kenzie was so proud of big sister!  She actually didn't want to leave her!

 Kadence and her friend Riley.

 Kadence and Izzy.

Kadence and Lilia.