Christmas Caroling and Party Time!!

Our great friend Deb invited our family to go Christmas Caroling with them on Sunday night before Christmas. It had snowed the day before and was pretty chilly, but it so set the scene for a fun night. Only Madison and I went, Rylie was not up for the cold and Brian decided football was more important :) So off the 2 of us went singing our hearts out through Lenker Manor. Madison LOVED it and was super excited that Deb said she would like to do it again next year. As we were finishing out last block, the Paxtang Fire Company came driving by with Santa so the kids all got a goodie bag from Santa. Madison and I were freezing when we were done so we hit the Starbucks drive-thu for some good old Hot Chocolate. Thanks Deb for inviting us, we had so much fun!!!!

Carley & Madison :)

Santa handing out goodies!!



Time for School Party day........................

What a busy Christmas Week!! Yesterday both girls had their school Christmas parties. I haven't mentioned lately how much I love Nye and the fact that we have "Christmas" parties and not holiday parties. I love it!!! Ok, so I had double party duty today, Rylie's in the morning and Madison's in the afternoon. Rylie had a long party, almost 2 hours but it was over in the blink of an eye. The kids first got to visit and get a stocking from Santa, then the played games, made a craft and had snack. It was the first time I got to hang out in Rylie's classroom this year, so it was nice to put faces with the names she talks about everyday. I also got to see and be thankful for Mrs. Moser. I am so honored both of my girls have been in her class. She is a great teacher and I can so see why all the kids love her so much!! Thanks Mrs. Moser :) So here are a few pics from Rylie's party:

Rylie & Donovan patiently waiting :)


Rylie with Santa!!


Mrs. Moser's last Am Kindergarten Class


Rylie & Logan (her current crush, LOL!!)


So after a quick lunch at home I was back to school for Madison's party! i am the homeroom mom again this year, so I felt like I was moving into Mrs. Sido's class with all the stuff I had to bring in! I had a few activities planned for the kids: they decorated their own snack (see below), played bingo, made a reindeer craft and we played a memory game. I had a few great parent helpers which made for a nice, easy, party. Mrs. Sido had the kids so a gift exchange which was really nice, the kids loved it! Santa also came to visit 2nd grade with some 2nd grader goodies. How lucky I am to be able to do all these fun things at the girls schools. Thanks Mrs. Sido for letting me be part of the school day and for being a great teacher! Of course I have pictures:

Madison loved her gift from Juliette!!


Making Christmas Tree Snacks


Madison and her finished product, looks sugary :)


Madison & Santa

Christmas Card Pictures

Well, I held off on publishing this post becasue I wanted everyone to get thier Christmas cards before I posted the pictures. I decided again this year to do my own pictures at home in the sunroom. I picked out the girls dresses awhile ago and swayed away from the traidiotional colors, ending up with creams, beige and grey. I decided on a chocolate Brown background immediately and went to buy my backdrop sheet ($6.99 @ Wal-Mart). Who needs a fancy backdrop, I thought my Wal-Mart sheet photographed rather nicely. The girls were so great this year, we were done within 30 minutes! I used all natural light, no flash. I love how Rylie's eyes are so bright and the glow of Madison's gorgeous skin in natural light. Here you go!

Merry Christmas!!

Snowy Day in PA!!!!

Finally, after living in Hummelstown for 2 winters we FINALLY got a worthwhile snowfall!! We woke up Saturday morning to about 2 inches of snow already on the ground and it was still coming down!! I was supposed to work @ NY&CO all day, but thanks to the great manager (and my great friend) I did not have to go in to work!
The girls were itching all morning to go out, so after lunch we started the getting dressed routine. I think we were able to layer up in about 30 minutes, compared to the hour I was anticipating, LOL!! The girls went right to work trying to make a fort, then Mr. Paul came over and said the lids were down the street sledding down the big hill around the corner. WEll, guess where the girls went> yep, down to the big hill. The neighborhood crew was there, the LaDukes, Karcesky's and Amelia. They stayed down at the hill for over an hour, sledding, eating snow and the most important thing: having FUN!!!
The parents decided to have a snow day get together at our house that night. At 5pm, the LaDukes and Marcavages came over. We had a great potluck of pizza, mac n Cheese, mini hot dogs and snacks. The kiddos played and the grown ups watched Christmas Vacation. It was a great night and we are so fortunate to have such great neighbors and friends.
Of course I have pictures of the kids in the snow but no pictures of our get together :(

Rylie all bundled up and ready to play!!!


The neighborhood gang!!


Rylie eating snow, she loved it!


Love this shot of Madison!!!


Woo hoo, aren't I lucky to have these 2 studs shovel the walks for me!


Sweet Arrow Rocks :)


Mr. Paul pushed Madison in the snow and she couldn't believe it! She did laugh about it. Watch out Mr. Paul she is going to get you next when you least expect it!!


My C~R~A~Z~Y C~O~O~L Girls :)