Santa's Mall

We have found so many fun things to do around town, and that is especially true this Holiday season. One REALLY neat thing we found was Santa's Mall. This was at the old historic carousel down town Leavenworth. It is all set up by the staff and LOTS of volunteers for children to shop for their loved ones. They have their list, are assigned an "elf" to help them out, and they wrap their gifts so they are ready to go under the tree. There are also many other activities going on, craftes, snacks. and best of all (according to Cole) the children get a free carousel ride after they finish their shopping. This was a great morning for all of us!

Kate and Cole holding their list waiting to start shopping.

Finished shopping! Here are all their purchases ready to go under the tree.

Kate shopped for Daddy, Mommy and Cole, and Cole shopped for Daddy, Mommy and Kate!

Now it is time for the carousel ride!

Cole prefers the seats...Not sure why.

Kate chose a white horse.

Now it is craft time...

Kate made a beautiful wreath.

Cole in his cool hat.

Now it is time for some yummy hot chocolate and cupcakes!

After we got home the presents went under the Christmas tree.

This was such a fun event, we are already looking forward to participating again next year! I really can't wait to see what Kate and Cole chose for all of us. Kate keeps telling me I am going to LOVE it.

Ice Skating

For months Kate has been talking about wanting to go ice skating. So, a couple weekends ago we decided to check out the outdoor rink set up in Kansas City for the season. Oliver had been skating a handful of times, I had been one time when in middle school, and Kate and Cole had never been before. But we were ready for an adventure. All in all it was a great time. Cole stepped out onto the ice and stepped right off. I guess he's not ready. Kate on the other hand stepped onto the ice and didn't want to come off. She stayed near the wall most of the time, but was determined to get better. We stayed for almost 2 hours and I am sure she would have kept going. The only break she took was the mandatory break for the Zamboni. Oliver did well, only one fall, and I actually surprised myself by keeping off the wall most of the time. We had a nice lunch with friends after the skating, checked out the Crown Center's decorations and had a great day.

Kate and Cole after getting their skates on. "Let's GO!" Kate looks like a natural.
It appears Cole is ready to go...

She is off the wall! Yay!I think this was Cole's favorite part. The Zamboni!Kate and Mommy. I really love this photo of us.The giant Crown Center countdown clock.A yummy lunch at Fritz'sHere comes our food. Dropped off by a train then lowered down to us.

Checking out the huge gingerbread village.

I really love all the great activities we have had the opportunity to enjoy since being in Kansas. We really are creating some wonderful memories. And, hopefully starting some wonderful traditions.

Happy Thanksgiving

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had! We stayed home, just the 4 of us, it was very relaxing and the FOOD was YUMMY!

Cole with his place mat from is school Thanksgiving feast.Daddy, Cole and I had a special Thanksgiving lunch with Kate at her school. It was a pre-Turkey Day lunch with all the traditional fixin's Thanksgiving morning we started the day by doing some crafts and thinking about what we are thankful for. Cole was thankful for race cars, his friends, Mommy, Daddy, Kate and food.
Kate was thankful for her family, friends, her teacher, Mimi, Arnie the Elf, and Jesus.

The Kiddo's sitting down for our fabulous meal! Kate made the napkin rings the day before. Very cute!

Here they are saying TURKEEEEEEEY!

And a bit later...Pie.

We chose to have a chocolate cream pie this year, but Kate insisted she wanted Pumpkin Pie. Neither Oliver nor I are big fans, so I found a teeney tiny pumpkin pie so Kate could have the traditional pie of Thanksgiving.

Cole ended up eating his little slice of the pumpkin pie, and Kate had one bite (sure glad I didn't make a big one). They both enjoyed a FULL slice of the chocolate pie though...

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well. Hopefully sometime in the future we will be closer to family so we can be together--it would have been nice to have you all here to share with us. There are LOTS of leftovers in this house now!

Happy Veteran's Day

"Good morning Daddy! Thank you for serving our country!" This is how our day started. These words came from Kate, A wonderful way to start the day I think!

Today is Veteran's Day. In a town Like Leavenworth this is a VERY big deal. Leavenworth is the oldest town in Kansas, and the Veteran's Day Parade is the biggest and oldest in Kansas. This year Kate joined the girl scouts, and she is a Daisy. (If anyone wants cookies let me know;-))Along with this comes the privilege of walking in the parade. Kate was so excited about this. Actually, she had been looking forward to this since before Halloween.

In preparation for the parade Kate's Daisy troop has been learning patriotic songs, practicing their formation, and they have been talking about what it means to be a Veteran. All of the girls made a sign with photos of their family members who have served in the armed forces, to carry in the parade. Kate was VERY proud to have so many Veteran's in her family. (I thank all of you who sent photos!! We couldn't have done it without you!)

Kate showing off all of HER Veteran's before leaving to the parade.

Cole and Daddy waiting for the parade to start. Burrrr it's COLD!Daddy went to the little store to get us some gloves and hats. Now Cole is enjoying the parade!He LOVED the emergency vehicles and told us what all of them were called.This was interesting....Here is Kate's troop!!Another view of Kate and her Daisy's One last pose before heading home...

My PROUD Daisy!

I have never seen so many JROTC cadets, Patriot Guard Motorcycles, VFW representatives and boy and girl scouts in my life, but it was a wonderful parade. A very heart warming tribute to our past and present folks in uniform.

I want to wish a very Happy Veteran's Day to all Veteran's, especially my FAVORITE Veteran, who I am so very proud to call my husband and the father of my children!

Oliver, in the words of your beautiful daughter, "thank you for serving our country!"

Halloween 2010

Kate and Cole had a great time this year trick or treating! The post actually had trick or treating on Saturday instead of Sunday. Kate was Belle from Beauty and the Beast. She was the "town Belle not the castle Belle" as she would tell everyone. Many people didn't know what she was, we heard Little House on the Prairie, a pilgrim and an Amish girl... They must have been parents of boys. Haha. I thought she was the perfect Belle, and looked beautiful! Cole was a pirate. He actually wore the same costume as last year. I was super excited it still fit, because it is really cute and my great friend made it for him. He looked like quite a scoundrel, but he made sure to tell everyone he was a nice pirate.

Kate and Cole are ready to go!My Beautiful Belle!My little scoundrel! And they are off!!After trick or treating they wanted to hand out candy...

Well, another fun Halloween has past. Kate is already trying to figure out what she will be next year. I wonder if the pirate will last yet another year... I doubt it.

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween!

This week was Red Ribbon Week at Kate's school. Everyday had a different theme, and Kate had a BLAST with all of it!

Monday-Wear red. Tuesday- Shades
Wednesday- Camouflage Day

Thursday Pajama Day!

Friday- Book Character day.

Kate will be Belle (from Beauty and the Beast) for Halloween, but the school was encouraging them to not do cartoon characters, but Book characters. We looked through all of Kate's books, and came up with Cowgirl Kate. She already had the name, the clothes were easy to wear throughout the day at school, and she looks so stinkin' cute as a little cowgirl.

All of the students paraded around the school for us to see them-- there are some creative people out there.

We are all super excited about about trick or treating coming up. Check back soon to see Kate as Provincial Belle, and Cole as a Pirate...

Cole's Fieldtrip to the Pumpkin Patch

On Friday Cole and I went with his pre-school class to a little local pumpkin patch. It is a VERY little pumpkin patch, but perfect for kiddo's his age. There were sheep, donkeys, turkeys, pigs and cows. They rode a tractor drawn barrel train to the pumpkins and chose their very own little pumpkin. They had a little snack, played on a big hay pile and in a giant sand box. They tried out saddles and swings and did a fun craft. It was a busy 2 hours and we all had a great time. It was nice to be able to attend this event with my sweet boy!

Cole standing by the BIG pumpkins The piggies and turkeys...
More pumpkins...

Cole and Mommy being silly. Cowboy Cole

Cole found his way through the hay maze. He is VERY proud!

Cole and his class

on the barrel train.

He chose a pumpkin.

swinging...

showing off his craft.

What a fun time this was! I am so blessed to be able to have these moments with my kiddos!