BJWC Tree Lighting

My girls club had it's City Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 1st. Santa arrived at the end of the Holiday Parade on a float covered with lights & the reindeer were lifting up starting to take off!
But being that I was the one to speak in front of everyone I didn't get any photos of that. And to top it off the minute Santa's float pulled out onto Twelve Mile it started to snow! They were those big fat snow flakes too. So last minute we moved Santa's chair to the Police house in were the fire trucks are kept. (They were out since we had all 3 in the parade.)

Here are the photos:
Me talking....(hum, don't do that much do I?)Brendan telling Santa what he would like for Christmas....Brendan taking a photo with Santa...Maddie thinking of talking to Santa...(she wasn't quite sure of him)

Tree Hunting

Finally getting our tree pictures on-line. Sorry for the delay.
We took the kids out to a tree farm where we got to cut down our own tree.
There was a horse drawn wagon...The kids all bundled up...Reindeer...The boys walking...The girls walking... (Maddie seeing Brendan getting a ride up top of course wanted one herself)Brendan finding the perfect tree...The boys cutting it down...And setting it up at home. A lot bigger then we thought.

Christmas Cookies

Well in a later post I will explain how I now have more time to be on the computer but until we get there...
Here is Master Brendan helping me bake some christmas cookies.Brendan being funny.The best part - eating raw cookie dough.After having a cookie press for about 3 years we finally learned how to use it.

Walking in Mama's Shoes

While I was getting dressed, Lulu stole my shoes and Brian's hat. Brian ran and got the video camera to record it. Stealing shoes seems to be one of her favorite things to do lately.

Christmas Countdown

This was from this morning, when Brendan was still in his pajamas. Hey Mom, who does this remind you of????

Early Christmas

Jen and I decided to get an item that we can share for ourselves for Christmas. I am sure that you will be able to figure out what it is :)

Here are a couple short videos to test putting them on-line. First, Brendan showing off the tree, and telling everyone Merry Christmas.



Next, LuLu doing here famous dance....to no music, of course :)



Of course, I said the gift was for "us" but really, we both wanted it for taking videos of the kids, and sharing them like this.

Our Georgia Christmas

Well I have finally gotten around to posting some photos of the kids opening their presents from our Christmas in Georgia.
Here is Maddie knowing that she is not suppose to be playing with Brendan's toy.
Brendan with his HUGE pile of toys.Daddy helping Madelyn open hers, her favorite things together-a purse & a book.Maddie won't let people hold her but she will give kisses like crazy.Maddie & Brendan being silly by dressing like presents.Brendan loves board games - he really wanted this one.Aunt Leesa also had given Great Grandma some things to bring down for Lulu - she had to try it all on.Maddie being cute & giving out smiles.

Thanksgiving in Georgia

Now that we are home and sort of getting settled back into the swing of things are some photos from our trip to Georgia for Thanksgiving to see Papa & Grandma Tatz. (I will post more later)
We got there at about 11:15 at night so the next morning the kids get up and of course want to play outside where it is a whole lot warmer than at home in Michigan. Plus Papa let Maddie have one of her presents early so she was ready to play.
Here is Brendan checking out Papa's pond.Here is Brendan riding on Papa's tricycle that he has for the kids.Here is Maddie all excited about having a big wheel of her own. (She uses Brendan's all the time)
And of course we can't forget about Thanksgiving Dinner. Here is our dinner spread (well most of it anyway).Here is Brendan chowing down on some bread. (Madelyn was not in a taking pictures mood)

Our Puppy

Well now that Mojo is pretty well used to us we have found out some really funny things about him:
He thinks his job is to lay by the fire all day.
He likes Maddie the best right now (she is really good with him too)
Brian took him to the park & he was tracking/following Brendan's scent & did really good about staying with him the whole time.
He thinks that when ever he walks past some one (specifically kids) that they have to pet him.

Here are couple photos of our new Mojo at work.
And here is cute one of the kids playing with their leap pad games & books together.

Treasure Hunting @ the Zoo

Well the Detroit Zoo now also has a couple of Treasure Hunting locations within the zoo.
This past Sunday we went out to find a couple. The weather wasn't all that great (cold & later there was an almost frozen rain)
The first location we didn't find but the second one we did. Then we went to the cafe for lunch and visited with the polar bears (they like this type of weather). It was too cold so we headed home for the nice fire and hot cocoa.
Here are the photos for the day:Brendan & Brian looking for treasure.Madelyn & Mommy walking to see the next animal.Madelyn showing off her zoo fashion outfit.Brian with the kids outside the Arctic Exhibit. The polar bears enjoying the colder weather. Brendan & Madelyn putting their hands on the ice wall.

Meet my Little Friend

This weekend we went up north so the Boys (Brian, Brendan & Papa Andrews) could go hunting & the Girls could go hunting. Well once we got to Gaylord we had to go to the Up North hunting store Jays. Outside the store there was a lady selling puppy's. Of course we had to look. They were Beagle puppies. Oh Boy. And then Brian let me hold one. So of course we talked about getting one, and we did!Here is our new puppy - Mojo.Here is Brian & then Brendan playing with the new puppy.Madelyn taking a nap with his new buddy.
Of course we were on vacation too. So here are some photos from the kids swimming. We went swimming both friday & saturday nights. On Saturday night Brendan was even swimming with out the help of any floaty devise. It was so amazing to see Brendan jumping into the pool & swimming under water.
Back to the new puppy. Madelyn loves having someone to be the boss of. She likes walking him, feeding him, and telling him what to do.