Enjoying the season

Ahh today marks the first day of our Christmas Vacation 2010! The kids had an exciting change last night. In preparation of the Moorlag clan traveling here to celebrate Christmas, we changed up the sleeping arrangments. Much to our pleasure, it all went uber-smoothly. We put up the bunk beds in Carter's room and a queen bed in Christian's room. Ella and Carter had fun "bunkin" together and they even each slept in...just a tiny little bit. Christian slept like a baby (and looked like one too) in that ginormous bed. We know the house will be packed (with 14) but we are all looking forward to fun family memories together. We are anxioulsy awaiting their arrival. Now we don't have this kind of snow. But we are ready for some festive fun. Here are some pictures from a few of the fun things we've been up to lately.

Cookie Decorating at Little Lambs Preschool....

Finger Licking good

Fun in the snow around home!

What a Week.....

Monday...

Was mom's and my birthday! We celebrated it like we usually do...together... HERE! Everyone is happy with the food and atmosphere, we don't do any cooking and it is generally relaxing...er well as relaxing as dining out can be with three children. :) It was fabulous, as usual. The kids showered us with kisses, signing, and tokens of their love namely, crafts they spent hours making. Ella picked out the perfect candle for me since she knows I love them everywhere! I think I will coin this my BOOT-iful Birthday seeing how my feet were totally spoiled. Scott and the kids picked out chocolate colored UGGS to keep my feet comfy and warm while my parents indulged my trendy side and bought me a pair of the boots that go with my new "skinny jeans" from my in-laws! It was so fun! And my feet shant be overlooked this winter season.

Since it has been a long time in the works I must brag that my most favorite gift of all was from Scott....he booked out January ADULT get away to the Riviera Maya..Oh. MY. GOODNESS!!! I am downright giddy for those 4 days and nights and mornings and in betweens! Thank you honey you are the best!

Tuesday

On Tuesday evening we attended quite a shin-dig here in town. See below for the details.. just a few pictures to start. They even fed us dinner!

Look at some of the amazing artwork that bedazzles the walls???Awesome!

Now the kids thought this was awesome a wall of moving jellyfish and if they hit them with their hands, they popped! very cool!

One of the waiting rooms had a bubble wall.... we LOVED it. I think I would like to come sit here in the white noise on my way home from work...just to feel zen

More love for the bubble wall

Demos of some of the radical technology we hope our family never needs

The Kid's ER waiting room...woW!

The cafetria and entrace into FAO Schwartz... I mean the gift shop

On Tuesday we were blessed to attend an open house and touring of the brand new Children's hospital downtown Grand Rapids. Scott had worked on this particular job at work for more than 2 years and it was amazing to see it all come together. We are so fortunate to have this amazing hospital so close to us. All the technology and capabilities they have just blew my mind and to think it is all right here in town. The kids were amazed. I did share with them that regardless of how awesome it is, I still would not like to NEED to be a patient there! They have a pediatric ER there that I am sure we may visit before someone turns 18~! Here are some of the inside pictures.

Wednesday

Today I had the gift of being the preschool mom! The Moorlag family bus left the driveway promptly by 8:25 to pick up our dear friend Brooke for preschool, then drop Ella at school, then drop Christian at daycare, pick up Kyle our other good friend, and then head to Little Lambs to hear my assignments for the day. It was a treat to see Carter at school. I am constantly amazed at how much he is learning and all the wonderful things he accomplishes (Miss Kathy seriously rocks the art projects!). After a busy morning at school, I took home Carter's "goodest buddy" Noah. We hosted Carter's first official play date. It was a hoot! Carter and Noah played and laughed and went on an adventure in our backyard with their sleds. They had a firm request for lunch....Peanut Butter and Jelly with apples oh, yeah .... and some french fries! Hee hee! Who could say no to that???? It was perfect. I would have taken pictures but I was too busy with my ear to the door, giggling at all the perfectly BOY things they were doing and saying!

Scott worked a little late. I made dinner and then headed to church to attend Expressions of Christmas. I went with one of my dearest friends, Julie. It was so fun and beautiful and refreshing! I am so thankful for my sisters in Christ. I didn't make it home until 9:45. But it was well worth it!

Thursday

I am so glad the weekend is in sight! I am one whipped lady! I am so tired, I'm not even enjoying my Thursday night glass of wine and TV. I have tucked in the darlings and have checked twice to make sure they are off to dreamland! I am headed there myself. It is going to be a busy weekend (no surprise there) and it starts with a Cookie Party at Carter's school tomorrow night and then rolls into Saturday with the church Christmas festivities for the kiddos and I hope a restful day on Sunday! Nighty Nighty! I am dreaming of a white and joyfilled Christmas tonight!

The Nutcracker

Last week my mom, Ella and I had the priveledge of going to the Nutcracker Ballet at the DeVos Place. Wow! it was magical and fantastic. We went with some dear friends which made it all the more fun! Here we are out for desset beforehand! Our little lovely ladies decided to order bowls of "dirt". How lady-like right?? Here are our little dollies walking downtown Grand Rapids...it was a bit cold but look at how cute they are!

With plenty of energy to spare!

At intermission, the girls each picked out an ornament of one of the characters of the ballet. They had fun making them dance (lots of giggles entailed). It was a late night but well worth it!

Ella and Grandma enjoying each other and the production! Ahh the memories that we are making!

Holiday Cheer!

The little elves that live here all year round have been busy decorating the house. The day after Thanksgiving Scott and I set up the tree and really the only other thing we had to do was set out the tubs of decorations. Ella and Carter we so geeked to decorate that they basically took care of the rest! Here are a few pictures of them decorating the tree. We love to go through and find all our ornaments from past years. Carter especially loves his fishing boat from last year.

They hung the stockings, and put many of the other decorations up. Christian loves them all too! He just busily re arranges them when these two aren't looking!