Waiting for Christmas

We are sooo fortunate to have a direct line to the North Pole.  Every year, as long as the boys are on the "nice" list (which can be very iffy this close to Christmas), we are blessed with a personal visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus themselves.  And for the first time ever, each of our boys anxiously awaited Santa's arrival and jumped on his lap without fear or hesitation!  A BIG thank you to Santa and Mrs. Claus for their generous donation of time and love.  

I know what I want for Christmas . . . a clean house!  Check out the dirty window in the back - urgh!  

Santa comes to our house - 2012! from Lauren Niebruegge on Vimeo.

Owen speaks with Santa - 2012 from Lauren Niebruegge on Vimeo.

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Our year of 2012 was very blessed.  We enjoyed family togetherness and experienced some milestone events.  We went to Gulf Shores, AL for a beach vacation in May; Drew started Kindergarten in August; and Tony and Amy were married in October (and we were all involved in the wedding).  To reflect the happy year, we went with a timeline Christmas card to share all of these happy times.     

With all three of the boys attending different schools this year, the volume of "teacher" gifts on our Christmas list is almost overwhelming.  I have to share this cute idea that I found on Pinterest; I immediately fell in love with it and was determined to recreate it.  It is a package of nail supplies (OPI "Bubble Bath Polish," an emory board, etc.) all packaged up with a label, "For your MistleTOES!"  LOVE it!  Totally practical, fun and budget friendly for volume purchasing!  

Like our two oldest boys, the technology bug has bitten Evan (even at his itty bitty age of only 2).  He must keep up with his older brothers and he does so by repeating their behaviors; such as, playing games on mommy's kindle.  The crazy thing is that he is actually pretty self-sufficient on it.  He knows where his games are saved and plays them independently.  I LOVE this picture of my little baby kicking back and relaxing on the couch while reading a good book ( . . . .or playing a good game of monster trucks).      

The Elf on the Shelf has been fun this year.  Our elf has a fun sense of humor and apparently, enjoys playing with the boys' toys.  And he likes sports too.  And wine.  He fits right in.    

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We celebrated Christmas early with Dan's family this year and whoa! did the boys hit the jackpot!  They are all still very little (as far as I'm concerned) and they were asking for very BIG things.  Owen wanted his "very own kindle" (just like mommy's).  Drew wanted a Nintendo 3DS (just like Grady's at school).  Evan didn't ask for much but wants to play with whatever his older brothers are enjoying.  

When Drew opened his 3DS, he was thrilled!  He also got "Star War Legos" and the kid could have jumped to the moon.  He has declared himself as the "Lego King."

And Owie's dreams were granted as well when he opened up his very own kindle!  Holy Moly this kid is only 4 years old and has his very own kindle!  I LOVE when his dimples show so distinctively when he smiles . . .

 . . . .Unfortunately, Owen's happiness was short-lived once Drew opened the "Star Wars" legos.  He was so upset that Drew got "Star Wars" legos and he did not, he decided to spend the ENTIRE day pouting and crying about it.  Dan and I were in shock.  We could have never anticipated that Owen would respond so poorly to such a generous gift.  He actually asked Grandma Darlene, "How come you get Drew all of the cool toys?????"  WHAT??????  We had a LONG talk with Mr. Owen later that day.  And fast forward to the present time, said kindle has since been returned for a black 3DS.  If Drew has a 3DS, then Owen must have one as well.  Owen said, "I never really wanted a kindle, Mommy.  I was just tricking you."  

The family gold mine of electronics that we left with that afternoon.  For someone that is not "into" video games (yours truly), it is so fun to play Super Mario Brothers again on the Wii U!  Dan bought us 4 controllers so that we can all play together at the same time!  We all really enjoy it.  A BIG thanks to Grandma Darlene and Grandpa Bob!  

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A Fun time with Cousins

Our cousins are so much fun and we love when they come over.  This time, when they came over, they got to spend the night!  For the first time!  We loved it, so we must do it again!  

Against Dan's will, I declared it to be "Everyone Paint in the Kitchen Night."  Dan doesn't much like it when things get messy or even threaten to be messy.  I'm not sure why 5 kids (aged 5 and under) all painting together in our kitchen bothers him . . . . 

After painting was over, we got into our jammies and hopped in the van on a search for the most vibrant Christmas lights in town.

We had to place a large order of hot chocolate first! 

And since Evan is two (only for a few more days), we must deal with the daily ritual of Evan's displeasure with something (note that I will actually miss his statement, "Mamma, I not like you anymore,"when he grows out of his terrible twos (since I hear it quite often)).

Goodnight to all!

Christmas at School

As parents, we have graduated from our first born's adorable preschool Christmas programs and are now in the BIG time kindergarten programs!  At real school.  I feel so mature.  I can't speak for Dan, but I felt like a very "real" parent and very "motherly" sitting in the audience watching my baby who was surrounded by elementary school aged children and even junior high kids getting ready for their debut.  The mother sitting next to me asked me what grade my child was in.  "Kindergarten," I said beaming with pride.  "He is our oldest."   . . . . His name is Drew. . . . And I love him . . . . and I'm so incredibly proud of him. . . . and I'm so happy to be here.  And . . . Oh, I should stop talking?  They are starting the program now? . . . .    

And - wow - what a flashback.  Here is our Drew bear singing his little heart out in the SPPCS gym.  The same place where where Dan and I both performed our Christmas programs in grade school.  The same place that we played sports, participated in school assemblies, where mommy played in the band (be quiet, Dan) and basically, where we grew up.  This place definitely warms my heart.  


Notice Drew's "steep" casts.  These were his last round of casts and really stretched his legs thoroughly.  He could hardly stand straight!

SPPCS Kindergarten Program - 2012 from Lauren Niebruegge on Vimeo.

This is one of Drew's best buds (below) whose name is also Drew.  He is such a sweet little boy and has been such a good friend to our Drew.  Since Drew Niebruegge has had his casts on, he was not able to participate in PE and recess (or anything fun that a 5-year-old boy would like to do).  Drew D. was right by his side at school and our Drew never complained of being lonely or being left out.  Thank goodness for strong friendships!    

For Drew's classroom Christmas party, I sought inspiration from my all-time favorite blog (www.kellehampton.com) and we created a classroom kitchen where every student was a chef!  And the recipe?  Well, we created reindeer food of course!  Every student needed their own apron . . . .



. . . .and we created our own chef hats to finish our ensemble.  The ingredients for the reindeer food included:  oats (the foundation of every reindeer's diet); hot cocoa (Blitzen is so picky!  He only eats things that taste like chocolate); red glitter (for some sparkle for the reindeer to see it from the sky); silver glitter (Comet is colorblind - he can't see the red glitter); flying power (secret magic ingredient that makes reindeer fly that looks a bit like white flour); bread crumbs (gluten-free for Comet, of course) and potato chips (but not too many.  Dancer gained 7 pounds from chips last Christmas).  

Since Drew knows that mommy likes to take a lot of pictures, he knows the drill.  He gives me smiles, but then he also gives me weird faces.  Here are the many cute (and funny) faces of Drew!

 Now it's Owie's turn.  Christmas program #2.  At Creative Kids Preschool.  As us usual, it delivered.

 

The program commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rainbow Room at Creative Kids says the Pledge of Allegiance - 2012 from Lauren Niebruegge on Vimeo.

After a few traditional Christmas songs, we were treated to a more modern take on Christmas.  "The Gingerbread Man Rap."  Nice shades, Owie!  This is adorable!

The Gingerbread Man Rap - Creative Kids Christmas Program - 2012 from Lauren Niebruegge on Vimeo.

Super performances, boys!  Get excited for Evan to be in the teddy bear classroom at Creative Kids next year!

Hilary + Elex: St. Louis Wedding Photographer

Congratulations to the happy couple!  Hilary and Elex were joined in Holy Matrimony on 11.03.12 and as you may recall from my engagement session with these two (view the engagement session here), LOVE is in the air!  After having spent so much time with these two, it is evident that they are deeply in love and eager to spend their lives together.

Hilary and her family are dear friends of our family and it was a privilege to photograph her wedding day.  Hilary and Elex:  May the Lord bless your marriage abundantly and may the happiness you both feel on your wedding day last you a lifetime!

Please enjoy your wedding photos!  Here are just a few of my favs:

Hilary and Elex and family and friends:  I hope that you enjoy the wedding video!  The music is set to the couple's wedding song and the video is best viewed in full-screen.  Enjoy!