Nana and Papa part 2

Nana and Papa stayed for almost a week and the girls had a blast, of course :)  While the women went shopping the guys and the kids went to Cabela's to see the fish.  Turns out, this Cabela's only has six fish, but they also have a giant trophy deer collection with lots of deer and other "stuffed" animals.  

Here is Joni watching the animatronic deer hunters talk about why they are surrounded by 200 deer......I don't really know, I wasn't there.

Here's Hadley "feeding" one of the deer.

For one of our presents, Nana and Papa took us to the Children's Museum in Kansas City.  It was in an old school and every room had something different and fun to do.  This room had a farm where you picked the veggies and fruit and gathered the eggs and then took them to the grocery store where you get your shopping cart and go shopping.  

Joni liked gathering eggs.  Maybe we should get some chickens. :)

Putting on a little puppet show.

The next room was building a log cabin.  They really thought this was cool.  We all started building our own little house until the girls went off to do something else and Andy and Kemper were the only ones left still working on it.  

The art room....coloring on the chalkboard castle.

Water room where we left surprisingly dry :)

The small version of Lego-land room.  This is supposed to be some kind of spaceship but the toilet, popcorn, microwave, and hamburger are all made of legos.

The rollercoaster room.  Joni got her bucket of balls....

and went to town.

And their very favorite room...the baby hospital and vet clinic.

They just look so professional in their little lab coats.  

Joni trying out the reception desk.

For lunch we headed to the Dino Cafe.  This "little" guy who moves and makes noise by the way, greets you at the door.

And of course, some more book/computer/game/Papa time.  

and Nana time too :)

Of course, we couldn't have a visit from a grandma and not end up with cute cute clothes.  These tops were on sale and when we got in the car, noticed they had ears.  The girls are trying to be scary polar bears.  I could just eat them up :)

The girls received a hair salon kit complete with curling iron, straightener, and blow dryer that "weally wuks!" according to Joni.  Since I have the longest hair, I have been getting it done quite often.

We were so blessed to have Janet and Kemper here.  Thank you for everything, all the food, and clothes, and gifts, and company!  So so so so so glad you made the trip!  Love to you all!

Merry Christmas post

I am having a hard time finding words to open this post...this picture says it all I think.

 More cute Christmas dresses (and coats).  This was our Christmas Eve service so we got extra curled and fancy.

 This was Andy directing his first Christmas choir.  They only did one song during the Christmas Eve service and it was awesome.  

 Happy Birthday Jesus!  We opened presents on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, and when Nana and Papa got there the next day.  They all run together here but you get the idea, super blessed, super fun, super wonderful Christmas!  These giant animals (gorilla and bear) were from Uncle Ben.  

 This year Hadley has been doing AWANA at our church.  They get points for different things and then they can go shopping at the AWANA store for Christmas presents.  She went "shopping" all by herself and got something for the three of us.  I had to post her presents....Joni got a hard porcelain puppy (point for Andy--  puppies: 1 kitties: 1)

 Andy got a mug (very stylish I might add).

 And I got a miniature watering can.  I definitely got the best deal of the bunch :)  It was fun to see Hadley so excited about her purchases.

 So we had big plans to sleep on the floor under the tree next to the fire.  Joni and I fell asleep in the chair (cold and far away from the fire) and an hour later Hadley and Andy fell asleep in the other chair.  At 2 am we all went to bed :)  The girls were up at 8 though ready to roll.

 Andy did "What God Wants for Christmas" first thing Christmas morning.  You open little presents that tell the nativity story and the end is a mirror.  What God wants for Christmas is YOU.  

 Love this picture....it looks like Joni's bear is trying to play with her.  

 The cake we made for Jesus' Birthday.  My first fondant covered masterpiece which would not have worked without my husband's help!

 We made rouladen and spaetzle for Christmas dinner (German food) which was delicious and didn't get dressed or go anywhere all day.  It was fantastic.

 The girls (dressed in princess outfits from Oma and Opa) played with all their fun new things.

 The next morning NANA AND PAPA arrived!!!  The first thing, and I mean first thing that Hadley wanted to do was make the gingerbread house we had gotten to do with Nana.  I promise the girls did get undressed and redressed the next day.  They just really love their princess dresses.  If you look closely (or are super observant), they switched.

 THEN we got to open presents from Nana and Papa.  We also opened a ton of wonderful things (including princess dresses) from Oma and Opa and other wonderful family and friends but for some reason I didn't get any pictures...too exited I guess.

 We have more Nana and Papa fun coming....no worries :)  I had to put these snow pictures in too.  We had a white Christmas and the it turns out that Hadley LOVES the snow.  After living in Louisville and seeing snow only a couple of times, the girls were beside themselves!

 Stirring hot chocolate with candy canes....an advent activity.

Check back soon for another post.  Love to you all!