We visited Bradley Fair here in Wichita last weekend after going out to eat and shopping on Friday night. Here are some pics from the big event:
A great photo opp.......
This definitely a must to get in the holiday spirit! Great evening. Do you like surprises? Well, I love to give surprises!! Last Wednesday I started to think that it sure would be nice to see my niece's Christmas program. So I had the crazy idea that the kids and I would drive up to KC on Sunday afternoon, go to the program on Monday and drive back. SO....Sunday afternoon, Chase, Emily, my mom and I packed into the car and started driving. The kids did FABULOUS on the drive (both up and back).....
Mom and I are ready to drive.......
I love to surprise....but sometimes the surprisee isn't always enthused. But when we were standing at Brian & Kim's doorstep, this is the reaction I got: "What are you guys doing here?" After the initial shock, we were welcomed with open arms and they even cancelled their dinner plans to hang out with us!
On Monday morning, we got to watch Aubrey's Christmas program at her church preschool. She was the angel Gabriel and had her own line. She had been practicing it for me on the phone, and she proved to do a great job.....announcing to Mary that she would have a baby and in a very nice big voice. Aubrey also did a great job singing all the songs. I love preschool programs.
Emily and Chase pose with their angel!
The travelers with the little girls!
We had such a fun little trip. Thanks for your hospitality Sommer's, and Aubrey, we were so happy to watch your Christmas play and once again hear the message about Jesus' birth. We love and miss you lots! Remember, only 11 more wake-ups!I love holiday baking. It's one of my favorite things about Christmas. And the kids are starting to really enjoy it too....especially when they find out if they help, they get to share in the results!! In our devotion this evening, we talked about sharing Christmas treats with others during the holidays, but that we can share God's love with others all year long. What a blessing that we are reminded to share the message with others around us.
Emily loves to measure. She is helping to get the mixture ready for the party mix.
Chase was in charge of measuring the cereal, pretzels and nuts.
We also spent a night making peppernuts. Chase stuck with it for quite awhile and we actually got an entire batch done in one hour!
Ready, set, bake!
I plan to do some more baking this week, but so far we've made: Chex mix, white chocolate pretzels, peppernuts and pumpkin bread. The only sad part about baking is I always have to sample.......I hope it doesn't cost me too many pounds!! Last Sunday afternoon, the weather here in Wichita was great. It looked gray outside, but the temperature was around 60 degrees so I thought it would be a great idea to get outside for one last afternoon. The kids got on their bikes and we rode to the park in our neighborhood.
Emily loves to be a monkey!
And Chase also loves to climb!
Chase loves to pose for a picture (a scrapbooker's dream come true!). The entire time I filmed this video he is looking at the camera. I don't think he knew it was a video and he was waiting for me to take a picture. He's so adorable.Watch this girl on these monkey bars...after the first couple, she goes SO fast. It's hard for me to do it and she'll do it 15 times in a row. She's pretty amazing!
Emily is enjoying another year in the dance program at our local YMCA. She is participating in the Tap I class and enjoying it for 1/2 hour once a week. This morning, our YMCA had the annual Breakfast with Santa. Santa arrives to say hello to all the children, there is a pancake feed and the dance and cheer teams put on a performance. Here is Emily posing with one of her dancemates and also a friend from school.
Emily enjoyed watching (very intently) the other dances.
Here is a video of Emily's Christmas dance to the song, Run Run Rudolph! She did awesome....I'm SO proud of her.On Thursday night, Chase participated in his Christmas preschool program at our church. This is our last year of preschool and we only have one program each year so this was a special one. Doesn't Chase look handsome in front of our beautifully decorated tree?
Chase watches the teachers........
Here is a video of one of the songs that we got to hear. The kids are so cute. Sorry if it's a little hard to understand....some of the kids were a little excited and singing (screaming) very loudly! Once again, we had a very busy day! We started with basketball pictures for both of the kids' teams and Emily also had a game. They won 34-20 and are getting better every game they play.
After we ate lunch, we stopped by the Sedgwick County Extension Office. Every year, a local radio station holds a "Stuff the Bus" drive to collect money and items for domestic violence shelters here in Wichita. I have listened to the radio about this for many years and have always wanted to donate and just never got it done. Well, the kids and I got some things together and we had our gift bags ready with baby clothes, toys and books. They walked up on the bus and got to catch a picture with Brett Harris from B-98 radio station.
Then they walked all the way to the back of the bus to deliver their goods.
What a great thing to share with my children. I hope that sort of service sticks!!
Today was a memorable day in Emily's life. When we were at the dentist a couple of weeks ago, the dentist noted that there were 2 teeth that really needed to come out. We tried to wiggle, but they were very comfortable and didn't budge. We went to the dentist today to have him "help out figure out how to get them out." Here is Emily as we were in the waiting room playing video games!
Dr. Lashley gets started with medicine on the gums......
Emily then got some guaze strips for her holes!
