Girl's Night at Metropolitan

I had a wonderful evening last night with the girls at Metropolitan Grill. The food was great and the company even better! Thanks to Amy for planning a fun night out and a break for everyone. A special thanks to my wonderful hubby for watching the kids. He even had to deal with a sick one at home but handled it all wonderfully.

The Happy Holidays!

Saturday evening we went to our neighbors for a wonderful holiday open house. The kids had a good time playing and stuffing themselves full of sweets and I enjoyed some conversation with the neighbors.

Sunday we headed to the Lowe's house for some Christmas cookie decorating.

It apparently wasn't exciting enough to keep Hannah and Ellie awake but the younger cousins all enjoyed making some wonderful creations. Sam's decorating skills get better each year and Ella was able to ice her own cookies this year. Of course the best part is sampling the finished products!

What Happens in Branson...

John's work had their annual Christmas party at the Hilton Convention Center in Branson. This year we had appetizers, a buffet dinner then casino night and dancing. We both had a wonderful time. We spent a lot of time playing blackjack and visiting with friends. His company provides everyone a room at the hotel after the festivities so we got to spend a kid free night. Thanks Dana and Hannah for watching the kids for us!

Border Showdown

Pausing the tailgate for a family photo.

John and Dave Ballard

Sam and Jono playing washers.

Saturday was the Missouri versus Kansas game at Arrowhead Stadium. Since the weather was beautiful and it was a day game we took Sam with us this year. Ella spent the day playing with Grandma and Grandpa. One of John's attendings from North Carolina flew into town and also went with us to the game.

We had a nice tailgating spot in the grass where we visited, cooked hamburgers and played washers. It was a good time but the game was even better. It was a little closer than I would have liked but it made for some exciting football! I thought I was going to lose my voice midway through the third quarter but it held out until the end. Sam watched and cheered the whole game too cheering for Gabbert on offense of Spoon on defense. The day was topped off with an amazing MU comeback and victory!

Pancake Feast

Enjoying the feast (notice Ella at the very end).

Sam in his Pilgrim hat.

On the last day before Thanksgiving Break Sam's class had a pancake breakfast to celebrate. Ella and I went in to help. The kids were all very excited to have something different from the normal routine. Sam was thrilled to have pancakes. He was the only kid in the whole class that asked for seconds.

Ella enjoyed being around the big kids but was very upset when she couldn't sit by her big brother. They were all sitting at their desks and she didn't quite get the idea of assigned seating. She was happy though when she got to sit at the desk of a girl who was absent and have pancakes and juice like the big kids. It was a nice morning.

Emma is Seven!

Aiden and Ella celebrating.

The birthday girl is very excited to get her Pixos!

Emma

When we arrived back into Kansas City Ella and my mom greeted us at the airport then we headed to my Aunt Carol's house for Emma's birthday party. It was nice to see everyone and celebrate Emma turning seven. It is hard to believe that she and Sam are getting so big!

Kauai- Friday and Saturday

One of the many waterfalls in Waimea Canyon.

Waimea Canyon

Sunset view from our lanai.

We decided that Friday would be another relaxing day by the ocean. We did a little bit of snorkeling in the morning then lounged the rest of the afternoon. We watched our last sunset from our lanai. That was one of the things that we tried not to miss each day was the sunset from our hotel.

Saturday we packed up our belongings. We were anxious to see the kids but not ready to leave the peacefulness and beauty of the island. We traveled to the west side of the island to see Waimea Canyon. It was absolutely stunning. We had a wonderful vacation!

Kauai- Wednesday and Thursday

John teeing off at The Prince Course.

One of the dancers at the luau.

Us after our helicopter tour.

On Wednesday we started the day with a helicopter ride. The views were absolutely beautiful! It was a great way to see the island. After our tour we went by a local waterfall. That evening we went to a luau. The atmosphere was a little cheesy but the pork was good and the show was very entertaining.

Thursday we headed to the north side of the island to look at the sights and so John could play golf. I rode around with him while he played The Prince Course situated between the mountains and the ocean; it was beautiful. He had a good time and played very well on a difficult course.

Kauai- Days 1,2 and 3

After our night out we stopped for a pic by the pool.

Me by the Norton Figs filmed in Jurassic Park.

The view from our lanai.

John and I took a trip to Kauai to celebrate our ten year anniversary. It was more beautiful than either of us could even imagine. We stayed at a resort called the Koa Kea which was right on the ocean. I loved waking up to a view of the waves and reading on the lanai each morning.

The first day was filled mostly with travel. It was seven hours from our stop in Denver to Kauai. The second day we spent relaxing by the pool/ocean which was very peaceful. On the third day we took a trip to the National Tropical Botanical Gardens. We saw some beautiful plants and trees and even got to see where they filmed some of Jurassic Park. That night we had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Good Times with Good Friends

We met our friends Tracy and Alan in Columbia for the MU Tigers game. While the game was a complete disappointment the company was great! We always enjoy our time with Tracy and Alan. We tailgated both before and after the game.

Trick or Treat

Ella with a sticky face and all of her loot.

Sam waiting at the door across the street.

Lady bug and Indiana Jones

Posing for a pick before we trick or treat.

There was a lot of excitement last night while trick or treating! I couldn't get Sam to slow down to wait for his sister he was so excited to run from house to house. Ella was absolutely thrilled with each "treat" that she received. She would say, "Mommy look at my treat!" She tried her hardest to keep up with her cousin and big brother. When we got near the end she kept telling me she didn't want to stop and just one more house.

FIrst we trick-or-treated with Cousin Caleb and some of their friends then we came home and trick-or-treated around our neighborhood. The kids got as much candy at about six houses in our neighborhood as they did at 20 or so earlier in the night. We don't get a lot of trick-or-treaters so people were trying to get rid of their candy. Ella and Sam both have large bowls full of treats.

Jack o Lanterns!

Yoda jack o' lantern

Ella and Sam with Ella's jack o' lantern.

Sam getting ready to scoop seeds.

Ella's look when I told her we were going to scoop out the seeds.

The kids had a blast carving pumpkins this year. Ella wasn't sure about digging out the seeds at first but once she got started she did a great job. We got the pumpkins all cleaned out while Daddy was at work and then carved when he got home. Ella wanted a happy face jack o' lantern and picked the shapes for the eyes and nose. She had so much fun and was proud of the way her pumpkin looked.

Sam wanted Daddy to help with his so they headed to the computer to choose a Star Wars template. They decided on Yoda and I think it turned out very well. They had a little trouble with some parts wanting to fall off but it was nothing a few toothpicks couldn't fix.

Missouri Homecoming

John and me at House Decs

Sam posing with one of the Homecoming signs.

Ella and Sam getting ready to watch a skit.

Friday afternoon we headed up to Columbia for Mizzou homecoming weekend. That night we had dinner at CJ's. It is a wing place where John and I had our first date 14 years ago this week. I still think they have the best wings I have found.

After filling up on wings we headed to Greek Town for house decorations. Sam was very glad to find out that it is not decorated houses but instead large scenery and skits that the fraternity and sororities put on every year for homecoming. They are kid themed and Sam loved it. He was running from house to house and finding a spot in the front row to watch the shows. Ella was not sure about the crowds and noise at first but once she figured out the pattern she had a great time too. By the end she was waiting for Truman (Mizzou's mascot) to appear and ready to chant Z-O-U.

Saturday the kids went swimming with Dad in the hotel pool and had a great time while I shopped for the tailgate. We got to see some great friends at our tailgate we hadn't seen in a while and the kids had a great time. We ran into more people at the game too. It made me wish we all lived in the same town again.

The game did not turn out as we had hoped, in fact we left at halftime. But, we had a wonderful weekend at Homecoming.

Pigtails!

Ella wanted her hair in pigtails. I love little girls in pigtails but I assure you this is no easy feat if you have a little girl with a double crown. You just can't get the hair to part correctly. But I think our try turned out pretty well.

Mr. Stinky Feet and Pumpkin Patch

Sam in the pumpkin patch

Getting ready to watch Mr. Stinky Feet

Sam and Emma playing in the band.

We met the Siegels at Suburban on Sunday to go watch a Mr. Stinky Feet performance and to go to the pumpkin patch. Mr. Stinky feet is a children's performer that the kids loved. Emma, Sam and Ella had fun singing along and dancing to his music. Emma and Sam volunteered to play in the band and got to go up front and play the tambourine. Grandma even got in on the fun when she was volunteered by Sam to play in the adult only band. The kids had a great time and we have listened to the CD of Mr. Stinky feet that I purchased three times already.

Despite the cold they also enjoyed riding in a fire truck to the pumpkin patch, picking out pumpkins, returning in an old military vehicle and having their faces painted.

Sunday we also got to see Jono and Laura's new house. It is really nice and Ella and Sam enjoyed exploring every bit of it!

Fun Night

Ella eating the cookie she decorated.

Friday night was Fall Fun Night at Sam's school. We started the evening with a pasta dinner and then it was off to the games. The kids enjoyed the bouncy house, bowling, bean bag toss and many more. Sam's favorite was the room where you received fake bandages as seen in the photo above. Ella loved the candy bar walk. I think she played the game at least six times!

Welcome Kylie!

My sister Christy and brother-in-law Dale welcomed their first child on Thursday, October 8th. Kylie Lewis Bourne is a happy, healthy, beautiful baby girl! I was so excited when Christy called Wednesday night and said she was in labor. Ella and I traveled to Kansas City on Thursday since we couldn't wait to meet Kylie. She is perfect! It was a short trip but we headed back to Kansas City on Saturday so we could spend more time with them and Sam could meet his new cousin. We are looking forward to watching her grow.