One-derful!

We celebrated Declan's first birthday a few weeks early while they were in town for Christmas.  He was able to have a house full of people to celebrate the first year of his life.  Laura went with a beach theme and had the cutest smash cake made.  Declan loved the icing and once he finished licking it off one side of the cake it was time to turn the cake for more.  It was a fun time celebrating such a cutie pie!  

Playing with cousin Ella and ready to celebrate in his "one" onesie!

Love those sweet blue eyes.

The smash cake

Icing makes me smile! 

Lighting up our Christmas Spirit

We didn't make it to a lot of Christmas light displays this year but we did take some time to drive by the Candy Cane Crib here in Columbia and stop at The Magic Tree.  Christmas lights just always help you get into that Christmas spirit. 

Cookies and Cocoa

The girls making their cookies

Ella had another cookie decorating party, this time at school.  During her school fundraiser many of the teachers auction off activities you can do with them to raise money for the school.  Ella's bid won a cookie decorating party with her teacher, Mrs. Howard, and three of her friends.  Ella invited Jessie, Madelyn, and Amelie to her party and they all had so much fun.  
Mrs. Howard said Ella was excited all day long for the party after school. It was also crazy hair day if you are which added to the excitement and explains some of the hairdos in the picture (Ella's was a little more crazy that morning). She gave them all hot chocolate, they listened to Christmas music and made some beautifully decorated cookies.  Ella was excited to use a piping bag and tips for the first time and made some heavily iced creations.  All of the girls enjoyed their time together and with Mrs. Howard.  It was a memory I think Ella will cherish for many years.  

Stockings, Snowflakes and Sprinkles

While Hannah and Sarah were here after Thanksgiving we decided we better do our Christmas cookie decorating, since we wouldn't see them again until after Christmas.  It was a great way to start off the holiday season.  We had some elaborately decorated cookies and some silly ones too.  Everyone had fun making their cookie creations! 

A New Rivalry Begins

Now that Missouri and Kansas aren't in the same conference, and Kansas won't put Missouri on their schedule,  Mizzou needed a new rival.  The SEC has made Arkansas our rival.  I thought getting away from the Kansas rivalry would take away my family rooting for the opposition.  But, now Hannah is at Arkansas and the sports rivalry has switched to the other side of the family. 

Dana, Hannah and Sarah came up the night of Thanksgiving to spend the weekend and for Hannah and Dana to attend the Missouri v Arkansas game on Friday.  Sarah recently had surgery on her knee and was still on crutches so she and Ella stayed home for the day.  Ella isn't a big fan of long football Saturdays so she was happy to stay home with Sarah.  They watched movies, hung out and Sarah even taught her to crochet.  

The rest of us headed to tailgate then to the big game.  The stadium was full and it felt a bit like a rivalry atmosphere.  Not quite to the Kansas stage yet, but I think it will get there.  Arkansas got off to a great start and Hannah was giving Sam some trouble.  Luckily in the end Mizzou came back and Sam could pass all the trash talk back to Hannah.  It was a fun game and meant Mizzou was the back to back SEC East Champion.  

The students all rushed the field after we won to celebrate being SEC East Champions! 

Full of Thanks

We had a great Thanksgiving at AC and Al's house.  We just drove up for the afternoon and evening but we had a nice car ride listing all the things we were thankful for and there were so many.  Then John and I enjoyed blasting some nineties tunes and singing loudly, I don't think the kids enjoyed that part of the ride as much as we did.  We made a quick stop at the trail head for the California, Oregon and Santa Fe trails.  Ella is studying the Santa Fe trail as her major class at the gifted center so I thought I could show her where it was in Kansas City.  We took some pictures for her to share with her teacher and class.
Then we arrived at AC and Al's to a house filled with family and delicious food.  As usual, I ate way too much but everything was so good.  It was nice to have time to share a meal and catch up with everyone we had not seen in a while.  The day helped you realize what you truly are thankful for, family.  

Sorry I don't have the best pictures.  They are a last minute effort since I had not taken any all day.  

Live and In Concert

We have a trombone player in our house.  Sam started band this year and is really enjoying it (all except the practicing part).  He has band every other day and practices on the weekends.  I am really impressed with the progress that he has made since just the beginning of the year.  They had their first concert last week.  He had a few after school practices but other than that the kids have never played together and I think they did an excellent job.  Sam even told me how proud he was of himself.  They let a few kids play solos during the concert by pulling names of volunteers out of a bag.  Sam volunteered but was disappointed that his name was not drawn.  I was impressed that he was even willing to play in front of that many people.  I don't know how long he will continue in band but he is off to a great start.  

Sam is the seventh one in, in the back row.  

First Reconciliation

Ella made her first reconciliation.  She was nervous for weeks as we began her preparation.  Fortunately, Fr. Rich came to class the week before and walked the kids through exactly what would be going on during their reconciliation.  He did a wonderful job of talking to them, answering questions and helping them feel relaxed.  Ella felt much better after he came but was still a little nervous on the actual night.  She decided that she wanted to confess to Fr. Rich.  Once she was finished she got her certificate and enjoyed the reception with friends.  John and I got her a rosary with purple beads that she loves.  She was even teaching John how to say the rosary.  She did an excellent job with all the preparations and learning her prayers.  I am such a proud mom! 

Classroom Feast

Ella's class had a Thanksgiving feast this year.  Everyone's family was invited to come and enjoy a meal together.  Her teacher made pumpkin bars for everyone and parents volunteered to bring in the rest.  We brought in juice boxes and mashed potatoes.  The food was delicious!  Ella had two chicken legs and found out shake and bake should be on our dinner rotation.  The classroom was full with many families and all the kids it was a wonderful way to start off our Thanksgiving holiday.  

Hoops Has Arrived

While the Missouri Tiger football team has guaranteed itself a share in the SEC East title and is still playing to try to make it to the championships in Atlanta, the basketball team has started their season.  It will definitely be a rebuilding year for Mizzou with a new coach and a team with a lot of freshman.  We are still excited though because we are definitely playing with more enthusiasm and better defense.  It will be fun to watch them improve on the court and who knows maybe we will be able to get a few good wins at the end of the season.  
We purchased two season tickets again this year and Sam hates to miss a game.  Sam and I  went to the first game and we all went to the game last weekend buying a few tickets in the upper section knowing there would be space in our section for us to all sit together.  It is a fun way to spend a few hours and root on our Tigers! 

Going to Carolina (not us this time)

On the eighth of this month we headed to Kansas City to spend some time with Jono, Laura and Declan before they headed east to North Carolina.  We had a great afternoon and evening with them.  I've been waiting patiently for one of my nephews to let me hold them again and finally it happened.  I fed Declan his food and bottle and played with him on the floor all without him needing mom or dad right by his side.  Of course, now they are moving, but we will still find times to get together and play.  They are moving for Jono's job and will be living close to our old stomping grounds.  We understand the move is necessary and hope they will love their time there as much as we did.  We just selfishly wish they could stay closer to us, but it gives us another excuse for a vacation in The Triangle.  

Why We Love Teacher Workdays...

My sweet lunch date!

As a teacher I used to love workdays because I could finally get caught up on all the things that had been piling up on my desk, change bulletin boards, plan ahead, etc.  Now I love workdays because it is a day to spend with my kids when nothing is already on the calendar.  This workday I spent with Ella.  After sleeping in we headed to the mall.  Ella was in need of some new fall clothes and a dress for her first reconciliation.  This girl loves to shop.  We were at the mall for hours and if I didn't make her leave she could have stayed for hours more.  After shopping we headed out to some yummy lunch at Cheddars.  Sam was happy to stay at home and get some time without me bugging him to do homework, study or clean his room.  So Ella and I got some great one on one time together.  

Get Your Sparkle On!

Ella participated in Junior Golden Girl Camp this year.  She met with the Mizzou Golden Girls every Tuesday afternoon in October for an hour.  They learned a dance, some Golden Girl moves to Mizzou songs, and played some games.  Each Golden Girl had two or three young girls that they helped.  When the month was over they got to perform the dance they had learned before a Missouri Women's Basketball game at The Hearnes Center.  Ella was a bit nervous but she did a great job.  She is already asking if she can participate again next year! 

Ella with her big GG! 

Ella practicing her kicks!

Practicing the dance routine to "Get Your Sparkle On"

Trick or Treat!

The kids had a great time on Halloween.  Ella started the celebration with her Halloween party at school where she had a good time.  Then it was home to eat dinner and get on their costumes.  Ella was a Mizzou Golden Girl this year.  She looked adorable in her outfit and enjoyed curling her hair and getting to put on a little make-up.  Sam dressed as KayCee the W Guy in celebration of the Royals great season.  His costume took a little more work but I enjoyed making it.  He wanted to wear something different when the Royals lost the World Series earlier in the week but luckily we were able to talk him into still wearing it, since they played so great all year long.  
Sam decided this year to go trick or treating with a friend instead of Ella and me.  They hit up a lot of houses and Sam came home with enough candy to fill a large bowl.  We ran into him once in the neighborhood and he looked like he was having a great time. 
Ella and I started her trick or treating by visiting her teacher, Mrs. Howard, at her house. She makes special treats for all of her students and likes to get a picture of them in their costumes.  Ella was excited to go and visit.  Then we headed back to our neighborhood.  Ella's friend was going to come trick or treat with us later but until then we trick or treated with other friends and had a great time.  Our neighborhood was packed with kids and it was fun for all the adults to be out and socializing too.  Her friend Jesse met up with us for our last big block of trick or treating and the girls had a great time together.  By 8:00, Ella's feet were hurting and her bag was full of candy so we headed home.  John had given out most of our candy and saw some of our other friends who stopped by to trick or treat.  It was a fun Halloween!

Ella making a spider at her Halloween party. 

 

Carving Some of our Favorites!

The kids wanted to carve pumpkins that went with their costume themes.  SInce Ella was dressing as a Golden Girl her pumpkin would be Mizzou themed and Sam's would have a Royals' theme for his KayCee the W Guy costume.  I always work on Ella's pumpkin with her and John and Sam work on his.  This pumpkin was definitely the most challenging pumpkin Ella and I have tried but it yielded great results.  We received many compliments on our pumpkin from trick or treaters.  John and Sam produced another great pumpkin.  John's perfectionist ways always yield great results and even had him touching up Ella's pumpkin when we had finished.  

Here are the final results: 

Hoyt's Halloween Bash!

Our friends Dan and Megan host a pumpkin carving party every year that is spectacular!  We were so excited to attend again and catch up with friends we don't see often enough.  The kids had fun playing in bouncy house, carving their jack o' lanterns, eating treats, getting face paint and just enjoying the beautiful day.  

Sam guessing how many candy corns are in the jar. 

Our friend Lisa painting Ella's face. 

The final result, she requested a scary mummy with a small purple butterfly.  

Photo booth! 

Sam showing off his and Ella's jack o' lanterns. 

Hurray for House Dec's!

The kids still love going to the house decorations on Homecoming Eve.  After missing some last year with the MU basketball game we decided to be there from the very beginning.  We saw some great decorations this year and some cute skits.  Ella got her face painted and went down slides and the kids got candy and even magic wands.  It is a fun way to spend an evening and give lots of MIZ cheers! 

In front of a lion that actually moved at House Dec's! 

Being silly with their new magic wands.

Now, the picture Mom wanted. 

One of the House Decorations.