Trying on Boots

Preparing ourselves for the blizzard they were predicting in Kansas, we decided to see if Jillian's boot from last year still fit. She let us try them on her and was very insistent that she have her hat on too. Oddly enough she didn't insist on pants.

Sick Boy

Tuesday morning as soon as I walked into the house, I was greeted by Jillian and Drew was in the bathroom vomiting. It was a long day for both of us and Drew had his first experience of sitting on the pot and throwing up in a trash can. He was pretty puny that day. When we were in the bathroom I would ask if he was all done (whatever end it was at the moment) and he would always tell me "no there is some in there for later." My response was usually "great :)"

The next day he stayed home again, but was feeling much better as you can tell by the pictures. He was watching movies while wearing my snuggie.
All better by Christmas morning.

Roberts' Vanity

The kids admiring themselves in Jillian's new vanity from Nana and Papa.

Drew chomping at the camera with the flat iron.
It funny to me that her vanity came with a flat iron and not a curling iron or curlers. Even more funny that my 4 year old son knows what a flat iron is.

Jillian has had lots of fun with this in her room. Thanks Nana and Papa.

Dancing with Jillian's New Toy

Brett and Anne got Jillian this cool dance/video toy and the kids loved it. Wore them selves out Monday night after 30 minutes or more of straight dancing.

I don't know if everyone thinks watching kids dance is as funny as I do. If not don't waste your time, that is all these videos are.

She is really watching herself on the TV in this one.

So close to a header, how these kids have not had stitches yet is beyond me.

Jillian is mimicking the dog on the dance video.

Thanks Brett and Anne, it is a big hit!!

Nana and Papa House

We celebrated the girls birthdays first. Mom got a really cute cake that was half purple for Payton and half pink for McKenzie.

Payton's actual birthday is Dec 22. She turned 16.
We got her some slipper boots that I thought were cute, but even if they weren't cute/cool who would really see them because you don't wear them out. A safe bet with a teenager I thought. And some perfume I hope she liked.

McKenzie's birthday is not until Jan 18th, but it seems we never can get all back together at that time. She is going to be 10 - she was a millennium baby. There is a funny story with that but too long to type.

We got her a purple polka dotted puffy vest and a book.

Mom had some organized rules for this Christmas this year. The three youngest would open their presents first, then the three oldest and then the adults. It worked out pretty well. That way we could see what everyone got, instead of 15 minutes of paper flying chaos.

Let the games begin.

Papa's purple bow.

The kids, Andy and I got lots of wonderful gifts, thank you to everyone!

Lincoln logs

Princess dress up trunk from Aunt Tammy, Uncle Bryce and Claire was a big hit.

Jillian's face when the huge pile of presents was placed in front of her was priceless.

Drew got a cool football bank from Uncle Brett and Aunt Anne.

I love this picture, Claire is rubber necking around the toy, so she doesn't miss a thing.

Uncle Brett

Time for Nana and Papa's gifts.

A plate with Claire's foot print - so precious.

Even Drew loved the princess stuff. Poor guy caught a lot of flack for this, but he doesn't know that there is anything wrong with it. He was using the magic wand to turn everyone into frogs and alligators.

Crown and all.

The next morning while sister and I were sleeping in, Drew helped feed Claire her bottle.

I am sure no one needed or appreciated this..... DREW!

My girls had been at Nana and Papa's house for 5 days. I missed them sooo much!

Jillian and Daddy

There was snow at Nana and Papa's. The girls didn't mind, still wanted to play.

Goose

Playing with Jillian and Claire

All the grandkids - Jillian is crying again because she wants me to hold her. My goodness child, cut the cord.

Take 2

Take 3

Take 4 - Drew is more interested in talking to Claire.

Drew and Jillian talking on the new Walkie Talkies right in front of each other. Obviously the concept is a little less than clear.

Fun, Fun Christmas at the Henke's!!

Road Trip - SDC

Friday morning we headed out on a family road trip. We needed sometime together just the 4 of us. Drew was super excited for Silver Dollar City.

Jillian had no clue what to be excited for, so why not nap it out.
First thing we did when we got there was go see Santa. Drew has been talking about this for weeks. He told me he was going to tell Santa that he wanted every toy. I explained that Santa was a very busy person and just to ask for the one thing her wanted the most. He told Santa he wanted a Skywalker. He has no clue about Star Wars, but his friend Luke got Skywalker stuff for his birthday, so it must be cool. Andy took Jillian up to Santa because she would have never left my arms for Santa's lap.

Jillian screamed her lungs out. The photographer was trying so ring bells and shake toys to make her smile and look at the camera, obviously none of those worked and I told him to just take the picture. Our official picture is pretty hilarious, always gets a laugh. Wish I could digitize it and post it. We will see, I am not sure if it considered a professional picture or not.

Drew has never cried on Santa's lap. This is Jillian's second year in a row. In the picture below we are mailing Drew's letter to Santa.

Roberts Family

Jillian was fine with Santa from a distance and even said goodbye when we left Kringle Crossing.

We went to the Frosty show - it was super cute.

Both kids were on stage listening intently and then Jillian saw me come down to the front and of course wanted on my lap, that is until it started snowing.

Jillian was ready to come back to my lap and then she realized she knew the song and gave a little bounce. Jingle bells is her favorite Christmas song.

Posing

Drew loved being on stage.

Silly boy in the stroller.

Trying to get Jillian to look at the snowflakes, but she is more interested in the funnel cake. At the end she says "knife please" because she has a plastic knife and wants to cut a piece of the funnel cake to eat.

Me waiting for the rest of them to finish their funnel cake. Funnel cake is not my thing. I know crazy, fat girl doesn't like funnel cake, but it is true.

Andy on the other hand gets one every time we see them.

Not sure what setting to use for Christmas light pictures, obviously not something I figured out.

Waiting for the parade and watching the five story lighted tree.

Santa in the parade. Jillian waved.

The bean watching the lighted Christmas parade. If you look right in front of her jacket, that is my head. I am sitting on the cold concrete and she is on my shoulders. Good thing it was a short parade.

Snowflake Princess

Gingerbread House

Jillian and psycho mama riding the train.

This is my smile after holding a crying, almost 30lb 2 1/2 year old for 20 plus minutes while waiting for the train.

Daddy and hot chocolate mustached Drew

After a freezing, lost in the parking lot fiasco we headed to the hotel. Went to the pool and hot tub and got warmed up. Then back to the room for eats and sleep.

Sister was much happier in her warm jammies with her blanket and rabbit.

Exhausted Drew, although he would never tell you he was tired.

We ordered pizza and ate it in bed, that's a first.

While we watched Madagascar.

We had two double beds and the boys slept in one and the girls in the other. Right before actual sleep there was 10 minutes of "good night boys," "good night girls" and so on and so on.

I can never catch "the" moment and then I try to get them to reenact it and it never is the same. Jillian was dancing and singing Nana, Papa house. She has been excited to go for weeks. When I ask her if she is ready to go to school, store where ever she usually gives me a gruff "No! Nana Papa house!"


They were a little excited if you can't tell. They love Nana and Papa's house and mostly because that is where Nana and Papa are.