Christmas #2

Every year we celebrate Christmas with my parents a few days after Christmas day. We wait for Erin and her family to arrive in Michigan. My parents would rather wait and have the whole family together to celebrate and open gifts. It was fun watching Jackson, Aubrin, Will and Emerson get so excited about opening their gifts and playing. Jackson got all of the Chuggington Trains and was very excited to play with them. Aubrin loved her Cinderella dress and new pajama's that match her baby dolls pajama's. We were excited to give my parent's their gift. Each year Erin and I make my parents a book on Shutterfly of all of the family pictures and pictures of the kids from the past year. I think my parents look forward to opening it every year. The 100 page book of their grandchildren is truly a treasure to them. After opening gifts we enjoyed a yummy dinner that my parents made. I love when we are all able to get together!

We also went to visit my Grandma Olenech. I didn't see my grandma on Christmas day this year, so I waited until Erin came into town and we all went together. My grandma has not been feeling well, so we kept the visit short, but it was great to see her and I know that she loved seeing all of the great grand kids.

Christmas Day

Todd and I both woke up early like little kids excited for the kids to wake up. Aubrin woke up first and asked right away if Santa came and of course if Harry was gone. We went downstairs and she had a big smile on her face when she saw that all of the cookies were gone and there were presents under the tree. We waited patiently for Jackson to wake up and finally Todd went upstairs and made a little noise. The first thing that I heard Jackson say is, "Is it Christmas Dad?" As they walked down the stairs Jackson was excited to see that Aubrin was up waiting for him. He also noticed that Santa had eaten all of the cookies, but left some crumbs on the plate. We started with opening stockings. Our morning went very slow. As we opened we played with toys and also took a breakfast break. We wanted to take our time and savor each moment of Jackson and Aubrin's excitement. The kids each opened a present one at a time as they watched with excitement to see what each other got. We did give them each a present at the same time to open...the water pack and Belle Princess. Jackson filled it right up with water and tried it out in the shower. It was as if Christmas could have ended at that moment. They were both very excited! Aubrin also got a vanity with accessories, and a lot of princess things. I think the Disney princesses have taken over our house:) A few of the things Jackson got was a Buzz Lightyear alarm clock, Legos and an art kit. After all of the presents were opened Jackson and Aubrin dove right into the art kit to make a few Christmas morning projects.

We spent most of the morning playing and having a fun morning with our new things. Later in the day we headed over to Todd's parents house for presents and dinner. It was a bit quiet at the Miller's house. Jackson and Aubrin were the only kids there. Jackson was so excited to open his Lincoln Logs from grandma and Papa. Aubrin got more princesses!!!!! Both kids also got their own saucers to play in the snow. Jackson spent a lot of time with Uncle Scott building with his Lincoln Logs and Aubrin was busy doing all of the ladies hair with her new hair dryer and flat iron. It was fun had by all. After we got home that evening the kids played for a while, but were both exhausted from a long couple of days. And to all a good night....

Christmas Eve

I can't believe how quickly Christmas has come this year. I feel like we were just getting the decorations out for the start of the holiday season. Jackson and Aubrin were both so excited to start our day on Christmas Eve. They knew the quicker the day started, the sooner Santa would be coming. Before leaving the house we made sure that we sprinkled our reindeer food out on the lawn. We went to Todd's parents house for a short time to open stockings and see the family since we would not be seeing all of them on Christmas Day. We also did our gift exchange with all of the siblings and the cousins. Aubrin was so excited to get a princess keyboard. Jackson got Toy Story 3 toys to add to his collection. After presents we headed to church. We had to leave a bit early to make sure we could all sit together. I love the Christmas service every year with all of the music and holiday cheer. After mass we drove to my grandma's house in Plymouth. My mom and dad were there eager to see the kids and how excited they were for Christmas.The kids were both very surprised when we had a visit from Santa after dinner. I saw a big smile on Jackson's face has he heard Santa's bells and he saw him coming down the stairs. I watched Aubrin make a mad dash to my arms and bury her face in my shoulder. Jackson sat on his lap with confidence, as Aubrin held on tight, but did find it in her to reach out for her gift.








When we got home that night we put out our cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Before going to bed we told Aubrin that Santa was going to pick Harry the elf up and take him home. She was so sad and asked if she could say good bye to him. This is how her sweet conversation with Harry went:

"Harry, I love you so much. Do you love me so much too? I will see you next time when you come. Go to sleep at the North Pole. I see you later Harry. I love you."

Then she blew him a kiss and asked me if I would promise her he would come back. In a way I was sad that Harry was leaving for the season. The excitement that Aubrin had each morning to find him and the ownership she took over him was priceless. Jackson liked him and understood that Harry was watching him, but Aubrin really thought she and Harry were friends.


As both kids went to bed, they told us how excited they were for Santa to come. Jackson was really hoping that he was going to bring his water pack and Aubrin was excited to see if her Belle Princess would be under the tree waiting for her in the morning.

Snow day...or two

It’s music to my ears when the phone rings at 4:45am to tell me that school is cancelled because of the weather. The only thing better than that is when it happens two days in a row!!!! It was so nice that both Todd and I could be home for two days with the kids. Although it was so cold we couldn’t really play outside. We had fun inside playing MANY, MANY games of Candyland and Chutes and Ladders. We also made our gingerbread house. I have to be honest, every year I dread making it. The roof always seems to cave in when I try to build it or it never looks very sturdy. Well, I was at Costco the week before and I found a true treasure~ a preassembled house!!!!!! It was built beautifully and all we had to do was decorate it. We had a great time designing and decorating the house. After the house was done and looking great I looked and found Jackson under the table with the red frosting package in his mouth. He was sucking the red frosting out of the pouch-at least ½ was gone! Jackson on Sugar is not a good thing, so needless to say our evening was anything but dull. The next day we made impromptu Christmas cookies. The roads were still so bad and I didn’t want to go to the store so we used what we had. Jack and Aubrin had a great time and they turned out very cute.

Santa, Jingle Bells and Cookies

Two meals with Santa, a Jingle Bell party and cookie baking day makes for a very busy week. This week was a great way to kick off the holiday season. On Tuesday Grandma and Papa Miller and the Campau’s joined us for dinner with Santa. After dinner we had a great time doing crafts while we waited for the elves to call us to visit with Santa. When it was our turn Aubrin’s grip got much tighter around my neck and decided that she didn’t even want to wait in line to see him. Jackson waited in line with Todd and his cousins. Jackson was feeling a bit nervous, so he decided to let his cousins go first. Annie was a good support when it was Jackson’s turn. She held his hand and walked up to Santa with him. Jackson didn’t sit on his lap, but he did however pull out picture of what he wanted for Christmas. He told Santa that he wanted a fireman water pack that went on his back that sprayed water. He asked Santa if he thought he could make it and then gave him the picture. At the end of the evening Aubrin did get close enough to take a family picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus, but her grip with still pretty tight.
On Friday Jackson had his Jingle Bell party at school. I was excited that I was able to spend the morning with him. They kids played games, did crafts and had yummy treats. At school they have been talking about wishes. So the kids all sat in a circle and said what they wished for Christmas. Of course when it was Jackson’s turn he said the fireman water pack. Mrs. Katie said that he has been talking about it at school a lot. As we were driving home from school Jackson thanked me for coming to his party and asked me if I was proud of him for being so smart at school. He melts me heart.
On Sunday we had breakfast at the clubhouse with Santa. Jackson was excited for breakfast, but just couldn’t understand why he would have to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas when he already told him a few days before. Todd told him that Santa has a lot to remember and Jackson just needed to remind him so he wouldn’t forget. So Jackson brought another picture of the water pack (I sure hope Santa can make this, or we are going to have one sad little guy Christmas morning.) Grandma and Grandpa Olenech came with us. As we were eating our very yummy breakfast, I noticed that Aubrin was not eating anything. She could not take her little eyes off of the door. I asked her what she was looking at and she said she was waiting for Santa to come in the door. She was positive that she was not sitting on his lap. She said that she was scared because she can’t see his face she said that if we could brush his hair away she wouldn’t be so scared! As Santa walked in all of the kids faces lit up. Jackson was a bit nervous, but went and sat on the floor in front of Santa and waited for his name to be called. When it was his turn he went up all by himself and sat on his lap. He once again pulled out his picture and showed Santa. When Aubrin’s name was called I carried her up. When she realized that Santa had a candy cane and gift for her she at least made eye contact with him. She took her gift, thanked Santa and said “Merry Christmas Santa Claus.” Jackson opened his gift and got his first Nerf shooter. I have been very against these types of toys, but this year I let it go and allowed it. Our only rule is he can’t point it at anyone. He can shoot the suction cup darts at doors and windows. So far so good. Aubrin got a new singing doll. Both kids thought their gifts were great.
After breakfast with Santa we headed over to Grandma and Papa Miller’s house for cookie baking day. Every year we go over there and all of the grandkids bake and decorate cookies. It’s really a nice tradition. After the cookies were done we headed outside for some fun in the snow. Aubrin and Tessa had fun while I pulled them around on the sled, while Jackson and the other kids had a blast sledding down the hill in the front yard. We headed in for dinner, celebrated Caryn’s birthday and then headed home. The roads were getting bad so we thought we should get home before we got stranded.
It was a great week filled with fun holiday activities with family.

Home Depot

On Saturday morning I took the kids to Home Depot for kids day. When we got there they both got an orange apron just like the people that work there. Then they were each given the materials for them to make a frame. It was so much fun. They got to bang the nails in and screw the screws in. After we were done, they both got a pin and a certificate for completing their project. It wasn’t only fun, it was FREE too! The first Saturday of every month Home Depot hosts a kids day. Each time the kids go they will get a button and a certificate. What a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. Then when we brought them home we painted them for the holidays.

So much to be thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving~
We spent our Thanksgiving surrounded by family- a perfect day. We spent the morning at home playing games and being silly. Chutes and Ladders is a family favorite these days. It’s not a normal day if we don’t play it at least 6 times. This year was the year to have dinner with my side of the family. My Aunt Marlys and Uncle Chris were having dinner in Dexter at 5:00. Since we weren’t eating until later we decided we wouldn’t be too rushed to stop by Michele and Tony’s house for a short visit. We stayed about an hour and then went to Dexter.Erin and her family were in town this year. We were so excited to see them. It was also nice that both of my grandma’s were there. When we got there Jackson and Aubrin were very excited to hand out all of the Thanksgiving jewelry they made. They made both great grandmas a necklace, grandma a bracelet and Aunt Erin a bracelet. Everyone loved their gifts. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins and will all of the games in the basement. Jackson especially liked playing air hockey. I loved seeing my sister and catching up in person with her. It was a big day for Aubrin. She left the house with no diaper and didn’t have one accident all day!!!! We were so proud of our big girl. When we got home that night, the kids got in their PJ’s and we read Elf on a Shelf. Jackson remembers Harry the elf from last year. Harry’s job is to watch the kids every day and then when they go to bed he reports back to Santa to let him know if they are making good choices and using their manners. It’s such an exciting time of year!

The Potty Box

Our little sunshine has been ready to be potty trained for a while now. Between her being stubborn and my lack of commitment it just hasn’t happened. Aubrin started going on the potty this summer, but the excitement of it wore off for her. Now she will stand in the living room and say, “I am going to pee in my diaper right now…okay you can change me now.” What a little stinker she is. This is when I decided to introduce the potty box. The potty box is a small pink box filled with fabulous treasures that I thought Aubrin would love. In order to get a treasure form the box she had to sit on the potty and go. No rewards for trying anymore. The other day I decided we were not going to leave the house and she was going to wear big girl underwear all day. I was fully prepared for a messy day. I had 6 pairs of underwear, 6 pairs of pants and 6 pairs of sock on the kitchen counter ready for each time she had an accident. To my surprise she only had one accident. I think she was pretty excited to pick out prizes. She even told us when she had to go. Over the next couple days it went great. Then I got a call from Sheila at work telling me that Aubrin had an accident. When I got home I asked Aubrin why she had an accident and she said, “Well, there were not prizes in the potty box.” That’s my girl! So I filled up the potty box one final time. So far so good!