Holiday Festivities

Last weekend was jam-packed with holiday fun.  On Friday, Danny had his company party during the day.  That night, we rushed to the kids' Christmas program (we were a little late due to an accident that caused a bunch of traffic on the highway) and made it just in time.  The program was super cute.  Colin and his classmates were snowmen and they "danced" around to "Frosty the Snowman."  I use the term, "danced" loosely.  Poor Colin refused to wear the hat/hood and left his pacifier in his mouth.  He cried a little and then just stood there.  He was probably so confused.  They had "practiced" getting on stage, but this was the first time in front of an audience.

Cadence is a pro at the Christmas program now.  This was the third for her.  Last year she was the only kid not on the bleachers because she was too scared.  This year she was a little nervous, but was in the last row!  She did great remembering the lines in her songs and her Bible verse as well.

Click the link below to watch the kids in the program (Colin is the only toddler with a pacifier in his mouth [about 3:20 into the video] and Cadence is in the back row on the right [about 25:40 into the video]).  Enjoy!

The Gathering Place Christmas Program 2014

After the program, we dashed across the street to my company Christmas party.  We had a minute to take a few pics before we were on our way. 

The next day, we decorated a gingerbread house.  I learned my lesson from the last time and went with the pre-assembled one from Costco.  I thought Colin would be able to participate, but his participation was short-lived.  I was OK with him eating the candy, but when he started chucking it all over the floor, that was not cool.

Colin's new nick-name is Linus - he loves his blankie :)

The kids love coloring

On Sunday evening, we went to my mom's office party at the Columbus Zoo.  We were lucky that my mom was able to invite the whole family again.  We had dinner, saw some animals, and walked around to see all of the lights.  It was nice out too - normally it's in the 30s when we go - this year it was, like, 47 degrees!

Poor Colin is never in the mood for photos

Yesterday I was able to leave work early to join Cadence in her class Christmas party.  We had lots of yummy treats and the kids played games.  I helped out with the Pin the Nose on Frosty activity.  Cadence made an adorable Rudolph picture frame with her picture on it as our Christmas gift.  The kids also received a gift from the teachers and Magical Reindeer Food to put out on the lawn on Christmas Eve.  After the party, we were able to leave and Cadence started crying because she was having so much fun and didn't want to leave.  I guess it's a good thing if your kid cries when it's time to leave school, huh?!

I had to include a picture of Cadence and her buddy, Tyler.  According to Cadence, she has 3 BFFs (or boyfriends): Blake (who was not present for the party), Tyler, and Cameron.  I think Tyler really likes Cadence.  He stuck to her like glue whenever they were all on the red carpet together.  Last week when I arrived to pick up Cadence, Tyler told me that he thought Cadence was, "so beautiful."  Oh boy, are we in trouble!

Holiday Time

There are 2 weeks left until Christmas!  We're almost ready at the Schuerman household.  Two weeks ago, we decorated the outside of the house and put some lights on the bushes out front.  Last weekend we decorated the tree and the inside of the house.  Cadence COULD NOT WAIT to put the ornaments on the tree.  She was as patient as a 4 year old could be.  Danny and I got our artificial tree out of storage and put it together on Saturday morning.  Cadence thought she could decorate it then.  I explained to her that I had to put the lights on it.  I wasn't able to finish doing the lights until Sunday afternoon.  While Colin was napping, Cadence was finally able to help us put up the ornaments.  It was too cute - she put all the ornaments at about the 3 foot mark (or below) and almost all in one spot on the tree.  She did a really good job.

Each morning, the first thing Cadence has to do when she wakes up is find our elf.  He's a good elf, pretty silly too.  This morning he was riding the train that goes around the tree.  Yesterday morning he was sitting in a mug with some marshmallows...I guess he's a hot chocolate fan.  Sometimes as we're putting Cadence to bed, she'll say, "I wonder what the elf will be doing tomorrow morning!"  Colin doesn't understand the elf yet, but he points to him as if saying, "What the heck?!"

Tomorrow the kids have their Christmas program at their school/daycare; we're all looking forward to it.  Colin has to go in for his 18 month well check up tomorrow morning, so I'm hoping his shots don't bother him too much!  Danny also has his company Christmas party during the day, and I have my company Christmas party after the kids' program.  We're also supposed to go to the zoo on Sunday for my mom's company Christmas party -- we went last year and had a lot of fun! 

Dad and Danny went to the Ohio State vs. Michigan game a few weeks ago.  We stayed home and had some fun.  Here's a cute pic we got of Colin with Scarlet.

Cadence likes to play with her leftover Halloween face paints.  

That face!  Yeah, she totally painted my face in the same fashion...I think I made my mom delete the picture.  Scary!

Who doesn't like to blow bubbles in their milk?!

Goofball #2

Last weekend we attended a co-worker's Christmas open house.  We had a good time and afterwards went back to Sunbury for the tree lighting and to visit Santa.  Cadence was looking forward to telling Santa what she wanted for Christmas.  As we were standing in line, she became nervous.  I had to reassure her that he is a good guy -- he brings gifts!  With her list in tow, she hopped on his lap.  Danny put Colin on his lap and I snapped away.  As you can see from the picture, Colin wanted off of his lap as soon as Danny put him up there.  Poor little guy!

The tree decorator in action

Photo op while shopping in Uptown Westerville

Mom got these pics on a Friday while at home

Colin got sick at school last week.  I picked him up and we spent the rest of the day together.  It wasn't long before he was feeling better.  He's too cute!

I had Cadence pose for our Christmas card and I didn't end up using the images, but I had to share anyway.  Here's the #1 Buckeyes cheerleader!