Busy Last Week of the Year!

Wow, 2009 was winding down to be one of the busiest weeks of the year!
Besides celebrating Nicolas's 6th birthday (and finishing up our Christmas celebrations), we managed to squeeze in a few other things.


A trip to the St. Louis Science Center to see the Dinosaur Exhibit. It was really neat. But I admit it probably lost some luster since we did see dinos at the Indiana Children's Museum this summer. They were a lot less afraid at least this time. Was a nice day together as a family! (oh and notice mommy's new hair color - 2010 is going to bring in "the new")

We had a trip to Monkey Joe's with friends Jack and Cooper. Gotta love the squished to the net faces of our two three year olds!

And some time at the Y gymnastics room again during this break. Love that we can rent that room out for all the mom friends with kids home from school for the holiday. They are so great at our Edwardsville YMCA gymnastics room!

Oh, and a bit about this photo. Aren't they a cute pair? Nicolas has two best girl's and this is the other one... Hannah! She missed his birthday party and was devestated. So she got to spend time with him at the Y and he was so thrilled to.

Then some time at a cookie party! Who doesn't love cookie parties?

To Grandma With Love...

Grandma Birdie talks frequently about taking the kids to Build a Bear and so we decided to take her for her birthday instead.


Grandma loves owls. And low and behold Build a Bear has an owl this year! Nicolas shows it to grandma.

They help her stuff it and then they both put a heart that they kissed inside.

Leave it to Lexi to want to take charge of the feather brushing!

Grandma loves it and it keeps her company now at home. Don't tell anyone! Grandma might be sleeping with a stuffed animal again (wink).

God Bless Us All

Lexi doesn't let a moment go for the chance to say her prayer. Before breakfast, before lunch, before dinner... dessert or any form of snack! God has to know that this little girl appreciates the gifts He gives!

I admit that we get frustrated when our tummies are so empty and are days are so full. But I feel very lucky to have a little gift to remind me of the bigger gifts we take for granted every day.

Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!
For our food. For our food.
And our many blessings. And our many blessings.
Thank you, God! Thank you, God!

Getting Started Young

Okay, Lexi talks all the time about wanting to bake like Mommy. Well, Grandma got her an Easy Bake Oven and she begged me every day to use it. And finally we found the time after Nicolas' birthday calmed down. Yeah... here we go!


Let's stir!

And watch the oven as it bakes... and watch... and bakes... and watch...

And then we pray over our tiny little ... um... yummy cake.  Actually it was yummy.  Just way to small!  But we shared.  All four of us got our little triangle.  Good start to a long and loving life of a baker!

Family Celebrates With Nicolas

Nicolas is spoiled into his sixth year!

Cousin Edie isn't so impressed with his new year (hee, hee... isn't she cute!)

We transformed our way into a happy family!

Okay, can you tell that momma wanted a bit of loving from her little boy who was growing too fast... Nicolas wanted one of the Transformer from his cake and Lexi... well that girl was just patiently waiting for the good stuff... cake!

But as my little boy grows I have to take this moment to let him say how wonderful this chance to see him grow has been.
Thank you, Nicolas, for the light you put in my days! Thank you for the parenting challenges that come and then the the parts of me that grow because of them. Watching you learn, live and jump into life. Thank you for making me part of it!

Nicolas Celebrated SIX!

Oh my gosh! My baby is six years old. I can't believe how time has flown by. What a ride it has been. He has brought me great joys and life moments I never dreamed! Okay, he has also brought me life lessons and frustrations that only such a little boy can too! But I wouldn't trade it for anything. And to celebrate all that we took him and his friends to Korte Rec Center in Highland. And with a snowy, snowy day it was the perfect location to break up the Christmas mayhem and cold weather! 


We started in the party room with hotdogs and cupcakes. The dad's all got time to chat. I think I was running around trying to find a lighter at this moment. A girl can't remember everything!

Nicolas gets a good breath before blowing out his candles.

Lexi and Jack love the unlimited popcorn bowl!

Let's head down and swim!

To honor his turning six, Nicolas takes a big boy step at the water slide. He has always been a bit apprehensive at going down these things. So he looks down to check out the distance... and watch his dad make a big splash as he hits the pool at the bottom first. Good thing nobody was taking pictures when his dear mom decided to take the plunge!

 

Hmmmm.... what is this?

Mommy, you didn't mention sharks were allowed to swim in this pool!

No worries!  Only human splashing allowed!

And everyone had fun!  Nobody left when our official party time was over.  It was a great snowy day to swim in such a warm pool.

 

A fun time was had by everyone!  A great way to kick off turning six!

Last Days of Christmas

Okay, fast take of day ... oh gosh... what day of celebrating was this?
MeeMaw & PawPa's house!

After I took a quick detour to Hallmark's Day after Christmas sale (yeah), we headed to celebrate with Shawn's mom and step-dad. The kids were quite good at opening gifts by this point. And they were enjoying every minute of it.


Lexi and Mommy hammed it up in her new fancy sunglasses. She loves anything "fancy"!

Nicolas was blanketed in Bakugan toys!

Lexi was eager to try out life with a Barbie camper. The years of life with Barbie stuff are now officially started!

And Christmas Goes on to Grandma's

After a little time to play with new Christmas toys at home, we were off to Grandma's house to keep up the holiday festivities.


Lexi loved the ballerina that attached to her shoes and she got to dance away. Dancing is right up her alley!

And of course so is baking. She was really, excited about her Easy Bake oven. And it showed every day as she asked me to use it every day.... over and over until I finally gave in!


All this celebrating, presents, food... and still smiling!

Come on Down Christmas Morning!

After a good night of sleep....


Nicolas and Lexi take a peek down the stairs and their Christmas morning grandeur!

Nicolas reads a letter left from Santa telling them to be extra good this coming year and enjoy their Crayola toys.


Lexi loves the Pink Panda that Santa left her. All she asked for was a pink teddy bear.

After Santa's gifts were open then we went on to open all their gifts from mommy and daddy. They had a letter printed on each present so that they came together to spell out "CHRISTMAS" as they found each one.

Nicolas loved the letter in "christmas" that brought him his first official Pee Wee sized football. Lexi was also excited about her pink one!
Oh, he hugs and kisses this football every time he goes through the garage! He is waiting still for a warm, dry day to play!
But until the.... 

Nicolas and  Daddy look forward to playing some football on their new Vibrating Football table mommy bought them.

And Lexi adores having a matching apron with mommy.  She is so excited to get to cook with me.  I love us being a team.  I got the sweetest kiss right after this photo!

The kids pass out in exhaustion from the fun of opening.  The rolled around in the wrapping paper before the big clean up began!  Oh the joy of childhood!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a full and fun day with the Vetter clan.

First we go to Grandpa and Mae Mae's for brunch and celebrating.


Kai, Mae Mae and Nicolas play with the Orb magnet sets. Nicolas uses Lexi's for a few minutes (the glitter pieces were pretty inviting) while Kai looks over the one Nicolas was working on.

Then after going to church and a short drive looking at lights around the city of St. Louis, we were off to the extended Vetter Christmas celebration. Wow, these family photos are interesting to get!