Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Christmas Eve finally got here and I had an excited boy on my hands.  Bruce had to work nights, so it was just Coop and I headed to Aunt Mary's house in Westmoreland.  There was good food, great gifts and special time with Grandma and Grandpa McDougal too.

 Cooper helped them open their gift before finally giving up and yelled out,

"It's a sink!". 

Grandma Mac reading The Night Before Christmas

We got home late and the elf had left Cooper a note and bag on my bed.  It was the set of footie pajamas he's been wanting, but we could never find them in his size.  (Yea Target!)  He was super excited, which only melts a mama's heart.  He went straight to bed, although he thought he'd stay up and catch Santa...Daddy got home in the morning, woke us up and it was time to open presents!!! I didn't get much, due to his ninja-like speed...

 Before the carnage began.  Neglected, isn't he?

The only picture I got of him opening.  I promise to do better next time!

The rest of the day was spent playing, playing, playing.  We ran to town to get batteries at Walgreens, since it was the only thing opened.  Topeka Boulevard was a ghost town, except for the amazing Hong Kong buffet!  Flashback to A Christmas Story!  We ate and took some home to daddy for lunch.  Then the boys figured out the new RC car and walkie talkies.  It's so much fun to watch them play together!

Notice that the dogs are NO WHERE to be seen?



We've still got the Ek family next weekend and the Reves' on New Year's Day.  There isn't room for what he got today--I've already made a plan with my dad for storage projects while he's here!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Our elf, Pinocchio/Elfie, had made a reappearance. God bless you elf and the amazing behavior that my son is capable of in your presence!

Tonight was Cooper's school's Christmas program.  He insisted on wearing a tie (which lasted one song).  Side note and Ek family trivia--Did you know his Grandpa Brad was voted "Best Dressed Boy" in high school?  Guess he's taking after him.

 I also love this program because I get to see my favoritest little girls and soon to be neighbors--the Vetsch twins!!!  I was happy to hold and play with baby Sidney, until my necklace, patty-cake talents, and touching Bruce's scruffy beard wore off. 

                                        We love our pretty girlies!

Cousins!

Guess who came to visit their aunt for their first overnight trip???

Tyler

Brandon

The Ek boys

"They are getting wiggly mom!"

The Karate Kid

One day I was feeling guilty because so many kids we hang out with are "in" stuff--soccer, football, basketball, dance, etc.  So...I had the brilliant idea to "TRY" Coop in karate.  Long story short, I was going to do 2 weeks and call it good, but Bruce paid for 6 months...Any who, he had his first belt promotion last Friday and was super excited about it.  He did very well, however it drives me crazy when he sees his little friends and acts like a hyper squirrel because he's so excited.  Maybe it has something to do with being around 20 OTHER little squirrels all day at work.  He did great, was very proud of himself and we are very proud of him! Hi-yah!

Getting his belt from Master Overbey

Yes Cooper, I see you! 

So excited

Nelson/Hubbard Family Pow Wow

My friend, Galenna, is Native American (and a million other things besides...).  She and  her family came to school one day in November and did some of their traditional dances and songs for our students.  I kept Cooper with me so that he could see her boys because they are his good buddies and he's never seen them do their dances.  Sadly, Wheatie was sick and stayed home sick, but Ebb was there to impress us all with his moves. This is a picture of Cooper and Ebb after the program.  Ebb did awesome!!!  Cooper loved it because he thought Ebb looked like a turkey with the feathers on his back!

Daddy's deer

Bruce is a hunting fool!  So far this year (school year in my world) he's hunted elk, deer, ducks and I'm sure there's other things that I don't remember because he tries to hunt on his off days during the week while Coop and I are at school.  This is the deer he got and notice how ALL the "boys" had to be in the picture.