Coco, Trains, and Santa

We took the kids to the Kansas City Christmas Train. It is good free fun for the holidays. The Christmas Train is a holiday tradition in the KC area. Santa pulls in on the train, which is decorated for the holidays. Brendan loves the Christmas train because it has a face on it like Thomas the Tank Train. Inside the train they get to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. The interior is decorated with a collection of Santas. There are also toy trains running throughout. Brendan's favorite is the the miniature version of the Christmas train. You have to wait in line to get on the train, but the town provides free hot coco and popcorn. The local band also provides music for entertainment while you wait. Brendan had a blast busting out all his dance moves, while waiting. Can't believe that Christmas is only a few days away!

Staying Warm With Some Coco

With One Of Santa's "Little" Helpers lol

Getting Ready To Board The Train

With The Big Guy

The Replica Of The Train

Brendan Dancing While Waiting To Get On The Train~

An 1855 Christmas

We had a real fun day out at Missouri Town 1855's Christmas Celebration. It is sort of a family tradition for us to attend the event. Nothing puts us in the mood for Christmas more than a good old fashioned Christmas. Missouri Town 1855 is located at Lake Jacomo, Missouri. It is a living history museum, and they do a special reenactment of a Christmas past every year. There is so much to see and do there, and the kids love running from one building to the next to experience something new.

Naughty Trying To Blow Out the Candles

This year was different from past years, because it was slightly warmer than usual. We are having wacky weather here in Missouri. All the snow we got the other day is all but gone. Today is supposed to be 61 degrees, and tomorrow is supposed to be 16 with more snow. It is a weather roller coaster. It was also incredibly windy. I felt like I was back in South Dakota with all the wind!

The kids had a very Christmasy time despite the warmer weather. They got to string popcorn, sing carols, make a Chrsitmas sachet for the tree, eat cookies and pulled taffy, and listen to stories of Der Belsnickel. The Belsnickel is a German form of Santa. He is like a Santa helper, who carries goodies and a switch. He helps find the good kiddies (for the treats), and the bad kiddies (well for the switch). Brendan was all big eyed when he heard this Santa gave out "whoopins" to the naughty little boys and girls. I think he was a little nervous! lol However, he managed to skate by and receive a treat from the Belsnickel.

Der Belsnickel

Grateful For a Candy Cane Instead of the Switch

Stringing Popcorn

Decorating the Tree

The sights and smells of an old fashioned Christmas surround you at Missouri Town. The smell of pine, mixed with, oranges, spices, and the fireplace are just heavenly. We got to sample raisin bread, sugar cookies, a spiced warm tea, and pulled taffy. McKenna thought the old fashioned taffy tasted like candy corn. One house had a hanging Christmas tree. The lady of the house explained how all the homemade ornaments told the story of Christmas. How the animals represented Noah's ark, the star is obvious, the balls on the tree stood for the neverending cycle of Jesus, the garland represented the shroud of Jesus, and angel on the top for the angels that appeared to the shepherds. There was also a sponge on a stick next to the tree, which I had never seen before. Apparently it represents the sponge with vinegar that was place on Jesus lips, and also had a prctical purpose. If a spark flew from the candles on the tree, they would dip the sponge in a nearby bucket of water and snuff it out.

Pulling Taffy

Spiced Tea

The Original Stove Top Stuffing

We really had a great time at the Christmas Celebration. My crew even managed to find the last bit of snow, and have a snowball fight. Overall it was a real great family day.

Can't Keep My Monkeys Out Of The Trees

Snow Day

"At Christmas, I no more desire a rose
Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled shows,
But like of each thing that in season grows."
~Shakespeare

Yay a snow day! The kids have just been going nuts waiting for a snow day, and they finally got one. My kids love the winter, and playing in the snow. We didn't get a great deal of snow, but school was closed anyway. The small town school, that McKenna attends, has alot of bus riders from the country. If the buses can't make it on the country roads to pick up the kids, well then they have no school. We had a lot of rain before it snowed, so there was a layer of ice on the country roads, and the buses can't drive on the ice. So the kids got their wish. The snow was too powdery to make a snow man, but they had fun tossing it around, and making snow angels. They also went on sleds being pulled by the quads. They had so much fun. I made a huge pot of stew to warm everyone up after all the outdoor fun. I love snow during the holiday season.

My Little Snow Bunny

My Little Snow Monkey

Playing in the Snow

My Snow Angels

My Little Snow Dog

Hitching A Ride

Away They Go

The snow put Brendan into the Holiday Spirit.<

It's Christmas Everywhere

We went to McKenna's Christmas Program this week. This has been my 16th year attending one of my children's Christmas programs, and it never gets old. I always get butterflies in my stomach for them, because both Ashton and McKenna like to perform and get picked to play or sing extra parts. It always amazes me at how brave the girls are, and willing to lay it all out there on the stage. I always feel more anxious for them, than if I were about to perform. I don't know why, because they both always do an excellent job, leaving me full of pride.

You would have never have known that McKenna had a performance that evening she was so relaxed with her buddies.

Yapping About Clothes Before the Big Show

They All Looked So Cute

The theme of the program was "It's Christmas Everywhere!" The children performed Christmas songs from around the globe. Some of the songs they performed were "Kling, Glockchen, Kling" from Germany, "Kiyoshi Kono Yoru" from Japan, "La Nanita Nana" from Mexico, and many others. The song that McKenna had a part in was "D'ou Viens~Tu?" from Canada. I suppose this song was a little easier for her since part of it was in French, and McKenna attended a French immersion school her Kindergarten year. She did a real good job. Here is a small clip from the performance. There is the intro to the song, and then McKenna and two other girls approach the mike to sing their part. McKenna was the loudest. lol She did a real good job! We were all so proud of her.

So Proud Of Their Sister

Kiss GoodBye

Eloise at Christmas Time

Going to post some of the kids' and my favorite Christmas shows during the holiday season. Here is Eloise at Christmas Time, McKenna loved Eloise a few years ago. Enjoy!

A Reservation Thanksgiving

We loaded everyone up, and headed back home to Cheyenne River for Thanksgiving weekend. My mom was originally coming to Missouri, but we decided at the last minute to go up to South Dakota. At first the kids were disappointed that their Grandma was not coming, but soon perked up at the prospect of seeing all of their cousins. They also were jazzed up about getting to see some snow, since they just had a huge snow storm up that way. As we got closer they got more excited for the snow. Brendan had to stand on a lone snow patch he found in Iowa. What a disappointment when we arrived at Mom's, and the ground was just brown! It had warmed, and the snow they got melted. The trip up to SD is usually takes us about 12 hours, we did it in 10 1/2 hours. Burt is kind of the trip Nazi. lol He won't let us stop for anything, and this time he meant it. lol Actually, I was on board with him this time, because I just wanted the trip to be over. The kids were really good. Andrew was amazing~ sleeping a great deal, and rarely fussing. They are getting to be seasoned travelers.

My View for 10 1/2 Hours~

They Finally Found Some Snow in Iowa~

But It Was Just Brown at Grandma's~

We had a real good time seeing everyone. There were 25 of us at Thanksgiving dinner. My Mom had all of her kids there, along with all but one of her grandkids. My Aunt Karen and Uncle Elmer joined us for dinner. We had the dinner at my family's chapel. It has room for more people, and we could set up more tables. We cooked 4 turkeys. 2 were cooked traditionally, one upside down on a rack, and one was fried. It was my first time having a fried turkey, and it was really delicious. Kudos to DeLaine for a great fried turkey.

One Beautiful Lakota Girl Miss TC~

Two Beautiful Lakota Girls Miss TC and Ashton Christine~

Three Beautiful Lakota Girls~ McKenna, Sage, Keela

Fist Bump For Turkey~

My Beautiful Niece TC Entertaining Herself While Waiting~

Our Miracle David Paul, Such a Cutie~

Will 4 Turkeys Be Enough?~

Couldn't Wait For The Pumpkin Pie~

After we stuffed ourselves full of turkey, we retired back to Mom's house. We took family photos, played cards, and just hung out together. I think everyone had a great time. Especially the kids.

All of My Nieces and Nephews, Except One, With My Kids~

Playing Cards With Grandpa~

This Kid Is Too Cute~

Shia and Andrew Planning Their Escape~

Caught~

Mac and Mc~

My Mom's Dog Honey~

We stayed for three days leaving on Sunday. We got to visit Burt's family, and get into an amazing sweat. Brendan, Burt, and I went down below the bridge to find rocks for the sweat. It was really chilly, but worth it for the beautiful ceremony we had.

The Bridge~

Collecting River Rocks~

Stealing The Van~

We had such a blessed Thanksgiving, and were happy we made the trek. Seeing our family, and getting to sweat made the journey worthwhile. AND the kids finally got snow, on the morning we left. lol Hope you all had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

It Snowed So Much When We Left The Road Whited Out~