2014 Decor and Gingerbread Houses

I finally got around to taking some pictures of our Christmas decorations this year.  I like to have something to look back at to see what I've done in the past.  Here's what Christmas (decorations) looks like at our house!

On the first day of Ethan's break, I had planned to make gingerbread (with graham crackers) houses with the kids.  It was a hit!  They loved it and did a great job.  They each had their own little house, icing bag and bowl of candy.  Nora might have eaten more of her candy than made it on her house...but she had fun!

Serious candy placer

And the serious icing piper

Ethan and his finished product!

Nora and hers!

I found the idea and "how to" here.

Church and Christmas Lights

We went to church tonight and had some pretty sharply dressed kids, so I snapped a few pictures before changing into pj's for the night.

We have some goofy kids!

Love them!!

All 3!
(Atley had a blow-out and had to be changed immediately upon arrival home)

Sweet N!  She got a haircut today :)!

Ethan begged to wear a tie tonight.  Who could resist this handsome kid!

Our good friends, the Talty's, have a "Polar Express" tradition where they surprise their kids after putting them to bed with treats and a drive around town to look at Christmas lights.  We decided take a page from their book and after we got the kids all ready for bed, we told them to get in the car so we could go see some lights!  They were excited!

Chima Ethan!  (He went to a Chima bday party today and came home with a mask)

She's excited!

All ready to go!

There is a house in town that has quite the show!  They have their lights synced up with music, so when you drive by you turn your car radio to a certain station and watch the lights dance along with the music.  It was very cool!  We all enjoyed it!!

Very colorful!!
(I didn't take this picture.  I took it from their Facebook page.)

Golf

Ethan has been going to golf class for the last 6 weeks at the DISC (Decatur Indoor Sports Center).  He's done these classes before, but this year I really feel like they are actually teaching him something.  He's had fun and it's been fun to watch him.

Working in the simulator

Indoor driving range!

Putting to finish his virtual hole

Here's are a few clips from his golf class this year.

Tummy Time

Atley is growing and changing so fast!  We've been trying to get some tummy time in each day (although, we fail some days).  She likes it for a while, but I can tell she's getting stronger!

Such a big girl!

So strong and looking around.

And...she's over it!

Yancy Concert

Last Sunday night, our church hosted children's Christian artist, Yancy, in a Christmas concert.  Our children's department uses her music every week for the kids to dance and sing to.  For a couple of songs, she needed a children's choir.  Ethan was excited to sign up and participate.  He practiced and practiced and knew every word to the songs he was going to be singing with Yancy.  It was so fun to watch him (and the rest of the concert).  I've put together a little video of his singing.  And you'll notice towards the end, Nora had a blast too!!

Ready to go! (When did he start looking so big?!)

Nora is ready to get the concert started

Yancy (not Nancy)

Children's Choir

Ethan is singing his little heart out :)!

So fun to watch!

Nora, dancing to the music

Ethan and his friend, Soren between shows!

Check out the video collage!

Meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus

Monday night was the Tate & Lyle Children's Christmas party at the children's museum.  Santa and his Mrs. were there and it was a great time!  We had pizza, pictures with Santa and of course some playing in the museum!

Santa, Mrs. Claus and 3 Collier Kids!

Silly Ethan, having a good time

Watch out!  She's a crazy driver!

Christmas Tree Fun

On Sunday, we picked out our Christmas tree!  We went to Ace to support the Boy Scouts again this year and quickly picked out the perfect tree :).

She's such a ham!

Silly kids!

That's the one!  Atley's first Christmas tree!!

Ethan sitting with Atley 

Atley's 1st Christmas ornament from Grandma Karen and Grandpa

Ethan decorating the tree

Both kids loved decorating!

Throwing the poof balls (for lack of a better description).  This is their favorite part of decorating.

Nora and Daddy putting the star on top.  Ethan got to do the star last year.

Finished the decorating with these crazy kids :)!

I'll try to get a better picture of the tree (and the kids in front of the tree) before the season is over.

2 Months

Atley was 2 months old on Sunday.  She is such a good, sweet baby.  She eats every 3-4 hours, sleeps 6-7 hours at night, likes car rides and is starting to smile all the time!  We had her 2 month check up yesterday and she is growing like a weed!  She weighs 12 lbs, 3 oz- 75% and is 22.5 inches long- 50%.  Poor girl had to get 3 shots yesterday, which made her a little sleepy and fussy yesterday, but she seems better today.  She has a cute little "angel kiss" (red birth mark) on her left eye lid.  We love her to pieces, her brother and sister still adore her and want to hold her any chance they get!  Here are some pictures from our photo shoot on Sunday!  We love you Atley Jane!

Parents in Kindergarten

Today was parent visitation day for Ethan's kindergarten class.  I was so excited to get to see him at school and see a little part of his day.  We met in his classroom where they were finishing up some things on the smart board.  Then Ethan made a Thanksgiving story bracelet with beads.  Next up was a Thanksgiving play (see video below).  Ethan was a "Pilgrim Man" and did a great job!!

Pilgrim Man, Ethan

With the other Pilgrim Men

Working on a special Thanksgiving Feast shirt with Daddy

After the Thanksgiving play, we went with the class to PE.  It was fun seeing their typical PE class.

Jumping jack station

Some cup stacking fun!

1. Swing 2. Jump  ;)

Scooters!

I had such a fun time visiting Ethan at school.  He is definitely learning a lot and loving school!!