Christmas 2008

The Reason for the Season!

Kaid at the Steelers game in Nashville.

A view from the upstairs hallway. You can see Baleigh's reflection in the mirror above the fireplace ;)

I can't move my pictures again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at that "Roll Mountain"!

We are practicing defensive schemes. Bay has her new softball helmet on. She was very disapointed that it wasn't a football helmet. She wants to play in the junior football league next year.

Kaid and Bay are rockin' out with the Wii Guitar Hero World Tour. It is sooo much fun!

This text was SUPPOSED to be at the top. I know I sound like a techno-idiot, but seriously, I am not! I told LouAnne I was going to stop blogging on Sundays because of all the crazy techno mayhem that I have experienced! And now, I have just hung up with Lindsey after venting my blogging frustrations! Thanks for listening Lindsey!

Most of this post is about fun, silliness and gifts - but we did pause to appreciate the reason for the season. Baleigh really impressed us with a very nice prayer at dinner time and she also took a picture of part of our nativity scene just for the blog.

Last weekend, Dan and Kaid scored tickets to the Steelers/Titans game in Nashville. The game had home-field advantage in the playoffs on the line and the STEELERS LOST! Never-the-less, Dan is convinced that they will win the almighty Super Bowl - the hard way, on the road.

Today, I will be... working the concession stand at the Carbondale Holiday tournament, helping Krista move down here and become my first southern Illinois kinfolk, and trying to watch as as much football as possible. So, I am going to stop typing and get busy! I will just let the rest of the pictures and videos speak for themselves. Baleigh is ready for show business.




Christmas Eve at the Koesters - pretty funny stuff.


I don't know. I found this video on the camera and laughed so hard I cried. There is no doubt, Bay has quite a sense of humor for which I can take no credit for.

AND LASTLY, please take note of the new poll question! Not much participation in the last one - come on peeps! 2 of the votes came from MY house! :)

Fun Stuff!

Things we've been enjoying...

1-The Lights Fantastic Parade!

We were pretty impressed!

Here's a little diddy sung to the tune of "Let it Snow".

The weather wasn't very frightful,

And the lights they were delightful!

We'd never seen quite a show,

Let 'em glow, let 'em glow, let 'em glow!

Even though we walked kinda far

We ended up findin' the car.

After reindeer led Santa in,

We knew the parade was near the end.

Oh the bands they were a-marchin'

And the floats they were a-sparkin'

The lights were all down the road

Let 'em glow, let 'em glow, let' em glow!

Let 'em glow, let 'em glow, let 'em glow!

The pictures aren't the greatest because I forgot the

camera and had to use my cell phone.

2 - The John A. Logan College Regional Counselors update conference. I won an iPod Nano!!! - a pretty blue one! You rock JALC!

3 - The CCHS guidance department ornament exchange Christmas party - fun with my new department peeps at Houlihan's.

4 - Playing our Wii! I can't tell you how many hours Dan, Kaid and I played Wii this weekend! I was doing laundry and Christmas cards between games though - fold, switch loads, sign a few, Wii it up...balance, juggle, Wii it up...Wii..Wii...Wii...all the way 'til morn!

Dan and Kaid boxing in their jammies :)

5 - Steelers, Cowboys and Colts all won! My three favs! Okay, I'm a little partial to the Jets too now that they have Brett.

And one thing that I'm NOT enjoying is the threat of a snow day tomorrow!

NOOOOO! NOT BEFORE CHRISTMAS!! These are the fun days and the easy days to get

through! Snow days are for AFTER Christmas - during the LOOONNGG semester, when the dreary grey and brown scenery is starting to wear on people...you know what I mean??? Of course you do! So, may the sky dryeth up and the sun cometh out I say!

And lastly my friends and family, I leave you with the new addition to my blog...A poll question!

Maybe you saw it already, but if not, please see the top right corner of my blog!

See you all this weekend!!

Some Turkey and Some Southern Snow help to make the season bright

Let's talk turkey, eh? Thanksgiving is over you say? Well, I'm talking a different kind of turkey...the Mediacom TURKEYS that owe us some service gol darnit! We have had more service issues that I can shake a stick at! (How'd you like that saying Mom? :)
Because of THOSE turkeys, I was unable to participate in the post Thansgiving blogging. So, since you have all read the other family members Turkey blogs, I just have one thing to contribute and that is a picture of some of the place cards that Lindsey asked Baleigh to make for our Thursday dinner. Also pictured is the only winning lottery ticket at the table - Baleigh's!









Onward..we awoke to a surprising snow-splattered scene on Sunday morning. Baleigh promptly bundled up and made her first snowman of the winter. I scurried out in my slippers to capture the first, and possibly the only, Southern Illinois Snowman of the season. As we drove to church, there was nary a snowman to be found! Maybe peeps down here aren't as active in the snow as the Central Illinoisans, or maybe they were all just still sleeping! It was 7:00 am or bust I tell ya! Look! Her eyes are still puffy!

















Here is a picture of Bay and Puppa Sade before church (and after snow fun).










Monday night was the Giant City School Christmas Program. It was quite a production! The fourth graders got to play their recorders after they sang a few numbers! Ahhh... the good ol' recorder. I remember it well. I was in Brownsburg, IN when I learned the recorder in fourth grade. Although the sound of the recorder leaves a little to be desired, I thought these kids did a pretty good job of staying together and hitting the right notes. Enjoy the vid!












Have a great rest of the week!