Christmas with the Taylors

The next day we spend Christmas at Christian's parents. Somehow I have no pictures of Aunt Audrey, but she was there.

Gigi was there and Delaney gave her hugs. Our little guy

Makenna wore her new skirt, such a poser! She liked Poppy's chair. (We got some just like it to take to Camden's football games!)

Gigi and Gramps

Aunt Amy and Laney

Diva Delaney got some beads.

We had a fantastic dinner. (Makenna made the placecards) Makenna got a rockstar costume from Aunt Ren and Uncle Jim.

A great Christmas, thanks to all!

Christmas with the Wards

We had 2 different Christmas days this year, which worked out perfect because both Christian and my aunt were in town. We were able to spend time with each!

From Santa the kids got:

Makenna - skates, an MP3 player she calls her Ipod, FurReal puppy, and tons of other stuff

Camden - robot, remote control flipback car, swords, and tons more
Delaney - doggie (the only thing she asked for), Magnadoodle, tricycle, and more!



Here are some pictures of our morning.
Camden loved the sword Santa brought.

Every year the kids ask Santa to bring cupcakes, it's kind of become our tradition. :)

From Mommy and Daddy, Laney got a ladybug tutu which she immediately wanted me to put on her and she danced for us!

We got Makenna a Dr. Seuss and she read that while we unwrapped. She was so excited to read it all by herself!

Camden with his new "fire" helmet.

Makenna also got a new skirt from us.

Then it was time to get all dressed up to go to Nana and Papa's.

The rest of the pictures are on my mom's camera (Oh, did I mention I lost our camera at our recital? It has been so hard without one! We did get a video camera from my parents, so I guess it will be many videos for a while. ) I will post pictures when I get them this weekend...including the close-up of Makenna's fancy hairdo (Katie if you like it...it would work for a flower girl :)

Flip Zone's Holiday Showcase

Makenna performed in her Holiday Showcase this past Friday and she danced in 7 (yes, 7!!!) dances. One of these was her first ever solo! She just really lights up on stage and performed many of the dances better than I've ever seen her do. She's certainly good under pressure! My dad videotaped and mom took pictures, so here we go!

cFirst dance - Twist n' Shout (her trio with Emma and Bailey)

Material Girl
Her solo was the 4th dance, but the one I was most anticipating. I think I was more nervous than she was. I thought she rocked!

Snowflake

One of my favorite dances was just so simple and sweet. There actually were 3 different groups that danced, Makenna was in the youngest group. This is from her ballet class.



Must be Santa


For the BIG performing group, Makenna will dance in this part of it (Hey Mickey!). We are putting the big routine together this week so it will be ready for performances in January.


I didn't get a copy of her tap routine to Email Santa (here is a picture though).Here is the very last dance she did, Rockstar. This is a competition routine, but it is the first time the girls have performed it. I think they all were a little tired by the end of the 2 hour show, but how could you not love them in these costumes?!

Makenna was so proud of herself and we were too. Great job sweetie!

Camden's Christmas Preschool Program

Camden had his Christmas program on Friday. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it. :( I absolutely HATE missing important things for the kids, especially when I work part-time, but it happened to fall on the day before holiday break at my school...not a day I can call in.

Anyway, Christian, his mom, my parents, Makenna and Delaney were able to go. They said he did a great job. In the video, you hear his little friend yelling the song, not Camden.

I am so sad I missed it, but so thankful for video cameras. Great job Camden!

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer


We Wish You a Merry Christmas

You'd better watch out, You'd better not cry

(I looked up the lyrics to the song and it can be either 'You better watch out,' or 'You'd better watch out,' which is it really?)

It was a busy picture day. This morning we took our annual cousins picture of all 8 kids. The ages this year are 7, 6, 5 (2 of them), 4, 3, 2, and 1. Can you believe we got them all to sit still for some great pictures? It was the smoothest year yet. When the pictures come in, I will post them.

Tonight we stood in line (forever!) to visit Santa. It was so worth it though. The kids were so excited! Here is what they asked for:
Makenna - real skates, Ipod and furry pink puppy (just a pretend one she said)
Camden - real skates, green transformer, some game that looks like golf (?), furry puppy

Delaney - doggie (this answer changes each time she asks you, based on the last thing you talked to her about!)


Santa was really great to them and the kids are so excited for his visit in 12 days!

Kindergarten Zoo Fieldtrip

Makenna took her first field trip to the zoo last week. I wish I could have taken more pictures, but having Camden and Delaney with me kept me pretty occupied. The Kindergarteners rode the bus over (Makenna's first bus trip...she was so excited!) She rode the bus with her good friend Presley, so that was who she wanted to walk around with. They are the two little shorties in the class!

The spider monkey's were a favorite for many of the kids!

And the oragutans.

I rented a stroller for these two.

Camden's favorite was the newest animal, the komodo dragon.

We will probably go back to the zoo over Christmas break as a family and spend a little more time. Makenna's missed out on the flamingos. Fun trip though!

o