Santa, I do believe!

As you may or may not know Mike plays Santa every year for his dad's bank.  The kids love going up to see him but know that it is dad.  Charlie figured it out a few years ago and so we have come up with a story along the lines of Santa needing helpers.... he cant be everywhere... asked mike to be his helper... blah blah... charlie believes what we came up with so we just go with it.
Although he is already asking some good questions "How exactly does Santa get up and down chimneys?"
Jodi "It's magical"
Mike  "Charlie, Let me fill you in on a little secret.  Can you promise to keep it a secret?" Charlie "YES!!"Mike: "Moms and Dads actually have a deal worked out with Santa that on Christmas eve night leave the front doors unlocked so that Santa can come in and out easily, especially with the presents and all."  Charlie thought that sounded so much better.  Good thing for dad and his fast thinking.

Charlie, Henry and Emilee with Santa (Daddy)

 
However, to throw the kids off a bit- we (along with our friends Melissa and Ken who have Olivia and Addi) had Ken's brother dress up in the suit and surprise the kids last Friday night.
They were VERY surprised! Mike could see Charlie and Emilee's faces when they came up stairs and saw Santa, Charlie then looked over and saw Mike standing there holding Henry and for a moment he thought this could be the real guy.  But after that moment was over he collected his thoughts and told us that he knew that wasn't the real Santa either-- but after mentally going through all the other males he knew he told us that he was unsure who it actually was!! Too smart!

Kids seeing Santa!! (Olivia, Emmy, Charlie-- Addi was less excited about the situation)

 



Addi (who ended up coming around towards the end, Emmy, Henry, Santa, Charlie and Olivia)

 

Overall it was a GREAT night!!!!

 

Jodi 

Christmas Lights at the Zoo

So a few weekends ago when it was nice and warm out Melissa and I got the bright idea to go to the zoo to see the lights--- this bright idea came to us around 7pm so we decided we would go the following Monday.  Good thing we checked the website b/c the zoo only does the lights on the WEEKENDS!!! Why?? Seems stupid to me-- but anyways.... we decided to bundle everyone up and go last weekend.  Although everyone and their mom was also at the zoo -- we ended up having a great time!  It is what you make it right.... I have to say it was a bit "Magical"!!! :)

Enjoy

Charlie told me that one of his dreams was to ride on this lion-- that he NEVER gets to do it... so I made his dreams come true!



charlie, olivia, emilee, addison

best friends

best friends

the gang being silly

Still can't believe Christmas is right around the corner.

Have a good night.

Jodi

maternity- painting pics

I know that Henry is now 6 weeks old (yes 6 weeks already) but I wanted to show a few of the pics we did with the kids when I was still pregnant.  We did this the Saturday before Henry was born.

It was so much fun. 

Enjoy
Jodi