Merry Christmas 2014

Christmas memories are too good not to remember, even if it is five months later :0

Anticipation

Season kicked off with Thanksgiving with the cousins, Peyton and Logan

and then again with my family--who's always ready for a classy family portrait.  

Yummy Christmas Cookies

and chores to get ready for....

this!!!

Santa came again to spread his cheer!

There's always one in the family ;)

Emil watching over the kids...to see if they've been naughty or nice!

It's Christmas Eve!  And we are ready for Mass.

tbe

Now ready for bed!  Reading their Christmas Eve presents from Grandma and Grandpop!

Our Christmas family morning!

Bronwyn really had the Christmas cheer this year!!!

Spookiest Santa gift ever!  She calls them her 'sisters'.

But this is what Christmas is all about.  FAMILY!  Pop Pop, Uncle Ed, Jack, Aunt Ronda, Dad, Minnie, Bronwyn and Mom (and everyone else in our hearts!)
Merry Christmas 

Magic Moments

Let's first ignore that this post is almost six months late.  Kids, we've been busy and mom has spent the last six months trying to figure out how to make cake pops ;)

But let's go ahead and stroll back and capture some family memories for the "record".  And we can start with one of our favorite memories of last year, November 2014 (week before Thanksgiving)

DISNEY!

or as Bronwyn says:

DIDSNEY!

Jack's Magic Moments:

Rode Space Mountain three times in a row with no one on it except him and Daddy!

TALKED to Mickey

The Stunt Show...VVRrrrrmmmm....

First inverted roller coaster...second time he rode it he actually opened his eyes :)

I don't think he will ever be too old for some Boneyard Playground fun!

Jack got into a tickle war with Donald...unfortunately Donald backed into the bench and fall backwards.  No worries, Donald was okay but not in the mood for tickle wars after that...oops!

Bronwyn's Magic Moments:

Fought Darth Vadar, and won!

Bronwyn was as excited to meet the Evil Queen as any Princess in the land!!!

What 4-year old wouldn't be in awe of this!!!

Was chosen to play BEAST and got to dance with Belle!

Met Tinker Bell...up close!

First thrill ride...TEST TRACK (she's the one in the middle seat so small you can't even see her!)
No worries...she loved it and wanted to go again!

Second thrill ride...DINOSAUR (Bronwyn is the girl being hugged tightly by her mommy while her BIG brother is trying to hide under his seat) ;)

Third thrill ride...SPLASH MOUNTAIN (she's the one with her head buried into her dad's chest!)
Yep, she wanted to go again! 

Fourth thrill ride...TOWER OF TERROR (she's the one with her head in my lap on the back row)  :)
Again for this one, too!

Fifth and final thrill ride...SEVEN DWARFS' MINE TRAIN (she the one in the second car with her hands in the air like she just don't care!!!)  Finally...whew!  

And she got to go on this one again and again!  Our thrill seeking Bronwyn!!!

Not to worry...plenty of princess time too!  She ate at the castle and was asked by Prince Charming to dance with him in the middle of the Grand Floridan.  Don't tell Cinderella...apparently the prince likes girls in pink too :)

Magical Family Moments:

I don't know about magical but seems we had plenty of silly moments.  Kids, this may be the only time you see your Dad make a silly face so remember it :)

Epcot Holiday Picture

Magic Kingdom Family Picture

Hollywood Studios Family Photo

Kid's Christmas Picture

And just to prove some of us do know how to smile (at least Mom!)

 It was a wonderful trip.  Jack still enjoys all the magic and rides.  Bronwyn got to really experience Disney for all it can offer.  And us parental units thoroughly enjoyed making memories with the kids.

Dr. Jack's Mad Scientist Birthday Party

Jack chose Mad Scientest theme for his 8th Birthday party.  We had so much fun.  We held the party at the neighborhood clubhouse and transformed it to a science lab.  

Upon entering each child scanned her/his hand and picked up their lab coat; id tags; and safety goggles.  hee hee

Scientists started with some mild experiments--which is code for filler activities while we wait for everyone to arrive ;)  Estimating the "particles" in the beaker was their first activity.  Maddie came closest!

Next they had to guess what they were viewing through the microscope.  Jack picked the slide and fooled all his friends...bee legs...gross!

I think they could have done this all day...an engineering station to build the largest tower out of gum drops and toothpicks.  

Dr. Jackson had it right!

As did Dr. Jack...didn't take him long to weaponize the gum drops.  

Here's their creations...kind of ;)

Happy Birthday Jack!

We chose green and gray as our colors.  Jack thought the combination conveyed MAD SCIENCE best!

More for our amusement than theirs...guess the mad scientist.  Do you recognize any of them?  

After everyone arrived the real show began.  Professor here captivated the kids with his science tricks!

Kids cut cups in half using acetone, aka mom's nail polish remover ;)

Science isn't for the weak stomachs, Carter ;)

Who doesn't love a good dry ice experiment...I even squealed when the Professor made George Washington scream!  Here Jack is making the cork pop off the beaker...pressure!  I feel pressure!

WHOA!!!!

This is they way Mad Scientists apparently bath.  

Now with bubbles!

An ole' standby never to disappoint.  The making of goo!

None of that in the science lab...keep your google eyes to yourself Maddie (just kidding!)

The science lesson here:  centrifugal force...the kids all made their own cotton candy!

Dr Jacob

Dr Devin

Dr Owen

Outside for the big finale.  Can you guess what these mad scientists are ready for now?

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1....

Rocket man....

Time to feed those mad scientists! 

Yum!

Mad Scientist Potion.  Kids drank out of beakers.  Cute!

The Atomic Meatballs and Hot Dog Cornbread Compound

My friend Kirda helped me name these Double Helix Cheese.  I tried to name them after a sunscreen.  whoops!

Fruit Molecule and Exploding Corn (popcorn) were Jack's idea!

Jelly Synthesis.  Looks appetizing, huh?

And let there be CAKE!

My personal favorite!  

My friends helped me name these brains as well.  I found Sarah Bellum most delicious.  Hee hee.

Hope your wish is granted WACKY JACKY!

Gary's idea.  Each child signed the chalkboard and we brought it home for Jack!  

Happy Birthday Jack!  We are so proud of you!  You are such a sweet boy with the most infectious smile. I adore your humor and thank you for all the smiles, giggles, belly laughs and sly chuckles throughout the years.  You are such a thoughtful boy who is always striving to do the right thing--but in a way that brings joy to all those around you.  And by joy, yes...I mean silliness ;) We are so blessed to have the privilege of being your mom and dad!  Happy Birthday my little mad scientist.

Love,
Mom