Acacia turns 9!

Acacia turned 9 Jan 25th and had a roller skating party on the 23rd with some friends from all her walks of life! 15 kids total and we had a roller skating party! The party includes an ice cream cake BUT that was not good enough. She wanted a roller blade cake .... So I made a roller blade cake .... what do you think?





















The party was a success and no one broke anything! We had a private party room that glowed in the dark, glow sticks, goodie bags, ice cream and regular cake, pizza and drinks and a couple hours of skating! It was a GREAT deal and I had to really do was make the roller blade cake! I was happy and Acacia had a GREAT time!

To see all the photos from the party click the link below.





Click the link to see the slide show of Acacia turns 9 - '10.

Slide show of Acacia turns 9 - '10

Acacia's first swim meet '10

All I can say is that I do not recall this many options for recreational and / or competitive sports when I was a kid! Acacia has done soccer, horseback riding, skiing and swimming and she tried out and made the swim team in Dec. Her first meet was a week or so ago and she won the 3 individual heats she swam in (25y free, breast and back). She did two relays and one of the two came in 5th. There were at least 5 different schools competing and several swimmers from each school compete in each heat. But, now that she has turned 9 she had to move up to the next level. She is no longer allowed to compete in 25y events. They all have to be at least 50y. So, I have a feeling her next meet (this Sat) may not prove as successful as her first. But, she is ecstatic with how well she did. She got tokens for each heat win that will get her a free ice cream at a local ice cream place and she got ribbons.

Since she is new her team suit was not in yet so it was a lot easier to spot her. Her suit is a one piece multi colored swirls. Her teams is the Oregon Tiger Sharks (black and orange). She has her suit now so it will be hard for me to find her in the crowd. We drive to Milwaukee this Sat for the next meet.











This is her winning the breast stroke by a mile!

Chris Plays Basket Ball '10

This year for something different Chris signed up for basketball. No more hockey. He is on a rec league through the school. All the teams are orange and white Oregon Panthers. Orange is home team and white is the visiting team. They have reversible jerseys and just wear the correct color during the game. Chris is number 3 and could be wearing white or orange. He has black high tops and sometimes plays with this sweat pants one instead of the black shorts. I am very proud of Chris and how much he's accomplished with all his athletic activities. He has not found one sport that he completely excels in but he sure loves the Wii, DS Lite and Play Stations games. Here are a few photos from recent games. If you want to see all the basketball photos just click the link below!!









One of Chris' best friends plays in the same league but on a different team and they got to play each other this past week.






Click the link to see the slide show of Chris Playing Basketball '10.

Slide show of Chris Playing Basketball '10

THE Hair Cut '09

We usually just cut Chris' hair ourselves with the little shaver thing we have but he recently decided he wanted a design cut into his head. Apparently this is not something done at all salons. You have to find the "right kind" of salon. After several phone calls to salons I was referred to JP's. I knew when I called to make the appointment it was not a place I normally would need to go to. We walked in and the first thing out of Chris' mouth was " ... there sure are a lot of dark colored skinned people here ..." OK - well, now that we have broken the ice a bit here we are given a book of hair art and wait our turn. It's all football sized men shaving guys heads and each of their stations have very clear instructions displayed on their mirrors ... "NO PROFANITY". Chris' turn. He hops up in the barber chair and this guy just palms Chris' head and shaves away. The design was completely free hand and Chris just loves it. Everyone that has seen him (including total strangers) have commented on how cool it looks. You can't really tell from the front shot but the guy actually cut an edged out hair line across the front of Chris' face. It looks very sharp! What do you think?

Christmas Day '09

If finally arrived! Chris especially has been pestering us for days to be able to open "just one gift" the night before ... but we held out!! This was our first Christmas together in our new home. Someone could not fall asleep so Randy and I were up until about 2a waiting for Santa to be able to come. And of course we were up around 7a to two very lively kids ready to head down stairs. Let the festivities begin.


















The first thing they noticed was the live frog aquarium unwrapped on the coffee table. We now officially have two pet frogs. They have been names Freckles and Toady. The first two that arrived (yes - shipped to us via US mail ... to WI ... in winter) arrived ... uh ... stiff. Soooo - the sent us two more, delivered to Randy's lab. They arrived much happier. The frogs reside in the kids bathroom and seem very happy.

Chris managed to open about 3 clothing items in a row. Fairly discusted with his gifts so far he found Auntie Valerie's gift (Star Wars items) and was once again moved with the Christmas spirit. Chris' enthusiasum remianed in tact as he continued opening many Star Wars items from cousins and Santa. But, about half way through the opening process Chris decided he just needed a break and went downstairs to play a game.


















OK - that left Acacia to be the center of attention for a while which she handled very graciously. She got her awesome sleeping bag and gave us the thumbs up while checking out the snuggle warmth and softness from within. And Dora sent her a new suitcase to replace the one she sent to her cousin. Acacia got a lot of clothing and practical gifts but also got a TON of new music and a few other games and toys that she is very happy with.
































The pooping reindeer was a super cool hit but Chris will not allow anyone the pleasure of consuming the chocolatey / minty goodness of the reindeer poop once it is dispensed from the reindeer butt!
























Once Chris returned from below to open the remaining gifts he discovered many game cartrages for his play station 2 and DS Lite. Each causing much delema as he wanted to stop opening and go play them.

Once everything was opened we did the famous scene from A Christmas Story - "with the what's that gift hidding over there??" We got the family a Wii (something Chris has been BEGGING for since he was 3). We let Chris open a Wii game without knowing we had the Wii. His expresion was priceless. (see below) He was soooo disapointed. Next he opened the Mario Kart game from Emme and Nono and started to get a little more excited but still a little confused. Lastly he opened the extra remote and now was like what is up?? Acacia got to open the actual Wii and the two of them went totally burzerk. Chris a little more excited then Acacia but still worth the drama in waiting until the end and taunting them with each item.






























I made my first every turkey and all the fixin's this year. I even used the "patented turkey lifter" that came with the turkey. This consisted of some string you put under the turkey to lift it out of the pan once it's cooked. Genious I tell you. Those Butterball people think of everything. I am not sure how I would have got the turkey out the pan without that string.

We ate our first meal in our dining room with the new table linens (compliments of my secret santa Samantha) and then headed over to our neighbors for some cocktails. We stayed there for 4 hours (4-8p) before all us guests realized that our hosts had not had any dinner yet ... Guess we better get going!

All in all it was a really great day with many details I am leaving out. We wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy new year! Our cards have still not been mailed but will be in the next few days!!

Christmas Eve Day '09

I woke up Christmas Eve day to a childless house as both kids spent the night at their friends house. I looked out my window to see ice had completely covered everything. It was beautiful.
















Randy spent a bit of the morning with half the neighbors clearing slush, snow and ice from drive ways and I prepared for reindeer and ginger bread house assembly. Angela brought the kids home and together with her two and our next door neighbor's daughter they made reindeer cookies and decorated the ginger bread house. Can you say sugar buzzzzzzz?






























After the assembly was complete we headed for church where we all got to participate in the candle lighting ceremony and hear the real reason for Christmas!
















Then on to dinner with some other friends at the Melting Pot!