It's almost Christmas!

I don't know about you, but my family is pretty excited for Christmas. It began a few weeks ago we got out our Christmas decorations. Mommy had some great helpers to decorate the tree this year! Then began the shopping....Hayden had some mixed emotions buying some exciting presents for his cousins and not himself. But don't worry, he quickly came around and is eager to give them. And for his cousins out there reading this, he is expecting you to share. ;)

We have also prepared for this holiday season by making an assortment of Christmas cookies. Hayden thoroughly enjoyed making them with mommy and giving them to his teachers saying, "Merry Christmas and Thank you!" He is as equally excited to share them with family when we get together soon.

This past weekend we made sugar cookies for our 2nd Annual Schlaak/Gustafson Sugar Cookie Bake, complete with frosting decor. I am thankful for my sister willing to host such an event as her kitchen AND dining room were covered with frosting and sprinkles galore! Thanks Lisa! We were also able to enjoy a Christmas program that the Schlaak children participated in. It was a wonderful program and everyone did a great job!

And no Christmas season would be complete without the nativity story. The boys read about this regularly and Hayden is able to recite some of the story now. Hayden will tell you the reason for the season is because it is Jesus' birthday. And as for Eli is very interested in our Christmas tree and the lights but has learned to appreciate them from afar. We look forward to celebrating Christ's birth this weekend with our family left here on earth. I can only imagine the celebration Kevin is experiencing in Heaven with Jesus himself! Someday we will all know. Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas tree.

Yeah....that's us!

Best one we could get of the two of them. 

Hayden ready to help bake!

Read...Set...Decorate!

Hayden with his cookie. And he already ate it.

Kyle & Lisa

The cookies.....yum!

So much to be thankful for...

This year we were able to enjoy Thanksgiving with family as we traveled to the Gustafson's, Kyte's, and Harms' (Camille's grandparents). At home we made a Thankful tree writing things that we are thankful for on leaves some of which included: family, jobs, toys, colors, books, heaven, technology, food, etc. What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had!

Sucker Turkeys :)

Grandma Vicki with Katherine and Eli.

We match...

Bedtime boys.

Eli's First Haircut

So Ted has been on my case to cut Eli's hair for quite some time. I just wasn't ready until food began getting stuck in there and we had to brush it out of his eyes. His hair was just so cute! Then one day last week we were out and about and someone asked Hayden what his sister's name was. Eli got his hair cut the next day!

Eli distracted during his 1st haircut.

Happy to have lost some hair!

Hayden waiting for his turn to get a haircut.

Update

So I've been a little behind on the blogging lately. Here is my chance to update you on what's been happening lately.

We've been able to go to some more of Caleb's football games!

Lisa, Caleb, Kyle

Caleb's fan club: Gracie, Micah, Reuben, Hayden

The boys got to visit mommy at work:

Mommy got to go to the Wisconsin Dells for an OT class reunion!

OT Gals

While the boys stayed with Papa Mark and Grandma Vicki:

Grandma Vicki with Eli and Hayden at the apple orchard.

Silly boys: Hayden, Papa Mark, Eli at apple orchard.

Gutting the pumpkins. Yum!

Played in the leaves:

Just played around the house:

Hayden drew a picture of himself on the sidewalk.
He has really long legs, just like Hayden!

And he has Jesus in his heart. He asked mommy to help with that part.

Brothers sit together on a blanket.

First hot chocolate of the season.

Hayden riding a pony at mommy's work party.

Double date with the Schlaaks at Planet X:

Ted, Camille, Kyle, Lisa

Camille and Kyle on the Space Bikes!!
As you pedal your entire bike makes a loop upside down.
A true test of your vestibular system.

Lisa and Ted on the Space Bikes!!
The adventurous ones who tried it first!

Ted and Kyle rock climbing on a revolving and rotating rock wall.
It was interesting!

Lisa and Camille dominating at laser tag.

All the tickets that won us 25 fruitie tooties.

While the kiddos stayed with Papa Joe and Grandma Bonnie:

Reuben and Hayden having a slumber party.

Hayden and Reuben apparently climb trees?!

Happy Birthday Grandma Bonnie!
We love you!

Grandma Bonnie and Hayden playing sword fighting on the Wii.

Grandma Bonnie, Papa Joe, Hayden and Eli.