Madison's Preschool program

Last night was Madison's preschool program at the church. She did such a nice job! Macy was heartbroken that she wasn't able to go up, but we assured her next year would be her turn. Max wasn't very cooperative, so we were hanging out in the back. Robin and Megan also joined us! We dressed all the kids in their new Christmas outfits and actually got a great picture of the two girls!!!!

Xmas PJ party with friends

On Monday we went to our friend's house and enjoyed a Christmas Pizza/PJ party! Jordan and Max had on the same pjs...they were so cute. We also enjoyed gingerbread cookies and some caroling by the kids! Thanks for a great night! Better yet, we had a late start the next morning!

First weekend of celebrations!

Last weekend we headed to Kaukauna to celebrate Christmas with the School's. I love Max's expression when he opened his first gift of the season, a book from Bumpa and Nana. Max enjoyed playing cards with Uncle Randy, and the girls enjoyed playing with their cousins. From there, Bumpa took all 4 girls to Grandma and Grandpa Deffke's house overnight. He won Bumpa of the Year award, for sure! Nana, Jesse, Kirk and I, had a great time at Aunt Alice's house. We enjoyed a brunch the next day with the Deffke family, although Max had his first public meltdown so we felt a little rushed. He was asleep before I got the girls out to the van!

Madison's Dance celebration

Last Friday night, Madison's dance studio put on a holiday celebration...a thank you for all the families. Each class did a cute little Christmas number. Max was not having it, and it was super crowded, so we took off as soon as Madison was done (she was thankfully the first group out)! He enjoyed the cookie afterwards, too bad I didn't think of that while Madison was dancing! Enjoy the video, she does a very nice job. She reminds me of me as a little dancer, although her body fits the part more than mine did back in the day :)

Max's Twin and lots of snow!

Two weekends ago, we received more than 10 inches of snow, and our first snow day of the season on that Monday! Here was our view from the front door and the garage when first opened (notice how high up the snow is from the ground). When the girls had first seen Max's haircut, they called him Tyler. Well, Tyler stopped by and after this picture, we now know why! The only difference, Tyler has never had a haircut :)

"Wrapping Up" 2010

"Wrapping Up" 2010

We are trying our first ever "green" video as our Christmas card this year. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
The Monte's

Haircut and snowmen/candy cane pancakes

We celebrated the big snow this morning with snowman pancakes and candy canes. Daddy is truly wonderful!

After hearing some jokes from our friends on Sat. (it was inevitable), we decided we should put Max out of his misery and shave his hair! Jesse started, and we couldn't find our guard, so we shaved him all the way! He looks like a little boy, ready for the military, but a little boy!!!! He seems to love it, too!

More snow on Sat.

Jesse took the girls out for some snow

fun! They all worked on a snowman, and then did some sledding. Their favorite part, hot cocoa when they come inside!

Visit with Santa

The local library had a visit with Santa yesterday. Max wasn't so into him, but he seemed fine if we were holding him. (Notice the haircut I had given him).

Friday snow fun

I was determined to get the kids outside Friday after school, knowing the cold front was coming in. Madison got to play outside at school, so she was fine staying in, but Macy and Max came out with me. Max reminded me of the kid in the Christmas Story. He could barely move, and his boots were so big they kept falling off. Needless to say, he didn't stay out too long, yet cried because he wanted to come back out! Macy enjoyed sledding and making snow angels. I even got a little workout from climbing up and down the hill with her!

Wrapping paper

We let the kids have some wrapping paper fun the last couple of days. We found a big bag full of paper from last year, I think we wanted to do something like this. We took some pics of them having fun throwing it and lying in it, etc. I did the same thing again tonight and also took a video. They love collecting it and then making it "snow!" The best thing...they help clean it up when we are all done!!!!!!!!

St. Nick

The kids were so happy Monday morning when they realized St. Nick had filled their stockings! They all received a book, a puzzle, xmas pajamas (seen by the tree in a different post), and a xmas shirt/outfit. Oh yeah, and the girls received M&M canes, their favorite!

The tree, and MOJO's back!!!!

Last Sunday, we had a xmas party in Hillsboro (they all fell asleep on the ride there). On the way back, we stopped and picked out our tree. The girls helped Jesse while I stayed in the van with Max. They did a great job and picked a good one. We still have to put the ornaments up this weekend, but not a big deal, less time for Max to take them off! Also new and exciting on Sunday, MOJO our elf returned from the North Pole! Jesse had the girls on a website looking at the "Elf on the shelf" and then I read the book again to the kids. After the book, they looked up and found MOJO! He reports back to Santa every night, and in the morning is in a new spot to watch what goes on during the day. We have long talks with him every night :)

Painting

Madison received these ornaments last year as a gift from a preschool friend. She found them as we were getting our decorations out, and begged to do some. After the other two were down for naps, she spent 2 hours painting!!!! We helped her mix some colors, but otherwise, she did it all on her own. We thought she did a great job...way to go, Madison!

Badger Fever!

We have all enjoyed cheering on the Badger Football team this season! The kids look great in their WI gear, so I had to get pictures of them all (Max is also sporting his first sucker in the one pic)! Jesse and I were planning on going to the Rose Bowl, but we didn't end up with game tickets and thought we could take a trip to Disneyland with everybody, for the same price as the two of us going out for 2 days and the game. The sacrifices us parents make! We'll just have a Rose Bowl party instead!