Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! As you may have noticed, I never found the time this year to do Christmas portraits of the kids and send out Christmas cards. I started working at our local Hallmark store p/t and didn't have a lot of spare time between both jobs. Hoping to be better organized next year. I hope everyone had a great Christmas.

Oksana, Philip and Nico on Christmas Eve.

Nico pointing to the footprints Santa left on our fireplace Christmas morning.


The kids in front of the Christmas tree on Christmas morning.


Philip, Oksana, Alex, Gaige, Cohen, Nicholas and Nico and Grammy & Pop Pop's house on Christmas.

BS Christmas Party & Award for Nico

Philip's boy scout Christmas party was tonight. We had to bring grab bag gifts for each of our kids to exchange at the party. I bought three Webkins. The kids sat in a circle and played a game to pass the presents around. Nico got some mini skateboards that the older kids like. An older boy across from him got one of the Webkins. Nico noticed he wasn't too thrilled with what he received. He went over to him and told him he could have the skateboards and he would take the Webkin frog (Nico didn't even know we brought them.)The kid was very happy to trade him. A soldier in the army, Cpl. Jackson, saw what Nico did. He was very impressed with how Nico offered his gift to the older boy. Cpl. Jackson went out to his car and came back with a special "Coin of Excellence," that he presented to Nico. We are very proud of you Nico!

Philip with his grab bag gift

Cpl. Jackson presenting Nico with the Coin of Excellence.

Front: Coin of Excellence

Back: Coin of Excellence

Nico's Cheek

Nico woke up this morning with the right side of his face swollen. We took him to the dentist to rule out any problems with is teeth. His teeth were fine so we took him to the pediatrician. After a bit of a scare when she said, "It doesn't look like cancer.", she told us he had an infected lymph node. It occurs when the body is fighting an infection, and Nico was just getting over a cough.

Sherwood Enchanted Forrest - Festival of Lights

Sherwood has one of the best drive-thru display of Christmas lights in the state. It is free, but they accept donations that are used to buy new diplays. At the end the kids get a candy cane. Here are some pictures and a video I took as we drove through it.

Today was the last day of school before winter break. Oksana could wear a holiday shirt with jeans and the boys could wear their pajamas. Each class watched the movie Polar Express. Phil and I went to watch the kids sing Christmas carols in the afternoon. The performances were supposed to start at 2 p.m. and at last minute changes it to 1:30 p.m.--so we only caught the end of Nico's class.

BS Pack Meeting Awards

Philip received the following awards at his Boy Scout pack meeting tonight:
Belt Loops for Pet Care( for taking care of his hamsters)and Good Manners.



He received a progress towards ranks badge and a parade patch for participating in the Christmas parade.

A New Suit for Santa

Philip had a homework assignment to design a new suit for Santa and explain why he needed a different suit, in a mini report. Using digital camo scrapbook paper we helped him cut out a new uniform so that Santa would blend in when he visiting soldiers all over the world.

Sherwood Christmas Parade

Oksana rode in the bed of Grampa’s truck with her Girl Scout troop in the Christmas parade. The theme for the parade was “Home for the Holidays”, so they dressed in their pj’s, like they were getting ready for bed on Christmas Eve. Philip wore his cub scout uniform and rode on a trailer decorated with a Christmas tree. Philip brought four bags of candy to toss out to kids along the parade route. When the parade was over he still has two bags left—he wanted to keep for himself. Phil and I watched the parade with Nico and his mom. Nico had fun collecting candy being tossed by the people in the parade and he was nice enough to share with his brother and sister.


Oksana waiting for the parade to start in Grandpa's truck

Philip on the boy scout float


Grandpa's truck carrying the Girl Scouts in the parade/


Nico running out to Santa at the end of the parade./

Philip’s First Reconciliation

Philip made his first Reconciliation on Saturday. He received a candle and a certificate with his name on it.

Breakfast with Santa

My mother-in-law and I took the kids to Sherwood Forest for the annual Breakfast with Santa. Kids eat free and adults pay $3 to eat. After a hot breakfast of pancakes and sausage, the kids line up to sit on Santa's lap.

Kids sitting with Santa. Philip wasn't in the Christmas spirit.

Nico smiling with Santa.

Kids in front of Santa's sleigh.

Nico and his buddy Kannon.