One of the Good Ones

This is one of my former students. I had her when

she was in 7th grade. She was an amazing kid then and an even greater person now. She is now 25 and a teacher herself. We manage to see each other a couple of times a year and I just love her to death.

Quote for the Day

“When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.” -- Joyce Brothers

Monkey Biz

With the Christmas holiday behind us it was time for a playdate so today we headed out to Monkey Biz where the kids could run around and play. Unfortunately every other parent decided to go as well because the place was very busy.

We stayed there about a hour and a half and then a few of us headed to lunch. It was nice to get out and we love being with our MWCC family.

Sleepover

Keara and Kailei had a sleepover with friend Sam on Saturday night. The kids all played hard all day and watched a couple of movies complete with popcorn. They went to sleep well but to my surprise Keara and Sam woke up at 3:30am in the morning. I found them downstairs with their flashlights, and blankets watching cartoons. Naturally I told them it was way too early to get up so I herded them back upstairs and eventually they fell asleep again.

Sam attended church with us Sunday morning and then played a little more with Keara and Kailei. It wasn't too long before their tiredness began to show but they really had a great time overall. Sam is a sweet girl and we love having her over. I hope all sleepovers are this easy.

Christmas Day

Christmas day began with a 6:30 am wake-up call from Keara. Bright eyed and bushy tailed she was anxious to see if Santa came. She immediately woke up Kailei and after Mom and Dad got their cameras ready we headed downstairs to see what Santa brought.

Santa was good to the kids and the kids were grateful for all they received. It is so much fun to see them light up with even the littlest gifts. Kailei received a HUGE stuffed puppy, a leapster, makeup, a cheerleading outfit and lots of puzzles among other things. Keara got clothes, makeup, a charm bracelet, a razor scooter, and a Karito kid doll.

Naturally they wanted to play with everything right then and there but we managed to tear them away after a little while so we could go to Grammy's house.

Breakfast at Grammy's is my favorite part of Christmas. As I've said in the past, there is just something about it that I love.

After we fill the kids tummies we had them open more gifts. Grammy and Poppy always spoil them and we have great fun watching them open their gifts. Sydney loved her stuffed horses, Nic got tons of Star Wars stuff, Kailei got Barbie she really liked and Keara got the cupcake maker that Santa was supposed to bring but missed. Mom still spoils us grown-ups with gifts too so we opened them as well.

Later that day we had a great turkey dinner and played some board games. Gotta love Christmas!

Next year Kevin's family will be with us and we look forward adding our new cousin/nephew to the Archer holiday.

Nic's Special Christmas Present

Once upon a time there was a boy named Nic who had two cousins named Keara and Kailei. Nic loved his cousins and his cousins loved him.

Recently Keara and Kailei’s Mom and Dad decided it was time to take a vacation so they have planned one for March 27th – April 2nd, 2009. They wanted some place warm so they decided to head for California where there is sun, surf and lots of places to have fun. Now California is a big state so they were a little unsure where to go. After doing some research on the internet they decided they will fly into Los Angeles.

The best thing about Los Angeles is that it is near Anaheim and Anaheim is near DISNEYLAND. Keara and Kailei’s parents are pretty sure they will have fun if they go to Disneyland. Who wouldn’t?

And because your Aunt, Uncle and cousins love you very much you are going on the trip with them. So start saving your money because you’re going to Disneyland Nic.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!

Love,
Aunt Chris, Uncle Zeb, Keara and Kailei

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we traveled to Kiowa and attended church out there. It is a much smaller venue and more casual since we are out in the country. The kids looked great in their holiday dresses. I spend half the mass taking Kailei and Sydney to the bathroom which would not have been so bad if we didn't have to cross in front of everyone in the church. :) When they are this age, when you gotta go, ya gotta go. At the end of church a lady suggested I get their earlier next year so I could be closer to the bathroom.

After church we went to Tracie's house for a short while. The kids were wound up as the idea of Santa was drawing nearer. We ate, played and then headed out so Santa would be sure to come.

It was nearly impossible to get all the kids together for a picture so I don't have any good ones to share but there was a good one of Uncle Mark and Kailei.

Out on the Town

OK, I know it might sound weird but the Archer's have a tradition of going out to eat together around the holiday. For some reason we don't do it any other time. Perhaps it is money or time and while we eat together throughout the year quite often, we just don't do it at a restaurant.

Sometimes we tie it to a trip downtown or ice skating but it was very cold this year so we just decided on dinner. Unfortunately Mark was not able to join us but we had fun anyway.

We went to Mt. Fugi this year which is a Japanese hibachi restaurant so they cook it at your table. And while Nic is often a very picky eater, he state that he wanted to go back. The kids are always amazed at what the cook can do and we all enjoy eating the food.

Just another part of the holiday tradition.

Cookie Day!

Every year around Christmas there is "cookie day". Started long ago when Lynn and I would get together and bake cookies and it has been a tradition ever since. I really look forward to it each year. Lets just say that working in a kitchen is not exactly our forte' but we sure have fun. We figure if half of everything we make turns out, we are doing good. Five hours of baking and we had piles of cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, sugar, split seconds, chocolate, rice krispie treats, chocolate haystacks, gingerbread and peanut clusters).

The kids helped us for a short time. I think they only participate in hopes of getting to eat all the cookie dough but who can blame them. Nic and Sydney were over so joined in the festivities as well.

Already looking forward to next year.

Kids Singing and Dancing

MWCC Video

Each year I do a video that captures our MWCC highlights. The one I showed at the holiday party is actually too big to share here but here is another version I did.

Winter Wonderlights

So Keara got a head start on her holiday break and had the day off. While Kailei and I were very jealous, we endured one last day of work and school. Keara on the other hand spent the day with friends Frances and Lucy. She is lucky to have them nearby and they've been so generous at letting her come over when she has the time off instead of hanging around home while Daddy works. She always has a great time with her friends.

Keara had dance tonight so Kailei and I took advantage of the time and to have a Mom/Daughter date and went with the Wyman's to the Winter Wonderlights. Basically there is a path around the Wildlife museum that is lit with holiday displays. It ends with a visit to Santa and the girls had no fear. We also watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on the extreme screen. Kailei thought the lights were "gorgeous" and both Lucy and Frances enjoyed talking with Santa.

It was a great way to kick off our holiday break.

I did discover that Santa might be in a bit of trouble this year as Kailei made an addition to her holiday list (Barbie and her Diamond Castle). Santa is done for the year so it could be an interesting Christmas morning.

MWCC Christmas

It was a busy weekend for us because following the Davison Christmas was the MWCC Christmas celebration. I can't remember if this is our third or 4th year but we sure have a good time. We draw names for gifts for the girls and the moms. Everyone brings a little food. Add some holiday music and a few Christmas crafts and you have a pretty good party on your hands.

Davison Christmas

Since Zeb's parents were already up watching the girls they just continued their stay through the weekend and we had the Davison Christmas. It was held at my house this year and while we missed Curtis and Amy, we enjoyed the time together.

The girls were showered (spoiled) with gifts and they had a great time giving them this year as they got to do their own Christmas shopping at the Dollar Store.

I cooked a big dinner (yes, shock should set in) but it turned out OK if I do say so myself. I cooked a ham for the first time in my life and now my mother can go to her grave knowing I can cook both a ham AND a turkey.

A few of Zeb's aunts and uncles joined us for desert and we really just had a glorious time.

DC Trip

I recently attended a conference in Washington D.C.. As luck would have it (the school district was paying), Zeb accompanied me on the trip. We were fortunate that Grandpa and Grandma Phyllis offered to stay with the girls so we left them in great hands.

D.C. was a bit chilly at times and while I had to attend much of the conference during the day were were able to squeeze in a little fun at night.

Sunday night we went to Cirque du Solei's Kooza. It was in a tent which wasn't the preferred venue but we enjoyed it anyway. So many of those folks can do such amazing things. If you've never had a chance to see one their shows, you really should put it on your list of "to do's".

Monday night Zeb's brother Curtis drove up from Richmond to visit with us. He has been out in Richmond a couple of months so it was nice to have some time to catch up.

Tuesday night we ventured into DC. I was focused on being able to go to the Holocaust Museum. I've been there before when I escorted 8th graders but we always just saw Daniel's Story and never really saw the rest of the museum. Unfortunately their was a misprint in a publication we had and while we did get there, we had to race through as we only had a hour before they closed. Nevertheless I enjoyed what I could see and was moved beyond words.

Ironically this was one of the warmer evenings so we walked over to the Washington Monument, the World War II memorial and over to the White House where we enjoyed carolers in front of the National Christmas tree. We really had a great time and I'm glad we were able to be there.

The hotel we stayed out was very swanky so we couldn't help but enjoy ourselves.

The girls were well taken care of back in Colorado and we were grateful to Zeb's parents for watching them.