Happy New Year!

It's that time to make a "New Year's" resolution and normally it would be to lose that 3-4 pounds I put on over the Holiday season but this year I was good, so I dodged that bullet. :) So next on my list is to take a little more time for me..... even if it is at 4 am. I get so wrapped up with the kids it's easy to forget about myself.... on the other hand before I know it the house will be quiet with no messes to clean up. So scratch that, my New Year's resolution is to enjoy every minute with my children, no matter how small and insignificant they may be. Once the kids are grown I will have plenty of time to shop, read, craft and go to the spa. So cheers to this new year we are blessed with and may we stay healthy and really remember what's important.....

Jacers having fun with his Race Track from Santa

Harlem Globe Trotters

Jace attacks.....

We wish you a Merry Christmas.....

Five little Christmas trees

Breakfast with Santa

The kids enjoyed pancakes and porkies after visiting with Santa.

Church Christmas program

I just want to be a Sheep....

The Portable North Pole

Ellie's message from Santa

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/A6d8PU66IjfOLvwZcp2pmQ

Sydney's message from Santa

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/uZCrhIk41gwQ2LQHO5_5cA

Dear Santa,

We are staying in today, getting back to the simpler times,just enjoying family time, watching holiday movies and the girls making and decorating cookies.

Blizzard Aiden

We are blanketed with snow and the girls couldn't wait to play in it. After only 15 minutes they were ready for some hot cocoa, Dad wasn't so lucky, it took him an hour and half to clear the driveway. Once Sydney finished her cocoa she was back out to help Dad. Dad did enjoy watching neighbors try to get through the unplowed streets.

A very White Christmas

I have to admit I love this weather.....I mean there is nothing better than cuddling up on the couch, watching the snow fly and the room being lite by the Christmas tree. It feels like Christmas, I couldn't imagine the holidays without this weather.... I remember my Mom saying the same thing when I was younger, but now enjoys the warmer weather in Florida..... and who knows maybe I will someday too. But right now I am just going to enjoy listening to the wind and watching snowflakes and the kids excitement in that now Santa's sleigh has something to glide on, especially since I have no where to be but home.

St. Nick

Getting presents is so much fun!

St. Nick brought the kids a reindeer of their own.

Christmas caroling in our neighborhood.

Today was a crazy busy day, but it wouldn't be the holidays if we weren't exhausted, right? We started the morning with the girls church Christmas rehearsal, ended with enough time to get home, eat lunch and put on our several layers of clothing for the Howard Christmas parade; the girls marched with their dance class. Then home to wrap up in blankets and drink our hot cocoa to take the chill off. The day's race continued with eating dinner then out the door to get Ellie to her fellow school ambassadors for ringing bells for the Salvation Army. The girls said they had fun but I for me, well I am hoping tomorrow is little more boring.

Finishing touch to our Christmas tree.

Bell Ringing!

Last weekend we started our holiday celebrations with our annual bell ringing. The girls had a lot of fun, we sang Christmas carols the whole time and were surprisingly complemented on our voices! It really put us in the holiday spirit and we look forward to ringing some more bells.

First quarter school report

Last week we attended the girls parent teacher conferences.

Ellie's teacher reported that she has a great attitude for learning and reading. Her comprehension and reading skills are wonderful and to keep up the good work. She also complemented her with math skills and her willingness to help her classmates.

Sydney's teacher reports she is a bright girl, does very well with counting and writing and letter sounds and that she is a joy to have in class.

So to reward their effort we took a trip to Dairy Queen, a favorite place of the girls. :)

BLACK FRIDAY

The girls had a lot of fun shopping this morning and behaved so well. Their favorite part was McDonalds for breakfast after all the morning craziness and back to shopping they went with full bellies.

Sydney taking a break waiting for Auntie Drea to try on clothes.

The girls up an at 'em for some fun Black Friday shopping. Sydney asked why it was still dark out? Maybe because we are supposed to still be sleeping.

Thanksgiving day fun

We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Daddy having lunch with Ellie at school.

Sydney's 4K

Sydney's show & tell and snack day........ Mom was able to tag along for the fun. I love helping out with the children at that age, the things they do, and say and how they act in a classroom setting is just priceless.
Grammi notice what she wanted to bring to show her friends what she is thankful for. On another art project she was asked what she is most thankful for and she said "my toys and Mom & Dad". We were second but at least we made the list. :)

Mr. Potty on the Potty

Jace is 18 months old

Jace is already a year and a half and I am not sure where that time has gone. He is 33 inches tall and weighs in about 26 pounds. We worked really hard last week on potty training and he picked it up pretty quickly, he loves his Cars undies and he looks so cute in them. :)

We took a shopping trip to Chicago to celebrate Drea's passing "The Bar" exam. It was a lot of fun, tons of people and really good food! But I know I am not the Big City girl, watching the townies it was exhausting to think how much time not to mention how much money it takes to dress so trendy. These people are crazy for how much they are willing to spend on clothes, shoes and handbags. :)

The kids had a lot of fun Trick-or-Treating...... and eating all the goodies.

My favorite part of Halloween is carving the pumpkin and this year we decided to try our carving expertise, with a little time we were frightfully delighted!

Friday we took the kids to Sweet Street for some Halloween fun and they had a lot of it. Thank you Grandma for tickets we had a lot of fun!

Mama's got a new kitchen, almost.....

Since I spend most of my day in my kitchen I was able to talk Matt into updating it's look.
I took some before and after pictures so I could compare and I am glad I did, since I couldn't remember what is used to look like an hour after installation of my new counter tops and sink.
I am so in love with my kitchen. A big thank you goes out to my husband who without his expertise in plumbing I wouldn't have gotten this wonderful kitchen, to feed our bellies and our souls.

Ellie posing with a Bayport Dancer, she attended a poms/dance clinic and put on a performance in the end.

Zoo Boo! The kids had tons of fun trick or treating at the zoo with all the animals!

The Great Pumpkin walk through Meadowbrook!

Jacers is 17 months old!

Time is just flying at the Klumb house.
Jace is doing great, growing like a weed, getting into his sisters toys and eating alot! He loves apples and until recently I kept a beautiful bowl of apples on the kitchen table, then he decided to climb up and take a nibble out of every single apple, only to choke on the skin making an even bigger mess for mom!
We are also enjoying this fall weather, the girls love when the leaves start to fall, they try their hardest to make a pile to jump into. Bike riding and fall walks are just as delicious as the zucchini bread, apple cakes, cookies, and apple pies we are making. We are thankful for the warm days and can only hope they continue!