Merry Christmas, Family and Friends!

It probably comes to no surprise to you that we didn't get a chance to do Christmas cards this year due to our schedules as of late; however, I did have time to put together this quickie-card in lieu of our traditional card that we usually send out.  So to all of our family and friends, MERRY CHRISTMAS!  It has been quite the year of changes and success, and we are much looking forward to all that 2014 has in store for us.  We are truly blessed with the family and friends that we have, and we love you all SO much! 

Grammie and Papa

One word to describe them:

One-of-a-kind

(it counts as one word if it's hyphenated, right?)  :)

Birthday Fail

This was as close to Santa as the kids would get.  Ella stood in line just shaking her head at Santa.  Smart girl.  :)

The girls were given the choice again this year to either have a friend birthday party or to gather up and go spend the weekend at a hotel in Omaha.  They chose the hotel, so that is where we went.  I will begin the story by interjecting that this had to be the most interesting birthday yet.  

The girls' birthday weekend extravaganza began with a trip to same hotel that we went to for Brock's birthday earlier in the year.  Suffice it to say, I booked the wrong hotel which ended up not having a hot tub or breakfast.  Luckily, I caught the error when we arrived at our lunch destination, in which I was able to make some calls and save the day...for now.  When we got to the right hotel, it was swimming time!

Brock's Back Float

 Whoa there, buddy!

"I'm relaxing!"

Brock's Belly Float 

(with Ella photo-bombing)

Diaper Time!

Barbie Casualties 

Next stop...Amazing Pizza Machine

 I was very excited for the fact that they had go-carts, bumper cars, and some amusement park-type rides.  I thought the kids would have loved that.  I was wrong.  They took one look at the games, stuck to what they new, and tried to get as many tickets as possible (thanks, Chuck E. Cheese, for limiting my kids' game-playing abilities).  

 

Anyhow, 200 game points later, the kids came out with a couple of sticky hands and a yarn bracelet.  On the bright side, they had an Elvis game.  :)

After the games, it was off to the buffet where everything tasted strangely of frosting.  We were all ready to had back to the hotel for more swimming and a relaxing movie night in the room.  Swimming was good, but the movie night ended in disaster.  Once settled in, Chad and I began to get the WORST sore throats which kept us from sleeping.  Meanwhile, Sophie began screaming hysterically because her nose was plugged and she couldn't sniff (I CAN'T SNIIIIIIIIIIIIFF!).  Once we got Sophie controlled, Brock started complaining of severe stomach pains and how he wanted to go home.  We tucked Brock between us in the king-sized bed and tried to get some rest.  A short while later, I am startled to hear regurgitation sounds coming from my sleeping companion.  I turn in time for my face to be the landing strip for Brock's vomit.  All.  Over.  My.  Face.  Ew.  Brock was immediately worried because I was covered in barf, but I laughed it off and let him know it was okay.  All the while, Ella slept soundly on the couch.

After the screaming and the barf, the Heusinkvelts were finally able to get some rest.  When I woke up the next morning, the first thing Brock says to everyone, "I barfed on Mommy last night!"  We all had a good laugh about it. 

Because of such an interesting birthday experience, we have vowed to stick to a friend birthday party next year and take a break from the hotels for a while.  :)

Brock's 3rd-Grade Music Program

It never fails to amaze me the changes in the kids from year to year with their programs.  This year, Brock had a "solo" (as he called it) where he got to stand in front of his peers and direct them for a song.  He is such a ham!

 

Catching Up

With winter break approaching, I found this to be a good opportunity to get-to-bloggin'!  Here are the pics from our 2nd-annual setting-up-the-tree party.

Mints for Mint Plates

(Daddy's idea)

 

 

 Eggnog is always such a good idea, but nobody usually drinks it but me.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

 

Apple Cider

This Year's Ornaments 

Sophie's

And while trying to hang it, the unmentionable happens...

Ella's

It opens!!!!  OMG!

The Family Ornament

Brock's

Ella's ornament from kindergarten that I loved so much.  Five seconds after hanging it on the tree, she threw it away.

Elfie had not made an appearance yet, so Ella gave her best Elfie impression.  In her words, "He's kinda creepy."

 I get a couple good pics before...

reality sets in.

Stayed tuned...lots more to come!