Thursday, December 28, 2017

Wasserbahn Getaway

On Wednesday morning, we told the girls that we were taking them to a surprise!
They had NO idea where we were going or that we were staying overnight!
They knew we needed to go shoe shopping for basketball
shoes for Aubrey and beyond that - they were clueless!

VERY excited for our surprise adventure!

The girls got a little spoiled at the Tanger Outlets first!
They found these MLP toys at Toys R Us!
I don't think they had ever seen so many toys in their life!

waiting at Old Navy

Avery was excited to find some new winter gloves
at Columbia outlet.  

When they found out that mom had packed their bags 
with clothes, jammies, and swimsuits - they FREAKED!
Aubrey screamed a LOT!
(I have it all on video)

We stayed here for the night!

EXCITED for bunk beds!!!



This girl love, loved it!
(even though it was SO COLD)

She probably climbed over these lilypads 30 times!

Avery didn't last nearly as long and we don't blame her - brrrrrrr!

warming up in our towels
 





We decided fast food is what they wanted - so no fancy supper for us -
Mc Donalds it was! 

I knew by surprising the girls, I was taking a BIG RISK
by packing Avery's clothes for her - sure enough - she was NOT HAPPY
with the jammies I packed - even though I packed two for her. 

Still crying over the jammies - maybe missing a nap made her extra sensitive. 

Back to the hotel and no TV - that meant going to bed early for everyone!
(we did have the ipad to entertain the girls for awhile)

The girls slept great, but were up at 5:30 - eek!

Mom packed Jaarsma for breakfast. 



Bumming around the hotel before the pool opened back up at 9 a.m.




Aubrey swan for another hour and a half solid! 
(by herself - we weren't going back in)

She lasted all of 5 minutes - we figured.


testing out her basketball skills - hard to do in the water 


Homeward in the snow and COLD!




Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas Day

After church, we spent Christmas Day at 
Grandpa and Grandma Kaisand’s
house for lunch and gifts. 


opening time

Frozen journal sets

Thank you, Grandma (and Grandpa)




Watching Cars 3 

Grandpa showing Avery the singing Santa

lounging watching the movie

Corndogs on the couch for supper after baths and 
another movie to watch!
(LOTS of movies this Christmas break)


Sunday, December 24, 2017

Christmas Change of Plans

As we were traveling up to NWI on Friday evening,
Avery got sick in the car - a lot!
We were two hours into our trip and made the decision
to head back for home!
It was such a sad choice, but we had to.
We have tried to make the best out of a bummer of a situation!

Poor girl got sick in the car 5 times,
and a total of 14 when it was all said and done!
HORRIBLE - quite possibly my worse nightmare, actually.

And this poor sweet girl cried a long time since we couldn't 
go to Grandpa and Grandma's for Christmas!
She actually made the comment, "How is this God's plan for us to miss Christmas?!"
Oh poor sweet girl :( 


Since we missed the Post party, we opened those presents Saturday morning.



Since Avery was feeling better, we decided to make our
gingerbread house together! 

(don't mind the jammies, late night for all staying up with the sickness)


Aubrey's 3 sides she did

Avery's 3 sides she did 
(notice the straws for support!) 

I took Aubrey to Mahaska Drug to see the reindeer!
I asked the lady where they came from and she said,
"The North Pole" - I had to laugh. 

sticker books as the Post party gift 

Christmas Eve morning we woke up to SNOW!
It was our first one of the year and Aubrey says,
"Maybe THIS was part of God's plan!"
Oh, she is growing up and makes my heart melt! 
 


Avery was feeling better and got to enjoy the snow, too.
Although she thinks it's too cold and doesn't last near as long as Aubrey does.

Aubrey took this picture of us :)

Since we were home, I decided to make my favorite peanut butter balls!
I actually had all the ingredients on hand.

sledding down our little hill in the backyard


Avery didn't want to wear gloves but then got full
of snow and ice and came in crying - typical!


ready for presents (but still had to wait until after church)


family selfie after candle light service before we opened presents 



Aubrey helped pick out this gift for Avery -
Vampirina toys 




journal and reversible dress

Aubrey went to Walmart with Dad and thought that I just 
needed to have a candle - so she picked out this one for me :)

hooded towels



Avery is "Owlette" from the show PJ Masks -
"Into the night to save the day!" 

Lego set for this builder



new markers and My Little Pony coloring book kept them busy