Project Runway, Here I Come! LOL

Soooo...I decided it was time to break out my new sewing machine last night. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't totally intimidated at first! I literally did not know where to begin. However, I ended up figuring out how to thread it, then ended up playing around for a bit. I'm just happy I didn't stick the needle through my finger! Gotta find joy in the little victories!!!

My Boys and Their Airplane Toys

Both of my boys got airplane presents this year. Brady got a Geotracks airplane that has a remote control that he can make go. He was kindof confused at first, but he got the hang of it pretty quick. My big boy got a remote control Chinook helicopter. He's having a good time with it, but hasn't taken it outside, so it's had a few run-ins with with walls (and anything else that gets in it's way!). Brady LOVES watching it fly! He can even say airplane AND helicopter now! Like father like son!

Brian trying to get the hang of it

The helicopter in motion :)

Brady got the hang of his airplane pretty quick. He can make it stop and go really well now.

X-Mas w/ the Family

This weekend was wonderful getting to hang out with Nana and Papaw and Aunt Emi. The weather was pretty cruddy, so we used that as the excuse to be lazy around the house and watch football! Jolee and Nana baked most of the time (the best was the stuff made with the new Easy Bake Oven). The girls even got a chance to get away from the boys for a little while and do some shopping.
PS- for some reason most of my pictures from this weekend are really blurry for some reason :(

Nana and Papaw with their coffee mugs (most of these pics are super blurry for some reason)

The boys playing with Brady's new toy

Jolee and Auntie Emi

Jolee holding one of her presents from Aunt Emily

Dad's Last Day

Well, Brian had his last day at work last Thursday! On the 31st the store will be changing hands to the new owners. We will really miss all of our friends, but I know we will stay in touch. Now Brian gets to enjoy some semi-retirement, and then decide what it is he wants to do next. It's a really exciting time for the Powers family!

Merry Christmas :)

I hope everyone had a great Christmas like we did! We got to spend our Christmas Eve really lazy, just hanging out together at the house. The kids were up bright and early the next morning, so of course, we were too! It was so wonderful to wake up with some snow on the ground. After checking the weather and getting prepared for some yucking driving conditions, we started the treck up to Olathe for Christmas with Nana and Papaw! Merry Christmas!!!!

Jolee writing her note to Santa on Christmas Eve

Jolee likes her scooter so much, I can only get a shot of her driving away on it!

Brady & his new bike

They love their new wagon :)

Checking out the new table and chairs

Opening presents takes teamwork

Brady taking it all in

Daddy and his remote control helicopter

Brady helping me check out my new sewing machine

Jolee got a bunch of clip-on earrings in her stocking

Jolee's B-Day W/ Family

Last night, Grandma Lilla and Grandpa Gene came over for Jolee's birthday, and at the same time we decided to do Christmas with them as well. We had a big breakfast for dinner, and then got right into the cake! Gene and Lilla did a great job getting stuff the kids really love. Brady hasn't stopped playing with his truck all day :)

It seems like the kids have been opening presents every day lately!

Jolee couldn't wait to open up her new build-a-bear present!

Brady loves his new truck!

Brady taking a ride on his new truck

Getting ready to blow out the candles

Jolee and her flower cake

Jolee feeding Brady some cake

Jolee's showing off her skills

The kids playing with the Glow Station

Grandma showing off the bear she worked sooooo hard on


PS - CONGRATS LINDSEY & JOHN!!!!

Brady Meets Santa

Brady met Santa for the first time the other day! He didn't quite want to sit down with him by himself, so Mommy got in there with him :)

Jolee's 8th Birthday Party!

Even though her birthday's not till the 17th, we decided to throw her an early birthday party. Her actual birthday is superclose to Christmas, so most of her friends are usually gone on trips and stuff. We had her party at the bowling alley, and had a ton of fun!

Jolee & some of her friends

The boys hung out in the game room for a while :)

Jolee & her friends bowling

The four of us

Getting ready 2 get into the cake!

Jolee opening presents

Christmas Parade

Today was the Christmas parade in town, and our Girl Scout troop got to have a float in it! Brian did most of the work on it, and it ended up coming together very shortly before it started. We did a 50's rock and roll theme, with a "band" playing, and girls in poodle skirts watching. Our main concern was keeping the kiddos warm, which was not easy. It was SOOOOOOO cold, and of course it was raining too. It was fun, but we're glad it's over!

Brady and Kat

Getting the float ready

Jolee with her guitar

Me and my honorary girl scout!

Me and my little gang

Brady giving us kisses through the window :)

Starting our way down the parade route

All done...we are all frozen solid!

X-Mas Float

Tomorrow is the Christmas Parade here in WP. Jolee's Girl Scout troop decided we wanted to participate in it. We have managed to make a pretty decent float! I'll post pictures tomorrow of the real deal. We also have Jolee's 8th birthday party tomorrow at the bowling alley. We are going to be soooooo tired!

New Lights

This year, we decided we wanted to do alot of lights around our place. We've got a good start, but I think there's still more to do. We're trying to figure out a way to illuminate the bows on all of the light poles. Just call us the Griswolds!

Some of what we've done so far (I say we, but Brian did it all...in the freezing cold)

Candycanes lining our driveway