Yahtzee

So we were playing a couple mean games of Yahtzee last night. I'm not so good. Anyway, we were talking about it today in front of my 6 year old neice, Emma. Tom was saying I was still bragging about getting Yahtzee last night, and Emma says, "Aunt Kimi doesn't have a boat. A Yahtzee is a boat, I know and Aunt Kimi doesn't have one." She cracks me up!

Merry Christmas From Texas

Merry Christmas! Just thought I'd share some Christmas fun from Texas.

December 23

For quite a while Kinley has been begging me to go skating. I'm not exactly sure where the idea came from, but we decided to give it a try with my sister and her kidos.

Here are Holly, Leah, Kinley and Tom before we hit the ice. Of course by the time we got all laced up, it was time for a break to clean the ice.

This is Lori, Leah, me and Kinley on our first lap. Kinley was great walking on the skates on dry land, but the ice was another story. She tried really hard holding onto the rail, holding hands and me holding her, but one lap was enough. Luckily, Tom also was in need of a break, so they sat on the side and helped with everyone else.

Traditionally, after Thanksgiving we go up to BLORA to see a great light display, but this year we got to do it closer to Christmas. We were afraid of lines, but we must have timed it great. The only line was leaving through the light tunnel. We really love seeing all the displays - especially me.

The cool light tunnel you drive through when you leave.

December 25

Look what Santa brought Kinley!

The first shot of her face when she looked into the living room. This one cracks me up. She's not sure what to think.


Tom and Kinley opening up their stockings.

This is probably the best reaction she had all day!

So, outside we went to play with all the new stuff! Kinley got all her protection on to ride her bike. Let me tell you, she's not such a good driver. She doesn't understand yet how to steer, and she was getting really frustrated trying to pedal. Oh, I haven't mentioned she woke up with a terrible fever around 2am and was feverish all day - this did not help all the chaos.

After some old fashioned bike riding, she decided to drive the bee car. Did I mention she's not such a good driver?

Ryan got this cool 4-wheeler and was giving his cousins rides, and I want to say again this was probably Kinley's fault. Luckily Tom the traffic cop was right on the scene.

I guess Kinley got her license revoked because she caught a ride with Ryan back to the driveway.

For the last Christmas celebration of the day, we went out to my aunt's house for my dad's side of the family. We had a magnificent dinner! After we opened our gifts, Tom couldn't resist my silky-soft hat and scarf.

We had a great Christmas and just want to say thanks to everyone for such a special day!

What a week!

As they say, when it rains it pours. This was definately true for us this past week. We thought things were finally falling into place, but they were beginning to fall apart. First, we found renters for our house only to have them cancel at the last possible moment. Second, Kinley and I went to pick up my mom from the airport, and on the way home slid off the road into a ditch. We got a wrecker to pull us out, but my car wasn't driving so well, so we called a friend and left my car in Topeka. Tom was just able to pick my car up today, and get it back to Manhattan. We drove down to Texas in Tom's car only to get here and take it to the shop to get the brake pads and rotors changed. Our friends have been trying to help Tom move out of the apartment, but one of their cars broke down and the other got in a wreck on the icy roads in Manhattan. So, needless to say things are not going well. I pray that we can only go up from here.

Warm?

I was working on the computer trying to get Tom's passport updated, and Kinley says to me, "Mom, I can wear these 'cause they can keep me all warm." I turned around to this...

Now, I don't know about y'all, but I think I might need a little more to "keep me all warm."

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Chirstmas!

As most of you know, I love Christmas. One great thing about living in Kansas is that its so cold it helps get me in the Christmas mood. This weekend was very Christmasy for us. On Friday night we went to the Manhattan Christmas Parade. It was soooo cold, but great fun. Somehow, the men found better things to do - big surprise.

Kinley got tuckered out with all the excitement of the parade, so she had to nap to get her second wind.


We thought this truck with antlers was really cool!


The big fire truck!

Little cold during the parade, but lots of fun.

Santa waving at Kinley! She always says - That's my friend!

Saturday night we had a gingerbread house building party. We got together and here are the results. Not to shabby for amateur.

Kinley and Tom worked hard on their house. Ok, Tom worked hard and Kinley ate the candy and put a few on the house.

Tom & Kinley's finished house (it collapsed not 2 minutes after the picture)

My attempt at a cute little country house.

Couldn't leave this out...Tricia and John got Kinley a great new "dancing skirt". It came with a light-up feather boa, a feather crown, and the skirt plays the nutcracker music. I wish I could have got a picture of her face when she first realized what it was, but that's how it goes. This was Sunday after church. You can tell she thinks its the best ever!