Christmas Day

 Santa came!  Daniel got the Thomas the Train Power Wheels & Rachael got the pink Fisher Price camera she wanted (hiding under the Santa hat)

 Only a few of the presents Rachael got...wow.

 A few of the presents Daniel got including some new big boy plates & cups, Thomas of course.

 Mommy's stocking, Daniel's Stocking & Rachael's stocking filled with MORE GOODIES!!!

Santa put Darby's stocking inside the new dog house Rachael bought him, which Daniel has been in & out of more than Darby!  He wants that stocking so badly, but refused to climb in & get it...silly dog.

 Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas---It's Daniel Claus!

 Very excited to go over to their cousin's Billy & Tommy's House for Christmas Dinner & more presents.  Rachael couldn't wait to give the boys their gifts.

 Our cuties...Daniel, Billy, Rachael & Tommy J

 Tommy is finally having fun playing with Daniel now because as he put it "he not a baby anymore, we can wrestle."  And boy did they...Daniel was in heaven rough housing with him!

 Family Dinner, Minus Kelly who was taking the picture!  

 Daniel, Rachael & Tommy playing in the box of wrapping paper, they were laughing so hard & having so much fun.

 New football jerseys...We love the Eagles, so Boppa got a new DeSean Jackson jersey (awesome) & Bobby got a Troy Polamalu jersey from the Steelers (booooo).

Bilibo!  Daniel got a blue on & Rachael got a pink one.  The kids have had so much fun with them...thank you Auntie Kelly & Uncle Bobby!  I will take video of them tomorrow playing with them, they just laugh & laugh.

Christmas Eve

 Right after Christmas Eve Mass.  The kids were good & the church was packed, but luckily there was an usher who worked his tail off to find me a spot to sit with the kids.  

 My cuties posing before opening their first Christmas Present, which is traditionally new Pajamas.  Every other year that has been the only Christmas Eve gift, but this year, we're all about "change" and making New Traditions...

 So, our new Tradition....we opened ALL our presents Christmas Eve!  It was so much fun because no one was exhausted from an early morning wake up, and the kids were patient taking turns opening presents.  

 My first Child Made Ornament from Rachael.  I love it, and hung it on the tree.  It's a terracotta pot with glitter on it & bells hanging from the inside.  It is beautiful & so special. Also notice my new Reindeer Jammies that Rachael picked out & paid for all by herself (with some money I slipped in her little wallet!)

We gave Boppa a Webcam so he can Skype with his brothers & sister in Pennsylvania.  He was thinking about buying one before Christmas, but I talked him out of it until the "after Christmas Sales!"  He was so surprised & happy!

Rachael got Toy Story Yahtzee, which she was very excited about although she has no idea how to play it.

 This is one of two Thomas the Train Sets Daniel got...he got James Works it Out & some Thomas set...he loves them.

Rachael got a toy violin from Grandma & Boppa since she's been talking about the violin so much.  I am seriously considering getting her some lessons, she is so musical!

 To go along with Boppa grooming Daniel to be a star athlete (just joking) Boppa got Daniel a Little Tikes Basketball hoop.  He LOVES it & is actually good at it!  So now, he plays golf, can throw a football with both hands straight, and can hit a ball off a tee...maybe he will be an athlete?!

 Look how cute they are in their matching jammies!  They are posing with their new Elmo game for the Wii.  It works on letters, which is exactly the perfect thing for Rachael right now. I couldn't let the kids think Tim gave them nothing, so I told them that Daddy sent it to them.  I'm not sure if they were more excited that it was the Wii game, or that it was from their daddy.

For Grandma Rachael wanted to get her all her favorite things & make her a basket.  So, we bought her tea she drinks, the coffee she likes, some cookies she likes, etc.  Then she decorated the basket with ribbons.  Grandma loved it because it was so thoughtful. 

This Disney Princess Castle was the big present from Grandma & Boppa & boy was she excited!  She already had a lot of the little princesses that fit with this castle, so this was the perfect toy.  She saw it in the store & I told her it was just too much money, so she forgot about it, but leave it to Grandma & Boppa to come through!

Christmas Dinner at Auntie Michele & Uncle Nick's

 Rachael & Andy cuddling on the big cozy red chair...he looks so excited!  He loved Rachael rubbing his belly though.

 Family picture, amazing we're all smiling...love my babies!

Uncle Nick & Auntie Michele, Rach & Daniel...too cute.

Last night, we made the trek to Shakopee for Christmas dinner with my friend Michele (from College) & her fiance, Uncle "Pizza" Nick.  He owns to pizza businesses & since the kids have two Uncle Nick's, Rachael thought it appropriate to add Pizza to this Nick!  We ate dinner (pizza) & exchanged presents.  Oh man, were the kids pleased!  Rachael got a pink Princess Bike Helmet, so she can pass the Sesame Street one down to Daniel.  She also got Chuck E. Cheese games for Wii & the Dora the Explorer Wii game.  She was soooooo excited to play them, she woke me this morning with the games in hand!  Daniel got a really cool Lego Thomas Set, that he played with all afternoon on his train table...he loves it!  

When we got in the car Rachael said she couldn't believe how perfect Michele knows her to get such wonderful gifts.  It was so cute, she went on & on about how "in tune with each other they are."  Rachael & Daniel are the flower girl & ring bearer in Michele & Nick's wedding in May & Rachael is so excited! 

We had so much fun & the kids played with Auntie Breanna & other friends, Zach & Terry.  It was pretty funny because Rachael & Daniel are very affectionate kids & they kept hugging & kissing Zach & Terry, who aren't used to kids!  I could tell they were a little uncomfortable but were great sports about it.  The kids had so much fun & stayed up WAY past bedtime, which was fine with no plans today!   

Christmas Show

 Caught making faces at her little brother to make him laugh!

 Singing their little hearts out & looking so cute!

 The boy in the vest is Grady....Rachael's Favorite!

 My beautiful angel!

 Miss Wendy lighting Jesus' Birthday Cake

Sitting in front of our tree with no shortage of presents!!!

Today was Rachael's Christmas performance at school.  It was adorable & so much fun to watch.  Daniel sat very quietly & watched his big sister!  


Boppa Reuben & Papa Farm came to watch too & took tons of pictures & movies.  We all got to go downstairs for cake &  apple juice after the performance.  Rachael was so in love with her dress & felt like a princess in it she said.  She was also very pleased with how she sang...LOUD!  She did great & I was very proud of her too.  


The boy in the back left corner in the green shirt & blond hair is Charlie.  He has quite a crush on Rachael.  He made her a star from some beads that he had to put into a mold one by one, & then asked his mom to iron them together (to melt them) for Rachael. His mom asked him why he wanted to do something special for Rach & he said because she is the prettiest & nicest girl in his class.  I agree :)

With Heavy Hearts...

I am so sorry it's been so long since I've blogged!  We have been busy...with the flu!  It hit me first & it hit me hard.  Grandma & Grandpa farm had them for last weekend & when Rachael came home she said she wasn't feeling well & her tummy was hurting.  Later that night it hit her & two days later Daniel.  It has not been pretty around our household!


We do have the tree up & are preparing for Christmas.  I will take some pictures & update tomorrow.


Tonight we are very sad to learn that our wonderful neighbor, Dick Chronowski, passed away this morning from a brain tumor.  He had just started Hospice Monday, so this happened quickly.  I used to babysit his daughters Alex & Erika, both college students now.  His wife Patty is extremely upset.  He was a wonderful neighbor & loved seeing the kids ride their bikes down the court.  He always had a smile on his face & kind words to say to Rachael & Daniel.  He will surely be missed.  Please keep Patty & their family & friends in your thoughts & prayers during this incredibly difficult time.   Thank You. 

the REAL Santa Claus

Tuesday was my birthday, I'm officially in my 30s...WOW!  The kids made me really cute cupcakes, and I got a 24 hr flu, ish. But, before getting sick, we made it to our SANTA appointment!

 Santa got them to hold hands, I love this picture so much.  This is TOTALLY them!

 Giving Santa Claus Big Hugs!  They loved him so much & I am happy we were the first in line!

 High Fives for Santa as he told them to listen to their mommy, brush their teeth, do her homework, clean up after themselves.  He asked them what their favorite vegetables are and Daniel said Carrots, Rachael said Celery. 

 Rachael telling Santa Claus she wants a pink kids digital camera.  He looked up at me to see if I gave him the ok, I smiled & shook my head, so he told Rachael she will be a happy girl come Christmas morning!!!!

 Hanging out with Santa in the beginning trying to get Daniel Comfortable with Santa Claus.   Apparently there is a Santa Convention & he comes out on top every year, because there are awards & Ribbons hung all over the place.  He spends 5-7 minutes with each group of children, which is why he is an appointment only Santa.  You pick your time slot, and you may wait a few minutes, but never too long.  Luckily, we were first in line, so it was wonderful.  He did say that they children had WONDERFUL MANNERS.  Rachael truly believes that this is the REAL Santa & explained it all to Daniel.  It was too cute & I wish I could've recorded it.

Sitting on the bench, waiting for the Man in the Red Suit to come out!  Notice the adorable matching shirts!  Not sure how long I can get away with the matchy-matchy thing, but I love it.  They got a kick out of it too, Daniel LOVED looking like Rach!

Off to the Theatre...

Saturday night, Rachael, Mommy, Grandma Rose Ann & Boppa went to the Stages Theatre in Hopkins, to see the Play "Junie B. Jones  Jingle Bells, Batman Smells."  We had a wonderful time & laughed so hard.  Rachael of course thought it was hilarious, as Junie B. can be quite the naughty little girl & says some pretty fun things.  

 This was in the lobby, it looked very similar to the set in the play.  Rachael was so excited to sit in the desk & pretend she was in the play!

 We got there early, so Rachael had some waiting to do, she wanted to go in so badly!  This is her asking if it's time yet, for the hundredth time!

Mommy & Rachael in our seats, waiting for the show to start!  The awesome thing about this Children's Theatre is that they have booster seats for the kids.  They have velcro on the botton, so it sticks to the seat, so it won't shift for the child.  With the booster, she was able to sit high enough to see over people's heads, which was nice.  But, she wanted to sit on my lap for a lot of it, which I LOVED!

Daniel had his first night with a babysitter without Rachael.  He has been very clingy to me lately, whining "Mommy Mommy, I Neeeeed You."  I was definitely a little nervous to drop him off, although I knew things would be fine with Auntie Becky & Uncle Nick.  He ate almost an entire box of mac & cheese, as Becky said "He kept asking for more!!!"  He was fine until the Elmo movie I sent over with him was over & Becky tried to get him to lay down with her in bed.  Then he got upset & wanted Mommy.  Luckily we were about 25 minutes from their home at that point.

All in all it was a VERY fun night!  The next play we have tickets to is "If you Give a Moose a Muffin" in January.  We're bringing Daniel to that one!!! 

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving 2010 was ok.  It was strange not being together as a full family, I think we're still adjusting to this "new normal."  Becky & Nick, Bobby, Kelly & the boys, My Aunt Jean, Uncle Gary & Cody came over, and then all of us.  Everyone brought something which made things much easier on Grandma.  


I got everything set out & ready, we set it all up on the counter which made things go much smoother than trying to pass everything around the table.  Rachael, Daniel, Nick, Becky & I sat in the formal dining room at the "kids table"  Becky even got a place mat to color on, with Rachael & Daniel!

Kelly, Tommy, Bobby & Billy Lopez

The Entire Lopez-Collins-Carson Family

What to choose?  Apple, Pumpkin, Key Lime or Ice Cream?!

No matter who is playing, Daniel is cheering for the Eagles!!!

My Blessings & What I am Thankful For

Coloring at the kids table

We hope that you all had safe & Happy Thanksgivings & were able to take some time to reflect on whatever you're thankful for.  Now, the countdown to Christmas is on!  Tomorrow we are going to get our Christmas tree up & decorate the house.  Also, tomorrow evening, Rachael, Mommy, Grandma & Boppa are going to the Stages Children's Theater to see the Christmas Junie B. Jones Play....we can't wait!!!