Merry Christmas VLOG from the Keeler Kids~

SUCK IT SEARS~

Preparing small children for getting professional photo's done is a long and complicated process.

It takes serious planning and preparation, but if all goes well, you come out with some great pictures.

We took G&D to Sears to get their Holiday pictures taken.  I spent an hour straightening Grace's hair, another hour getting both kids dressed.  Then add in all the mental prep and false promises made to the children.  Especially to Denny, who is now in the "I am not smiling for the camera" stage.

Once we arrived, we were greeted by our "photographer."  Bob and I already sensed we were in trouble.  Once we started our session we learned that she was new, all though there was no need for her to speak the words.  It was very obvious.  

Long story short, on about thirty frames, not one was even close to acceptable.  So we walked out with nothing.  

So this year when your Christmas card collection doesn't include one from the Keeler's, it's not because we stopped loving you.  It's because Sears took a big dump on our holiday cheer. 

The Mutt Meets Clause~

Here's Archie this morning meeting Santa at Petco.  Bob went for a run with him and they stopped at the store.  Lo and behold, Santa was there so Archie hung with Mr. Clause for a bit and told him a few things on his wish list.  

I guess Archie was a big hit at the store.  People were lovin' them some Goldendoodle.  I always laugh because whenever we take Archie places, we are constantly stopped and people pet the dog and ask millions of questions.  We always here about how cute he is and blah, blah, blah.  But then when we are at home, everyone who comes over can't stand the dog b/c he is so obnoxious and he will eat your expensive shoes.  

Our front door used to be a revolving door of friends and fam stopping over.  Now I am lucky if I can get my Mom over my house for my birthday.  I know it's the dog, not me, right?

Regardless, I love the mutt and he was in need of a post, so here it is.  BTW, Arch went to the vet the other day and weighed in at 96 lbs.   He is fat the Vet said, and not with a PH.  Fat with a big fat F.  He needs to lose 5 lbs and I guarantee it will happen soon since he is Bob's new running partner.  And we swapped his milk bones with baby carrots.  Happy Holidays Archie.

ELFIN' AROUND

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

NEVER ENDING CHRISTMAS JOY

Our Christmas began a few days early this year. Our family is large and there is never enough time to fit it all in during the traditional 48 hours of Christmas festivities.
So we began our celebration last weekend with Bob's Mom, Joe and his two kids. Bob and I drove with the kids and Archie to a beautiful cabin in the country. We sat by the fire, sang Christmas carols, went on walks and let the Christmas spirit take over.

G&D at the cabin with Gma Deb, Papa Joe & a local dog

Christmas eve was spent at my Uncle Dan's house and then to Bob's sisters. We were out until almost 1am. Then Bob and I were up until 3am helping Santa set everything up.

G&D with all their second cousins on Xmas eve

Aunt Beckie reading to Grace, Denny & Joey

Our traditional 3am xmas eve shot. A mixture of exhaustion & excitement


Christmas morning was at my Mom's where G&D were spoiled with overflowing presents. Then we spent the rest of the day trying to get organized and playing with all the new stuff.


Xmas morning at my Mom and Dave's

Christmas evening we spent with Bob's brother Tim and our friends Jess and Leo. We bowled on the wii and drank too much wine.

Bob, Me, Jess & Leo

After all of this, it's still not over. Tonight my brother and Patty are coming over for dinner and gifts. Then we hope to sleep for at least 3 days straight. We hope everyone had a blessed and wonderful Christmas. Thank you and Merry Christmas kisses and hugs to all our out of town family. We love and miss you all!

WE'RE ALL DANCING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

On Friday Grace's dance class had a Christmas party. So all the parents were able to watch the girls dance for a 1/2 hour then they all snacked on cookies and other goodies. The teacher asked that the girls wear red and green for the party instead of their regular dance gear. I could see such an improvement already from the last time we sat in her class. The girls did the cutest x-mas dance. Once I get more organized, I will post the video on here. Until then, I hope these pictures capture the sweetness of it all.

On Saturday we had Bob's work party. I was super excited because he has only been with this company for a few months so it was my first time meeting everyone. We took the kids to Mom and Joe's and got a hotel in Westlake where the party was. The dinner was amazing and the drinks were even better. I was sucking down Pinot like the world was coming to an end. I wish I would have asked the bartender what brand it was b/c it was delicious! So after X amount of drinkies, I was busting a move. I haven't danced in a long ass time. Then the bonus of an already great night was meeting up with my girl Stacia after the party ended. It was a much needed, fun filled night out for Bob and I.

THE HUNT FOR THE PERFECT TREE

We finally put our tree up on Wednesday night. We have an artificial one and that's totally cool with me. Bob had a great idea though the other night. He set the tree up outside in the backyard and told the kids we were going out to pick our tree. It was so cute and G&D were so excited to go out in the dark and find "their" Christmas tree.
Denny and Bob cut it down and then we all carried it into the house to decorate. Archie thinks it is one big chew toy, placed in the living room for his pleasure only.
So now I think we are all set for Christmas. I finished the cards last night and will send those out this weekend. I have a couple more things to buy and that's all folks. We just sit back, relax and wait for Santa to arrive.

LIGHTS IN THE CITY

This weekend we ventured downtown to go see the lights at Public Square. I've lived in Cleveland almost my entire life and have never been downtown to see the lights.

The lights were nice and got me more into the xmas spirit, but it was Old Stone Church that took my breath away. I can't believe I have never noticed this church before. It's one of the most gorgeous things I've seen. One of these days after the holiday madness I would love to go to mass there. I can only imagine what the inside looks like. My camera ran out of juice so I didn't get a picture of it.

Other goodies this weekend included watching Superbad. If you haven't see it yet, rent it. You'll get a good laugh. But don't watch it around the kids unless you want the F-bomb to become their word of choice.

Happy Holidays

My boy & his new guitar

Roar!!!

Where do I start? First off, I hope you all had a beautiful, wonderful Christmas!!!

Hair cut for Aerial

Dancin' @ Uncle George's

On x-mas eve we went to Bobs uncle George's house. We saw lots of family that we never see enough. Usually only once or twice a year. So it was nice to get caught up with everyone. After Uncle George's we went over to Becky & Pete's house. The kids opened up presents and played for a good couple of hours. We got home around 11 and the kids crashed out. Then it was work time for Bob & I. We were up until almost 3am putting together toys. Then Grace woke at 7:30am on Christmas morning, ready to see what Santa had brought. Of course we had to wake Denny up. He would have slept until noon if we let him.

X-mas cookies @ Aunt Beckie's

G&D loved all their toys, and we loved watching them open each present, so excited to see what's inside. We did learn a lesson though. Next year, we aren't going to buy SOOOO much stuff. I think Bob and I were super psyched this year b/c Grace was really into it. Now we know, a couple of gifts is more than enough. Plus everyone else spoils them rotten :)

Later in the morning we headed over to my moms house for breakfast and more toys than you can imagine. There were gifts overflowing! My favorite being (and this was for bob and i) home made greeting cards from my Auntie Donna. I will scan some of the photos that she took and put them up here one of these days. Thank you Auntie Donna.

3am x-mas morning; presents wrapped, assembled & ready to go

Christmas evening Tim, Kelly & Joey came over. We also got a call from Florida, and Grace was able to talk to Grandma & Grandpa Keeler. Then our friends Jessica and Leo came by and we played some bowling on the Nintendo until 1am. So today we are exhausted and ready for a good nights sleep.

Bob & his Wii

I know I have more to write, but I really am to tired to even put a sentence together. I will share more (& less condensed) X-mas stories through out the week.

Visit With Santa

This is the first time that Grace did not cry when she sat on Santa's lap. She actually talked to him this year and told him what she wanted. It made me sad in a weird way. Denny, as you can see, really could care less about the entire encounter.

Pre-Kiss-Miss Perfection

Grace is saying, "Oh, it's a pillow for monkey." She was so happy. Then we told her, "no, open that up too." Inside she found a purse from Uncle Eric & Nicole, filled with clips and lip gloss. Then she was even more happy.



G&D helping Uncle Eric blow out his candles

Let me set the scene for you. We walked into Mom and Joe's beautiful home yesterday evening. Grace and Denny filled with anticipation and excitement to see Grandma and Papa and, of course, knowing there will be presents that need to be opened.
They had a fire blazing, tree full of ornaments and lights, X-mas music blaring, and the aroma of a delicious dinner filled the air. The perfect setting for an evening with family.
The menu: chicken paperkosh (no idea how to spell, but i love it), flank steak & salad. I ate way too much, but there was no stopping me. Everything tasted so darn good. I'm all about food before I get back to basics.

We spent lots of time watching the babies play (of course), laughing and enjoying the all around goodness.
We also celebrated Eric's 26th birthday. It's not until January 4th, but since he's in town, we took the opportunity to celebrate that as well.

Grandma Debbie & Papa Joe with the babes.

All around fun night. Eric & Nicole seriously spoiled us with their gift. From Crate & Barrell (one of the best stores on earth) they got us new plates, bowls, cups...the whole sha-bang. The style is exactly what I would have picked out. I can not wait to clear out all our old junk and bring in the new. Then have a little dinner party to show it all off.

Heavy D checking out his new dump truck

I must spoil some of the goodness here and tell you about the drive home. The 45-minute drive home, in the dark, fog and rain. We were about 18 seconds gone from Grandma and Papa's when Grace decided to turn it up a notch. She started with the whining, then proceeded to the shouting, then crying, then SCREAMING bloody murder. This lasted for 38 minutes. Bob and I decided (after the first 4 minutes) to ignore it; that was our game plan and we were sticking to it. I am pretty sure Eric will never have children now, so I am sorry about that. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a car with a screaming child. I know I have said that before and I will say it again & again. Thankfully Denny didn't start it up with her. Instead he just clicked his tongue and moved his little hands to the oldies on the radio.

Once we arrived home, both babies went to bed easily, dreaming about the great night we had.

Our new dinner set

WINDOW IN, TREE UP

Breakfast @ Grandma's

MMM, real pancakes

Wednesday morning Bob kicked me and the kids out of the house so he could install our new window. We put a bow window in our front room. The results are fabulous. It looks so pretty and feels much warmer in our house (the front window was the last original window in the house, and you could feel the cold air seeping through it.)
While the window was being installed, me and the kids went to my moms for breakfast. She made us pancakes. My kids were amazed that Grandma's pancakes didn't come out of the microwave like ours do. Then I left for awhile and did some shopping for the kids x-mas clothes. I bought the cutest outfits for them. I might dress them up tonight and try to get the shot for our x-mas cards.
Our tree is up! We put it up on Wednesday night, and even put a train around the bottom. I know, what were thinking with the train? It looks cool and Bob and I were so excited about it. Let me tell you that little elves were pulled off (that were screwed onto the train) before the train was even put together. Once the train started moving, it was off the track before the 1st lap.

X-mas Shoes

Today was the first snowy, snowy day of the winter. I know what lies ahead...more snow, more cold for the next few months. That means lots of time stuck in the house, which tends to drive me mad. Cabin fever. I get it, the kids get it. I know I can still go out and about with them, but it is such a long, exhausting process trying to get 2 kids bundled up, cars warmed, layers removed once at our destination, layers and coats, hats, and mittens back on, etc...

My camera is "working" again, but I've noticed that a lot of my pictures are coming out fuzzy, and if there is any light in the back round, it is blurred. I can deal with that though. Plus I have my other really nice camera (not digital) that I don't use enough.

Getting the train ready for take off

I spent much of the day today sneaking out toys from G&D's room. This is a process Bob and I have been working on for a month now. They have so many toys, but majority is junk, or parts & pieces from formerly "good" toys. We need to make room for all the new stuff that Santa will be bringing.
Here's a quick funny...as i was sitting here typing, Grace came up to me and said "Mommy, Denny has diarrhea and he stinks." So I went into the room where they were playing, and sure enough, he had a blow out and it was all over his shirt and pants. Oh the luxury of parenting. It is never ending.