Downtown in December

The day after Thanksgiving is the opening night of Downtown in December. They have a big lighting of the tree ceremony and free canal rides. So we decided to head down and check it out. First we stopped at good old Sonic for a little dinner.Brooklyn, Abbygail, Annicka, Emma, and Caijsa climbing the rock mountain.

While waiting for the lighting of the tree we had some yummy hot chocolate and enjoyed some Christmas carols, and a special dance form the ballerinas from the Nutcracker-I think next year I will take Emma to it.

Annicka, Caijsa, Emma, Brooklyn, Abbygail-there were these huge steps that the kids had fun climbing up and then jumping down them. Aiden had so much fun jumping down them that he didn't stop and jumped right in to the pond that the stairs go around! Luckily it was mostly drained out! But he still got a little wet.

We then headed over to Bricktown to ride the canal boats. The boat rides are free Thur-Sun during the month of December. The wait is a little long but the boat ride is fun.

We had a great Thanksgiving with the Benson clan. And thanks for the awesome Black Friday shopping-and opening my dad's Christmas present early-I have a new camera. Yeah!!! I have missed it :)

Papa's Big Truck

Papa Mitchell is on his way to New Jersey and was planning on driving right through OKC. The kids were so excited that Papa was coming and that they were going to see his big truck. He had tried once before to come and it didn't work out so they were extra excited this time.
We left straight from church to go and meet him at the truck stop. We hung out in his truck for a while so that everyone had a turn to "drive" it. Aiden kept saying it was Papa's turn to drive-I think that he wanted to go for a real ride.
Sorry about the pictures-we had to use a camera phone. I totally need a new camera!!!

After picking up Papa we headed back to our house for his surprise birthday party. His bday is on Wednesday and he will be at a truck stop :( So me and the kids made cake cookies-I thought it would be easier for him to take cookies on the truck then a cake-, decorated birthday cards, and got him his favorite treats for the road. Emma was so excited that Papa was having a party at our house. I think she almost told him a dozen times-if he was paying attention I am sure he figured it out! Then we sang "Happy Birthday" to him and ate dinner.

When it was time to take him back to the truck stop the kids were so sad. Emma wanted to hear all of his trucking stories. Then when it was time to say goodbye Aiden just started to cry and the whole way home he kept on saying "Papa sad say bye to me." Yes, buddy Papa is sad to say goodbye to you. And Emma kept on asking when he will come again.

We had a great time hanging out with Papa and can't wait until he drives through our town again.

RDE Carnival

Emma's school-Ralph Downs Elem-had their fall carnival tonight. The kids had a great time. We bought Emma an unlimited pass and then Aiden just tagged along. There some fun games to play, face painting, cake walk, and bouncies to jump on outside. All in all a fun family outing! Sorry no pictures. My camera broke :( Who knows when I will get another one!

Halloween

Be prepared for Halloween overload! I love Halloween! It is one of my favorites. I love to get us all dressed up and parade around.!! This year we were Star Wars. Emma is Queen Amidala, Aiden is Darth Vader, I am Princess Leia and Spencer is Anakin. I just so everyone knows, I made the kid's costumes.
Thursday we meant up with some friends and went to the "Haunt the Zoo" , it is fun to do and they have some cool backgrounds and things for the kids to look at.

This is with our friend Jackson, he was a Storm trooper so he fit right in.

On Friday we carved pumpkins when Spencer got home from work. Emma actually helped clean it out this year. I was impressed! Aiden wouldn't touch it!

Emma and I carved a witch and Spencer and Aiden carved an Alien.

Then we got dress up again and headed to our church for our pumpkin party that I was in charge of. It turned out really good. The kids were able to decorate pumpkins...

Go ghost bowling...

Play musical pumpkins-Emma, Elana, and Lilly, waiting in line...

There was also face painting, coloring, and yummy pumpkin food to eat. At the end of the night we had a parade around the church where the parents lined the hall and the kids paraded around for candy. They thought it was great. I think Aiden and Jerni made it around 2 or 3 times!
Spider man Jakey and Darth Vader Aiden -They pretty much ran around and fought each other and the other bad guys all night.

And now for the real Halloween night. We went to the mall for a little more trick or treating-no we didn't need anymore candy, I just wanted to show off my costumes! Then after our pumpkin pizza we headed out to the neighborhood. Emma wasn't feeling that great so we only made it about half way around the block. But I still think they had a good time.

Queen Amidala

Darth Vador

Happy Halloween everyone!