Christmas

We woke up Christmas morning and had breakfast while we waited for Grandpa Victor to come over.  This year was a little different because we set up "Skype" so that we could let Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Dallan watch the kids open presents.  So, instead of Christmas being focused toward the camera, everything was directed at the computer.  It was pretty neat and a good way to let my parents be involved in Christmas when they are so far away.  Kennedy's gifts this year included a DS, DS games and accessories, and toys.  Talen got a new DVD/VCR combo for his room (his old one died about a month ago), movies, and toys to help with his exercises. 

 After we did our own family Christmas's, we went back over to Robin's where the grand kids did their gift exchange.  Kennedy got these cute boots from Hailey and Talen got a movie from Dylan.  The adults also did a mini white elephant gift exchange.  Jay and I came home with utensils and an I-Pod docking station. 

We spent the rest of the day playing games (like the newlywed game) and enjoying each others company. 

Christmas Eve

On our way to Robin's, we were driving down River Road and all the sudden-Santa Claus appeared.  Of course, this wasn't the real Santa (because he is too busy tonight), but it was fun to see a Santa cruising along on his motorcycle!  You wouldn't believe how many people were honking and waving!!

After dinner, all the grand kids played the infamous "walnut game."  And, of course, they all got spoiled.  Kennedy got everything Tinkerbell and Talen got lots of movies and toys.  The adults also got their own "walnut game" and I have to say, I think that Jay and I made out with the best stuff this year.  Yeah us!!!  And Thanks to Grandma Robin for giving us an enjoyable and memorable evening.

Since it was Christmas Eve, we had to do our own little traditional Christmas Eve present.  The kids got . . . pajamas!!!  Kennedy's were Tinkerbell and Talen got a "Paul Frank" monkey set.  How adorable!!! 

Dinner with the Pulsiphers

Since we have Christmas with the Vaughn's this year, we decided to have a little dinner and exchange gifts with Cathy & Cory's family on Christmas Eve Eve (the 23rd).  I always love spending time with them because no matter what we do, it is always a nice relaxing evening.  After a yummy dinner, the kids opened their presents.  Kennedy got Zoobles and Talen got a new toy to help with his exercises.  The only sad part is that Scotty was missing.  I guess if he has to be somewhere else, the MTC is the perfect place to be!

Sweet Talen!!

Since having help with Talen's exercises, there has been a sweet little family, the Donovan's, that has really gone above and beyond.  They have babysat for us and done exercises with Talen multiple times.  The sweet part is that the entire family is involved.  So when they came over to work with Talen just before Christmas, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when they brought gifts.  Talen got this cute little dog (it works great with his exercises) and a football.  Kennedy got a Littlest Pet Shop (they know my kids so well).  Anyway, after the exercises, I laid Talen down to relax and watch some tv with his new puppy.  When I walked back in the room a couple minutes later, this is what I found.  What an adorable sight!!

BABY VAUGHN #3 ULTRASOUND

On December 14th I had another doctor appointment.  I have gained 8 more pounds!!  Holy cow, either this baby is going to be huge or I need to cut back a bit (I am thinking it is probably more of the latter!)  Other than that, the appointment went well.  We also scheduled and had the baby's ultrasound on the 21st.  We left Talen with Cathy and, after much convincing, took Kennedy with us to see the baby.  (turns out she didn't want to go because she had looked in one of Jay's psychology books and saw pictures of an unborn baby.  I guess it scared her a bit because she said that it looked like an "alien")  Everything on the ultrasound looked good but Jay was not too happy when I made the tech turn off the monitors that we were watching when she was checking the measurements "down there."  Kennedy peeked at the tech's screen and she swears that she saw that the baby was a girl, but I don't think she really knew what she was looking at anyway.  So, here is our new baby . . .

FACE AND ARM

 PROFILE

 

 

 

THE BABY YAWNING

 OUR BABY IN 3D!!!

 PLAYING PEEK-A-BOO

Channel 5 & Nadine Whimmer visit Riverside Elementary!!!

 

Riverside Elementary won the opportunity for the Channel 5 news helicopter and Nadine Whimmer to visit the school.  They started a new reading program this year and because Riverside had nearly every student sign up for the program they won!!  Kennedy was so excited!!  They walked all the kids out just in time to see the helicopter land.  Then, Mrs. Whimmer came out and told the kids how proud she was of them for making reading so important in their lives.  She award some of the "top readers" prizes and was getting ready to leave when a "special guest" showed up.  Santa Claus came!!  He helped bring in a truck full of new, free books for the school.  Later that night, the event was broadcast on the Channel 5 news at 10!  We recorded it and if you looked really closely you could see the tip-top of Kennedy's head!!  

Talen's School Picture

When they sent home a note saying that they would be having school pictures the next day, I didn't figure that I would be getting any since Talen is so hard to photograph.  But when they came back, I was utterly shocked at what a good job they had done.  So I gave in and bought one.  What a cutie pie!!