Kaylee turns 8!

Kaylee had a lot of fun turning 8 this year!!  She got her ears pierced...something she has been waiting patiently to do for almost an entire year.  We then went to Dairy Queen for birthday treats to celebrate no tears.  At home we had brownies, opened gifts and played Headbanz Act Up...a combination of Headbanz and charades.  Grandpa & Grandma McSweeney came up this past weekend to celebrate some more.  On Sunday she had her birthday party at the Humane Society in Cedar Falls.  The kids got to feed the dogs some treats after getting to visit with them a little bit.  They made up new treats for the dogs to enjoy later...the give them frozen treats so it takes a while to enjoy them.  Then they made up some toys with cat food in them and Kaylee was able to give some to the kittens.  She was the only one allowed in the kitten room but all of the kids were allowed in the cat room to finish handing out the cat treats.   Most of them seemed to enjoy all of the cats.   And wow was there a lot of cats!!

We told Kaylee that we were not coming home with a dog!  I think that she was secretly (or not so secretly) hoping that we would change our minds.  It did not happen.  She had a great time at her party!  She asked all of her friends to give gifts to the humane society instead of bringing gifts for her.  She LOVES animals and was happy for them to have new toys and products that they need while at the humane society and waiting to be adopted.

All of the birthday gifts for the animals!

Kaylee's Music Class Performance

Kaylee's 2nd grade music gave a sampling of what they have been doing in music so far this year.  We enjoyed being able to see all of the things she is learning.

Snow Fun!

Holiday Fun

Every year since Matt & I started dating, we have celebrated the holidays in the same fashion.  We start in MN and celebrate Christmas Eve with my family.  Christmas Eve is a big party with as much family as possible.  This year John & Kim hosted the fun!  Christmas Day morning the kids open a Santa gift (that Santa is a busy guy in our family and makes multiple stops) and we open gifts with Mom & Dad/Grandpa & Grandma...well now Grandpa gifts.  After that we quickly eat breakfast and pack up the car and head to Wisconsin.  In Wisconsin we celebrate with Matt's side of the family and Santa also makes a quick stop to fill stockings before we all arrive.   It's a lot of fun and we love seeing all of our family but we are always exhausted and anxious to come home.  Once we get home, Santa has also made a stop here and there are more gifts to open.

 Celebrating their gift to the Wisconsin Dells in February