New Years Eve

We went to my Mom & Michael's house to celebrate New Year's.  It was the last day the Mulgrew family was in Iowa....so it was one last time all the kids were able to play together.  Two of my aunts and uncles came over to see all the kids, talk, and have a nice lunch.

We played cards while the kids watched a movie!

Happy New Year!  I hope 2012 brings good health and happiness to all of you!

Christmas with my Mom's side

We celebrated Christmas with Grandma Peggy and Papa Michael on Friday, December 30 when my brother and his family came home from Minnesota.  It was a nice day with family.  The girls had fun playing with their cousins....and were excited to open presents!  We had a mini-concert put on by the kids and Grandma Peggy read the traditional Mitten Story. 

 Molly is LOVING her Barney that Santa brought her!!!  Of course, she had to bring him along!  This picture makes me smile though....as she really, truly, adores all of her stuffed animal toys!

 5 cousins!

 This picture would have been PERFECT if Matthew was looking!  The four older ones are all smiling great!

 We tried getting all five to look at the camera and smile!!!

 Our BELL - Jingle Bells - Concert put on by the kids

 Grandma Peggy and Papa Michael and their grandchildren

 SISTERS

 Grandma gave all the kids rocks with their names on them

(Matthew got one too, but he was sleeping at this time)

 Kelly LOVES the big boxes!

 She got a Disney Princess Box Kite from the Mulgrew's

 Molly opening her present from the Mulgrew's

 A Strawberry Shortcake Remote Control Car

 The boys showing off the batman tool belts that we gave them.

 Molly trying out her new remote control car while we take a break from opening presents.

 She loves it!

 Kelly got a charm bracelet maker with accessory packs from Grandma and Papa

 Molly got ANOTHER stuffed animal.....this time Smurfette...and of course she loves it!

 A pretty cool Paper Jams microphone!

 Dora and Baby Boots in a stroller

 Dolphin Tale DVD....Molly got Smurfs....and we have watched both of them A LOT already!  They are both really good movies!

 Kelly's BIG present.....

 ....Cookie FurReal Dog!!!

(She had her fingers crossed that she was getting Cookie as it was the last thing on her Christmas list that she REALLY wanted!)

**Christmas was a success in Miss Kelly's eyes!!!

 Molly opening her big present....

 ....a mini lalaloopsey tree-house with accessory dolls

 Kelly went right to Grandma Peggy FIRST to give her a hug for Cookie!!!

Molly went right to Papa Michael to say thank-you for her presents!  That's pretty much how it goes around here....Kelly & Grandma....and Molly & Papa.

 We gave Ben a fancy scooter

 This is how Matthew opened presents....doing YOGA!

Daniel got a Forest Grapple crane from us.

It was a great end to our Christmas Week of Celebrations!

Papa Bear & Grandma Jackie

 After Beckman Dance Camp, we went to my Dad's house as my brother and his family were celebrating Christmas with Papa Bear and Grandma Jackie.

Papa Bear and Grandma Jackie with the Snyder and Mulgrew grand-children

Kelly, Molly, and Daniel showing Matthew how his new toy works!

Kelly at Beckman dance camp

Kelly attended a 3 day dance camp at Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville.  Today, on the last day of camp, we were able to watch for the last 20 minutes.  It was a camp for Kindergarten through 6th graders.

**First the BCHS dance team performed their state winning routine

**Next was all the Kindergarten and 1st graders

**Then the 2nd & 3rd graders

**Followed by the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders

Each of those groups had their own, different routine.  At the end, everyone came together for one last dance.  During the dance they split the group into four...and said B*C*H*S....Kelly is in the last group for the "S".  It was really cute!  Kelly has had a great time at dance camp....she already asked if she can go next year!

 Kelly is all SMILES in the front!!!

Getting ready for KICKS!!!

 Kelly with her two best friends!!

(Cambrie, Kelly, and Sophia)

The girls with their dance teacher/coach!

Molly LOVED watching her big sister perform!!!

The kindergarten and first graders!!

FINALE - the entire dance camp of 55 girls plus 12 high school coaches

45 YEARS!!!!

 We celebrated Tom & Pat's 45 year wedding anniversary with dinner at Country Junction Restaurant in Dyersville.  Yes, they got married on December 27 - during the holiday craziness!!!  We had a nice meal with our family and their close friends, Jim and Pat Bonert followed by cupcakes.

Happy 45 years!!!

 They are both SMILING!!!!

(Kelly sang them a Happy Anniversary song....and the cupcakes almost fell off the tray!)

 The Snyder family

Great friends!

(ALL FOUR OF THEM ARE SMILING!!!!!)

Happy 45 year anniversary!

We were happy to be able to celebrate with you!!!

Jumpin Janes with Emily's daycare kids!

 Molly and I enjoyed a day at Jumpin Janes with Emily Salow's daycare kids!  Emily is our neighbor and has her own in-home daycare.  She has two kids of her own that get along great with Kelly and Molly.  My girls went to Emily's after school while I was coaching this past season.  Emily asked if I would help her transport and watch the kids if she had a little Christmas party for her daycare kids at Jumpin Janes in Dubuque.  Unfortunately, Kelly wasn't able to come as she was already signed up for Beckman Dance Camp for three days and we have Christmas with my mom on the only other day of Christmas break.  It worked out great though....Molly had a fun time at Jumpin Janes while Kelly had dance camp and a playdate at her friend Cambrie's house.

 Molly loves the slides!!!

 Molly has ALWAYS been my climber!  Here she is with Lexi climbing up to the slide.

Having fun with her friend Lexi

 Jump, Jump, Jump!!!

 Emily brought all the kids decorated sugar cookies!

 Lexi & Molly loving their cookie treat!

 Riding the carousel...I love Molly's expression!

 Carousel Cara soul fun!!!  Molly pretty much played with Lexi most of the day.  Here are Molly (3), Finn (3), Lexi (5), and Harper (2) riding the carousel together.  All Emily's daycare kids had matching blue shirts.