Emerson came bounding into our room at about 3 a.m. and all I could think was I am not ready for this early of a morning to begin. Thankfully all she wanted to do was snuggle with us. At 7:30 she awoke from a dead sleep proclaiming, "I think Santa came, let's go see!" We allowed her to go and look but Santa had been crafty and all her presents from him were wrapped. She was able to open her stocking and brought Jason and I ours so that we could open them. 
Emerson took a couple of items from her stocking to her room and came back telling us she heard Sawyer talking. I investigated and yes, he was up. As soon as Sawyer's feet hit the ground he headed out to the living room to find that Santa had left him a new trike. We could barely get him off of it long enough to open his other presents. Emerson received her highly requested pirate ship. Thanks Santa life would have halted had she not received that one gift, once again the big man came through!
Jason received a much requested book and a movie he liked. I received my first Purdue sweatshirt and some new shoes. 
Christmas was wonderful and it could have only been better had I been able to see my 2 beautiful sisters upon arriving at Mom's later on Christmas Day. The kids did receive one more surprise present that Aunt Valeri and Uncle Morgan had sent to Honey's house. They both received a new book! Thanks Weed and Morgan!
He Came, He Really Came!
Christmas Eve Tradition
Each Christmas Eve as long as I can remember my family has given and received new pjs, and this year was no different. The kids and Jason set out to open up their Christmas pjs after we finished reading the Christmas story (which has become another tradition over the years) and the kids were so excited about their new Santa pjs. 
Emerson wanted to write a letter to Santa to find out his favorite cookie so that next year she could make and leave them for him. She wrote the note on her own and left it beside the cookies she had made for Santa. Sawyer was in charge of the reindeer's' food (carrots) but he had to sample them first.
Finally all was ready for Santa and the little ones were tucked into bed so that the magic of Christmas could take place.
Grandma's and Grandpa's for Christmas
After we left the Lake house we drove to Lafayette to spend Christmas with Jason's parents and brother. The kids were amazed by Grandma and Grandpa's tree. I was speechless when I saw it too. It was about 11 feet tall!
We had already told the kids, Emerson at least, we would not be opening any presents until the next morning after breakfast. Needless, to say the kids were very ready to open presents when the time came but following Slopsema tradition one person has to find a hidden gift and everyone has to look for the pickle ornament. Emerson was the one who had to find it this year, and she played hot and cold to find it. I found the pickle ornament and received an additional gift, some cash for the after Christmas sales.
Presents were passed out and the kids tore into them. At times neither Jason or myself knew who had given the present or even if the kids were open their presents or someone else's. The kids ended up with a lot of great gifts. Emerson got a Cinderella rug from Uncle B, and a doll house from Grandma and Grandpa. Sawyer got power tools like Jason's from Grandma and Grandpa, and a truck that rattles and makes noises from Uncle B. The entire family got a year's membership to the Indianapolis Children's Museum from Brian, and I was so excited and grateful that I cried. Jason ended up with a power washer and I got stamps and scrapbooks from his parents. We both were given wood flooring for our living room and kitchen. I can't wait for it to be installed.
We had a wonderful time and truly enjoyed the time that we were able to spend with Jason's parents and his brother. It is rare when we all are able to find the time to sit and visit without interruptions. I loved our time in Lafayette.
Yes, there are more Christmas pictures and there will be even more after tomorrow!
Love to all!
Christmas at the Lake
On Saturday, December 22nd we headed out to Jason's Grandparents' lake home on Raccoon Lake around Rockville, Indiana. It has been his grandparents' dream to have Christmas at their lake house for years. The house has been a project of theirs for as long as Jason can remember and they have completed enough of the house that all the family could spend Christmas there this year.
The kids were so excited for the Christmas festivities to begin and were extra excited to see their new cousin, Clinton. Emerson and Sawyer were so patient waiting to dinner to be over and then for everyone to arrive so that they could open their presents. Before they opened their gifts a surprise visitor came to check and see who was being good. As the kids were standing in the living room waiting for the last couple of people to arrive they saw "you know who" yes SANTA came by and checked his list for their names. We were able to snap a picture of Sawyer and one of Jason's cousins waiting Santa out the door. The kids received a lot of very thoughtful gifts and Emerson was very good about saying thank you to everyone who gave her a present. Sawyer simply mumbled something along the lines of thanks.
Enjoy some pictures from our Christmas at the Lake!
Santa Visit
Santa made a surprise appearance at Emerson's preschool program. She was so excited when it was announced that he had arrived. Emerson took off running with her handwritten Christmas letter for Santa and was actually the first child to see him. We took her picture with Santa but she had gotten there so fast that Sawyer wasn't there to be in the picture with her. Since that was the case Jason and I took turns standing in line for Sawyer to have a turn. From the picture, you can judge for yourself whether it was a good experience or not! 
As you can tell, I had to stand in the picture so that Sawyer would be near Santa. The funny thing about it was that Sawyer kept giving Santa fives!
Santa we are excited to see what you bring all of us!
First of Many Christmas Programs
Tonight we had the opportunity to attend Emerson's preschool Christmas Program. She was so excited for her program day to come that for several days multiple times a day she asked when her program was. A lot of family was able to come and watch her sing with her preschool class.
Here are a couple of excerpts from the program...the singing comes through pretty loud so be prepared to lower the volume!
We love you all and missed those who weren't here! 
Christmas in Greensburg
For the first time in several years I was able to celebrate Christmas with both of my parents at the same time. It was wonderful to have almost everyone (Valeri and Morgan couldn't be here) at my home to enjoy the Christmas holiday. Erica and her family were leaving for Washington on Sunday and so we wanted to celebrate before they left so we had Christmas on Saturday. Due to weather we moved the time up from noon to ten and decided to open presents first. The kids all tore into theirs so quickly there are hardly any pictures of them open their presents but we captured a lot of them modeling and showing off what they got.
Sawyer got a xylophone from Honey.
Emerson received a matching nightgown for her and her American Girl twin from Honey.
Cooper got a gun and holster from Grandpa David.
Ainsley received a pink cowboy hat from Grandpa David.
Beckett got some onesis and a toy to ride on but the only picture taken of Beckett was the one where he was strapped into a booster seat to keep him from messing in the tree.
Lots of pictures were taken and here are just a few.
Along with the presents that the kids received from everyone here they also got a special treat when Honey brought the presents that Valeri and Morgan sent. All the kids received some really neat books - Thanks for thinking of the kids! My kids have already had several of the books read to them and I personally love Mr. Willowby's Tree.
Everyone seemed to have a really good time and Erica & her family were able to get away before the really bad weather set in. Before Erica, Matt and the kids left we quickly called Valeri to have her be a part of the Christmas get together and I am pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye during the entire phone call. All the kids, the ones who can talk, yelled thanks into the phone and everyone took a chance to talk with Valeri.
We had a great day and are looking forward to next year when we get Valeri and Morgan home to Indiana for Christmas.
Thanks family for letting me have Christmas at my house I loved getting to host everyone! Love you!
The Pirate Ship Went Down
The Batesville Bulldogs sank the Greensburg Pirates tonight 63 - 52. It was a huge win for the girls since they have been on the losing end of games like tonight's. Jason was so excited to have beat Greensburg especially since he really doesn't like their coach. The kids were so glad that Daddy's team had won so that they could go and give the girls their pounds after the game.
Jason just called and told me that one of his girls was complaining about her playing time, even after win like tonight's. He was just about speechless when she was complaining to him.
Daddy, do you need help?
Jason in the midst of rain on Saturday afternoon decided to put up our outdoor Christmas light so that we no longer were the "Scrooge" house on the block. While I was trying to help Jason by holding the ladder Sawyer decided that he needed to climb the ladder to help Jason some. After Sawyer and I managed to step on a couple of the bulbs and break them Jason thought it best to strap Sawyer in somewhere that he could supervise but not destroy anything. I was finally able to humor Sawyer by placing him in his stroller located where he could be in constant sight of us. We did manage to get the lights on before Emerson returned from an overnight trip to Grandma's.
Good job Jason with putting the lights up and superb job Sawyer in supervising!
Hula Girl
At our church Christmas party the little girls were asked to do the Hula while some adults sang Mele Kelekimaka (I should know how to spell this since I went to school in Hawaii but my Hawaiian letter sounds have evaded me at the moment). Anyways, Emerson was completely on board for dancing the Hula in front of everyone.
I went out and purchased a grass skirt, lei and flowers for her hair so that she would look as authentic as possible. She wanted to wear her black leotard from tap to complete her ensemble. Before we even made it to church on Saturday night, Sawyer had ripped half of the grass skirt to shreds. Thankfully the parts he got a hold of were easy to camouflage.
Emerson is caught off guard when part of the Bishopric joins the girls on stage. She loves our Bishop and thought he was dancing so funny that she told him she would give him Hula lessons since he didn't know how to Hula.
Franklin Co. Won
Jason's team played Franklin Co on Saturday afternoon. Franklin Co. always is a girls' basketball force to be reckoned with. This year, however, they were not as tough as in years past but they still managed to win the game. Had the Bulldogs shown up the first 4 minutes of the game then they probably would have won. Oh well, at least they are still at 500 (5-5).
1 Point
Yes, Jason's team won again by only 1 point. They should have won by more since they had lead the majority of the game by 9 points. The opposing team managed to come back and make it a one point game for most of the last 5 minutes. With 2.5 seconds the Trojans threw up a last ditch lay-up and thankfully missed. The kids were happy they got to go to the locker room with Jason to congratulate the girls on their win. We are back on the positive side of 500. 5 wins and 4 loses!
First Snow
The kids and I took advantage of it just being us today and played in the snow. We had so much fun! Jason had given Emerson a sled as a Christmas present last year so we decided to go sledding down the small slope in our backyard. The kids felt like they were flying down and I even took a turn or two. I love snow days that are crisp and not freezing. However, by the time we went inside for lunch both of the kids were sporting pink cheeks. Too cute and just what a kid should have after a play in the snow.
I am ready for a little more snow so that we can venture out and locate a really good sledding hill around.
Great-great Grandma's Sugar Cookies
Every holiday finds the kids and I making their Great-great grandma Claire's sugar cookies. They are to die for or just to immerse your head into. We made the cookie dough one night, then let it chill overnight and we cut out stockings and stars the next day. Sawyer helped make the buttercream icing that we use with them. 
Emerson gave some away to her preschool teachers this week along with her presents for them. She was so excited to give her presents to her teachers that she gave them their presents yesterday. 
