Cant catch a break

I realize I've yet to post about Christmas or New Years or life in general. I'll do a rewind post eventually, but for now I'll just fill you in on 2012. We've been sick.

Ear infections, sinus infections, viruses, stomach flu, laundry, laundry, laundry. But my babies are usually really sweet and cuddly when they're sick, so in some sick way, I kind of treasure these feverish pukey days :)

Hoping healthier days are ahead, but soaking up the cuddliness while it lasts.

The Third (and final...for this year) Thanksgiving

Ding. Round Three.  The third Thanksgiving.  I promise this is the last one, for this year.  You're probably tired of reading about it.  Trust me, it was more exhausting to attend.

For Yatooma/Geha/Mitzel Tanksgiving (no, that's not spelled wrong), we decided to have a little staycation at THE Dorm.  Our little family was thrilled to return to our old stompin' grounds, and Greg was even kind enough to let us have the master bedroom.  My mom really wanted to make Thanksgiving exciting this year.  She planned a whole slew of events to be packed into a two day time frame.  The winner of the weekend festivities would be awarded with the first ever Yatooma/Geha Tanksgiving Cup.

The first event, Gingerbread Houses.

We let Isla stay up to help.

She loved it and was extremely helpful with the creativity portion.

 its all in the details

 Greg and Chandler, Mom and Auntie and Wuzzle were all on a team.  THE Dorm.

 The Cottage a/k/a Jeff Yatooma family

 Daddy's House of Girls 

a/k/a Norman Yatooma Family

 The Chateau - a/k/a Chris Yatooma Family

 A close up of our cozy little bungalow

Gingerbread Row - probably the closest we'll come to the whole family living on the same street

 Our house is the second from the left.  

Dave didn't want to use the plastic base that came with the set.  He felt that would be "too easy."  Ok, I'm building a house with frosting, candy and a 2 year old, buddy.  We need all the help we can get.

We also had an organic, self-sustaining farm in our backyard.

The Cottage won the independent vote and Daddy's House of Girls won the popular vote.

 The Cottage

 We didn't really eat it.  In fact, I wouldn't recommend for anyone to eat one of those things.

The frosting was gross.  But it sure looked cute.

 Team Dorm.

 We played a few mean games of Bananagrams, watched some Guy on a Buffalo and then hit the sack.
The next morning, we had a pajama fashion show.  Some got really into it.

Elaine wasn't wearing pjs, but looked cute anyway.

All the little girls did crazy hair with balloons

 Greg and Chan went maize and blue

 The Queen Mum went all out

 ...but the winner

was pretty stinkin' cute.

Congrats Mel, Timmy and Julianna.

The accessories I tell you!

 After the Michigan vs. Ohio State game, we played a game of Turkey ball that Dave invented.  I know.  He's awesome.  The kids played for a while with Dave and loved it.

I didn't get any pictures of the adults playing.  Its probably better.  There's still a few kinks in the game to be worked out.

At the end of it all a winner had to be named.  The categories ranged from timeliness to participation, from most thankful to cutest and tiniest, from Extreme Christmas to, well...you get the picture.

And so, the committee voted.

And...

We won.

It was a close race.  A huge thanks to Mom for your creativity and generosity.  A huge huge thanks to Greg and Chan for making four hundred omelets and hosting 30 overnight guests.  But the biggest thanks of all to Jesus, for giving us so much for which to be grateful.  Happy Thanksgiving.

The Second Thanksgiving

Ding.  Round Two.  Actual Thanksgiving.

My mom is a member of the Distinguished Clown Corps in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day parade.  We decided that this would be a great year to take Isla to see her because the weather forecast looked quite promising.  So Dave and I took Isla and Elijah down to the parade for some good ole' Detroit fun.  

We waited in the grandstands for a long time thinking it was going to warm up any minute.

Elijah was a really good sport and was totally sweet and cuddly.

 After sitting in the grandstands for almost an hour with no movement,

we ditched the high class seats and headed to the curb.

 This was the first of MANY marching bands we saw.

Because of TV shots, this marching band was in front of us for 30 minutes.

That's a really, really long time at a parade with two 2 year olds who could see Elmo just beyond the band.  The bright side is that Isla has decided she wants to be in a marching band.  Or is that a good thing?

 Boy were we happy to see the Budweiser crew even though

they didn't give out any beer.

 These unicycles were amazing.  

 For you HGTV fans, that's Cari Cucksey on that float.

She waived to me and blew me a kiss when I told her we loved her show.

She also follows Dave on Twitter.

No big deal, Dave's just a celebrity.

 And then the person for whom we had all been waiting

(HDK - No preposition at the end of that sentence - just for you :)

 Crackers the Clown launched a whole arm full of beads to us

 One even landed on her favorite granddaughter.

 Cruz stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

He did a lot of this.

 Crawling under really shallow places

 But made it out just fine.

 He also stood and stared out the window at Suzie's dog, Reese.

 Jan out did herself as she does every year with an amazing turkey and ham.  

We were so thankful for a fun-filled day of food and fun with the people we love.  Only one more Thanksgiving to round out the season.

Elmo, Jenna and Ugly Christmas Outfits

We went to Grand Rapids a couple of weeks ago to celebrate Jenna's second birthday.  Hard to believe that this lil' darlin' is already two. She is such a sweet little lady and she loves Elmo.  I mean, he's lovable too, so no wonder their a good pair.  My whole fam was crashing Dana's house, so we all stayed with Kate and Art.  We had a GREAT time.  Art feeds us amazing food and Kate shares all of her amazing craft stuff with me.  We also shared germs.  Lots and lots of germs.  Me and the kids had sinus infections, so we were sure to snot all over their lovely home.  Thanks for putting up with us guys :)

The Sesame Street pre-show started at 9:30 a.m.  Dana wanted to make sure we would be there on time.  I don't know why she was nervous about me being late :)  For the record, we were ready to go at 9:00 a.m. And then Dana texted and said she didn't think the kids would make it through the pre-show and the real show.  Good call.  But for the record, we were ready.

Elijah and Isla passed time waiting to leave.

We decided to park in an $8 lot.  Problem was neither me nor Kate carries cash (woman after my own heart).  So we counted every last dime in the van and our purses, literally, and made it in time to see the characters heading to the stage.

Kuddos to Dana for bringing her own light up bracelets and neckalaces.

The kids LOVED IT

The lighting was too good to pass up for photos

I love this picture because that is how happy they were

My little lady

A big thanks to my friend Courtney for giving Isla this darling coat.

Man I love having friends with good taste.

I know she looks a little sad in this picture, but I love that pouty face.

And turn that frown upside down.

Its party time!

Cruz rocked his hat...and a flower bib.

At least its better than the princess ones.

The cake was as good as it looks.

Really looking forward to those cake balls Dana.

Isla chose an Oscar the Grouch cupcake.  Interesting selection.

Poor Cruz, he didn't stand a chance in the princess's castle

My mom is really sweet.  She is one of the few people I know who actually celebrates EVERY holiday.  Even Sweetest Day.  She usually tries to buy the kids Christmas clothes for Sweetest Day.  I use the word try because we've had to reject a good batch for reasons which you will see below.  Really sweet mom.  You know I love you.  And some other kid will really love these outfits once they get them from Goodwill.

In all fairness, the girls actually LOVED the outfits.

If you see these outfits at your local resale shop, be sure to send my mom a thank you note.