Those Chapmans – Page 13 – Out Of Their Minds Design

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!

(Alright, so this entry and the previous entry are super long, you’ll be scrolling for awhile. The good news is that this should help me catch up faster.)

December 25th, I couldn’t get Ian to NOT make this face on Christmas morning. Words cannot describe how excited he was. See this image larger.

Alright kids, come on down! See this image larger.

So happy to have them home on Christmas morning! See this image larger.

*We made it through December, sister, oh thank God we made it! And look! Santa thinks we were good! LOL!* See this image larger.

These were gifts from Aunt Jill! She’s so awesome! And look, I think she’s dropping hints that she wants us to come visit her in Arizona! See this image larger.

A joker vehicle! See this image larger.

Nina battles for lens time with Ian’s noggin. See this image larger.

A lego toy! See this image larger.

What the heck are these? Pfft, towels? See this image larger.

WAIT… NOT JUST TOWELS.. COSTUME TOWELS! See this image larger.

Run-around-the-house break! See this image larger.

Hello Kitty! See this image larger.

A cool book with hello kittys inside! See this image larger.

Ian gets a snap-circuit set, but Ian mis-read the front. “For ages 100 and up?” No buddy, 100 projects!! See this image larger.

The only thing Nina asked for was a pink kitty. She opened this up… “A… (sniffle) pink… bear.” WAIT! Nina! Look at the tail and whiskers!!! See this image larger.

“PINK KITTYYYYYY!!!!” See this image larger.

“O-HO-HOOOO PINK KITTTYYYYYYYY!!!!” See this image larger.

Cool Dino/Vehicle transforming toys! See this image larger.

What do you have there, Nina? Minnie Mouse Dress-up set? Nice! See this image larger.

A shirt and sword from Minecraft! See this image larger.

Sword and Pick-Axe! See this image larger.

*Grin.* See this image larger.

Mommy gets some cute earrings! See this image larger.

See? See this image larger.

AND a kiss! See this image larger.

Pink Kitty is invited to a big party in the dining room! See this image larger.

Big mess in very little time! See this image larger.

Later, it is time for Nina’s birthday celebration! See this image larger.

A puzzle! See this image larger.

Piggy bank! See this image larger.

We got word that a snowstorm was heading into Ohio, so we drove as quickly as we could to get to Ohio on Christmas night. We wanted to beat the storm to celebrate Christmas with Mel and crew! We didn’t get there until late, of course… So the next morning, December 26th – Hug for brother! See this image larger.

Another day, another cake! See this image larger.

Celebrating with the cousins and brother! See this image larger.

We hope all your wishes come true, little one! See this image larger.

Visiting Connor’s bedroom! See this image larger.

Good times! I said Good times, Ian. *sigh* See this image larger.

Gathering around for a quick breakfast? See this image larger.

The four cousins! See this image larger.

Ian gets a lego toy! See this image larger.

I got a T-shirt! See this image larger.

Somebody got Connor Halo4! See this image larger.

And yup, I got Ian the same gifts as Connor… couldn’t help myself, those foam things were cool! See this image larger.

Opening and assembling! See this image larger.

December 27th, the snow had been falling all day as we opened presents on the 26th, so the next day, it was time to shovel! We all pitched in! See this image larger.

There was a lot of snow, perfect for sledding! See this image larger.

For the first chunk of time, I watched Nina while she slept in the car, but eventually she woke up and we joined everybody else. Ian and I making a super-fast run pictured here. See this image larger.

Someone loves her mommy! All too soon, it was time to go! We got lucky with the weather, as the roads were perfectly fine for the next leg of our journey! See this image larger.

December 28th, after all of the tunnels and mountains, we hit South Carolina. It was there, on our way down to Florida, Ian suddenly handed Mommy his first loose tooth, one that had been loose for several weeks. With no crying, and no fuss, he just suddenly piped up “I lost my tooth!” See this image larger.

December 29th, “Another dino-vehicle!!! I don’t have this one!!!” See this image larger.

Our little sun-beam! See this image larger.

Remote control hilarity ensues. See this image larger.

A good size cake! Happy birthday again, little girl! (So weird. Without a shifting of her birthdate, Nina will probably never have friends over for a birthday party… but she does get to celebrate it all over the country! Someday we’ll have to work out a system. Life’s crazy when you share a birthday with Jesus!) See this image larger.

Stomping around in some sweet jammies! See this image larger.

Grandma Sue took us back to the Christmas Light Show at a nearby nature area. It’s a great time! See this image larger.

Little bundle falls asleep in Mommy’s arms at Chili’s, despite the noise! See this image larger.

December 30th, I had heard about these, but never seen one in person until we stopped by Moe’s with Grandma Sue. It is called a “freestyle” pop machine. You walk up, press what kind of pop you want… for example, Melissa has chosen “Sprite” here… THEN… you choose a sub-flavor. So she could choose cherry sprite, grape sprite, orange sprite, vanilla sprite, etc.! It was cool! See this image larger.

At Aunt Leslie and Uncle Gordon’s, Ian was amazed to find that a mailtruck toy still contained “letters” from his previous visit! See this image larger.

That totally made his day, thanks for keeping those in there! 🙂 See this image larger.

Happy family! See this image larger.

Ian ran like the wind, and the wind was swift and cold, for Florida! See this image larger.

Father and son, on the beach. See this image larger.

Florida beach with winter coats! Who would have thought?!? Grandma snuggles in for this shot! See this image larger.

Happy family! See this image larger.

Love you forever, sweetie. 🙂 See this image larger.

Run, kid, run! See this image larger.

December 31st, last day with Gramma Sue until next time… we had fun, thank you! See this image larger.

Arriving at Grampa Ray and Gramma Barb’s that same day, and time to open more presents! What a little doll! See this image larger.

Pizza toy! See this image larger.

*I’ve never eaten a pizza with one of these!* See this image larger.

*Grampa, open this for me!* See this image larger.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the holiday season over the years… it is that Christmas would come to a screeching halt without males around to open packages. See this image larger.

Batman Trios set! See this image larger.

“Punch it in, Grampa!” See this image larger.

This is the classic “kid doesn’t understand present yet, parent explains present” scenario. See this image larger.

An Elmo sandwich holder!! See this image larger.

Hello huggy kitty! (Ian, in the background, begins digging in!) See this image larger.

There’s more to our stay in Florida, but we need to save that for January 2013! More next entry! In other words, we’re through 2012!

Christmas Parties, Pageants, and Preparations!

December 11th, Mommy gives Nina a big kiss for good luck! See this image larger.

Grampa Dave and Grandma Marcia drove all the way across the state to see Nina stand completely still and stare at the crowd while the music played. In the previous weeks Nina had been belting out fully-memorized songs louder than Whitney Houston could have managed — so I promised them quite a show. But stage fright and a 3 year old do not always allow for proper delivery. :-\ See this image larger.

Ian begs for a little attention on a Nina-filled night. See this image larger.

Nina spots Daddy in the audience. See this image larger.

Yes, you’re cute. See this image larger.

But speaking of cute! See this image larger.

She got a lot of the hand motions correct! Ah well, thanks for making the drive, Grampa Dave and Gramma Marcia! See this image larger.

December 12th, my first good opportunity to show the difference in boot-prints between little girl, and little boy. See this image larger.

Ian drew this at school, it is a picture of something we build in Minecraft! See this image larger.

December 13th, he can look so little yet so mature at the same time! See this image larger.

A sea of blonde kids. See this image larger.

I’d have to check the video to know what song this is, but Ian had the hand-motions down pat! See this image larger.

I think this part was “…it hurts their brains, when our parents get stress-related migraines.” See this image larger.

Ian’s class — he’s in the lower right. See this image larger.

December 20th, Ian’s Kindergarten Christmas party! See this image larger.

Ian the elf! See this image larger.

If Santa got stuck in my chimney? Ian responds: “I would shove him up the chimney.” Good call, buddy! See this image larger.

“What do you want for Christmas, little boy?” See this image larger.

*Well, Santa, I want a particular rocket that no mortal human could possibly get here on time for Christmas. Which is why I’m relying on you to do this for me. It’s all I really want.* (paraphrasing.) See this image larger.

Class picture again! Ian’s in the back by Santa, smiling. See this image larger.

And in this one he’s making a face. See this image larger.

My beautiful wife helps Ian with a project! See this image larger.

December 21st, while at Nina’s party, we spotted some pics on the wall. Here’s a snowman they put together! See this image larger.

Hmmm… that’s a little sour tasting. See this image larger.

This little girl was quick to make sure Nina got her present. I sometimes think Nina basically rules this room. See this image larger.

Aw, she’s SO cute! See this image larger.

Here Nina tries to share from long distance. See this image larger.

And then she leans in so she can really share! See this image larger.

December 23rd, Nina used our wine rack as a parking structure! See this image larger.

Christmas Eve, and Nina’s ready to run outside! See this image larger.

What are we doing outside in the freezing cold? See this image larger.

Dumping reindeer food. Because, you know, whatever helps your chances, I guess? See this image larger.

Another attempt at a photo-shoot… Ian looks a little pained, probably had reindeer food in his eyes. See this image larger.

But nothing can stop the excitement! See this image larger.

Ian looks like he’s about to punch me for being too much of a paparazzi. See this image larger.

Next: Here comes Christmas, and the craziest nation-wide tour you’ve ever seen!

December Blows In

December 2nd, and yay, Star Wars Advent calendar! (This will probably be the last year we do this… the kids get pretty well spoiled on Christmas, the last thing they need is a little toy for every day leading up to it, right?) See this image larger.

*yoink!* See this image larger.

Packages from Grampa Dave and Gramma Marcia!!! *THEY SENT BUBBLE WRAP!!!* See this image larger.

And it turned out there was something IN the bubble wrap! Cool snow globes, with pictures of the kids! See this image larger.

Nina wonders how the Santa hat was put on her picture… Grampa Dave’s photoshop magic! 🙂 See this image larger.

December 7th, put on some socks, little elf! See this image larger.

A face-plant at school gave Nina a “Rudolph nose” just in time for the holidays! See this image larger.

December 8th, our little dancer! See this image larger.

“TA-DAAAAH!” See this image larger.

“TA-DAAAAH-LA-LA-LA-LA, LA-LA-LA-LAAAAAA!” See this image larger.

A brief moment of introspection. See this image larger.

Melissa took this one, love it! See this image larger.

Didn’t I see this scene in Risky Business? See this image larger.

Nina gracefully chucks a ball around the living room. See this image larger.

“I’ma kitty too, Kitty!” See this image larger.

You don’t need a Roomba when you’ve got Nina to dust the floors with this outfit! See this image larger.

Kids checking out the snowfall. See this image larger.

They probably were trying to figure out how to get out there! See this image larger.

Our winter wonderland out back. See this image larger.

It was really pretty; glad that as I write this it is spring. See this image larger.

Wipe-out! See this image larger.

Casualties! See this image larger.

Cute as a button! See this image larger.

Ian laughs off another crash! See this image larger.

Mommy helps Nina so she’s positioned just right! See this image larger.

And then Nina lays down and giggles her way to the bottom of the hill. See this image larger.

Ian needs a push! See this image larger.

This is a cute shot, look at it bigger if possible. See this image larger.

Go Speed Racer, Go! See this image larger.

You too, Nina! See this image larger.

Daddy made a mini snowman on the slide. See this image larger.

Ian and Nina made this spectacular snowman! See this image larger.

But I think they’re ready to go inside and get warmed up! See this image larger.

No idea why a little snow-man is attached to this big snowman’s bum, but hey, I just take the pics! See this image larger.

Ian takes a turn as the kitty! See this image larger.

December 9th, if the term “barely contained excitement” entered your brain after seeing this pic, I won’t fault you. See this image larger.

Probably a bit too much sugar and the knowledge that Santa would soon, very soon, be there. See this image larger.

Obligatory hug shot! See this image larger.

Spontaneous but somehow choreographed dance number! See this image larger.

And hey, there’s a good one! See this image larger.

December 11th, counting snacks is always a welcome activity in Lanham’s class. You can probably imagine how this goes: “Now, class, you should each have fifteen marshmallows.” “MWS. WANUM, PWOBWUM! AH OMWY HAWF EWEF– *gulp* eleven!” See this image larger.

Next episode: Parties, Pageants, and Preparations!