AAC Adoption Christmas Party

Yesterday we went up to Berthoud for our adoption agency's annual Christmas party.  Caylie was happy to get dressed up in her "pwee cous-us dess" (pretty Christmas dress) for the occasion.  

When we got there she was a little quiet and didn't quite understand what was going on, but she soon got over it.

Justin was tired from sitting in the car.  Or something. 

Selfie by Keelan.  Actually, most of these photos are by Keelan.

Justin perked up a bit at the mention of food.  And yes, he wears that Santa hat everywhere he goes.

Daddy and Caylie doing some coloring.

Oh look!  Mama was there, too! 

Eating a candy cane.

We don't do Santa at our house.  Caylie has seen Santa in a few movies and shows, but I've never said anything about him - to her he's just another cartoon character.  However, when this Santa showed up, she ran right up to him.  I think it was just because she'd seen the other children sitting on his lap - she doesn't expect any presents from him!  Anyway, it was a cute picture.  

Santa's helper gave her this microphone.  That was right up her alley!

It was a c-o-l-d ride up and back.  We've have single digits and below zero temps for the past several days.  But we had a good time, anyway!  Here's Keelan on the way home.  

It's Christmas Time! (And More Dogs.)

When I was thinking about Caylie's first time decorating a Christmas tree and seeing ours light up at night, I guess I imagined her never having seen a tree before.  But that wasn't the case.  She's seen them in several stores and in movies and books, so the idea was not new to her when it was time to put ours up.  But that's OK.  She had a fun time anyway, and so far has been excited every night (all three of them!) when I plug it in.

You'll notice most of the ornaments are in a bunch at the bottom.  

Brittany and Caylie playing with the Playmobil nativity set.  We've been talking a lot about Baby Jesus and what Christmas is about.  She loves to have me read her the story and finding baby Jesus in the many nativity scenes we've seen.

 Lots of stockings!  I thought she would try to put hers on, but she just hugged it because it's Kitty.  

Admiring the finished product.

And now for the dogs!  She loves Sammie.  She lays on him and takes him into her room to play.

Sammie and Dakota hoping for a snack from Taylor.

Or from Keelan.  

Ha . . . I just noticed that folding chair is still out from Thanksgiving.

Lucy, Sammie and a happy girl!

Football Saturday! Jim's First Championship Game at Mile High

Jim has been a Colorado High School football official for 14 years, and has always hoped to work a final championship game at Mile High stadium, where the Broncos play.  This year was finally his year!

A few shots before the game. . . 

Pine Creek Eagles vs. Montrose Indians

The game was televised in high definition!  We watched it after we got home.

And there he is!

The officiating crew.

National Anthem

Jim's flag on the ground, haha.

Oh look.  Caylie was there, too!

(Go Goncos!) 

And the winners are the Pine Creek Eagles.

Playing outside the stadium while we waited for Daddy.

Having fun with big brother Taylor . . . 

. . . and big brother Keelan . . . 

 . . . and big brother Justin.

Daddy and his new hat!

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

I didn't get that many pictures on Thursday, but did manage to get a couple of Caylie to commemorate her first American Thanksgiving.  She and I talked about how we were going to say "thank you" to Jesus for all the things He gives us - a very long list.  She wasn't all that interested in the parade, the turkey, the potatoes, or the pumpkin pie, but she did enjoy having all of her family in the house.

Playing with Brittany's phone before dinner.

Jim put a little bit of everything on her plate, but most of it was not eaten.  This is a girl who usually loves any American food we give her - go figure.

A mouthful of whipped cream for dessert?  

AND . . . this is the result of our Black Friday shopping!  We know our yellow lab, Lucy, isn't going to be with us much longer, so we've been looking for an "overlap" dog to get to know and love before we need to put Lucy down.  On Friday we went to the Denver Dumb Friends League to look at their furry friends, and ended up with TWO new doggies!  This is Dakota and her brother Sammie, both 9-year-old yellow labs.

And here they are back home, making friends with Lucy.  Lucy has actually perked up quite a bit since the other dogs came, and everybody gets along just fine.  (That's Brad back there, making them pose, haha.)

Enjoying some rawhides.  

More to come on our long weekend!  Stay tuned . . .