Happy, Merry Everything!

This post is subtitled "Catching Up"!  And if you notice my last post date, you will know why.  It of course has been hectic here since that last post and I just didn't have the time or energy to sit and write about all of our happenings.  I have to say, sadly, that this is the first year that the holidays felt like a chore.  I am hoping it was just a fluke year and that next year will go right back to "It's a Wonderful Life" type feeling (the ending part, not the beginning part).  So this post will seem like one of those quick, catch you up, recaps that sitcoms do when they want to, well, catch you up.  Sorry again folks, but if I want to get this posted before 2012…..Oh crap.

Harper turned 6 months old in November

The whole family came from near and far for Thanksgiving - my parents truck(with trailer attached) literally came into town in a cloud of black smoke so Jennifer and family scratched their plane tix for a drive hauling a trailer to take truck back to dealership to be traded for new truck.  Mom and Dad rented a car to get home and packed it to the brim as they had to leave the trailer here but not necessarily it's contents.  Not fun.  Thanksgiving was fun though!

Allie Grace holds Harper for her bottle

Harper is baptized after Saturday night services wearing the same gown that I had made for Gavin out of my wedding dress - I had seamstress make a detachable skirt just in case we ever had a girl.  I never actually took a picture of just Harper in her gown, but she looked cute.

Gavin wanted to blow out Harper's baptism candle, so Pastor Dion humored him by letting him blow out the Christ candle after services.

Harper's Godmothers - Aunt Kristin and Aunt Tami

Another unadventurous (heavy sarcasm dripping from that word) trip to see the Bass Pro Santa (Let's just say that whoever made the decisions about the fast passes, or lack thereof, doesn't have children and definitely doesn't understand retail).  The whole reason we go there (besides the fact that I like the background the best), is the fact that they have fast passes so you don't have to wait in a long line.  Well this time we did and the line snaked around the store blocking aisles and not allowing the families to browse while they waited for their time slot.  Therefore the manager of the Santa world OBVIOUSLY doesn't get the fact that blocking aisles doesn't allow non-Santa customers to shop OR Santa customers to shop.  I did manage to avoid complaining to the manager this time (but only because the women in front of me already had to no avail).  So, enjoy the pic - and yes, Gavin would once again only stand next to Santa.  

Harper turned 7 months old in December, learned to sit up, is almost crawling, but still manages to get to whatever contraband she's not supposed to get to and smiles CONSTANTLY!

Gavin's preschool had a Christmas program and Gavin actually sang!! (Nana bribed him with the promise of a new matchbox car).  I am going to try to upload video of Gavin's unintentional solo!

Aunt Kristin, Nana and Papa came to watch our future Frank Sinatra

Trying to get a good picture of the kiddos under the Christmas tree

Our family Christmas (we had a Joyner family Christmas too, but I forgot to bring my camera so I don't have any pictures to share)

Gavin got to shop at his preschool for presents for us and it was surprising how well he did!  Jon got a football helmet bank, I got some chocolate flavored body lotion and soap and Harper got a rubber ducky and a snoopy dog.  He was so proud of his presents and somehow did not tell any of us what he bought before we opened them.  

Harper got a new kitchen

Gavin got a new race track ramp - he loves to pick 2 cars, give you the slow one and race them down to see who wins

I helped host Gavin's preschool Christmas party by organizing the craft….ok, stop laughing, it was actually very cute!  This is Gavin, Mrs. Koglin and Henry celebrating Jesus' birthday

Here is some of his class holding up their snowmen baby food jar votive - they all did great!

Santa came roaring up outside JCPenney on the day after Thanksgiving - and handed out candy canes!

Garrett took a turn

Harper got her first TWO teeth all at once - look at those pearly whites on the bottom

Santa was also at the airport when we were flying to Michigan (standing next to him again!)

We did some family/cousin portraits over Thanksgiving 

Garrett, Harper and Gavin

Gavin, Allie Grace and Harper

Checking out what Santa brought - a race track for Gavin, pop up toy for Harper and vacuum for Garrett

 Opening presents on Christmas day - if it wasn't a car, it got tossed aside

Tearing through the gifts.  I might add here that you will not see a family picture of the 4 of us this year either as I forgot to take when whenever we were all awake, fresh and dressed.  Oh well.

 Garrett gives Harper a kiss

 Harper the happy baby on Christmas day

 Great Grandma and Great Grandpa (my Grandma and Grandpa)

 Gavin wanted to use the camera on the tripod to take a picture of Aunt Jennifer

The Kocan family - back: Richard, Lynn, Carol, Gary, Jon, Kirk

front:  Grandpa John, Grandma Betty, Kim, Gavin, Alisa, Harper, Jennifer and Garrett

Oh and Buddy the dog in his new thunder shirt!

 Harper, Garrett and Gavin enjoying a story on the iPad

Well that's it folks - hope you enjoyed the journey through November and December!  Hope you and your family had a nice Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We are looking forward to a peaceful and calm 2012!