We had a wonderful Christmas this year! (We are so thankful to Jenn's coworkers for working her Christmas holiday and weekend!) Maia received a letter from Santa about a week before Christmas telling her she made it on the "nice list" this year, and to leave out some cookies and milk for him. The kids had so much fun getting ready for Santa and seeing the presents underneath the Christmas trees every morning. (Santa followed us around Missouri again this year!) We couldn't believe the blizzard we missed while celebrating Christmas in St. Louis. When we got back home, Kansas City was covered in snow!! Maia absolutely loves sled riding and playing in the snow...Chase would rather watch from the window. Thank you to all of our family and friends for making this Christmas so wonderful for us and especially for our children! We are truly Blessed!

Santa!

Chase still isn't too sure about the big man in red, but he did not cry this year. "I want new glass slippers, and a princess Ariel dress with fins"

making gingerbread man ornaments

big santa hugs!

Chase & Tristin with their jingle bells

time for christmas carols

Fall trip to St. Louis

We had a wonderful extended trip to St. Louis this past weekend! The kids were excited to spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa Buck's. Fortunately, we were able to spend a lot of time visiting family and friends. Maia & Chase had a blast watching Uncle Matt play in his kickball tournament (his team won). Afterwards, we went to the City Garden in St. Louis. Maia & Chase spent an evening with Great Grandma Buck and Sister Mary Agnus. They also reunited with their much missed friends, Ava, Samson, and their new little sister, Stella. The main event for the weekend was Uncle Bill's annual Halloween party. It was a gorgeous day, probably the warmest we've ever been at Bill's party. There were many people, costumes, horses, a pinata, candy, hayride, bonfire, and don't forget the Mulligan Stew!!

Getting ready for the adventure! our costumes (triplets)

little pirate "RRRRRRRRRRR"

standing in line to collect their candy Laura's indestructible pinata one of Maia's many attempts

forget the pole, just kick it!

Maia and her favorite cousin, Allison Laura and Chase hiking up to the barn

Vacation, State Fair & Randoms

Water, Water, Water

The kids got to have some summer fun in the water last weekend. We went to Crown Center on Saturday. They had a puppet show inside that Maia and Chase loved to watch. Then, we went out to the fountains. They really weren't too sure of them at first, the water sprayed about 20 feet into the air (a little too high for the little ones.) Maia met a friend there and finally got brave enough to run through. Chase stuck to the little fountains. Sunday, we went to Tiffany Springs water park and had a blast. Maia showed off her new swimming skills she's been learning all summer in her lessons. Chase really surprised us, as well as many other moms, and went down all the little kid water slides. He had a look of terror going down the slide, but when we picked him up, he would sign and say "more"! Mom and Dad also took turns sliding down the big slides (getting ready to go to White Water during our vacation next month!)

Maia and Chase love their water slide in the back yard.Story time with Dad before bedThis is the reason 3 year olds should not dress themselves. Maia came out of her room today wearing this gorgeous outfit. Socks on her hands, tights over her skirt with a glove on her left foot covered by a ballet slipper, a cute tank top, and a headband to top it all off. A bit rediculous, but I was secretly proud that she actually was able to put it all on by herself!