Happy Birthday Jesus!

To celebrate your birthday, we bought each other lots of gifts and had a jolly time!

Here's some of the highlights.

Thank you for giving us the joy of Christmas to spend with family!

Merry Christmas from the Happy Ketter Family!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

And all through the town, only the adults were stirring, while no children were around.

They all hung their stockings with such great care, in hopes that St. Nicholas would soon find his way there.

He showed up and delivered gifts with such great precision, when we open our gifts, the favorite will be a hard decision!

He ate all his cookies with such great might, he left a note that said, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Merry Christmas everyone!

Santa & The Girls

Christmas Picture with Santa at the Mall 2009.

Even though we had to stand in line for a long time,

it was worth it & I love it!

Peter and the Wolf

Tonight Kassie's 2nd grade class put on a cute production of Peter and the Wolf. Kassie got to play the cat. She looks so cute dressed up in her orange cat outfit that Grandma Shawna made for her!

The class did 2 shows, so all the kids could play a part. I only recorded the first one which Kassie was in, but unfortunately I'm having a real hard time posting it. If I get it to work, I will add it later. But, they all did such a great job! Afterward, the class posed for photos, asked and answered questions about the play. It was so much fun!

Feliz Navidad

Okay. The following is Madeline wishing everyone a Merry Christmas by singing her rendition of "Feliz Navidad, a capella." Too Cute!

Oh Christmas Tree

Well we did it. We successfully got our Christmas tree up, and it is a stunner. We all helped in decorating the tree, while drinking hot cocoa and enjoying some wonderful almond cookies. Below I have posted some pics of us while we were busy fixing it up.

Here, I think Madeline is daydreaming of a White Christmas.

Daddy helping his baby girl gently put the ornaments on the tree.

Kassie really enjoyed helping!

Sydney and the santa hat. Gotta love it!

They even captured a pic with me decorating, too.

And here is our beautiful tree in all her glory.

I leave you with the annual family picture in front of the Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas!

The Adventures in Christmas Tree Hunting

Today, as in years past, we went to our favorite Christmas tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree.

When we got there we walked around for a while, taking in all the beautiful trees.

Kassie and Parker were checking out the scenery.

Not long after, we found our tree.

Sydney wanted to have the honor of cutting it down this year, so Andy got her started. Then she went to town on it, sawing it the rest of the way down.

Go Sydney, go! It really is a beautiful tree.

We then brought it back to our car, and we loaded it up for our journey home. I love this tradition we have, and I'm sure when the girls get older, they will remember these days and cherish the memories, as I do so very much. I'll post the pics when we get it up with all the lights on it, which is what we are about to do now.

Happy Thanksgiving 09

Happy Thanksgiving from the Happy Ketter Family!

Turkey day went off without a hitch! Great food and great family & friends to share it with. My favorite holiday of all. I am so thankful for everything I have. I am truly blessed.

So, the girls every year get to pull the wishbone and see who gets to make a wish.

Here they are before they break it.

And the winner is...... Kassie!!!! Her first win! I wonder what she wished for?

Well, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and loved ones!

Now Starring.... Miss Madeline

Just.Play.This

The girls were playing and we were listening to music when the following happened.

As soon as I realized what she was doing I grabbed my camera and took this video. Isn't it precious!?! I thought so, but maybe that's just the mom in me! :) She's gonna be a *STAR*!

2009 School Pictures

You know, I just realized that half of the month of November has gone by and I haven't posted anything this month. I guess I've just been in a dazed state lately. I haven't been on the computer as much. But, I am getting prepared for the holidays that are fast approaching. I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday. I love family, and that is the one time a year we can all get together as a big group. Plus, it helps that I love cooking and since I host the big feast at my house, I get to cook.... A LOT!!!! Did I mention I love this holiday? :)

Also, about a month ago, the girls got their school pictures back. I think they turned out great this year. Enjoy!

Sydney Alexis - 5th Grade

Kassandra Denyce - 2nd Grade

Madeline Grace - Kindergarten

Halloween 2009

The title says it all. This was us dressed up for Halloween this year. Andy decided he wasn't going to dress up this year, so the picture is just of me and the girls. But, we all went out trick or treating and had a blast. The girls got tons of candy. Just enough to share with mom and dad. (Hint, hint) Below is each of the girls in costume.

Sydney as "Rebel Rocker"

Kassie as "Miranda the Panda"

and Madeline as "Sleeping Beauty"

And if you are trying to figure out what I was, well, yeah I'm still trying to figure that out too. I got asked if I was everything from Kelly Osbourne to the chick from Sweeny Todd. I really just put a wig on and some makeup. I wasn't going for a specific look.

But anyways, I hope you all had a safe and happy Halloween!

Sydney's Glasses

They're here! We just went down and picked up Sydney's brand new glasses. She loves them because now she can read all the words! (She's only a bit far sighted.) So exciting!!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

We finally made it to the pumpkin patch today, to get our pumpkins to carve for Halloween. We went to the same place we have gone to for the past few years, Pheasant Fields Farm.

We got there and the girls checked out the llamas and goats like they always do.

Then we picked out our pumpkins.

Look closely at the picture. Leave it to Madeline to find a tree to jump on. (It was already growing like that, bending down.)

Sydney making her selection carefully.

Kassie always smiling.

After that, we went to their "little market" and got some more horse chestnuts, (they keep the spiders away) some butternut and acorn squash, and some homemade root beer and black cherry soda.

The girls took their picture in the sunflowers.

Then we were on our way home to carve the pumpkins.

See, I can get my hands dirty like the rest of them!

Andy's not so bad himself. :)

Doesn't that look yummy?!? Maybe I'll make some roasted pumpkin seeds later......

And finally the finished products! Sydney's is on the left, Kassie's is in the middle, and Madeline's is on the right. We can't wait to put them out on Halloween night!

Fulfilling A Request

A Tuesday Morning picture of the girls with Parker by request.

You're welcome, Sydney. :)

New Season, New Look

Everyone always talks about "spring cleaning" but in my case, autumn is always when I like to change things up. As you can tell, I changed the background to the blog, I have been wanting to do that for a while now. I bought a new dining room table. I absolutely love it because it is so much bigger than the old one! I love the old one, but it only sat 4 people. That was fine when Madeline was in her high chair, but for over a year now, she hasn't been in it anymore. The new one is good for us because it seats 6 and has a leaf that makes it where it seats 8! Did I mention that I love it?!? Here is a pic of it. Yes, I know the chairs don't match. I'm working on that. :)

Also, I have been non-stop cleaning my house for about 3 days now, and the only reason I stopped today is because I went to work. I love a clean, I mean really clean house, who honestly doesn't? But with 3 kids, it's hard, and I have to admit that it is a rare occurrence around here. Plus, it feels good when I get it done.

And finally, last night I decided to go this morning and get my hair cut. I just felt the sudden urge to change it. That's what usually happens when I get my hair cut. Below is how that turned out.I think that maybe all the change is due to the changing colors of the falling leaves, and the change in the weather. I love change. Change is good.

Curious Puppy

So, I built the first fire of the season in my fireplace tonight. It didn't dawn on me that Parker had never seen a fire before. The following are the pics of him discovering the fire.

"Hmmmm, what's this? Sure does look interesting....."

"Oh my goodness! What was that loud noise? It scared me!"

"I'm not sure this is so safe Mom. I'm outta here!"

And then he scurried away as fast as he could to across the room from the fireplace. When he laid down he started hiccuping. Yes, he got so scared, he gave himself the hiccups. (Just the insanity of that is why he sure does belong in this family!) What a goofball!