Ogle Family Weekend (Sunday)

Cousins



That afternoon, Cali and I went to the cabinet of glassware, took our pick and made ourselves a little snack.

During the NFL playoff games, we played some rousing games of "Spoons."

Then we all played "Guess What I Am."

Ogle Family Weekend (Saturday)

Hangin' out Saturday morning — Greg holding Sam holding Landon. Doesn't Landon look long?









Four of us stayed up late playing Spades. 'Til 2:45 a.m.!

Ogle Family Weekend (Friday)

For the past several years, we've made it a tradition to get together in the middle of January with the "younger generation" of Leslie's family. It's always so neat because most family reunions are planned by grandparents; but, instead, this is the 20-, 30- and 40-year-old cousins wanting to get together. And now that we have kids of our own, it's even more important to see each other regularly. We've gone to Peoria, Ill., a couple times in the past, last year was in St. Louis and this past weekend — everybody came to our house!

Between bouts on the Wii.

As our little diva-in-training, I taught our niece Kenedee to do this dramatic hair flip and say, "Ooh la la." Here she's practicing with Lyndsey.

Then, after that line, her routine continues, "I'm ready for my close-up!" Well, while shopping at Steve & Barry's recently, Leslie found an extra-small women's T-shirt (perfect as a night shirt) that says exactly that. Too cute! This aunt and uncle are in heaven.

Cold commute

But I just saw the 10 o'clock news and Gary Lezak said it's supposed to be 65 degrees next week!

A "Kleenex-worthy" play date

On Sunday, Jack's best friend Macie came over for the first time since we moved (he made her the necklace she has on). At just 1 year old, she came to the hospital when he was born; they went to daycare together practically since birth; and her Uncle Paul and Aunt Patti lived right across the street from us in our old house. That morning, Jackson said, "I'm so excited — I could blow my nose!"

Friday fun

Jackson's recent self-portrait.

Christmas Day 2008

Taken right before we went to bed. Not a creature was stirring!

Here's Jack opening Cadoo, a Cranium game, from Uncle Lance, CiCi Felicia and cousins Dominic and Nathan.

He wanted to stop opening presents right away to play the game, and was fascinated by the hour glass.

Reading a musical pop-up book from Grandma Nancy.

The best present we could ask for. You can tell that Landon was kicking his feet non-stop.

Close up. (Right after this, Landon did his E*trade baby impression and suddenly spit up on himself. Photo on request.)

Another Cranium game ... from another one of my siblings. This time from CiCi Ninnie and cousins Dani, Skye and Doodle.

This is a Hot Wheels toy with a seven-foot-long ramp. We played all day long!

'Twas the night before Christmas

Here are some shots from Christmas Eve.

That afternoon, Leslie and Jack made cookies for Santa — with matching aprons and oven mitts.

Landon dressed up for church that evening. "Helloooo ... ladies!"

Jack divided up the money in his piggy bank between our Christmas stockings and the offering plate.

Back at home, the boys got to open a pair of new pajamas to wear that night.

Landon's such a good baby. He just smiles and coos and laughs. And smiles some more.

The last pic below was right before bed. We tried to dissuade Jack from piling all the cookies on the plate, hoping to convince him that Santa would get full from eating so many. But Jack insisted, "He can take them back home to Mrs. Claus!"

The note that he wrote on the left says, "Dear Santa, I want a dinosaur." Surprised by this last-minute request, Leslie and I feigned disappointment that "the elves were already off work for the year." Whew!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

...from the Neumeyers!

A special Saturday

I invited the next-door neighbor boys over yesterday morning to play for a couple hours, while Leslie did some shopping.


Then, in the afternoon, Jack and I went to the Coterie Theatre at Crown Center for his first live theatre performance ever — “Suessical the Musical”! He was so excited that he wanted to hand his ticket to the usher all by himself. The show was great and we sat right in the front row.

We were going to go ice skating afterward, but even Jackson said it was too cold. But all the lights, the choo choo train and the giant nutcrackers were a sight to see. When Jack saw the Mayor’s Christmas tree, he said, “Wow, that looks like it’s a hundred feet tall!” He’s exactly right.

After grabbing something to eat, we stopped at our favorite frozen custard place (Jack got a candy cane concrete)...

...and we listened to a ragtime band play sing-along Christmas carols. On our way to the car, we made sure to stop by the huge gingerbread village as we headed for home.

Landon's two-month photos

A holiday card with a few bucks in it

In the spirit of spreading holiday cheer, the agency where I work presents Bernstein-Reindeer Rodeo.

Ride your way through three levels of bell-jingling bucks and rampaging reindeer in order to swagger your way into the winner's circle.

Happy Holidays from your friends at BR.

Christmas program at church

Ya know how when you hear a group of kids singing, there's usually one voice that seems to especially stand out? It seems to hold the notes a little longer and a little louder than the rest? And as the song continues, the entire audience pays more and more attention to just that one child? Which seems to encourage him to sing longer and louder? Until it practically becomes a solo and the rest of the children are his back-up singers?

That was our kid.

Afterward, when I asked Jackson if he realized he was so close to the microphone (and inching nearer with every verse), it seemed as if he was going to say, “Duh...”

But — being very aware of that fact — he replied, “I just wanted you and Mommy to be able to hear me. So I made sure to sing out loud and proud.”