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.”

Northwest's winter commencement

Before

During

After

First snowstorm of the season

This was the scene below my office window this afternoon. It's a long, gradual hill up to the left ... with a stop light at the bottom right. And only three lanes of traffic.

It looked like a parking lot. And there are back-up lights on the white van below.

'Tis the season

Friday night was the holiday program at Jackson's school. Looks like the time going from his classroom 'til they hit the stage was just too long for his shirt to stay tucked in. And for the finale, they sang the Hallelujah chorus (from Handel's "Messiah")!


Saturday morning we went to the Santa party at Leslie's work.


Landon with Mrs. Claus.


Playing "Pin the nose on the reindeer."

"Total PR"

Just livin' the dream...

Aunt Laurie

One of my sisters was in Kansas City for work a couple of days this week, and came over one night for dinner — and to meet Landon for the first time!


She snapped a family picture of us...


...and read Jackson a book before bed.


Thanks sis, come back soon!

A slow news day

Front page of the Northwest Missourian.

Jackson won

So when I asked him what he had wished for, he said, "Eight million ninety-one hundred ... sharks."

That's my boy.

Trimming the tree

Black Friday

Went out Christmas shopping yesterday morning. These boxed cards at Target aren't going anywhere.

Thanksgiving

We decided to spend Thanksgiving this year in Kansas City. At home. Just the four of us. And it was exceptional.

We got to create our own menu and do everything however we wanted. No luggage to pack, marshmallows on the sweet potatoes ... nor giblets.

Leslie got up early this morning and had warm cinnamon rolls waiting for us when we woke!


We of course made sure to call our families though, and it was great to talk to everyone.


The hazards of drawing trace-your-hand turkeys.


Cranberry sauce in progress. (Boiling them in OJ, not just the water that the recipe called for.) Jack even had seconds!



Jack eating the turkey leg that he's been talking about for days. During our nice, intimate dinner, I threw out the question, "What are you most thankful for this year?" As we went around the table and Leslie and I gave heartfelt replies about all that we're blessed with, Jackson's answer was "Turkey skin."


Landon's tryptophan smile.

Landon's one-month photos

Our weekend

Leslie and I had talked about eating out Friday evening. So on the way to school Friday morning, I asked Jack where he wanted to go eat that night. He said, "Japan!"

At a classmate's 5th birthday party Saturday afternoon. Yes, I know this picture's blurry. But I like it.


* * *
On his way up to the children's sermon at church this morning, Jackson slid into place on his knees (he used to do this around the house, even wearing holes in his pants before). Pastor Sacia told me later that he then had a wierd look on his face. When she asked him if everything was alright, he whispered to her, "I just tooted."

Nice.
* * *
Jack really wanted to dust this afternoon. Next, he begged and pleaded to clean the toilet! Well, if you insist... (sorry, no pictures)


Landon now weighs double-digits! And Saturday night he only woke up ONCE! But ever since he's smiled a couple times lately, we do everything we can to get him to smile some more.

Who would've thought?

Look who Northwest's upcoming commencement speaker is. Get your tickets while they last — but no throwing tomatoes!