3rd grade Roman Festival

Madelyn's grade worked on this for a while and it was really fun...and really long. They decorated the gym like the Colosseum. They performed dances and acted out stories. Madelyn went as the Goddess of Hunting. She looked quite striking and she had a really cool bow and satchel of arrows (I made them out of my sister's grass plant in their back yard. Perfect!). 

They acted out the chariot races...really chaotic, but they were having a ton of fun.

I had to show this. They used superhero figurines and army men as their statues. It was funny because if you looked close, the army men still had their guns. There wasn't any guns back then!

The Pantheon. Everyone worship me! A fitting spot for Madelyn's personality.

They had the market where they had to bargain for their food. We parents all brought authentic greek food that was very disgusting...I brought a platter of dried fruit.

The Senate in action. 

The kids all had to bring a pillow to lounge on while we, the parents, serve them lunch. Madelyn found this mat at my parents' house and was overly excited. "It even has moons and stars on it! It's perfect! I have to borrow it." (Madelyn's character was also the goddess of the moon). Thanks mom for making her night. She had the best seat in the room and she acted like a queen on it.

December 13, 2012

Hope for the new year!

This past year has been hard on the McQueens. :) So, we are wishing us and everyone of you a happy and prosperous next year. Happy New Year!

Christmas Recital 2012

Right after going to my nephew's baptism, the family went came to see my girls recital. It was fun for them to have such an audience. Madelyn played "Rock'n Around the Christmas Tree" and was jammin on the piano. She loves playing fast and jazzy. It's really fun to listen to.

 Hannah played a duet with her daddy to "Away in a  Manger". They were so cute up there and Hannah didn't miss one note. This was her first debut on the piano. She HATES to practice which makes my job so frustrating, but she likes to play or the idea of playing. So, bring on the challenge because all of my kids WILL play the piano.

 Grandma always supports my kids.

So proud of you girls! What a great way to start the Christmas season.  December 1, 2012

A Toddler Christmas

 This year, we have a toddler, a mischievous toddler. So, I kept all those pretty decorations in their tub and pulled out all the kid friendly stuff: stuffed Christmas animals, several kid friendly nativities, and only the kids ornaments. It's not so fancy this year, but it is relaxing and to tell you the truth, I love the kids' tree a lot more that any fancy tree I could put together. There's something special about having bits of my kids creations to look at.

 Coops loves to pull open the front door, all the way open (there went all the heat in the house!) and say "Wow!" over and over again at our Christmas lights. I love the amazement it kids eyes at the simplest things. I wish I could have that back.

"Oooo" November 29, 2012

Thanksgiving with the McQueens

When all of Cody's brothers get together, there is never a dull moment.

 Oh, that's hot! Nothin' like brotherly love.

 Cooper was all about the grub.

 Having all of the kids at Grandma's house is so fun for the cousins, but not so much for the Grandparents. Kids are noisy, and silly and active...and the McQueen house is not. I think we did a pretty good job keeping them somewhat under control...if that's even possible.

 Jack was not so impressed with the grub...he has a plate of crackers. Crackers! At Thanksgiving! This kid drives me crazy!

 We did a lot of online shopping...

 Played a ton of games with lots of hilarious, somewhat crude moments while Grandpa yelled at kids playing with the light switches (this might have been my kids :) This is Cody's favorite thing to do with his family and I have to admit, the McQueens are pretty fun  to play board games with.
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We played the thimble game (put water in a thimble and pick something under the chosen catagory in your head and then if someone guesses it, you throw the water in their face. Fun, right? The McQueens sure thought so).
 
We also played Pass the orange (you can only use your body, no hands, to pass the orange from person to person...super funny).
 
Yes, this is my nephew. No, I am not making a move on him, but how lucky is he?! 

 The entire family was here, so we had to squeeze in a quick family picture. What a good looking bunch!

November 22, 2012

Bits of Coops

This was so funny! We were trying to have family home evening and Cody was giving the lesson and for some reason any time Cody talked, Cooper would cover up his ears and run down our hall. I know he kept doing it because we laughed so much the first time (we are really reverent during FHE at our house), but I couldn't help it. It was really funny!

Just like my other little kids, Cooper loves books. I find him like this all the time and I love it! Books are such a treasure at our house and my kids get so excited if I pull out books to read to them. I figure if I can't sit and play with them at least I can read to them for a minute or two and it is time well spent. 

Cooper caught with two of his loves...books and talking on the phone. Nov. 14, 2012

Sonatina Festival

 Madelyn always gets nervous at her festivals, but this one she was more confident. She worked really hard on her song and it was a really fun one to listen to (thank goodness for my sanity's sake!). Ususally she plays her song perfectly and then goes in to perform for the judge and makes a few nervous mistakes, but this time she played it perfectly! She is doing so well and it makes me so excited to listen to her play. Yes, I am living my dream through my daughter. What's wrong with that?

 Madelyn made it into the concert and performed really well for all of us. The girl in the red was the other finalist and she played really well too, but Madelyn ended up with the trophy and I don't think this girl was very happy about that.

 We absolutely LOVE Salina! She is amazing and clicks with Madelyn really well.

 Grandparents are always fun to have at the kids' performances. It really makes my kids feel special.

 Madelyn's cousin, Kenadee Egbert, also was in the festival, winning a blue ribbon for her performance. Good job girls!

We are so proud of you Madelyn! Keep going and you will be amazing. November 10, 2012

Halloween!

 We have Batman, Frankeestein (a Monster High doll), the cutest puppy around, and Draculara (another Monster High doll). All my kids were really happy with their costumes. The Monster High characters are all the monster's kids that go to high school together and my girls are in love with the dolls. We had a lot of fun creating their costumes piece by piece.

 Batman Jack

 Frankeestein Madelyn

 Draculara Hannah

 Puppy Cooper

 My parents dropped off some goodies and came to see the kids. They are the best grandparents.

 The girls with their friends Mecka and her cousin

 Frankenstein came stomping out of the house. Cody makes a good Frankenstein.

 Trunk or Treat: the best invention for little kids.

At the end of the night, the kids were hyped up on sugar and all smiles...Cody and I were ready to crash. We then went to the Davis's house to trick or treat and then headed to Todd and April's house for a visit....then we went to bed. What a fun, surprisingly warm night! October 31, 2012