December Fun

St. Nicholas came to our house and filled our shoes the night of December 6th.  Of course the boys were full of anticipation.  This is such a fun tradition we have. 

We had a big snowstorm this  past Monday, resulting in a foot of snow.  School was canceled the next two days, so Christmas break began early.  All three boys have been relaxing--reading and watching 'The Wiggles' (Gavin's new favorite). 

This was Gavin's first time to play in the snow.  Initially he was uncertain about it, but quickly adjusted.  He stayed outside for at least an hour.  He ate the snow while Matt and I shoveled the driveway. 

Christmas came a bit early to our house.  Robert told me a Christmas/Birthday surprise was being delivered at 6pm.  I definitely was not expecting a new washer and dryer.  The boys spent a good hour watching a load of laundry this morning. 

School Bus

Gavin likes to watch the school buses from our front window.  Every time he sees one, he tries to say 'bus'.  Adam and Matt get a kick out of this because Gavin can't quite say 'bus'. 
Instead he says 'butt'.

Thanksgiving

We went to Leavenworth for Thanksgiving to spend it with Robert's parents and brother.  It was a really nice break.  Gavin is getting old enough to start remembering and relating to people.  He enjoyed being with Grandma and calls her "Mama Chichi".  Uncle Eddie teasingly talked to Gavin like an Ewok.  Gavin liked this and now calls him "my Eddie". 

 I didn't do a great job of documenting all that we did but did get a few photos.  We drove up Wednesday.  Thursday was spent cooking and eating.  On Friday Robert and I went into Kansas City to do some shopping.  We bought quite a bit and didn't think about having room in the van to get back home.  We were pretty packed on our drive back to Garden City.  That evening we took Adam and Matt to see the movie "Arthur Christmas".  I love all the fun movies that come out this time of year.  On Saturday we took the boys to Liberty Jail.  This was their first time there.  Of course we initially were met with resistance and moans of "that's sooo boring".  However, they enjoyed it.  We also stopped to see the temple that is being built in Kansas City.  The outside looked nearly complete, with only some landscaping needing to be finished.  Word is that it should be opening around April.  I've jokingly told the boys that's where they're going to get married (I'm half joking, half serious). 

At Liberty Jail--Grandpa Kennington, Gavin, Robert, Grandma Kennington, Adam and Matthew. 

Matthew, Gavin and Adam checking out the display at the jail.