It only took 11 years of

begging asking to go see the Plaza Lights in KC.

 A year ago at Christmas time and I metioned again

that I wanted to see the lights

 did I ever dream that I would be living

close enough to actually get to see them without any

begging asking at all.

 They were beautiful and just as I imagined.

The crowds of people,

horns honking,

the cold air

made it all fantastic

 but nothing made it perfect

until this little girl got

to ride the "wagon" and be pulled by the horses.

Her Smile was priceless!

11 years of begging asking and had I got

to see it before this year I would have

missed seeing it through a

little girls eyes!

Elvis.....The crazy elf

is still shaking things up around here.

I guess he is tired of waiting on snow just like we are because he made his own snowmen out of marshmallows in the cabinet one night.

Sometimes you just have to look at things from a different point of view!

Zip Zip Zip............LINE!!!

 I heard that when he puts himself in the fridge it is a hint to the mom of the house that groceries are in short supply.  I was not about to take any chances of being put on the naughty list so I tackled my least favorite thing to do and told him that if he hadn't wasted that bag of marshmallows writing on them with a sharpie they could have at least had a snack! 

You have to love an elf named Elvis!

Christmas Nights and Holiday Lights

was the theme of Caden's 4th grade Christmas program. 

As we all know choir is not a competitive sport and because it is not American Idol then it is not one of his favorite things to do. 

He could think of a million things he would rather do than have to get up and sing and smiling was certainly not present, but he did survive.  It was a great program and I loved it despite the fact that he wouldn't even look at us for the fear that I might get a smile out of him.  

Change is sometimes hard

and it's my blog and I can cry if I want too!

Today as I was cutting out sugar cookies and listening to Christmas music I got to thinking about a different time in my life.  A time when when things were old hat and a time when I was comfortable in my every day. 

When I got to thinking today, I took a look around my house that isn't yet a home and I really started missing what used to be what reflected us as a family.  I missed the warmth of my house that I made our home.  I missed the visits from friends that would come and visit for hours.  I missed just being me!

Today I wish that I could turn back time to see my porch decorated this way again

 I wish I could turn back time and sit in my living room that was full of laughter, love and where everyone knew they were welcome when they walked in the door.

I wish that I could jump in the car with my kids and drive all over looking at Christmas lights and hear them say, "Daddy honk at the dancing Christmas Trees so they will shimmy for us."

I miss hearing my kids say that this over the top decorated house was the prettiest Christmas light display

E-V-E-R.

 Today I miss a different time in my life.

I just wish that all of this would become old hat for me and that I could figure out how to make my much smaller place of residence feel like my home once did.

Today I miss what I used to know!

Elvis is in the house!

This crazy ol' elf has always been very good at just sitting and watching as life happens.

Being good

is only

fun for

so long and then it is

time to shake things up...

Seriously this Elvis a.k.a. ELFIS

thought that toilet paper would be beautiful on my tree

and

thought it would be fun to

do a little

propelling from the

light in the entryway.

Wonder where he will end up tomorrow??

Elvis

is in the house and he is out of control!

^__^

It was a ROCKIN' good time

Last Thursday night we attended Reece's 2nd grade Christmas program and it was fabulous!

This was the 2nd class event that we have been to since we have lived in Paola and I think the thing I love even more than watching my kids do what they do, is that everyone that is related to the children at these events come to support them.  You better get there early if you want a seat because it is standing room only!  To see the looks on the kids faces as they were scanning the crowd looking for their family was absolutely priceless! 

Just another positive about raising your kids in small town USA!

It's Beginning to look like a Bressler Christmas

Welcome to Our First Christmas in Paola

Come on in the door is always open

Our tradition is to always put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.  This year we had a little extra help from Aunt Chelsea and Maamma.

The joys of small town Christmas and I am sure that this will become part of our Christmas Tradition for as long as we live in Paola.  Christmas at the town square complete with tree lighting, sleigh rides and of course...

A visit from Santa Claus himself.

Very bittersweet this year.  My oldest one wanted no part of the magical experience, my middle one was thrilled and my youngest one was very unsure of the whole adventure at first. 

Reece told Santa that he wanted a Nintendo DS ixl and Santa looked at him with a confused look, but assured him that he would see what he could do about that.  By the end of Ellee's visit and telling him that she wanted a Hello Kitty bike and a Hello Kitty helmet she gave him a hug, but made it very clear that she was not going to give him a kiss.  Santa laughed while Mommy nearly cried because I knew that I was going to have a Santa picture with one of my children missing.  I don't think that I am ready for him to grow up just yet.  I want the MAGIC of Christmas to live forever and ever!  

Elvis the Elf managed to find us even in Paola, Kansas 

I guess he figured that since the new favorite pass time around here is to fish in the pond behind our house, he would make himself at home doing a little fishing of his own.  Goldfish anyone? 

 Merry Christmas from our home to yours and may God shine in all that you do!

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Thanksgiving Indians

All crowded into a second grade classroom with every proud Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa in Paola, Kansas to see a Thanksgiving feast Mrs. Kreiser style.

Such a great way to spend the last day of school before Thanksgiving Vacation!