20th Day: Little Buddy's 1st Snowfall

  On the 20th day of our 25 Days of Christmas we had a gift from above: a snow day!!  There was freezing rain overnight and around midnight it turned to heavy snow; at 6 am I received an email from my school saying there is a snow day and enjoy the day at home.  That we did!

  I jumped back into my pajamas and climbed back into bed with snoozing Marshall and watched the snow fall.  Brad got home safely a little over an hour later and it was a lovely quiet morning talking and cuddling together as a family.

  Tricia had to work at 9 and the store wasn't closing so she tried her best to get in.  She scraped windows and kept falling in the slippery driveway.  All that work just to find out at the end that she was literally frozen out of her car; the car doors wouldn't budge.  She quickly retreated back indoors and stayed home with us for the day.

Teasing Tricia from the upstairs bedroom

  Brad went to sleep and Tricia, Marshall, and I went downstairs and watched movies in our pajamas.  When we first opened the window to show Marshall all the snow outside he got so excited.  He loved the winter wonderland, he giggled and squealed.  It was so much fun and as if I were seeing snow for the first time all over again through his eyes.

Seeing the snow for the first time

Excited beyond words

Such a special little guy

Marshall's view out the living room window

  In the afternoon, after Brad got his sleep, we all got bundled up and went outside for Marshall's first time out in the snow.  Marshall was so excited to get his big boy boots that match daddy on and his first time ever wearing snow pants.

Such a little man

Getting on his hockey gloves

Dad & Marshall  in their matching jackets and boots

Marshall all excited for the snow

Playing in the snow

Marshall's snow angel

Mom & Marshall in the snow (yup I stayed in my pj's ALL day)

Marshall up to his knees in snow

Marshall loving all the snow

Auntie Tricia & Marshall

Dingmans First Snow Fall 2012

  In Minnesota this may have just been like any other day but here in Missouri it was a pretty special treat that we took advantage of.  Aunt Tricia made a small snowman for Marshall and we had a snowball fight which Marshall thought was hysterical.  Marshall made a little snow angel and loved climbing in the snow hands first.  We loved the snow and had so much fun playing in it for the first time as a family.

  Day 20 was a special day that gave us a white Christmas and we all took advantage of the time we were given together.  It was full of new first experiences for Marshall and us as a whole family.  Now we just hope that the snow lasts until Christmas!    

19th Day: A Semi-Homemade Gingerbread Village

  On the 19th day of our 25 Days of Christmas we made our own gingerbread village!  We had other plans (hence the hint about Marshall's favorite animal in the previous post) but we had our first case of freezing rain here in KC so we had to stay in.

  We decided, after how much Marshall enjoyed seeing the professional KC Santa's Village, it might be fun to try our hand at making a Dingman Christmas Village.  It was hard at first to get the hang of making the different houses but we sort of got the knack of it.

Starting to build the different houses

Building Dingman Gingerbread Village 2012

  Some of us- ahem Tricia cough cough- had a harder time building the houses than others.  There were a few dramatic moments to say the least.

Her favorite structure fell apart

Carefully rebuilding

  Marshall was so excited and was eager to be apart of the process.  He absolutely loves these crafts and this holiday season.

Offering Dad help

"Build it bigger guys, BIGGER!"

  After some frustrating moments and a lot of laughs we pulled off a somewhat decent little village.  It may not be exactly like the instructions show but we free styled it and made it uniquely us.

I made the front left one and back far right, Brad made the front right one, and
Tricia made the back left one and middle back one

Dingman Christmas Village 2012

  Day 19 was yet another day of learning to go with the flow and that our plans don't always go off without a hitch.  We still made the best of the freezing rain and had fun creating a mini Christmas wonderland.  We had fun, Tricia contorted herself into some interesting positions to achieve the gingerbread house she wanted, and Brad was honored to be regaled by Tricia and my- shall we say creative take on Christmas carol classics.  Another great day in our 25 days tradition.

18th Day: Santa's Gingerbread Village

  On the 18th day of our 25 Days of Christmas the boys went to Santa's Gingerbread Village at Crown Center.  I was still pretty out of commission thanks to the stomach flu, so the boys went to see the gingerbread houses at Crown Center on their own while I stayed home and tried to get better.

  Brad said that Marshall was absolutely in love with seeing the train zoom around the gingerbread houses that were put together by some of Kansas City's best pastry chefs.

Marshall giggling in delight at the sight of Santa's Gingerbread Village

Looking at the ornate gingerbread buildings

    Brad said that every time a train zoomed past Marshall would get so excited and laugh.  It sounded like it was a great Dad & son outing.  If you have our Photobucket information go checkout the short video Brad took of Marshall's face when the train went by him.  His excitement that he shares with his dad is so precious.

  When the boys got back we watched '
A Charlie Brown Christmas' together as a family and relaxed for a bit before Marshall and I went to sleep for the night and Brad went off to work.  Marshall usually doesn't pay attention to the TV programs or movies but Charlie Brown seemed to keep his attention for a bit.

  The 18th day posed it's own unique challenges to us celebrating our 25 days as a family but we still pulled it off and hopefully tomorrow I will be feeling better as we have a special place in mind to bring Marshall.  It has something to do with his favorite animal!  I feel so lucky to have such a great husband to take care of me with soup and water in the morning and then bring Marsh out to celebrate another day in our countdown to Christmas.  I cannot believe we only have a week left until the big day!  

17th Day: Crafting with a One Year Old & Remembering Fallen Officers

  On the 17th day of our 25 Days of Christmas we made crafts at home.  I started to feel a little ill (that's what happens when working with small children) so we decided a laid back craft day would be in order.

  We made a quick trip to Hobby Lobby to get our craft kits.  Marshall had a little bit of fun with some of the Christmas stuff he found there.

Sure he loves these antlers but not the ones he got at Christmas on the River

Marshall with a Rudolph ride toy

  Marshall loves crafts, I often have him do crafts similar to those I have my preschoolers do at school.  They are great for hand eye coordination and fine motor skills.  First we had Marshall help us make a nativity scene as we talked about the nativity and baby Jesus.  As we handed Marshall the pieces to stick together we talked about each person he was making- Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.  We know that Marshall is still very young but it doesn't hurt to explain things, if anything the extra communication can open up a new vocabulary to him with new words and phonic sounds.

Showing Marshall how to press together the pieces as he giggled with excitement

He is such a smart child, he picked up on the pressing concept immediately 

Putting together Blessed Mother Mary

Sticking on the hay to the manger 

Our finished Nativity scene

  After we were done with the nativity I laid down and the boys made a small wooden police car.  We learned earlier today that 2 officers were gunned down in Topeka (about an hour west of our house), this event paired with the recent ambush and murder of an officer near Brad's hometown made Brad want to do a special keepsake with Marshall.  They did great and it is something nice for Marshall to have in his memory box.

Dad using the wood glue to make the squad car as Marsh looks on

The boys working on different parts of their squad car

The finished car completed with stickers

  The 17th day was a nice day at home as a family creating nice things to commemorate the season.  We talked more about Jesus and the meaning of the Christmas season to us as Christians.  Dad and Marshall made a very special car that Marshall will always have and Brad talked about how special policemen are and reassured Marshall that he will always be there for him.  May God bless Officers David Gogian & Jeff Atherly (Topeka, KS) and Thomas Decker (Cold Springs, MN) and their families this holiday season.

  

16th Day: Shop with a Cop

  On the 16th day of our 25 Days of Christmas we helped the less fortunate by volunteering at Shop with a Cop as a family.  

  For those who aren't familiar, Shop with a Cop is put on by police departments and the community.  Money is raised throughout the year and then within a week or so of Christmas the uniformed officers bring the children shopping for Christmas.  Each department has their own rules for what the children can get, at  Brad's department the only rules are that the children get one thing that they need, keep the total around $150, and then anything else is free game.  Many of the police bring their families to help wrap the presents, offer help with the children, and so the police children can get a feeling for helping others.  

  The day started with Brad going to the police breakfast with the children while Tricia and I got ourselves and Marshall ready.  Marshall is not a morning person.  After the breakfast Brad came and picked us all up and we headed to the store.

Aunt Tricia & Marshall at Shop with a Cop 2012

  The kids were all excited and a little shy.  The kids that we went shopping with were brothers and they recognized Brad from a time where he came to their house before.  It broke my heart to hear them say they knew Brad from when Brad came to their house when their dad was drunk and unruly, but the boys seemed more appreciative about Brad and the situation.  They said their dad left now and this is their very FIRST Christmas- they are in upper elementary school.  It was days like today that I realize just how special my husband is and the impact he makes in his community.  

  The boys knew exactly what they wanted so shopping went by fairly quick.  The boys were so excited and well behaved, I felt very lucky to be able to be there and see my husband with these two boys who saw him as if he were Superman.  

Brad doing Shop with a Cop 2012

  Brad's police department had their own register so we didn't have to stand in lines and then Walmart let us use a space in their backroom to wrap presents quickly for the children.  Afterwards the kids all left and the police and their families all hung out for awhile.

  Marshall loved playing with the other little boys from the department (for some reason there are a lot of older daughters but the sons are all young).  Little Landon and Marshall were running around in the baby toys as Brad's Major laughed and tried to get Marshall to let him hold him (he did).

Some of Brad's Department

  It was a great time- Marshall ate up all the attention from all the other officers and their kids, Brad was able to see some kids he helped and they were so excited to see him again, Tricia got a taste of what it will be like when she is an officer and she loved it, and I loved being a part of a very special first Christmas for some awesome little guys.

  It just so happened that we all had the 16th off as well.  Something that is rare in our house of 3 adults with 3 different job schedules.  It was also Sunday so that meant Sunday Dinner.  We made it fun by making a homemade snowman pizza (chicken alfredo pizza) complete with tomato eyes & mouth and chive buttons & nose; for dessert we made melted snow ball cupcakes (hot chocolate cupcakes with marshmallow frosting).  Hey even though Missouri doesn't have snow right now we can still make snowmen and snowballs- and this kind you can actually eat without fear of any surprises!

Snowman chicken alfredo pizza and snowball  hot coco cupcakes

  After dinner we watched the interfaith vigil for those lost at Sandy Hook.  It was a beautiful service and very sobering to watch.  Our family continues to pray for all of those effected, our nation, and to try to find ways to prevent this from happening again.

  The 16th day was a fun day of helping others and hearing what a great officer my husband is and how gentle and fun he is with the kids he encounters on the job.  I look forward to bringing Marshall in the future and him learning what a gift it is to give to others and help those in need.  I hope that someday Marshall can see what a special job his daddy has and what great men and women he works with.  I feel so lucky to be able to have my son around this wonderful group of people.



                                              ************************************
  I also want to urge anyone looking for charities to donate to- look up your local police department and ask if you can make a donation to their Shop with a Cop program.  Local children love the opportunity to get what they really want and need and the police that have to deal with so much pain and suffering can get to put a smile on children's faces.  I cannot say enough how special this program is!  

  

15th Day: Santa Train

  On the 15th day of our 25 Days of Christmas we decided a little bit of whimsy was in order.  So we brought Marshall down to Union Station to see the Santa Train that rolled into town.

  Marshall is the typical little boy loving anything that moves: planes, trains, automobiles, motorcycles (thanks again Nanno) and boats.  When we walked up to the front of the train Marshall was busy chatting away with Brad, but when Brad told him to look and pointed out the train- words cannot describe Marshall's face.  He was so elated and it was such a magical moment.  He started giggling and just couldn't stop smiling at this special whimsical train.

Marshall seeing the train for the first time 

The Santa Train!

Dad & Marshall, Santa Train 2012

Santa Train at Union Station 2012

The Reindeer & Sleigh Railroad Carrier

The Nutcrackers guarding Santa

The Gingerbread Railroad Car

80 year old KC Firetruck

  It was so great to see all of the children excited over the wonder that is the Santa Train.  After what happened the day before it was great to see the innocence of children.  Even the adults we mesmerized by the train- heck Brad was downright giddy and reverted to a little boy in the shadow of the train.

  Day 15 was a great day, where the innocence of children was truly felt and where everything else in the world was just on hold for awhile.  Marshall's excitement over that train makes me want to bring him there everyday until the train moves on to the next station.  This will definitely turn into a yearly tradition for us.