The Kassel Family Project Life 365

Our friend Tamara from Tamara Dee Photography took our holiday pictures on Sunday.  It was a challenge because John wasn’t much in the mood and both kids were hyper.  It worked out in the end though and we got some great pictures.  I love them!  After Tamara dropped off the CD-ROM today, I got busy making our Christmas cards and calendars.  Thanks Tamara for a bunch of great pictures again!

While shopping for boots at Target, Laura saw this Santa window cling and insisted on getting it.  Upon arriving home, we had a 15-minute discussion about which window would “host” the “Santa Cling.”  Eventually the upstairs sliding glass door won and she had a great time hanging it.

Note to Self:  Next year buy boots in OCTOBER.  There is simply not much left in December.

…the first snow of the year!

Generally, I wouldn’t share embarrassing stories like this on the Internet, but this blog is supposed to be about real life.  So, here we go.  And please feel free to laugh.  I have been so you might as well laugh along with me! 

About 30 minutes after eating breakfast, I started to feel a rumbling in my stomach.  I went to the restroom, which isn’t exactly close to my office, and I felt much better after that.  About 15 minutes later (it’s about 10:15 am at this point), it happened again.  This time, I was NOT successful in my attempt to make it to the bathroom.  Fortunately, it wasn’t particularly bad, but enough that I decided to say “screw this day” and go home.  I grabbed a towel that I keep in my office (supposed to be for drying off after coming in out of the rain/snow/etc.) and headed home.  I get in the car and remember that I need gas!  So, off to the gas station a go.  I pray that the spot on my pants isn’t visible underneath my coat.  After putting about 1/2 a tank of gas in the car, my stomach starts to rumble again.  Ugh.  Now I HAVE to go inside the gas station to use the restroom.  I walk carefully because I’m afraid the work “incident” might happen again.  Fortunately, I made it to the bathroom, but I was in there for probably 10-15 minutes.  When finished, I race and I MEAN race for home!  By the time I get home, my stomach has settled down and I feel a bit better!  I strip off my clothes and throw them in the washing machine.  I change into comfy clothes and log in to World of Warcraft.  I figure after the morning’s embarrassment, I deserve to kill some things!  🙂

After having our family pictures taken today (Thanks Tamara Dee Photography!), we, along with Tamara and Kyler, went to the Dothages’ home for a great evening of wonderful homemade gumbo, friends, and fun.  The kids had a great time!  Laura and Kathryn played together all night, while Kyler and John spent a long time playing with the train underneath the Christmas tree.

The adults had a fun time talking, drinking some beverages, eating, and hanging out.  The ladies worked a bit on a Christmas puzzle and chatted, while the men spent some time chatting and watching football games.  What a nice, relaxing evening to follow a great, though tiring, weekend!

It was a busy, fun day that involved Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops, Moser’s, Gooey Butter Cake, Gingerbread House building, Laura losing tooth #2, and a party for Mom and Dad.

1. Home Depot for Kids’ Workshop!  The kids made snowman napkin holders.  Despite having four different sticker decorating options, the kids chose pretty much the same designs.  We had to write their names on the bottom to tell them apart!  Laura talked to Santa Claus at Home Depot.  She was a bit unnerved at first, but eventually warmed up and had a cute conversation with him.
2. Bass Pro Shops for Winter Wonderland fun.  Laura went to see Santa and get her picture taken, while John and I checked out the race cars and train.  After that, we discovered that Mrs. Claus was reading stories to the kids as well.  Mrs. Claus was a little late so we took some fun pictures of the kids in front of the “fireplace.” 
3. Moser’s for the last ingredients for Gooey Butter Cake.
4. Making Gooey Butter Cake!  Yummy! (Though I forgot to eat any at the party!)
5. Building a Gingerbread House.  The icing didn’t set up well though so it just doesn’t look so good.
6. Laura loses tooth #2!  She decides the Tooth Fairy will bring her a present this time instead of money.  The Tooth Fairy was happy to oblige with a book, “Pinkalicious – Pinkie Promise”.
7. Annual Holiday Party at the Musket’s Home.  It was great to see the “usual crowd” and we had a great time!  Thanks Rachel and B for babysitting and for feeding the kids cookies. 
8. Parents fall into bed completely exhausted.

John LOVES Parmesan cheese and noodles so much that he “licked the platter clean!”