The Kasparek Family Christmas Tree

The Nativity scene is displayed, decorations in place, lights hung outside...the only thing missing was the holiday centerpiece: our Christmas tree! We headed to the tree farm this afternoon and picked out a real beauty! She was a bit tricky getting in the house and after a little topple early on in the decorating, she's now standing tall in our living room (secured to our cast iron dutch oven).

On a mission! When we spotted our tree, Emma exclaimed, "That's the perfect tree, Dad!"

An ode to Charlie Brown's tree (it's kind of camouflaged in the bush in the background)
"I need a taller ladder!"

To no surprise, Camden wanted to put Elmo on the tree.

Our magnificent Christmas tree!

Let's help Dad!

It was a low-key morning at the Kasparek house...the kids were having fun coloring...then Emma went to the bathroom and who should catch her eye out the front window?Why it was Daddy working (for the third day straight) on his masterpiece!

Emma came running back into the kitchen and excitedly yelled 3 words Chris didn't want to hear..."LET'S HELP DAD!"
With a face like this, who could resist the help?

Chris's new toy this year is a pole that helped him reach those trees that he swears weren't quite as tall last year! Emma went for javelin thrower/Mulan/stick pony. In this picture she was a little too quick for me and my camera!Meanwhile, I had an excuse to try on Camden's snowsuit to see if it fit (yippee-my $6 killer bargain from last year will work for this winter!) He didn't mind the chilly temps and had fun running around the yard checking out what Chris and Emma were up to.

I feel pretty lame that it took putting up Christmas lights to get us out in the yard to play in the leaves. With that said, I forgot how much fun a pile of leaves is!

(Note Chris in the background dealing with a bad fuse...)

This is fun, Mom! Rake the pile again!

Making leaf angels is great practice for snow angels!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebrating with our dear friend, Michelle, and her family. Emma and Camden played the afternoon and evening away with Michelle's nieces and nephew and we all ate so much our bellies hurt! Man do I LOVE Thanksgiving!

A boy and his duck...who needs turkey when you can chew on Eugene's foot? The feast!
One happy (and stuffed!) family!

I believe that there is always room for dessert and I'm glad to see my children are taking after me!

Catch me, Michelle, I'm gonna jump!!

All I want for Christmas...

Well, it is the weekend before Thanksgiving, but the Christmas spirit has hit the Kasparek house already. Chris took advantage of the beautiful day and began putting up the lights. I was preparing a little gingerbread cookie dough, when Emma starting bringing in boxes of our Nativities from the garage. I have a feeling if the Christmas tree lots would have been open today, Chris would have taken us there! As we set out all our holiday family photos from the past, it's hard to believe that this will be our seventh Christmas as the Kaspareks! :)

Here are Emma and Camden looking through the Toys R Us ad in today's paper..Say cheese, Mom!
Oh Mom, I don't want my picture taken

Emma cuddling up on the couch, enjoying the sunshine

A face only a mother could love-someone just woke up from a nap

Who's that superstar?!?!

Why it's Hannah Montana!

Emma went to a birthday party today and guess what was in her party favor bag? Her very own Hannah Montana wig. Needless to say she was tickled pink! Emma's friends at school are big Hannah Montana fans, so naturally she started talking about her and singing her songs. In fact, her teacher Miss Betty, has created a special stage for all the aspiring singers in her class. :)

Tea party

Tuesday evening Emma wanted to have a tea party. Camden is always up for a celebration (as long has he gets a turn pouring the tea!) Nothing like a spot of tea in your jammies!

Emma's trip to the beach

As I was folding laundry this afternoon, Emma informed me that she was going to the beach and wanted to know if I'd like to come, too. I put my bikini top and sarong on over my clothes (lucky for you it was not captured on digital film) and headed to the beach. Emma warned me to be careful near the water and invited me to join her on a boat ride. :)

In the spirit of summer, Camden was hiding from me-avoiding nap time-and enjoying his shirtless self. We were doing a little rearranging in the office and one of the futons makes for a great hiding place!

A day of parties

Emma helped her buddy, Logan, celebrate his 4th birthday, yesterday. The Kasparek party wagon is a package deal, so Chris, Camden, and I joined the party, too. Logan is an expert at doing the penguin dance, so his 2 favorite ladies, Emma and Claire busted a move with him. Yep, that's Camden walking through the middle of the cake walk game...
Our little slugger...

After Logan's party, we headed to Fort Lewis for an Operation Purple Camp reunion. Chris spent an incredible week in August helping direct this camp for military teens and had a great time catching up with his fellow staff members last night. Best of all-it was at the roller skating rink! Chris had never seen my mad roller skating skills, so I impressed him! :) Too bad his bum shoulder kept him on solid soles or I could have challenged him to a race or two. Emma absolutely loved skating! She had on walker skates (the wheels are locked and don't move), but could have cared less! Camden had his on for about 5 seconds-oh well, maybe next time!

Playing house

Emma has really been into playing house lately. She always comes up to me and says, "Let's both be mom's. You be Sweetie and I'm Mom." Sometime Camden is Dad or Uncle Lou. This morning she was Aunt Jessi and Camden was Parker (by the way Emma is over the moon excited to be a flower girl in Jessi and Parker's wedding in July!) Camden is a good sport-just as long as he can cook in the play kitchen!

Welcome to the world, Alison!

After all the Halloween fun, we were ready for a low-key weekend. Boy were we surprised when Aimee called Saturday night saying she was in labor (yes, this is the same "cat" that was strolling around trick-or-treating 24 hours before). We had spent Halloween evening chatting about the baby's arrival later on this month, but she had her own agenda! Claire spent the afternoon with Emma and we decided to bake some cookies in honor of her becoming a big sister. Chef Emma concentrating on her masterpiece...
Is this a proud big sister, or what?!?!

The Kaspareks and Warthens all evened up now!

Alison and her Daddy

The Halloween Finale

The final installment of our Halloween 2008 Trilogy brought us back to our house for more trick or treating in the neighborhood. Emma wanted to make sure we had our jack-o-lanterns lit before all the kids came to our house. As Emma, Chris, and I were outside with the pumpkins, I looked in the window and who should I catch "red pawed" sitting inside helping himself to some candy....our little Camden puppy.

Chris and Chris took the girls out in the neighborhood while we ladies and Camden manned the door at home. Last year Emma made it through one cul-de-sac and then had enough. I'm not sure if it was the pizza dinner break we took, or the motivation of her partner in crime, Claire, but they raided nearly the entire neighborhood. The guys talked them through the routine (knock on the door...say trick or treat...say thank you before you leave). At their first stop, the girls forgot the first part and just stood at the closed door yelling "trick or treat!!" the nice owner of the house got quite a kick out of that!

Trick or Treating in Poulsbo

Friday afternoon we headed to Poulsbo (pauls-bo) for the town's annual trick or treat fest. They close the street in the downtown to cars and all the businesses hand out candy. I think the adults loved checking out all the different costumes as much as the kids liked getting candy. A costume theme for the Warthen and Kasparek families could be in the near future...

In June Emma started talking about what she wanted to be for Halloween. It changed on a weekly basis until we made her commit last month. I think she makes an adorable Tinkerbell! Who wouldn't want to take this cute little puppy home?!?!

Camden wasn't thrilled with his hood up, so this is my one picture to cherish!
Tinkerbell and Wedding Ariel (Claire) are ready to hit the town!

Why it's Mr. Incredible right here in Poulsbo, Washington!

Chris, Me, Aimee, Tami, Camden, Emma, and Claire

to the rescue!!!

Emma and Claire weren't too sure what to think of a scary looking person walking by...

Silverwood School Halloween Carnival

One of the many things I love about my new school is all the traditions that have carried on year to year. The 6th grade class has always put on a Halloween party so I brought the fam (they were all a HUGE hit!) and we had a great time!

Tinkerbell, Mr. Incredible, and a puppy wishing one of them would win the cakewalk...Emma having her face painted...
Emma and Camden love The Chicken Dance!
(too bad it was the one song I requested not to have at our wedding reception...)

Emma kept close tabs on her brother-good thing he had a long tail!

Back at home checking out all their loot!