Sesame Street Live

It was fitting that we went to this show for a few reasons.  1.  We saw this show exactly three years ago on Makenna's 2nd birthday!  It was Bennett's turn.  2.  I had found out that morning that I was pregnant with Bennett. He was there in spirit, huh?!

You'd think an almost five year old wouldn't really be too excited for this, but man- she was!  I think it's because she enjoys live performanes so much, and we've taken her to quite a few.  Let's be honest...she's fairly cultured in the liberal arts department. :)  She also used to do "Sesame Street Lines" in dance.  They would walk in lines across the studio to work on a specific skill, much like drills for you jocks.  She kept saying she was really excited for Sesame Street Lines. Bennett just kept saying "Elmo!"

Pre-show.  Just look at his face.  If that doesn't have ornery written all over it....?  His shirt I bought at Target.  Too cute!  Everything I know I learned from The Street.  As if he's all gangsta and from the hood.

We went to the Sprint Center early to catch a close up glimpse or two of some of the characters.  Makenna was such a big helper!  She made sure to help keep track of him.  Her sweet body language says it all.

And even in this one, she has a hold of his hand.  Sweet girl.  He's along for the ride, because whatever "Mana" does, Bennett does.

Bennett wasn't scared, nervous, timid, nothing, nada. He was giving High 5's, hugs, etc to the characters and thought it was totally cool!  You can't see his little head in this picture, but Zoey is shaking his hand.  Soon after this picture was taken, the characters came right by us.  Ernie gave the kids and I a great big hug.  It was really sweet.

They sat together in one seat the entire time.  They nicely shared a tub of popcorn and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and the show!  No fights, no tantrams, no spills...nothing but a good memory.  A super fun Friday morning activity with my kiddos.

Man.  I sure love 'em.

Doll Baby

Thank Heaven for Little Boys.

Mary had a Dinosaur

Here's a quick video of Makenna "reading" a new beginner book for pre-readers.  She's reading the pictures...she's not reading the words.  Although actually on that note, she's about ready for site words.  That's the next step!  She'll sound out and put together the words, and can sometimes even figure it out.

The actual text reads:
Mary had a...
dinosaur...
with horns...
and spotty knees.
It shared her lunch,
it pushed her swing...
it helped her climb some trees.
It followed her...
to school one day.
The children said,
"That's cool!"
It made the children laugh...
to see a dinosaur...
in school!

Here's her version!
http://youtu.be/-y8SIPG3CO0

Best New Member

My Dad's Anytime Fitness has now been open one whole calendar year.  He has done many things to promote it...one of the many was joining the Chamber of Commerce of Parkville.  He networked, he schmoozed, he met and discussed, he this, he that.  And because of his hard work and dedication to building a successful gym, he was given the award Best New Chamber Member 2011!  Ben and I, along with a few other invitees, attended the banquet.  A job well done.

And not that we're a big deal, but a decent picture nonetheless. 

Giddy Up!

We're root tootin ready for a ho-down!  Get'cha cowgirl boots on and bring a hat!  Yee-haw...Miss Mak's turning FIVE!!!

Super Duper (x100) Cool Thing About THIS Dress:

Irene, Ben's mom, wore it on her first day of kindergarten. I would have had to pay some big 'ole buckeroos to buy this vintage piece off the racks!!  It is SO cute...and Makenna LOVES it!  Her stance says it all.

Bennett counts to 10!

Nevermind his get-up. :)  He's a cutie nonetheless.

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/video/video.php?v=10150444718606627

NYE- Danice and Shaw's Wedding

Wow.  Was this a fun night, or WHAT?!  Ben and I compared it to our trip to Mexico this past August.  It's right up there... We.had.a.blast!  Everyone.had.a.blast!  You wanna talk about a party done right!

Here's the bride and groom.  Ryan and Danice...who we refer to as, Shaw and Danice.  He's a good friend of my brother's, and they're pretty well high school sweethearts. Not only was their wedding on New Year's Eve, but her 30th birthday was too!  What a special day!

These are our parents and their friends.  We all grew up together in the same church...we're like family.  Actually, the woman on the very left is the mother of the groom.  She and my dad have been friends since they were five!  That's fifty years, people!

And then we have this beaut.  Oh Man- these people are hilarious.  Us kids have all the bad habits of the parentals, and then some!  What a great group!!

Things got out of control and I took some funny pictures!  If you'd like to see the rest of the album, I posted them on fb.  ;)  The party was off the hook!  An open bar, sushi, a buffet, an ice sculpture with Godiva shots, a balloon drop at midnight, and to top it off- McDonald's cheeseburgers and Taco Bell tacos!  Amazing!! Sunday morning was redic to say the least.

Go State!

Iowa State played in the Pin Stripe Bowl in New York City at Yankee Stadium.  We were in full spirit here at the Dohrmann house, yelling at the tv and drinking a few brewskies.  Friends joined in and we had our very own little party.  Tons-o-fun!  The outcome wasn't what we had hoped for, but we had a great afternoon visiting with other hard-core Cyclones, Dan and Theresa Etler and their daughter Madeline.

Makenna was pretty dead set on having a Cyclone parade, in which case we did over halftime.  She was the leader and we all marched behind her in single file, singing the fight song!  It's a memory I won't soon forget. :)

S is for Sigma women, ba dadada

I love being a sorority girl. I do.  I wouldn't change that for anything.  And it's fine if you think I bought my friends.  I don't really care.  I love having real, lasting relationships with girlfriends from college.  And there's such a strong bond.  I have some super great girls in my life, who now have super great kids of their own!

A little play date over Christmas break!

Makenna is holding Baby IJ.  Then Addie, Bennett, Nyta, Quinn, Leyton, Vivi, Layla, Amir, Phillip, and Brady.

Maiden last names of kids are Brooks, Colley, Gross, Stiefvator, Lynch, Colley, Schmitt, Ziegler, Lynch

Christmas Morning

Makenna woke up first, and waited very impatiently for little brother to rise. ;)  After about fifteen minutes, she couldn't take it any longer!!  Luckily soon thereafter, he started to fuss. 

We were excited to see their reactions of course!  We were at the bottom of the steps with both cameras in hand.  I think I may have been more excited about Bennett's train set than anything- I knew he'd just freak.  He came down the stairs without even seeing the set, rounded the couch corner and went straight to playing.  Not a word was said- not a scream, not a gasp, nothing. :)  It's like it had been there the whole time.  Makenna was ecstatic about her skates, but then very quickly went right onto the next thing.

I'd have to say that Santa did a pretty kick a$$ job on that table!  I mean- you wanna talk about a HIT! :)

Barbie Prom Queen and Ken Prom King- duh.

Bennett was so enthralled with his "doo doo nain" that he barely realized there were other things.  Guess I'll know for next time.  A new John Deere tractor, a MagnaDoodle, new cars, clothes, a movie, and choo-choo's of course.

Milo really loved the Create-n-Color Castle.  He's up to no good- you can see it in his eyes!

And Cali too, for that matter- in the middle of it all!  Cats are nosey friends, but we sure love 'em.

Miss Mak made out - with the LeapPad, LalaLoopsey dolls, roller skates, Barbies, princesses, movies, etc.  Next year...we're down grading. It's redic.

She/we/they LOVED this gift!  You color on the cardboard, which then folds into this box type castle thing.  Really fun and a GREAT time spender!  She is diligent, people....diligent.  This thing looks incredible!

And this is what Bennett spent 99% of his day (and days following) doing.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, 2011.  Makenna- almost 5.  Bennett-2.

Quote of the night from Makenna- "Mommy, how old will Jesus be tomorrow?!"

We enjoyed a 5:00 church service at Platte Woods. The kids were wonderful during the service. Bennett was a dream. We are SO lucky. They wrote little notes, played with our phones, and stood on the pews while we sang. They even participated in communion. We sang Holy Night and lit the candles to end the service.  If that doesn't get you, not sure what will.  Last year Bennett and Daddy were in the back by then- it was nice to do it together as a family. I SOO wish I could take pictures... I'll just have use the 'ole trusty filing system in my head.

I'm thinking grey and black were the colors of 2011.  :)  It was totally NOT planned!

And so this year brings new traditions!  A really big one for me... We have gone over to my grandma's house since forever.  I don't remember ever not going over there.  But this year she gave the reigns to her daughter, my Aunt Vicki.  I enjoyed it- it was in a much larger space, it was less chaotic, yet still inviting.  Here's to my children's memories of Christmas being at Vicki and Kurt's.

A beautiful big horse-just her size!

A pink sparkley unicorn...just what she asked for!

The tee ball set was a "hit!" We may be in trouble.

After we had dinner and opened presents, we came back home to set out the cookies and milk for Santa Clause.  She made sure to give Santa back his bell from his sleigh and leave some grapes and water for Rudolph. (We were fresh out of carrots!)  We even put the reindeer food out on the front lawn.  And then to bed. to bed I said. 

Seeing Santa

If you can believe this, I'm pretty sure this is the first.time.ever.we've.gone.to.see.Santa!  In years past, we've always been somewhere where he happened to be.  We actually stood in line and paid money-the whole nine yeards.  The kids rode the train over and over and over again (for FREE!) and saw the 'ole St. Nick.  I wasn't sure about Bennett's reaction, but never fear- he marched his little fanny right up to him and said, "red choo choo train".  Actually, he probably said what sounded like, "re doo doo drain"...but still- same diff.  Makenna said she wanted a pink sparkley unicorn and rollarskates.  They sat on his lap and posed for the picture as if happened every day.  Easy schmeezy.

On the way home she asked if that was the 'real Santa.' Uh- wasn't ready for that one!  It totally caught me off guard, but I think we successfully made it through! Whew!  For you parents that have younger children than me, answer those types of questions with "What do you think!?"

And yes, of course- they had on shirts from Heather.  Why wouldn't they?!

I thought we might take a walk down memory lane.

-Makenna's First Christmas 2007, 10 months

-Makenna's Second Christmas 2008, 21 months.  The only reason she even got close was to quickly grab the candy cane!

-Makenna's Third Christmas, Bennett's First 2009.  She was 33 months and he was five weeks old.  She wasn't going to see him at ALL this year, but because Bennett had done it, then she said she would.  It was definitely a fight though....and she WOULD NOT sit on his lap!

-Makenna's Fourth Christmas and Bennett's Second, 2010.  We had gone to Christmas on the River down in Parkville.  I guess we sorta stood in line to see Santa then.  Mak was great and so was Bennett, although the look he's giving Santa is one of uncertainty. Good thing Daddy's holding him.  I didn't have my camera, so this pic is really bad- could be cute, but notsomuch.  It's so tiny.

Christmas Dance Program

Unfortunately, Miss Makenna had a double ear infection the day of her actual performance.  Sooo, we opted for Plan B.  Plan B was to perform with another class.  It went swimmingly.  She paired up with a group of girls and did all the right moves.  She knows how to shake her groove thang.

On most of her songs, not only was she dancing, but belting it out too!  Jammin'.  She's her mother's daughter.  ;)  And don't you think this skirt looks huge?!  For one, she's in a class for kindergarteners...and for two, she's tiny.  Guess that's what'cha get!

Here's Miss Jennifer- we don't usually get to see her anymore, but for the Christmas program we did!

Great Grandma and Grandpa were there.  Grandma Marsha was there- and another hundred other spectators!  What a great show. I love watching her perform...she's simply adorable.  She just beams.