Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A New Year Pajama Jam!

I can't believe 2013 is over. Where did it go? Judging by our blog posts (or lack there of - trust me, many of you have had to Say Something about this) throughout the year, there are some Blurred Lines. Allow me to bring some Clarity to the situation as we Carry On into the new year. We really want you to Stay tuned to the Kapellas blog, right here Next To Me, and Feel This Moment and all of the ones to come.

Have you figured out this post yet? Don't I deserve some Applause for my creativity? It's the end of the year and it's time for...

Isla and Gannon's Top 13 songs of 2013! 

We decided they each get to have their own list from now on because there are so many songs they both love and they're siblings and one less thing for them to fight over would start the year off right. So, without further delay...Wake Me Up when it's 2014!

Isla's List:

13  Love Somebody - Maroon 5
12  Next To Me - Emeli Sande
11  Clarity - Zedd with Foxes
10  Radioactive - Imagine Dragons
09  Royals - Lorde
08  Feel This Moment - Pitbull with Christina Aguilera
07  Stay - Rihanna with Mikky Ekko
06  Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke with T.I., Pharrell and Alan Thicke (just kidding!)
05  Mind Your Manners - Pearl Jam
04  Riptide - Vance Joy
03  Counting Stars - OneRepublic
02  Say Something - A Great Big World with Christina Aguilera
01  Wake Me Up - Avicii

Gannon's List:

13  Life Is Better With You - Michael Franti and Spearhead
12  Applause - Lady GaGa
11  Safe and Sound - Capital Cities
10  Do What U Want - Lady GaGa with R. Kelly
09  Royals - Lorde
08  Counting Stars - OneRepublic
07  Carry On - Fun.
06  Holy Grail - JayZ with Justin Timberlake
05  Feel This Moment - Pitbull with Christina Aguilera
04  Let Her Go - Passenger
03  Mirrors/Take Back The Night/Suit and Tie - Justin Timberlake
02  Can't Hold Us/Thrift Shop - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
01  Get Lucky - Daft Punk with Pharrell

Happy New Year! We wish you all love, health and happiness the whole year through. We'll make a resolution to be better bloggers. :) xo

Two Brothers Christmas

2 (brothers) is better than none and it's still fun!






















Represent the M! I suppose Isla has room in her heart for another Tigers team.
 





















Gone but not forgotten. 


















"How come Uncle Brad, Uncle Pete and Uncle Nick haven't returned my calls?"





















Nothing says Merry Christmas like a jersey bearing the name of the man who finished second in saves in the National League in both 1978 and 1979.  






















A Kent Tekulve jersey? Check!
A Mizzou Hat? Check!
A shiny pair of red Brooks Connects? Check!
A George Scott bobblehead? What?

Merry and Bright

Our Christmas Day continued with the best part, FAMILY!






















From Grampy's (new) heart to Isla's arms, a cuddly heart bear!


















It's the second year in a row I have my Christmas wish of all the grandparents joining us for lunch. I hope it's the start of a streak! And we even had a bonus guest in birthday buddy Blake!


 So happy together!














Later in the evening, we headed down to Joni's house for even more family, food and fun!


















Persephone and Isla doing their best impression of Isla's legendary tongue expression from our Christmas card two years ago.


















Gannon Michael and Uncle Michael, the best of buds!


















No, he's my best bud!






















Isla hangin' with her college girls...honorary sorority sister!

Thank you, family for another memorable Christmas! We love you all!

Santa, Sooses and his super full Sleigh!

I'm not sure who was more excited on Christmas morning (us or the kiddos), but Santa did not disappoint!






















And, just like years past, he is still a messy eater, however he's cut back on his beer consumption. Must have needed to keep his head on straight to remember to take those susses from the basket.



Good morning, kiddos!





















Let's go check out the goods!

















Isla: "He really loved my cookies!"
Gannon: "He really took my sooses?! Really? So, that's it, then?"

That's ok, buddy. I see everything you asked for is waiting under the tree...






















A train train bike!
















And an awesome cement truck. Totally worth giving up the susses, right Mr. Man?
















Well, hello Hello Kitty bike!





















And Hello Kitty helmet!















Yes!















Another truck! Correction, another firetruck! (He ended up with 4 new ones this Christmas. Establishing his profession early, I suppose.)





















And the princess collection is complete! So glad you could finally join us, Sleeping Beauty!
















I don't know how you fit it all in your sleigh, Santa, (Isla just can't figure it out either!) but you sure did a great job again!

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Now that Santa's....back in town!

He made it to the frigid windy city once again! Welcome back!


And look at what beautiful and exciting gifts you brought for the kiddos! They'll be bursting with excitement come morning!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Always Be Prepared...for the worst!

So, remember that catnap Paul took earlier on Christmas Eve? And remember that motto the Boy Scouts live by? Well, we needed both tonight for the Christmas Eve Construction nightmare, also known as Isla's Hello Kitty Bike.

It started out so promising, as you can see by the smile on Paul's face. He has a beer and the confidence of a father somewhat seasoned in assembling special Christmas gifts.





















But then, it came time to put the front wheel on. And that's where the wheels fell off (sorry had to say it.) Actually, the wheel wouldn't go on. And it still wouldn't go on after looking in the book, forcing it, looking in the book, looking online, looking at me. You get the idea.




Then we reached out to the trusted car expert in the family, Poppy, because we knew he'd have some way to get this wheel on or we would have one devastated little woman in the morning.


After digging deep into our super-parenting strength, possibly tearing our biceps and straining our back, the wheel was on and Paul continued the battle with this bike.
What was supposed to be another quick and easy assembly was probably worse than the kitchen he did for Isla a few years back. But, knowing that Isla will be beyond excited in the morning makes this late, late night totally worth it!


Yes, he's smiling and you can't hear the string of blog-inappropriate expletives through his teeth.
Great job, pk!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Don't EVEn tell me I have to wait to eat those treats: Part 3

The kiddos fixed a plate for Santa and his reindeer, but Gannon felt he needed to make sure everything tasted just right for dear old Santa. Especially that beer.


Gannon really couldn't help himself although he really wanted to help himself!



Hands off, buddy!



"Don't I at least deserve one extra cookie tonight? I am giving up my sooses so I can get an awesome truck from Santa! I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I helped him get a jump on this plate of food."



Sorry, Mr. Man. This is the official plate for Santa, beer, sooses and all. An empty plate and basket will make for very happy kiddos in the morning!

....a brief pause for a word from our sponsor...

These lovely and delicious cookies were all made during a lovely afternoon by Isla and her YiaYia especially for Christmas. Thank you, YiaYia, for everything you did to make this baking day possible. Amazing!

 

Still can't EVEn wait: Part 2

What's this? Looks like Santa's elves stopped by to let us know the jolly old man is on his way! (Finally!)



 
Isla: "I knew those elves were gonna come again!"

Those elves sure do know how to pick books. How can you go wrong with a unicorn and a gingerbread man on a firetruck!

Can't EVEn wait for Santa: Part 1

The night that Santa finally arrives is here and the kiddos can hardly contain their excitement or sugar intake. Keeping with tradition, we headed down to Gammo and Grampy's house to start the holiday off right.























Presents in our stocking is a step in the right direction! Look at those cozy feet!

















Gannon is either drawing up plans to a) sneak and see Santa b) take his sooses (pacifiers) back before Santa gets to them c) construct the ultimate train train bike d) all of the above.
See answer below.


















"No, I won't touch anything or open these gifts back here, Gammo. That is not the sound of ornament falling or paper ripping. You're hearing things."

















Sleeping now because he must have a premonition about the long night of present assembly ahead. (Stay tuned.)


Happy little family! Either I'm doing my best "SuperMom" impression or stabilizing my hips to hold my almost 5-year-old.

Thank you Gammo and Grampy for another wonderful night to get us ready for Santa!


Answer from above: D ( I think.) You never really know what's going on in that big brain of his!