Shark Attack!

Don't go in the water (or near that cake)...there's a birthday shark lurking!

Happy 4th Birthday, Keaton!

 

This cake will be my first victim.

 

Birthday (month) buddies

 

"Cheeee-Whereisthecakeyoupromisedus-eeeeeseee?!

This shark's got the gills to pay the bills. (And blow out that candle.) 

Alright cake...say hello to my fork and then my belly.

"Luke...I'm your Uncle."

 

A smiling shark is a happy shark! We had a great time!

There's snow place like home.

And that's exactly where we'll stay! Why go anywhere else when there's a winter wonderland right outside the door?

Before the deep freeze comes later today, the kiddos had to get out and play. Gannon wanted to eat the snow for lunch. Isla told him "the snow tastes good because I caught some flakes on my tongue yesterday." Little Mommy knows best.

So pretty and peaceful.

Best snow angel maker this side of the lake!

"IIIIIISLAAAAA?"

"Here I am, buddy, buried in bliss!"

"Hold on...stop the snow machine! Isn't today special for another reason?"

Why, yes it is. It's Grampy's birthday! Woot!

We ordered the gift of snow for him, but somebody must have misread the order and sent way too much! So we'll have to celebrate another day in person. Until then, we had a lovely video chat and got to see Grampy in all his birthday glory!

Happy, happy birthday dear Dad/Iron Mike/Grampy! We love you for more than 69 reasons!

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!

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!