The Christmas Story 2007

We're experimenting with a holiday blog story in the spirit of paper preservation (we started recycling this year: WOO WOO!) and connecting with Friends and Family throughout the year. What better way to stay in touch with each other than for you to read the Loewen Family Blog so we can share comments with each other. Here goes.

On the third eve prior to Christmas, the smell of banana bread fresh from the oven, the sound of Lisa's festive holiday music and the sight our three little princesses dancing to the Nutcracker..Wait, the kids are yelling at each other and I'm hiding down in the basement working on the family Christmas blog post while Lisa is trying to bake. Probably not a great time to be writing memoirs.

So for now, I'll make it snappy. Then I'll add more stuff throughout the break.

We took our first family beach vacation in May when we ventured to North Carolina to hang out with Aunt Melissa and Uncle Doug. The kids loved the ocean. Check out the blog for the post about the trip, it was awesome.

Sydney (7) had a busy year as a first grader. She loves school but not too crazy about homework. She also has become quite a soccer player. Outdoor in the summer and indoor this winter. In her last game she scored a goal with 15 seconds left in the game to avoid a shutout against a 2nd grade team. Syd also is a craftoholic. Paint, clay, stickers, glitter, glitter, glitter. It's everywhere for cripes sake. But she really is a creative genius. She built a pyramid from stair spindles without any glue.

Aubrey (5.5) asked for her own elf for Christmas. Why an elf you ask? Because she said, "If I have my own elf, I can have them make me any kind of toy I want." Brilliant! Smart as a whip. Aubrey is ready to graduate from Kindergarden and move onto philosophy. Just read the Aubreyisms posts on the blog for more. She also enjoys soccer and is trying out for the Overland Park Olympic 5 Year Old Beginner Skating Dad Dragging You Around The Rink Team next month. She's convinced that she'll do a triple-axle on day one.

Hadley (3) is ruling the house as Queen Hadley III. She makes the rules. She climbs on my desk to get the fish food. Wears odd combinations of clothing as she sees fit. And eats almost everything that is in the mandrin orange, turkey, ice cream or chicken mcnugget or chocolate milk family. Loves to sing Hannah Montana songs in a variety of languages. "Day say I cwazy, I do it anyway". Plus is getting into interpretive dance. She starts her first tap/ballet class next month. Due to the writers strike, stay tuned to YouTube for some Hadley Bear and Sisters movie clips. Here's one from her 3rd birthday.

Lisa and I are attempting to keep everyone (including ourselves) happy, healthy and wise. Between Lisa's nursing career at St. Lukes hospital and my advertising career working on Build-A-Bear Workshop and Big O Tires, we're trying to start another venture around "Adopt A Screaming Child". It's pretty cool. Basically when your kids scream, your adoptive family picks them up and takes them to Chuck-E-Cheese for 5 or 6 hours so the parents can drink while cleaning up the house. Haven't finished the business plan yet, but let me know if anyone wants a piece of the action.


Oh, and going to Hannah Montana/The Jonas Brothers was pretty cool. Really pretty quiet with ear plugs. Here's Lisa and the girls inside the Hummer Limo that took us to the event. If you look closely, Hannah Montana is right outside the window waiving at us next to Billy Ray.

On a more serious note, we are spending a lot of time trying to get Papa Carl back on his feet. He's showing some real progress this month so the more positive thoughts for Carl the better. Send em our way and we'll pass em along.

Remember to be safe out there. Keep the true spirit of Christmas top of mind.

We're very thankful to have Friends and Family like you. Please enjoy our 2007 Loewen Family photo album, too!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Scott, Lisa, Sydney, Aubrey and Hadley