Bernard's Last Ride

At Mirra's request...

Gentry Christmas

We gathered at my mom's on Saturday to spend time with her family.  The drive was a bit nerve-wracking due to excessive rain and all the holiday travelers.  We ate Baltimore hamburgers and played Bunko.  My luck was pretty low but Andy had his usual luck.

Playing Bunko.  Mirra really got into it this year.  She stated quite seriously "My job is kicking butt.  Winning and kicking butt."  Competitive much?  My cousin Lance and his fiancee, Ellen, asked the kids to pass out programs at their wedding in June.  Drew and Mirra are pretty excited.

We had fun altering my dad's "To-Do" list.   We love to tease my parents that they don't enable us enough and need to raise our kids for us and pay our bills...we would never give our babies up:)

Andy and Dad were the only ones to win a bunko round with our ghost players.

Mirra and Laci.  Pretty girls!

Bernard's Latest

He also spent one day holding onto Ozzie's favorite bone.  With only one day left before Christmas, we wonder what he will do next:)

Taking Bullseye for a Ride

More Elfing Fun

Bernard replaced the kids' stockings with their underwear.  Drew was not amused.

Mirra left a note for Bernard asking him to hide in the Christmas tree. 

Sliding down the banister

Not to be left out, Drew left a couple of notes for Bernard too.

Scaling the fireplace

Pigging out on Puppy Chow

Ever wonder how those chocolate pieces get on the cookies?  

 

If you ever want my kids to laugh just say the words "poop", "fart" or "butt". 

Mirra's Christmas Program

The first and third graders did a great job performing again this year.  Mirra took her practice seriously and was very ready by the performance date.  Our friends, the Halls, joined us prior to the show and Mirra and Lilly were very excited to get dressed up and ready to sing.  These are our little Christmas angels:)

Elf Antics

Roasting a marshmallow

Chilling with Ann and Andy

Captured by LEGO villans.  Drew rallied the hero troops and they freed him.

UNO with Mirra's babies

Hanging with Barbie

Bernard

Happy Holidays!!!

This year Grammy gave the kids an Elf On The Shelf book and can you believe we had our elf appear the very next day?!?!  He hid out in the large wreath above the fireplace all day and Drew and Mirra did not notice.   When Mirra's friend came over, she pointed him out.  Mirra began reading the book to the little elf and the kids decided to name him Bernard.

Day 1: Bernard left a message on the bathroom mirror for the kids.  He must have lost his grip because he fell to the sink later that day.  The kids knew not to touch him but unfortunately, Andy did not know all the elf rules.  Mirra began to cry and Drew was very upset.  You see when elves are touched they lose their magic.  Never fear!  Mom quickly called the North Pole and consulted with a Head Elf.  Bernard caught a ride back to the North Pole with a fellow elf, Red, and his magic was restored by Santa.  The kids were relieved to see Bernard the next morning sipping syrup in the pantry to get his strength back.  Drew took no chances though and referenced the book for his dad, pointing out the passage stating that elves can't be touched and keep their magic.

Bernard did not retaliate against Andy, though Mirra suggested to him that he stick Andy's toothbrush in the toilet.

I didn't get a shot of Bernard ziplining down the Christmas lights in Drew's room but here are a few photos to let you know what else Bernard has been up to this week.

TP the tree - technical difficulties getting this photo upright

Keeping warm in a stocking.