Let is snow and snow and snow and snow and...

snow, and snow, and snow, and snow some more!!! I can't believe it. There was a storm warning, I just didn't know how bad it was supposed to be. I woke up this morning to 12 inches at least in my front yard. The snow still hasn't let up- I think were at least 18-19 inches. I went out to try to shovel my driveway, and we ended up with enough snow to make a sledding hill in the front yard.
My neighbor came over with his ginormous snowblower and cleared out my driveway. I don't know how much good it did, it snowed at least an inch while we were out there. The kids went out to play in the back, but the 3 littlest ones didn't last more than 20 minutes (not including time getting them dressed). Tommy, however, managed to make a snowman in the back, then in the front started making a giant snowball, but then started building the sledding hill. He and I went sledding while my neighbor finished the driveway. (I felt kind of bad watching him do it, but he was having so much fun shooting the snow across the street.) He also got a kick out of me falling on my face when I tried going down the hill, apparently it's not strong enough for an adult. After Tommy had been out about 2 hours he finally came in. It's not super cold, until the wind picks up, then BRRRRRRRRRR!!
Since I have nothing better to do today- we are snowed in, literally- I get to add a lot to my blog.
Happy snow days---

Tommy's giant snowball- its half his size!!

LESSONS ON SLEDDING...

1. get to the top of the hill (which can be a challenge all by itself)

2. steady yourself for the ride (again, this can be a challenge, especially on a tiny little hill)

3. Enjoy the ride- and don't forget to brace yourself for the ending!!!!

(Sorry its sideways)

The obligatory picture...

Its that time of year when we are obligated to take cute pictures of our children in their new Christmas outfits. We dress them up, do their hair, then line them up for pictures. Without fail, one or more of your children will pout and whine and protest, its a law- I'm pretty sure. Either way we continue to try to make the pictures come out perfectly, which because of the previous statement, makes it impossible. But, we trudge forward and send out the best of the bunch. So here it is the best of the bunch.

Tomas, my always cheerful, always willing to send a goofy smile towards the camera, little boy. Excuse me- I mean big boy. He is growing up so fast. Way too fast, he's almost as tall as me- not that its hard to do, but he is only 7!!

Savana, drama queen to the core. If there is someway she can pose or dance or sing and be playful she'll do it, except in front of the camera!!! A big thank you to Tomas who was standing behind me making funny faces to make her smile!

Ah, Siera- Always the bubbly, exuberant, and happy child!! When the camera comes out, her smile comes on and she is ready. And even willing to help others smile too!

My, baby- So happy to smile- but like his sister, NOT at the camera. Again, many thanks to Tomas and Siera for getting this grin out! He is such a happy baby, all the time, but as tradition to make things difficult he would only smile when the camera was pointed somewhere else!! Typical baby!

From our home to yours this holiday season, we wish you peace, love, happiness and may your life be blessed with the spirit of Christ!!!

O R E O

In case anybody out there was wondering, THIS is how you eat an Oreo cookie.

FIRST- you look at your cookie, to determine how yummy it will taste, and how fast you have to eat it before someone else snatches it, and how big of a mess you can make with it.


SECOND- you dunk the cookie. Simple enough, right? NO, there is a science to dunking cookies. You only have a few seconds before the cookie crumbles and falls into the cup, then you have a real mess. But for the prime "melt in your mouth" taste you have to hold the cookie half-way in the milk for about 2-3 seconds. Ahhh.... PERFECTION!

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST- Enjoy the cookie. There are several options here too. Timothy has decided to nibble, to enjoy every morsel of cookie for as long as possible. There is also the "shove the whole thing into your mouth and let cookie crumbs spray everyone and thing around you cause your choking."

Now you all know how to enjoy a fabulous Christmas cookie- Enjoy!!!!

Popcorn anyone?!?

Well, today was an interesting day. A storm came through last night and blew snow everywhere and iced over the roads. Since we were not wanting to be snowed in by ourselves we braved the storm and went to Grammy's. She came up with the idea to make a popcorn tree!! What kid doesn't like to play with sticky popcorn? We had fun, and got sick eating so much popcorn- except for the kids. I think they have invinsible stomachs!!!

TA DA!!! What a pretty tree! And yummy too!

Another Christmas Project

So every year, as most families do, we try to send Christmas cards to friends, family, neighbors, etc... In previous years we have bought cards, sent postcards, done e-letters, and I have made cards but this year we thought it would be fun to make our own. (to anyone with kids- caution: is extremely messy, but lots of fun) I bought plain white cards and glue and glitter- we ended up making 31 different designs. Thankfully the kids were quite willing to let me handle most of the glue and glitter, but they did each make two all by themselves. So there are some with misspelled words, and not so clear pictures but the feeling is there. All in all we had a blast, now we just have to address them and put them with the cookies... That should be another fun project (i probably won't capture that one on film so don't hold your breath!)

My creative kiddo's

Oh Christmas Tree...

Tis the season to be Jolly... fa la la la la la la la la
Now it's time to trim the tree... fa la la la la la la la la
Hand the ornaments to the kids... fa la la la la la la la la
Then it's time to clean the mess... fa la la la la la la la la

Well, we got our tree up. We only had 5 days while Josh was home to put up all our lights and decorate for Christmas. The kids were super excited, so Sunday morning I set up the tree- yes it's fake and I LOVE IT!!! Then after church we came home to decorate the tree. While Josh and I were trying to get dinner ready and supervise the tree the kids took control. They didn't even wait for the lights to get on the tree. But I have to admit they did a pretty good job. They only broke one ornament in the process. And of course when it came time to take pictures, no one wanted to co-operate. Oh well!!! ENJOY this great picture of the kids tree.

P.S. We did have to take all the ornaments down so we could wrap lights and beads around the tree, then put the star on and the tree skirt. The kids got to decorate twice- how cool is that?

A Shout out to DADDY!!!!!

As most of you know, Josh works in Wyoming. He works two weeks on and then he comes home for two weeks. We all miss him when he is gone, but it's especially hard on the girls. So this is for you Josh, Savana and Siera wanted to show you how much they love you by drawing you pictures and then taking pictures of those pictures to send to you.
We love you and miss you and can't wait to see you- what a great Christmas it will be!!


Siera's masterpiece (above) and Savana's artwork (below)