Still on Break

We spent some time out in the snow ... oh, that dreaded snow! The fun part of the snow was making a snow fort in the backyard.


And we spent time making some jewelry for everyone in the house to wear - and I mean everyone!


And we rested up - even when we said that we were NOT tired.


The kids are still on break for the next week. The snow is clearing and we can almost see some grass. The roads are improving with the warmer weather and we should be able to get around better this upcoming week. We will have to see what fun things we can to to keep ourselves busy.

and Oh, what a night

It started with some Silent Night [or as McKaden sings, "Silas Night."]

And to all a good night ...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Too much winter wonderland

Let's get this story right - last weekend when it snowed we thought, "how much fun is this?!" We got the kids out in the 3 or 4 inches of snow to build snow men, walk around, sled down our street and throw snowballs. We stayed home by the fire, played games and talked by the light of the Christmas tree. Surely this would not last.







That was last weekend. Now we are officially tired of this crazy weather. It continues to snow in a place where they are not used to snow. We have a TON of it, have to shovel a few times a day and if we leave the house we drive around at a snails pace. It it too cold to go sledding, the kids have a cough and I have grown weary of our home.

I need some of this!!

Where is Hawaii when you need it!

Dear Santa

We are in big trouble - they both want a horse!!

The Lights of Christmas

I am about week behind on our life ... but what is new? Last weekend we ventured out to see The Lights of Christmas. The kids had a great time with pony rides, horse/carriages, trains, food, music and lots more. It was a bit cold and rainy, but we did not care. As you can see, we had a great time!

The big Tree hunt

A hunting we did go ... hunting to find the perfect tree that is! This was our first year going to find a tree, cut it down and drag it home. Well, we actually drove there in our car, walked around, ate some kettlecorn, looked at all the great trees, listened to piped in Christmas music and picked out our tree. Here were some of the choices -

Max's 1st Thanksgiving

What a great Thanksgiving break we had! Max loved Thanksgiving - like he would not enjoy anything with food?!?! Anyhow, we started our day with a good workout to prepare for the feasting.

After the workout we put on our best Thanksgiving attire and settled in for our meal. This year it was just our little family, but boy did we have fun.

Thankful

OH YES! Four years ago a little girl was born in China on Thanksgiving day. That precious little one has grown and grown ... and now she is a big four year old. She informed me that she "really likes being 4!" [along with that came the crazy notion that she was just TOO big to fit in my lap now - which we all know is nonsense as I STILL fit in my mom's lap!!]

McKaden has had four days of non-stop celebrating. Saturday she had her sweet cousins over for some birthday festivities.

When presented with many - and may I add lavish - birthday party idea's, she informed me that she just wanted to have her cousins over to play. When I threw out the idea of a cowgirl and cowboy party with pony rides, chili and bandanna's, I got the response of -"well I guess, if I can be the horse". When I presented a tea party with fancy dresses, boa's and sweets I got the response of - "why?" When the fabulous idea of a cooking party with matching aprons, kids cooking classes and yummy food,I got the response of -"We can do that anytime." So playing it was and she could not have been more happy!


Happy Birthday McKaden! We love you so much and are so glad that your are part of our family. We love that you are a good big sister, kind to your friends, thankful to God and caring for those in need. We enjoy playing with you and helping you learn all that you can about science and nature. We think that hearing you laugh and giggle is one of the best sounds we have ever heard!!


ps. I have to add that I am also thankful for MANY things! A loving husband! and of course sweet Max!

A little more Disney now

As you can probably tell we had a great time at Disneyland! Auntie Di joined us this year and that made it even all the more fun. Max LOVED everything - especially the roller coasters - and that was a relief. Those of you who follow our blog might recall that when in China - just 8 months ago! - he was terrified of going on rides. We have been home from Disney a couple of weeks now and he is already asking to go back. I have to admit I got a little teary eyed when I saw the look on his face when he got his OWN set of mouse ears and his OWN Mickey Mouse - think how this life has changed!


Overall it was a great trip - we are blessed with two kids how are great travelers!! The perfect match for us!

McKaden Day 2008

How is it that THREE years have gone by since you joined our family?? McKaden, you have brought us so much joy - we love you so much. You are the most amazing little girl, truly a gift from God. We love you and cannot imagine our life without you.

November 13, 2008
Thanks for letting us celebrate YOU at Disneyland this year - it was a blast!

The Happiest Place on Earth

Who is knocking on my door?

Pumpkin Day was a HUGE hit at our house! I am pretty sure that Max think this is the most amazing holiday he has seen yet - what until he experiences Christmas.

The horse and the farmer did rather well for themselves. They hit a few neighborhood houses and found out that not many kids had come by - so the people LOADED their bags up with all the candy they did not want to keep in their house. Oh joy, now it is in my house.

And they went to their preschool Harvest Party and played some fun games. It was perfect for kids their age.

ps. This is our table at about 4p on Halloween. In our house we try things - if we don't like it we throw it out, if we decide we would rather choose something else - you guessed it, we throw it out. So this was all stuff that was tried and rejected. Life is too short to eat bad candy!

Waiting for the Great Pumpkin ...

There is a lot to do to get ready! First you clean your pumpkin.

Next you take out the inside - our favorite part!

Next, you wait for Daddy to cut out the design you made on the front.

You get to punch out the eyes, nose and mouth - and you have your very own jack -o-lantern!


Boo!

Oktober Fest 2008

The leaves were beautiful, the company wonderful and the trip over the mountain was well worth it! Mark and I have not missed Oktober Fest since we moved here and did not want this year to be the first. Some of the other pictures were from our time at another pumpkin patch - we just can't get enough!! I love this time of year!

So, what's new?

My children are getting rather independent and grown up! It has been confirmed that Max has a girl friend [not a "girlfriend" - he's only 3!] at school now. Her name is Alison and she is almost 4 - yes 4! AND she invited him to her birthday party and I am sure it is "boy/girl" - I think she wants to be the "girlfriend".

And McKaden thinks that I don't bake enough so she has taken it upon herself. Last week she made cookies and the week before brownies. Today - Jello [I am not sure but it might be the first time I have seen Jello as an adult?]

Pre-School Outings

Oh, the annual pre-school trip to the pumpkin patch - what fun! This was Max's first time to the patch and I am not sure what he thought of it. I know that he did comment on all the dirt he saw and on how many pumpkins there were.

And here was his choice- Max's first pumpkin!!



McKaden was a little bit more choosy about which pumpkin she wanted and looked for the biggest one.


And she loved the hay ride ... what a great day!