Go Grandma, Go

While we were visiting Grandma over Christmas we got to play in a lot of snow. The kids had tons of fun, and so did the rest of us. We even managed to get Grandma out there on a sled. I bet it's something she hasn't done for a long time and I wonder how soon she'll do it again. Thanks for the fun and the snow, Grandma Cleo.

islandalli and family

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Merry Christmas!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Over the Hill and Through the Woods

We are about to start out on a grand adventure... It's a snowy white world out there and we are trying hard to get to Grandma's for Christmas. Our street seems to be the worst of it, from watching the news, so maybe we have a chance. We can't wait to visit with all of our friends and relatives in the coming days. Wish us safe journeys!

Baby, it's COLD outside

After hearing all week we were supposed to get snow and not getting it all week, we were a little surprised this morning to wake up to snowfall. It's almost 2:00 and it hasn't stopped yet. School was cancelled and so was work for Dad, so we all bundled up and headed out for some fun snow play time.Adam took the time to teach his sister how to eat snow. She thought that was great fun.Dad made snow angels and asked to be buried in the snow, which Meg wasn't that thrilled with. She kept trying to get him up.After a snowball fight that sent Adam in the house to warm up and check his head for marks, we went for a walk in the woods. (Note to Adam: don't start a snowball fight with your mom and dad at the same time and expect to win.) Meg started off ahead of us and wanted to just walk away. It took us some time to convince her to come back to us so we could go home and get warm.We had a fun morning. What a way to spend a winter day!

Happy Birthday Cake Bug!

It's Adam's 8th birthday today. We can't believe how fast time has gone or how much he has changed this last year. Since Dad's birthday a few days ago, I have tried to get Meg to say "Happy Birthday". While she talks alot, she also only says what she wants to. She didn't tell Daddy Happy Birthday until we got out the birthday cake. Then somehow, something happened in her head and now instead of Happy Birthday she says Happy Birthday Cake! He thinks it's so funny.

Bug was looking forward to staying home today because of a big storm that missed us entirely. It hit north and south of us, but missed us. No snow, and it's not even that cold anymore.

Here are some things we love about our Big Bug: He's got a sense of humor, even if it is odd. We love that he finds things to laugh about. He lavishes love on his sister. They play together, laugh together and occasionally cuddle together. He's a smarty pants and amazes us with his thirst for knowledge and his ability to learn new things. He's likes to learn about or do one thing at a time, until it's all learned or all done, even if it takes a long, long time. Like the lego designs that take days sometimes, or the block building that take hours. He loves to play Monopoly on the computer and has a great memory. He likes to run fast and jump high and swing fast. He loves the ATV's at grandparents houses and wants us to let him drive on his own. All in all, he's an amazing kid and we are so grateful to be his parents. How blessed are we???

Happy Birthday Bug!!!

100th Post

It's my 100th post! Is that a milestone? I am not sure, but any reason is a good reason to be happy, right?

So what's been keeping us busy lately? Seems like this time of year is always filled with craziness and you are supposed to be feeling peaceful and calm. I haven't ever figured out that paradox. In any case... here's our latest and greatest....

We had a great time at the Creche display. Megan made us all smile. See the story behind that in a previous post. We had some snow fall in the NW. It's pretty, but we aren't used to the COLD temps around here. Today the high is supposed to be 23. The news said it's colder than it's been in this area since 1956. Church was cancelled Sunday, not because of the 2 inches of snow, but because of the ice. The kids did bundle up and go out to play though. They had a great time. Adam is looking forward to spending time at his Grandma's in ID so that he can play in LOTS of snow.

The annual Christmas Choir concert was last night. That was so nice. I love participating in it every year, but after practicing since July, I am always glad to have it over too. It was fairly well attended and I hear it sounded wonderful. I know the special musical numbers I got to listen to rather than sing in sounded spectacular.

On the birthday front, we had a good friend over for dinner on Justin's birthday and some cake and ice cream bars. That was fun. Adam's birthday is Wed. and he's turning 8!!! His baptism is Saturday. We are so excited about that. He's really growing up. He is having a little family party this year with a trip to the movies on the agenda. I even cancelled piano lessons that day for him. Lucky kid.

As far as Christmas gifts go... I had wonderful intentions of making these really cute gifts for nieces and nephews and family. Supposedly easy and fast. They aren't done yet, but I still have a little over a week before we leave. Wish me luck. I am still working on Christmas cards too. Your best bet on that front is to keep checking the blog because I may not get to the actual mailing this year. This week schedule includes a dentist appointment, finishing gifts, mailing said gifts, a birthday party for Adam, a party for Meg's friend, getting ready for the baptism and packing for our Christmas Vacation. Whew, I am tired already and I haven't even started.

I did get some Christmas pictures taken of the kiddos though. I can cross that off my list.

Yeah Baby Jesus!!!

This made my Christmas season, really. What a treat...

As a family, we attended a community event sponsored by our church called the Creche Exhibit. It's wonderfully done, beautifully put together and a treat to attend. This year there were about 600 Nativity Displays along with a live Nativity every hour by different performers and live music in both the display area and the chapel almost the entire time. It's so peaceful and sweet. (Thanks Annie, Robyn, Julie and Amy for singing while we were there... you really touched our hearts and Justin even commented on your talents.)

We arrived just in time to find a seat for the Live Nativity performance. Meg had already had time to notice the manger and the baby doll playing Jesus resting in it. She has a doll thing right now, so she wanted desperately to investigate.

Someone else came and got the doll and Dad grabbed her so that we could sit to watch Mary and Joseph and their real 6 week old baby enter the room. She was fascinated with the whole thing, and then Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger and he started to protest. Meg kept saying "Baby Jesus?" over and over. About the time the baby in the manger worked up to a cry she was in a frenzy. She was cheering and lifting her arms in the air and yelling, in toddler loud volume, "Yeah, Baby Jesus. Hooray! Yeah Baby Jesus!" Mary started giggling, but tried to keep her part going, then Joseph started giggling too. Good thing it was almost over because by the time they were done, the entire cast, including children were giggling at her.

Sweet Meg was so excited to see Baby Jesus. She was so happy he was there, and she didn't want him to be sad. It was so sweet. I couldn't help but think of how excited we can all be for the second coming of Jesus Christ and how joyous it can be to invite Him into our lives now. Meg really did show me the true meaning of Christmas this year.

Merry Christmas one and all. No matter what you celebrate, I hope you find some peaceful time this season to count your blessings, share with friends and remember what's important to you.