Lego and Barn Wonderland

WOW. What a Christmas to remember. The (2nd) blizzard of 2009. Since Chris had to work today, we let the kiddos open their gifts last night and Santa came this morning. Danny spent the afternoon in his room sorting and putting (some) his Star Wars lego kit together, while Riles played with her barn and webkins. Here are some pictures of their fun.

Happy Holidays!

wendy

(2 of the 5 pans he used to sort his pieces)

Our Virtual Holiday Card...:)

The kiddos went out and played in the snow today. While we were out there, Tucker and Sparta decided to come home for a visit (they have moved themselves in with Gma Pat and Papa Blackie). I loved this picture of the kids. Tucker is such a gentle dog. I am not an animal person AT ALL, but this dog and I are friends. When Riles was younger (4ish) and would walk to Gma's, Tucker (Shiloh, Gma's dog, would do the same thing) would walk along side her in the road (riles walks up the grass). If Riles would get to close to the road, Tucker would bark and nudge her back to "safety." Now, our road is a private dead end lane, hardly any cars go up and down it, and Gma Pat would stand at the end of her driveway and I would stand in our yard..both of us watching her make her way.

Here are some pictures of our snow day number three.

Enjoy

wendy

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree....

how happy you make me. We went and cut down our own tree this year at Horse Creek Tree Farm. What a fun experience. The kiddos absolutely loved it, and we will definitely make this our yearly tradition.Once we were done, we headed inside to have hot cocoa and warm up. Here are some pictures of the process and decorating it. Have a very Merry Christmas and holiday season from our family to yours. Peace on Earth.

Love,

Chris, Wendy, Danno and Riles.

Riles posed her stuffed animals..:)

DON'T FAINT..

Riles has clothes on! lol.. she was outside today "finding" treasures on our road. (Now, before anyone has a heart attack and posts how irresponsible I am about letting her play on our road..we live in the middle of nowhere on a dead end street. Whoever comes down or up our road has a clear view.)

The "treasures" she was finding were soybeans the wagons dropped as they were coming down the road to fill the bins.

There are also pics of her riding her bike, and falling off of it as well.

Enjoy

wendy

Pumpkin carving 101..riles and danny style

Chris and the kids carved pumpkins this weekend. Riles carved hers on Saturday, sorry no pics of that one..I was scrapping. She just couldn't wait. It is a tradition she usually does with her papa(blackie), but he has been sick with a nasty respiratory thing..that he caught from her. :) So, danno and Chris carved his Sunday night, I got pics. Danny is such a thoughtful little man. He let riles help.
Here is the night in pictures.

whimp

Getting together with the girlies..and then a potluck.

I am going scrapping today with my girls, Fickel and Mindy. I have such an amazing friendship with both of them. It still humbles me when I think of how they are there for me..in life. Thank you girls. I could never have gotten through this past week without your support. Love you.

We haven't been friends long, just 3 short years, but I feel you have been here forever. Thank you for that.

So, we are packing our things, heading to Bellevue, and just scrapping away. The store there is small, but has an amazing crop room. Michaels is just around the corner if we need something she doesn't have.

I will leave early tonight to go to a family potluck at deanne's. I will get to see Turtis, Stacy, and Fay tonight. I love my Fay. I cannot imagine going through what they went through and are still facing everyday. I can't. But I know with the love and support from most of our family, they will get through this.
So, that is my day. I am finishing a christmas present, putting the pics in ron's journey book, and then scrapping my kiddos.
I will also try to talk fickel into doing a family photo shoot while the leaves are pretty. We don't have one. I want pictures of me and my kids, since I am the one who always takes the pictures (chris is intimidated by my camera :)

have a great weekend!

whimp

Sweet, Sweet Baby....

You will never know how much you were loved, treasured,and admired. You were the strongest person I knew. You went through so much in your short time here on earth, and you did it all with a smile on your face. I will miss you Hadleigh Ann. Kiss my daddy for me and tell him I love him so.

I love you big girl,

aunt whimp

Introducing......FRANKLIN!

I had the opportunity to buy a turtle from Craigslist (via a teacher from school). I said YES! She assured me there isn't too much care needed..just clean water and food..plus someone to play with him. So, I brought him home today. The kids are absolutely thrilled, and have been observing him all night long. We have taken him out and played with him and he is now tucked into his aquarium where he can swim and relax.

Here are some pictures..

whimp

180 Days...
Wednesday will mark an amazing milestone for my brother. Ron will reach his 6 month (180 day) anniversary for being sober. I cannot even imagine the struggles he faces each day to overcome this addiction. I only know God has given us a great gift...180 more days to cherish our relationships with him.
Here is his celebration in pictures.
Whimp

WoW! Don't faint..a new post!

School is going pretty good. I have a young class this year, mostly 3 year olds, but they sure like to work and play. It makes it easier when kids like to try new things. My own kiddos have settled into school nicely. Riles loves her teacher and danny likes the freedom jr. high brings. He isn't a child who likes to be poured into a mold. He likes to just be. He is my odd little duck, the one who can make me smile through the roughest storm, and my first born. I cannot wait to see what he becomes.
I haven't been up to much, my peeps and I are going out on Thursday night for Mindy's bday. Happy Early Birthday Mindy! Then Friday night I have a stampin up party to attend, and Saturday I am scrapping with the girlies. Can.not.wait.
I would also like to send out some get well soon vibes to Ed. He works with my brothers and was in a car accident over the weekend. Hope you feel better soon!

Here are some pics of recent layouts I did.

Have a good week.

wendy
riles frog pics
ron's van pics

danno