After Santa stopped by our house

 

 

We let the kids open one gift each this year, on Christmas eve. It was a sleeping bag for each of them. We thought that they could use it on Christmas eve and we could have a camp out. That way we could be sure and monitor them to make sure they didn't sneak downstairs early to see what Santa had brought them.

 

 

Making Gingerbread houses

Making ginger bread houses is a tradition of ours, and one that can be fun and messy at the same time. Both of the kids have different personalities. Lily likes to dive in and get dirty. Nolan is very cautious and doesn't like making messes, as you can tell by one of the pictures. He was pretty hesitant but once we knew we could wipe off the mess, he was fine with it. Grammy and Papa came over to enjoy this event with the kids.

 

 

 

 

Christmas at Grandma Kim's house

We had Christmas at Grandma Kim's house before Christmas this year. We try and do it this way. Then we get a chance to visit and enjoy ourselves for the whole day without having to rush off. It was very relaxing. We also did FONDUE!! This is one of our favorite things to do. It keeps the kids busy because we are cooking our own. It is a project and meal all in one. Those are the best!

 

 

 

 

Dance!!

Lily had a mini dance recital last month right before they had their christmas break. It is always fun to see what they have been working on in dance class and to see the progress that they have made. I just enjoy watching them dance around in their little tutu's and having a wonderful time..... they look so innocent :)

 

 

 

Every year, Chris's aunt and her husband have a Christmas party before Christmas. It is always a wonderful event and something that we always enjoy going to. The food is always delish and they always have these singers serenade us. Lily got really into it this year and was dancing all around having a wonderful time.

 

 

 

 

Lily, Nolan, Grandma Kim, and I went to the Fireman's pancake breakfast back in December. We had a wonderful time. The kids ate tons of food, got to sit in a fire truck, got their faces painted, decorated cookies, and sat on Santa's lap. Lily was the only one to sit on Santa's lap. Nolan is absolutey terrified of Santa. He didn't even get near Santa this year.

 

 

 

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

It has been cold and snowy here. We are trying to enjoy the outdoors.... Notice that I said trying. The kids aren't fans of being cold, or having snow touch them so it makes it hard for them to "play" in the snow. They have been good sports though. I have tried to make playing out in the snow fun for them by purchasing spray bottles from the dollar store, filling them with water and food coloring, and letting them have at the snow. They have created some wonderful "portraits".

 

 

 

 

Santa's message to Lily

http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/95094b39c907025fde89a544f11305cd



http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/376a42083b42356e98b5f0dc318d24c1



Copy and paste the link into the web address browser.... The first one is Lily and the second one is Nolan... So absolutely totally cute!!


Check this out!! Lily just loves it and thinks that it is so so special. She just can't believe that it is Santa from the North Pole. Something free to do for the kids.

First of the year!!

This has been quite a week of awful weather!! We got a total of 18 inches here in Oregon. Yikes!! Talk about a snow storm.

Along with the first major snow storm of the year, American was closed for the first time in a long time. So... we had a snow day together yesterday. It was nice and relaxing...well sort of. Chris was outside snowblowing most of the day. We got our snowblower from Mom and Dad VV for an early Christmas present and couldn't be happier that we got it early :) Thank you so much Mom and Dad and for not making us shovel this year :) We played in the snow for a while after the kids got over being all bundled up and not being able to move :)

Along with this... I got into my first accident this season. And.. it wasn't with my car. We have a SUV and it needs to be serviced. We noticed that something is wrong with the shock system so we can't drive it until it goes to the shop today. Chris needs new tires on his car and didn't want me to drive his car today because the roads were really bad. So.. we borrowed his uncles car this am because I have a meeting tonight in Madison. Chris was following me with the kids at about 7:30am with his car and I was driving his uncles car. Some dude pulled out in front of me... He actually ran a stop side and pulled into on coming traffic. What a dud!! Ooo, I was mad. Then he got out of the car and thought he had the right to tell me that I should have swerved the other way and gone around him to avoid his car hitting mine... He must be kidding!! It just wasn't a good day.

Little Tia!!

We just started watching a little peanut named Tia. She is so so adorable. She is such a wonderful baby. I mean, she rarely ever crys and is almost always content. She is two months old and just the cutest little thing. We are having such a wonderful time with her and the kids are loving it so so much. They are both doing so well and are such wonderful helpers.

 

It has been so nice here the past couple of weekends to put christmas lights up... but do you think that we would do it then ?? Nope.. of course not. We decide that when is it one of the most coldest days of winter thus far, to get up on the roof and put up lights. I guess that I can't say we got up on the roof. Chris got his behind up there and the poor guy froze while putting up lights. We still have to put up one more package because of course, we ran out before he finished but they look good thus far

 

 

 

This year we decided to get a train to go around the tree. It has provided lots of entertainment for the kids.

 

 

Our Christmas tree