It's Christmas Time

We have had a busy, but fun Christmas.  It is a lot of work to get everything in that we want to, but in the end it is all worth it.  We went to see Santa on Sunday, the 23rd...after waiting in line for 2 hours, Lilian was tongue tied and couldn't decide what to ask him for!

 

That evening we had a wonderful meal and company at my mom's house.  My mother, John, BJ, Krista, Chloee, Payton, and the four of us enjoyed the night together.  I only got one photo, of the kids.

Christmas Eve we went to Ron's mother's for dinner and presents.  It was a great dinner and we were spoiled rotten!  The kid's got a new trampoline that they can hardly wait to be set up at home!

Kids with their Aunt Jen

Kids with their Aunt Sydney

After dinner, we went to my dad's for dessert and another gift exchange.  I didn't get any photos there, but I will post the ones my dad took when he sends them.
Christmas Day was quiet and nice.  The kids made the nice list and Santa brought a new bike for Braison and a new vanity for Lilian.

We took a couple photos to mark the holiday.

Grandma and Grandad stopped by for a minute to spoil us some more.

Thank you to everyone who made our Christmas special.  We are so lucky to have so much family close and be able to spend time with the ones that we love.  We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Halloween

Memorial Day 2012

"Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored."

Thank you to all of the men and women who sacrifice so much to keep us free.  Along with celebrating and remembering those who served and continue to serve, Memorial weekend also signals the beginning of "summer".  No more school, staying up late, playing outside, swimming, and camping.

So, we decided to head out for a long weekend away.  After deliberating with Ron's dad, we agreed to meet him and Ron's younger brother in Montana at the Hells Canyon Ranger Station.  It was kind of a halfway point and we thought it would be a fun experience to stay in the ranger station.   In addition, we decided to take my great grandmother (who just turned 92 last week) and drop her off with her brother (who lives in Montana, close to where we were heading) for the weekend. And here is how the weekend went:

Our backseat drivers

The ranger station we stayed in.  Yes, that is snow. Snow.

Looking out from the cabin to the road/creek

 On Saturday, we took a little drive deeper into the mountains.

Deer

 On Sunday we woke up to much more snow than we fell asleep to.

Snow angles.  Our weekend version of swimming.

This was her favorite thing.

We played a lot of card games. (Uncle Jake and Braison)

Lilian being Lilian.

Monday (when we were leaving) it cleared up!

 We stopped to pick up Grandma.

Barbara Lee, Grandma Barbara, and Arnie (G'ma B's brother)

 The devil GPS lady decided that she didn't really want us to see the interstate on the way home.  So, we took back highways all the way.  On the positive side, we saw some spectacular scenery 

Well, most of us saw the scenery. 

We pulled in on Monday night around 9.  All in all it was a great trip.  It was wonderful to be able to spend time with Ron's dad and brother.  And, Grandma was thrilled to be able to spend the weekend with her brother and sister-in-law.

Next time, we will meet in the Caribbean.  No chance of snow there.  

St. Patrick's Day

The kids were so excited about shamrocks, rainbows, leprechauns, and everything green this year!  Last night we made cookies:

Then, this morning when the kids got up, they discovered that the leprechaun had been there, what fun!

The little buggar got up on the counters and toilet and even turned the water green!
He also left a trail of little shamrock confetti through the house (WHAT WAS HE THINKING?!?)

When they went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror, they also discovered that he had kissed them while the slept!

They were so excited about all of this, they had to call their daddy at work right away and share!  Then we had green pancakes for breakfast.

Here is Braison posing with his bowtie (Lilian had already broke her headband and didn't want a photo without it).

Then, to top off the day, we had a traditional dinner (corned beef & cabbage).

All in all, it was a fun time to be had, aside from the part where the kids refused to use the restroom because the water in the toilet was green :o)