Having SNOW much fun!!

I know totally cheesy title but I couldn't resist : ) We had a blast today playing and sledding in the snow at a local middle school with the most perfect sledding hill. Christian stayed with us for the weekend so we enjoyed having him along with us.  Not much else to write, but lots of pictures. I had fun editing with the winterize and frost frame effect on Picnik too. Enjoy!

 Building a "noman" with daddy. I love this because Kayla called them "noman" when she was little too.

 Michael even went by himself a couple times. The first time, I was waiting at the bottom of the hill and didn't move in time. He collided right into me, fell off the sled and then stood up pouting and said "Daddy, did it." (He has the whole laying blame thing down really well right now)

 Christian "snowboarded" a couple times. 

 So did Adam.

 Mykayla was a pro at it.

100 people were surveyed..

Top 6 answers are on the board. Name an insect you would find in your home...

Pat: Spider (number 3 on the board)

 Adam: an ant (number 1 answer)

Eric: Fly (number 2 on the board)

Nick: Bee (number 5 on the board)

Scott: Praying Mantis (Strike 1)

Pat: Moth (Strike 2)

Adam: Cockroach -Actually, what he said was, "In my house, we have a cock-a-roach." 

(number 4 on the board)

Eric: Snake (Yes, he really said that. Strike 3) 

The best part about this was that the hostess restated the question after he said it, too funny!

The boys played two rounds on stage with as much enthusiasm and obnoxiousness as they could! Most of you know one if not all of the brothers right? Ok, so imagine them as their usual comedic, obnoxious selves and then TRIPLE that! It was pretty funny and they had a great time. After the game, they were asked to come "backstage" and got to be interviewed by the executive producer of the show. They of course charmed her and had her laughing the entire time. Scott topped off the interview by mentioning how much he loved The Steve Harvey Show. (Steve Harvey is the host of Family Feud)

Went walking today!

Well I did it, two days in a row of blogging!! (Patting myself on the back) Which means I am well on my way to keeping those "resolutions" I stated yesterday. The other one I mentioned besides blogging is eating better (still have to work on this one) and exercising. I am proud to say, I am 2 for 2!! (Or maybe it is 1 1/2 for 2) Adam, Michael and I went on an hour and 15 minute walk today. The sky was blue and the sun was out, but it was still pretty cold! Michael drove his bike while Adam and I took turns pushing him. It was a good 1st day of walking and I am looking forward to making it a daily thing.

 

Michael sporting the Elmo hat on his bike, he was loving it till he got sleepy.

 

Another great reason to go on a walk on a clear day.

And I think we have found a solution to the afternoon nap issue we were having. The walk made Michael super sleepy and he was gone for 2 hours!! Tomorrow we will have to go back to the stroller, he almost fell asleep on his handlebars a couple times.

New Year, new changes and hopefully new blog posts

2012 has already brought about several changes (good and bad, depending on how you look at it) in our household. Some of you may already know that after 4 1/2 years at Kindercare, I was let go as a teacher last Friday. Great way to start the new year huh? Long story but without going into too much detail, hopefully this will be a blessing in disguise for me and my family.  While I miss my kids at school a ton, I have had a chance to "teach" and be blessed by my own kids. Due to working at 6:45am for the last three years, I have never been able to help get Kayla off to school. Adam has done an amazing job at this since his schedule allowed for it. So for the last three weeks I have got to get up with Kayla and get her out the door to school. I have learned that her and daddy had a routine that I have apparently messed with it but I think she is getting used to it. This also means that I get to fix her hair. I know, seems kind of lame to be excited about but I haven't got to do that for some time.  She grumbles every morning when I want to do something different but for the most part is a trooper and lets me play for a bit.  The biggest change obviously is that I get to stay home with my little man and I am loving it!! I do have to add here though that one two year old seems to be much more exhausting than my 6 five year olds. He is one busy little boy and keeps me on my toes at all moments.  I think we are getting close to a "new' schedule at home and Michael enjoys being with both mommy and daddy till daddy goes to work. He is sleeping in till at least 8 (He got up with me at 6:30 before) and goes down for a nap around 1pm. This actually consists of playing in his room till 2pm and then napping till 3:30 or so. We will be looking into purchasing a darkening shade for his room. I know he took longer naps than that at school : )

I am not a new years resolution person, never have been.  I have decided while I am home though, I need to be better about blogging. (My brother in law would agree, right Eric? : ) I know, how many times have you heard me say this before? So I guess I can kind of consider this a new years resolution even though it is already the 11th day of the year and this is my first one. My other resolution should involve eating better and exercising. I am going to start by getting out and taking a walk with Michael during the day. I really have no more excuses as to why I am not doing it. I just need to get out there and do it!!

What an angel!

Yesterday, Mykayla participated in "The Best Christmas Program Ever" at the church we have been attending for the last couple months. She received the CD of music at the end of October but unfortunately due to other plans with family in November, we never made it back to practice. So last week when they mentioned it would be Sunday the 11th, Mykayla was determined to sing with them after just one Sunday rehearsal. She went to the dress rehearsal on Saturday morning and by Sunday performance time, looked like she had been practicing the whole time! I was so proud of her for getting out there, practicing with what little time she had and doing so well. I was however having some issues with her sudden independence : ) She wanted to be sure I was not going to stay at rehearsal, that she would be fine by herself. *Sigh* I guess they all grow up at sometime huh? The cell phone pictures are all I have unfortunately. I had my camera with me, but no battery! I hate it when I do that!!

3 Santa's in one day

I only was able to capture two of them in pictures but last Saturday, Jordan and Mykayla sat on 3 different Santa's laps. Quite obviously, Santa has some "stand in" Santa's working for him : ) I don't think it even phased them, they were happy to let each one know what they wanted so as to be sure to get it.

First stop: Teddy Bear Breakfast at Comcast Arena to benefit Providence Children's Foundation. A BIG thank you to Mary (Kattrina's grandmother-in-law) for getting us tickets for the last 3 years! 

The girls did have pics taken with Santa but I was not able to catch them on my camera.

Next stop: Snow blast at Gold Creek Community Church in Mill Creek

 And finally: Mill Creek Town Center Tree Lighting and festivities

The Reason for the Season!

Mykayla's favorite Christmas "decoration to assemble and put up is the nativity. (I LOVE this!! and I love to watch her set it up!) We have had a Veggie Tales Nativity since she was about 2 and each year, she diligently sets it up and plays with it for awhile.

December 2008

In 2008, Mykayla narrated the nativity as she put it up. I sat and wrote it down as she played. Her words were so sweet and in a funny way reflected the Christmas story. So the nativity in her own words (Mykayla Age 4)

"That guy is babysitting Jesus. No, Jesus doesn't need a babysitter; Jesus is at home with his mom and dad."

"The cow says moo, moo. I'm hungry."

"That dude brings them the hay."

"Jesus dad is a farmer, Jesus mom is a..she has sheep, what is she?"

Mom to Mykayla, "People who have sheep are shepherds."

"Oh, a farmer and a shepherd."

"The cow needs some time to rest by himself."

"Jesus got kicked off the deck by the cow."

Talking to the cow... "You guys stick over there and go potty or something, do what you need to do, just don't scare Jesus!" (My favorite line of the whole thing!)

"Oh, I am going to name you Jesus. Is that a nice name Jesus?"

This year, she decided that Michael could now use the Veggie Tales nativity (Luckily he has not yet figured out that if you push on the star several times, it will repeat "O Little Town of Bethlehem". in an obnoxious Veggie Tale like voice. This was Kayla's favorite thing to do when she was little.)  and she would move on to the "breakable" one.  Mykayla begged to put one of my big nativities in her room and I couldn't say no. She put the ceramic nativity in her room.

My Willow Tree Nativity

 It has taken me 5 years to find the perfect place to put this in our house and I am so excited that I finally found somewhere that works!! It will go here from now on. My dad painted the sign for me and I love how well it goes with the nativity.

 

I am so glad that Mykayla has taken to the real reason for the season and reason we celebrate!