Snow...Finally!

If it's going to be cold, we might as well have some snow to go along with it, right? Well, we finally got that snow yesterday. Not much, maybe an inch or so, but the kids were so excited to get out in it!

"My, What Big Lips You Have!"

"All the better to kiss you with, Mommy."

Seriously, where did Xander get his lips?

Winter Activities

I grew up in beautiful, sunny, warm Southern California so when I look outside and see the sun shining, I expect warmth. I grew up without coats or scarves or mittens; those winter items were foreign to me. The past few days I have looked out on the beautiful sun shining in the sky but when I step outside I am entering an arctic world...and I don't like it. I don't know how to bundle up or remember to put on my gloves. Who chooses to live in places where the temperature doesn't even hit 20 degrees during the day? Apparently, we do. Trying to make sense of this freezing world in which we live, the kids and I decided to do some "fun" winter activities inside the house. One night the kids made winter snow globes which turned out really cute.



Another night we made snowflakes to hang in our family room. While cutting snowflakes, we all sipped yummy hot chocolate. And just so you know, we do pay our heating bill...we just thought it would fit the spirit of things if we dressed in our warm hats and scarves.

Fun Uncle Bryan

My brother Bryan is living in Mexico right now, earning his Masters Degree at a university there. So, we were extremely happy to find out that he would be able to come home to Cinci for the Christmas break. I loved spending time with my brother and so did my kids...they absolutely adore their Uncle Bryan! He is so patient with them, too, putting up with their crazy antics.




We love you, Uncle Bryan!

Fun Times!

We had such a great time in Cincinnati over the holidays. It is always so hard to say goodbye at the end of the trip...and the end came much too quickly. In the 10 days that we were there we tried to stay busy doing all the usual activities: painting, running around the basement, walking through the woods, talking to deer, Chuck E. Cheese, seeing "The Tale of Despereaux", reading Dorrie books, playing games, and enjoying every minute we could with the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.


Once again Savannah and McKenna put on a show for us and Noah joined them.


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Cute little Ashlyn with the wild hair! She cracked us all up with her love of her "grammy", only when she said it, it sounded like she was calling her "dummy".





Funny Grandma!

These three had so much fun together though there was some fighting between my two as to who got to spend more time with McKenna. Savannah and Xander sure do love her!

Undefeated!

So, I know I'm behind on my blogging but you guys didn't actually think that I would just skip over the Utes' Sugar Bowl win, did you? Go Utes! The only undefeated college football team in the nation!

We Went Hiking!?!?

Okay, so I guess you can't really call it hiking; more like a walk through the woods. However, in my book, walking through any nature-type setting constitutes hiking. Every time we visit my parents' house, we always have to take a stroll through the local nature preserve. Unfortunately the kids are a little loud so seeing any kind of wildlife is out of the question. But the setting is peaceful and calm and the kids enjoy walking on the logs, seeing the bugs, and being outdoors. This time each child insisted on having his or her own walking stick, even Noah and Ashlyn.



What a mean mom I am. When Xander fell off the log, what did I do? I took out my camera rather than immediately help him up. My poor kids!

Xander was really impressed that David walked up this log.

All the cute cousins.

Christmas Recap

We spent Christmas this year in Cincinnati with my parents and Bryan. We had a wonderful time, as usual.

Savannah got to decorate Christmas cookies with Grandma.

Savannah and Xander made these wonderful posters for Santa.

We always have the best Christmas Eve dinner: steak, cream corn, Caesar Salad, rolls, and shrimp cocktail.


The traditional Christmas Eve readings...

and new jammies. Noah was sooo tired so he missed the picture taking of the new pjs.

We always leave food for the reindeer...

and cookies for Santa.

Christmas morning. Santa certainly delivered this year. Each of the kids got exactly what they had asked for. Xander got his Star Wars guys;

Savannah received her Barbie Diamond Castle;

and Noah got the Imaginext Jungle with animals.

The kids also received some great presents from their Grandma and Grandpa Schaeffer. Noah got this lawn mower that he can push around to his heart's content;

Savannah received the Barbie Diamond Castle Carriage and Horse;

and Xander got this Star Wars voice-changer helmet. "Spaceballs", anyone?