Snow much fun!

I have been CRAVING sunshine and warm temps. I don't think it's been any secret. This morning McKay begged me to get the snow stuff out, and since I've been in and out of the attic all day putting Christmas away, I decided now was as good of time as any. I am always amazed at how pleasant playing outside in winter can be when properly bundled. :) Last year I bought my first pair of snow boots since I was a kid and my parents found Jeff and I some really great snow pants on clearance last year. Can I tell you, I love to be out in the snow now?

The kids love it, too. Even Sophie. Despite everyone having the proper snow gear, we've still never purchased sleds. That's ok. The kids and I make our own fun with Jeff's old snow shovel and a little hill in our backyard. A metal shovel makes an awesome sled by the way. :) I'm so proud of my kids for wanting to play out in the snow. I don't remember loving it the whole time growing up. After snow time, we trekked around to the front of the house to draw on the driveway with chalk. It was so sunny and actually quite warm (with a realfeel temp of 42). The driveway was just calling to us! We now have a lovely, heartwarming mural of our house, lots of sunshine (they all had to draw their own), a few flowers, a bunch of hearts and even a swimming pool. Jeff's got the afternoon tomorrow and I sense a repeat day.

If you've got sunshine where you live, can I offer a suggestion? GO OUTSIDE! It will do wonders for your spirit and happiness levels. :D

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a great one with lots of fun and surprises.

There was lots of excitement at our house as we had prepared not only for Santa to come but Grandma and Grandpa to spend Christmas Eve with us. I think this is the first time we've ever had grandparents at our house for Christmas. The kids loved it.

Favorite gifts:

Dad-Numb3rs (tv show) season 3 highlight CD

Mom-Guitar

Lyndsi-Doll clothes or her HSM3 soundtrack

McKay-Legos

Sophie-My Little Ponies (the little ones-thanks for introducing us to the obsession-you know who you are:) )

I'm excited to have Lyndsi home from school for another week and hopefully we can do some fun things with the kids.

Doesn't this picture capture the joys of kids at Christmas? Love it!

Now that Christmas is over though, bring on the sunshine and warm weather!!!

Christmas Tag

1. Favorite Christmas song? White Christmas.
2. Favorite Christmas beverage? Hot chocolate (oh yeah! we got it!)
3. Favorite Christmas activity with your family? Mary and Joseph dinner and opening the Christmas Eve pj's and all the anticipation on Christmas Eve.
4. Favorite Christmas TV special? It's a Wonderful Life and How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
5. Favorite Christmas candy? Before this weekend-Aunt Cynthia's homemade caramels. After this weekend-Oreo truffles.
6. Naughty or nice? Nice.
7. Biggest Christmas hassle? Cards.
8. Hassle or not, my favorite thing to do for Christmas is _________? Having the tree decorated so I can relax in the glow of its light.
9.Tree topper: Star, angel or other? Star on one, big bow and pine cones on the other.
10. The person you are most excited to give to this year? Umm....Everyone.
11. What is on your wrapping paper? I like traditional colors, so I try to stick with red and greens-stripes, candy canes, and santas. I do have some more colorful white/silvery stuff with little trees and presents.
12. Dreaming of a White Christmas? Uh-did you read number 1?
13. Going caroling? As long as our friends don't chicken out on us.
14. Gift you are hoping for most this year? for me-an MP3 player. For my family-that they all love what they get and have no disappointments.

Tagging: Marlene, Jennie, Randi and Kelly

Christmas Pictures

I don't really have time to be doing this, but my blog is sadly lacking in fun holiday pictures and info.

It's been a busy season. Here's the low-down:

1. The "other" ward party-for those of us not able or willing to find a babysitter for the "adult" party. Ran crazy around a friend's office (where we held the party). Ate delicious and bounteous snacks. Kids decorated gingerbread houses.

2. Dancing- Lyndsi in the Nutcracker. Chinese dancers. Several extra practices this week. (I think the only place I go now is "dance").

3. Crafting-Patience. Getting done. Too many. (Again.) Pictures come post-Christmas.

4. MoTab/Brian Stokes Mitchell and Edward Harrman. In the spirit now. Amazing vocals. Comforting narration. Good times with mom.

5. Snow. Not coming down (currently). Slows the driving (and thus everything else). Beautiful to watch. Fun to be in -if bundled properly.

6. Looking forward to-Ward Christmas program and chances to sing with amazing Cami. Caroling. Being with in-laws for the weekend. Work party. Family party. Christmas Eve. Mary and Joseph dinner, Christmas morning. McKay opening his sisters present that's already under the tree (so excited). Cards going out. Neighbor treat-making. Santa. Mr. Kruger. Polar Express.

See what I mean? Busy. Love it.

First the trees:
The kids-done in 10 minutes.

Mine. I think about a week.

Now the kids.

We have a princess.

And a Prince.

And then we have Goofy. She claims to be Minnie Mouse, but we all know.....

And then there's the three of them. See what I mean? Goofy.

Miscellaneous:

Totally not Christmas but so cute I had to share. My little man:

Sorry...

Christmas is coming and Mrs. Claus is in the house. (aka-I overloaded on projects again and will now need to go get a cucumber for my eyes and a great face mask to hide the damage.) I do have some cute pictures of my kiddos to share. If I can get them to upload that is.....

To and From

Running out of gift tags? Martha Stewart has some awesome printables that are (even more awesomely) free. How About Orange has the link. Check it out.

Thank you!!

For all the kind words about Twiddle. It has been so much fun to collaborate with Cami and Anisa on this and stretch my creativity a bit.

I did forget to mention, please feel free to put a link on your own blog if you want, and you are more than welcome to pass it on to your friends and family who might be interested. If you'd like a button for your blog, email me and I'll send you the code.

Introducing my new baby

No. I'm not pregnant. And, technically, it's not just my baby. It also belongs to Cami and Anisa. Our baby was actually born back in October, but is just well enough now to be shown to the world. Here she is-

Really, it's our craft blog. Lots of fun ideas coming from 3 very different girls. Go check it out and keep coming back. There are a lot of fun projects on the schedule!

Playing Favorites

Last night we had Jell-O for dessert. Jeff dished up the bowls according to how much each person would eat. McKay grabbed a bowl and almost immediately started throwing a fit because he didn't have much jello in his bowl. Jeff kept trying to convince him that he had lots of Jell-O.

Frustrated, Jeff tried to explain, "McKay we like you more so we give you more!!!"

Well, I could no longer play the silent observer. I cracked up laughing (as I'm doing now remembering the moment.) When Jeff realized what he said, he cracked too. Fortunately, McKay calmed down enough for us to explain that he had grabbed Sophie's bowl (which didn't have much). We gave him his bowl and all was well. But, we laughed all night over that one!

I promise, we like all our kids the same. Really.

My Hard Workin Girl

Early in the year, Lyndsi decided she wanted an American Girl doll like two of her cousins. She set out to earn the money to buy this doll. She did dishes, cleaned bathrooms, washed and folded laundry, worked in the yard, worked at the cabin, raked leaves multiple times, picked up pine cones for dad, and a whole other list of chores. A week or so ago AG had free shipping and she was getting close to having all her money. Jeff and I decided to order it on the sly. Boy am I glad we did!! She earned her last dollar this morning and wanted to go to the store to buy the doll, which, unfortunately, there isn't one here. About lunch time Jeff called and told me it was at his office. I herded the kids to the car and made sure Lyndsi had all her money with her. She was so surprised when she handed Jeff the $$ and the box was already on his desk. She's held and cuddled it all afternoon, except when she let mom tend it so she could play ponies with her little friend. Without further delay, I'd like to introduce Lyndsi's newest friend, Mia St. Clair: