Snow Days!!!!!!

The kids got to start Christmas Break two days early because of the snow. So they headed outside and the girls decided to take some pictures. The only bummer about the snow here is the wind that comes with it. Notice how the kids eyes are all squinted.

We even have our own skating rink in the backyard.

Getting the Christmas Tree

It's Always Fun When Grandma Comes!

Craig's mom came into town for a visit for the weekend. We tried to take a family picture, but as you can see some people caused a bit of a problem.

We covered marshmallows with chocolate and candy, they are really good in hot chocolate.


We went to the Lights of Christmas parade down town, in twas pretty cold, but

Something to share this Christmas

http://www.joytoeveryone.com/index.htm

Kyla's first pie

Kyla was not happy with the pie selection for Thanksgiving dinner, Buttermilk Pie (if you like pecan pie you'll love this one and never go back to pecan) and Raspberry Lemon Pie. So she tried her hand at Apple Pie. I made filling with the applesauce that I made this year so it made it pretty easy. It was really tasty!

Black Friday Frustrations

For as long as I can remember I have gone shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Although it's been quite a few years since I have gotten up really early to get the "good" stuff, we are not into big ticket, electronic stuff so I usually get up around 6 and go. Again this year the girls wanted to go with me. Last year I wanted to get flannel sheets for them so I got them to show me what they might want and then sent them to look at other things.

I had found out that Fred Meyer had slippers on for 1/2 price and thought that the girls would like that. So I pulled my same trick and had the girls look at the slippers and then they went to check out the clothes. I hurried back to the slippers and picked out a pair for each of them. I then went and got the other things that I needed and paid for my stuff.

I met the girls at the entrance only to have Mackenzie tell me how excited they were to find slippers for only $9.00. I didn't hold back and let them know I had just bought slippers for them for Christmas and they had spoiled my plans. Mackenzie started to apologize and kiss and hug me endlessly. I milked for all that I could.

We then headed off to Costco, were as we entered they gave of a small book of coupons, and what could be found, but a coupon for slippers. In her attempt to make up for buying their own slippers Mackenzie offered to buy some slippers for me. I gave in and said that would be fine. So we are standing in line at Costco with our things and the girls realize how much they like my slippers and the price and decided they wanted some too. So off they went for yet another 2 pairs of slippers. In the end I bought 7 pairs of slippers for 3 people.

Trip to Walla Walla

We stayed with my dad when we went to get the pigs...my mom was out of town. It's been so long that we have been there things have really changed. My parents lost 2 huge trees last winter in their yard. I remember growing up and we really couldn't see the neighbors yard but now it's completely different from just a few years ago.

Kaden tried out the cable swing, he was afraid of Craig taking him too high.

Here piggy, piggy.

We made a trip to Walla Walla last week-end to pick up our new pigs. They are a rare bread that comes from England. We were really lucky because the breeder was in Texas and she had another person that was from Walla Walla that was already coming to get 4 other pigs. He was nice enough to get ours too.
The funny thing about it was I was talking to the wife of the guy that picked up the pigs about growing up in Walla Walla. It turned out that her grandparents were our neighbors growing up and her mom was my second grade teacher. Small world when you grow-up in a small town. We are hoping to have a small brood of piglets some time in the spring.

Acadamy Awards Night

For YW in Excellence the girls had an "Oscar Night" They all got a Oscar...a gold spray painted barbie and gave an acceptance speach. Mackenzie had Divine Nature and Kyla had Faith. They even all got to walk down the red carpet when they came into the room and were introduced.



Getting all dolled up!

Pathetic Halloween

While Craig is talking politics on the phone I have kept myself from working by unpacking more stuff. Although we had to break down and do a load of laundry because Jensen stepped in yucky stuff in his brand new shoes while helping Craig. I noticed every one's Halloween pictures and can say I have nothing to really share. I was more worried about packing boxes.

Anyway I took a break and took the kids out trick or treating Friday night. Kaden was a hocky/rollerblader for about1/2 time until he got tired of wearing the roller blades and then he didn't want to wear just the helmet. Jensen had no desire to dress up, so he went as himself. Mackenzie had gone as the Cheeta Girls with Kyla and their friends Heidi and Hannah. But her costume by Friday night was packed. So Mackenzie and Heidi wore their youth conference t-shirts and went as "Twins".....they don't even look alike and they both had jackets on. In reality none of my kids really dressed up. Mackenzie said it was as bad as the year I had my appendix out just before Jensen's birthday on the 21st of October. Mind you I also had a 3 1/2 month old baby.

Better lucky next year. The kids still got some candy. Oh well! I do have pictures of the girls before the youth dance. As soon as I find my camera I'll have to post those pictures.