They're loving the snow... for now...

I think this boy was born for the outdoors!

Maybe all boys are. I wouldn't know. He is my only boy... and very like his dad!

The snow keeps coming.

At this time of the year, the kids love it.

Snowball fights

snow angels

sledding

snowboarding

skiing

Eating snow (gross)

To a kid it is so much fun...

until mid February comes around.

Then the snow gets boring.

The cold seems colder.

Then they start to agree with me!

Spring can't come fast enough!!

A Real Hero...

Have you ever met a young man who so impressed you, that you could say that you loved him like your own son?

Have you ever been able to say that you trust him completely (as completely as the mother of the daughter can) with your daughters heart?


How often these days do you meet a young man who is kind and considerate and behaves like a gentleman?

How often do you meet a young man who makes your daughter (who you think hung the moon) at better person?




How often do you meet a young man who, on concert night, will fan your extremely sick daughter... who will care for her when she is sick with the flu...who is more concerned with her wellbeing than his own...who will anticipate your child's needs as if they are of the upmost importance to him... as if it is a life or death situation and he is the rescuer...


How often can you say (even if you have known this young man since he was 3 years old) that you would trust your daughter in his care...that he would never let her fall...knowing he would do the right thing for her... always?

If you ever find what we have found...
hold on to him!

These kind of young men are to be treasured and honored.

They are heroes in todays society of disrespect and shallowness.

Happy Birthday, Galen!

...and thanks for making us love you!

Fifteen Already?...

Turning 15?

Already?

Isn't this the little girl that I gave birth to on the living room floor?

Yep, but that is a story for another time...

I love this picture.

Why, you ask?

Can you see the two little ones all filled up and ready to blow out her candles?

Too Funny...

All gifts are great...

But...

What is better for a 15 year old than CASH!



Thank you Bampa and Grandma!

You Rock!



Now this beloved child is old enough to get her drivers permit!

I don't like that at all!

I want her to stay small and be my buddy.

Deep Sigh...

With each birthday, she gets closer to leaving our home.

I guess I will have to suffer through it and wait until she brings her little ones to me to hug and kiss and snuggle with.

Oh... doesn't it sound joyful!

Turning 2...

This little girl is upset that we haven't opened the presents yet!

Oh, that's better...

What!?

Bampa and Grandma are the best!!

Time for Cake!

Hooray!

This birthday stuff is the best...

I like being 2!

Can I have another one?...............

Plan of Attack...

As I sit here typing, my husband is bombarding the children with one snowball after another.

The innocent little creatures are running for cover...

...but do not be dismayed, they will retaliate!

I can see them gathering their forces and making their plan of attack.

OH!!

I think Daddy is going down!

cold...

We left the house in a major snowstorm today.

Grocery shopping must happen once a week in this house!

No exceptions.

I mean, the kids need to eat, right?... right?

Anyway, we made it to the mad house stores and finished shopping just in time for the real cold to set in.

I am told that it is going to be a bit chilly in the morning...

...like 2 degrees...

Now, I grew up in rural Alaska where the temps during winter got as low as 60-80 below zero.

But, being that I feel as if I have done my time in the cold and snow, 2 degrees is really COLD!

BRRRRrrrrrr...

I feel it coming.

Mark... where are you... my feet are cold...

Major Pageant Meltdown...

Last night, the house errupted in pageant arguing.

I finally had to step in and call off the "rehearsal" last night.

Will the show still go on?

...it remains to be seen!

pondering...

Do you think your back could permanently stay in that painful bent over shape that we manage to put ourselves in when we wrap a trillion presents?

OUCH!!!!

Last night we took Miranda out to dinner for her birthday.

She is such a sweet kid. They just don't come any better than her.

I will have to share some birthday pictures later. I realized I haven't shared any of the birthday photos. What is going on??? Oh, yeah...

I am wrapping, wrapping, wrapping! Those are apparently the only brain cells I have left these days.

I wonder if my wrapping brain cells are all wrapped up in a pretty bow...

Hmmm...

A thought to ponder...

Another Snow Day...

concerts and sisterly recycling...

How excited can one 9 year old get?!

Christmas Concert time...

This amazing young lady was so excited to show us how hard she had been working.

We are so proud!!

...and then...

sisters need to do their part, right?!

We need to make the world a more green place...

The oldest thought she would start by recycling one of her younger sisters.

I think she was getting tired of hearing about the Christmas Concert!

At his best...

What does a boy love more than playing in the snow?

His hands don 't seem to get cold...

His feet don't get cold...

He wears himself out!

Then...

he gets up and does it all over again!



The abominable snow boy...



...at his best!

filthy...

What do you get when you mix eight kids and a steamy window?

A mess!

I literally couldn't see outside...

As soon as I finished cleaning this window (the next morning) the kids were at it again...

Sigh...

I guess I will have to get over my clean freak streak for awhile.

Mary Did You Know...

Hey S & S...

You young ladies know who I am talking too.....

This blog is about you too, so....

If you want to share something, shoot me an email and I will post it.

Outta here... the cookies are too tempting!

It's a wonderful life...

We made it to church this morning. I wasn't sure for a little while if it was a good idea. The snow was really coming down. By the time church was over, we had about 5 inches on the ground. (not too bad)

Mark is now looking over my shoulder which really freaks me out.

Okay... he's gone.

Ummm...

So church was slightly less populated today because of the weather. We only slid around a couple of times. The snow has stopped falling and the two "medium girls" (yes that is what we call them) are outside sledding.

Cookies are baking... they smell amazing... and the little kids are napping.

I wrapped several presents today. The tree looks full already. School is back in session tomorrow, but there are only 7 more school days until vacation. (yes our first vacation day is the 24th)

Winter has arrived around here. Thank you God for a great heater and a loving family!

It's a wonderful life!

Triple blessing...

Can you ever have too much family?

Not me...

I could add them forever...

...especially these three!

sad...

It makes me so sad that people seem to have forgotten the simple concept of being polite.

It is especially noticable at this time of year...but really it is a year round problem.

Even older people don't seem to say, "I'm sorry" ,"excuse me" ,"Please", "thank you".

When I do respond to someone in a store or out in public with one of these phrases, they look at you like you must have done something wrong.

The other day, a lady bumped into my daughter in the store. My daughter has been taught to respond politely. When my daughter said, "Oh, sorry" (even though the grown professional looking lady was at fault) she responded with, "You should be!"

What a shame that we all can't seem to remember simple common courtesy.

It makes me sad...

forecast...

I went to the 7 day forecast this morning and every single day it is supposed to snow...

The Christmas Pageant...

The kids have tried for... I don't know... maybe 10 years to put together some type of pageant on Christmas. Every year, it fails. Someone drops out and the performance never happens.

This year...
They even typed up a script. Oh boy...

I hope Chey can hang in there. She is usually the first to drop out. If she can manage to put up with her bossier sisters, we may actually get to see this performance.

mmmm...

White Chocolate Chip Cherry Chunkies....(secret recipe)

yummmmmm.....
Zucchini Bread...

Oh Yeah...White chocolate chip cookies

snickerdoodles

...just one blessing of the season!