Legos and Trains

Just a tiny Christmas review in pictures~

It's been an adventurous few days for little ones--- and big ones too :)

I'm not TOO sure who did more work here, but nonetheless, Elisha's new backhoe/steam-roller thingy was finally created. And just 2 days after starting.... (you didn't have anything better to do anyway, did you PapPap???)

It's been days filled with family fun-- and playing with trains--- this display was created by my Dad during his fight with cancer---

I think it was one of Jacob's favorite 'events' of the day.

And what Christmas would be complete without making a big mess in Grandma's kitchen?? Play dough is ALWAYS good for that!

I hope this finds you in good health, and relaxing family days-- may you complete the year on a positive, loving note! Happy New coming Year to you and yours!

need an easy project?

If you need to occupy the little ones, and they haven't yet had their fill of sugar for the Holiday Season, try your hand at these white chocolate covered snowman pretzels.

Just roll pretzel rods in some white chocolate-- add some mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons--

Embellish with scarves made out of cut-up fruit roll ups~ Add hats made of gumdrops and gummy rings~ enjoy!

peace and blessings to you---

Merry Christmas to you All!!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!! Enjoy every moment and don't sweat the little stuff!! It's the memories that count--- embrace each minute!

just for my Texas crew :)

Hey Texas guys-- I have a confession to make~ (for any other readers, sorry to bore you)

Last year when your gifts arrived, we allowed the little ones to open them early. So, kids being kids--- they remembered- typical! And Dad being Dad, said, "OK-- that's fine!"

I figured since this impatient bunch (you know I couldn't possibly include myself in that statement!- LOL!) couldn't wait just a few more days, the least we could do is share their evening with you :)

And before I forget-- Lauri, your cookies are as yummy as I remember! THANK YOU!! Another confession-- I didn't share too many. My tight jeans thank you even more :) I'm telling you-- there HAS to be a secret ingredient!

Jacob's race car was a huge hit~ and provided for lots of non-bickering time with big brother as they raced together-- another plus for mom!

The gyrosphere thingy-- was great! For many reasons--- you should have seen the men trying to first put it together-- hee hehe-- at one point it flew across the kitchen-- who knew gyrospheres could fly??? :)

Now that Elisha has it figured out-- he can work it 'AWESOMELY!' He can even balance it on his nose-- picture to come later! As for the girls--- you KNOW these are hits!!! Except that Elizabeth has misplaced her dolls somewhere in her rat's nest upstairs-- you can imagine her face all day-- oh well, they'll turn up soon! :) OK-- we do NEED the inside scoop here--- but I'm figuring these are for that super-talented (or REALLY dumb) squirrel that Mark still thinks he can catch performing gymnastics simply by dangling an ear of corn from the tree. Am I right?? And the tea and chocolate--- That I may or may not share-- THANK YOU!!! Since this is a blog with just a few readers, I figured I'd attempt to make you a part of our distance Christmas with you :) We miss you, love you, and wish you a very very warm, sunny Christmas!! I must go walk off some cookies now...

snow days~

The children were as excited as kids on Christmas morning when they awoke to the snow yesterday morning...

it was time to go sled-riding!

And--- in 'Elizabeth-style', she was quite proud to dump her PapPap right off her sled :)

My little snow angels didn't last very long in the cold... the first time... ...until the second-time around when they found friends with REAL hills :)

and even dogs!

and LOTS of fresh cookies and hot cocoa!

Thanks Doug and Teddy!!

Note from Mom:

Dear Mr. Winter,

You've had your fun, the children had their fun, and it will be the first white Christmas in quite awhile--- now, I don't mean to offend you, but you may kindly go away until next December :)

Sincerely,

a tropical sun-worshipper :)

Buckie the DEER

The children had a fun weekend-- they didn't get to play with a puppy, but a deer that acted just like one-- meet Buckie the deer!

Short version of a long story: he lives on some acerage of a friend of a friends--- and was basically raised like a puppy~

Did you ever see a deer that played with children? The green t-shirt is an attempt to keep him safe from hunting season...

Wish I had the video available to show the this amazing deer-- never seen anything like it! He should be on America's Funniest Video's!

what's new?

Not a whole lot~

we do have a pretty new porch ceiling~

And an attempt at stone work~

Ask Mark HOW MUCH he LIKES stone work~

Then ask him WHY they will remain in this pile until someone ELSE attaches them to the house....

More pictures will have to wait for spring~

Just a little more serious...

Happy post Thanksgiving from a slightly more serious gang ;)

I say slightly- because we're back to our school routine-- with the exception that the children know there are only 25 days left-- and they know there really is NO seriousness to be had as they belt out Jingle (or jinger as Elizabeth tells us) Bells for the 100th time. Who taught them how to read a calendar anyway?? Should've known better... sometimes ignorance can be bliss :)... along with blissful days from the past of setting the clock ahead an hour (or 2) because it's dark outside and telling them it's bed time... not that I would do that.... just typing out loud :) Silly person who taught them to tell time....

Hope your week is going great!!!

Giving thanks~

Yes-- we want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Yes, we are thankful for SO much. ~More than we EVER deserve!

But this is why I'm VERY thankful that in less than 7 hours it is bedtime for little children :)

I don't know what it is about the Holiday Season, but it seems to turn on a button that points to FULL-FORCE craziness in children-- Not all the time, but today has just been one of those days in particular--

can you tell??

Happy Thanksgiving

Today we made our Thanksgiving 'tree'- the kids came up with quite a few 'leaves' telling what they were thankful for~

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!~

pretty neat

For all you regular bloggers who add really neat pictures (and even those who don't) while chronicling your day-to-day events-- check out this link from the Cutest Blog on the Block that will make your blog into a book~ for a preview, just enter your blog's url and flip through the pages of your book.

This is PERFECT for those who don't use photo albums anymore, (thanks to our digital world) and might be too lazy busy prioritizing other parental duties :)

Enjoy!

loving the kind fall weather~

Just a teeny, tiny update~

Yes-- we're still going strong here-- the fall weather has been quite kind and the siding is done on the back of the house (YAY!). The men are still going strong out-doors~

We've celebrated 2 more birthdays (yes, almost a month ago-- I'm really behind on updates!)

Bring on the Holiday festivities~

Tons of pictures coming soon!

Because...

... sometimes you need just a little encouragement and hope! Dream big!

That Christopher Columbus was a swell guy~

Because if I were him, there is NO way I'd be sailing the ocean blue...

We visited- ok, drove by- these replicas of the Nina and Pinta over the weekend~

pretty neat, but we were expecting monstrous ships- definitely not something a bit more than a row boat :)

Yes, I am exaggerating just a bit :) It does give you an appreciation to the hardships the early explorers surely faced~

and hopefully make you appreciate the luxuries we so quickly take for granted today in America. If you want to see if the Nina and Pinta will be docked in your area~ check out the Columbus Foundation's Site here.

my boys in the hood

Yup- our hooded guys are still workin'~

always time for a cookie break- and they're SO happy Mom's making them look her way for a picture :)

ahhh--- indian summer

Would it be too much to ask for the Indian Summer to last for the next few months? It's been a beautiful week for some trail walking~

Always an adventure to be found~

New trails- new bugs~

Does it get any better?

first needlepoint~

She's quite proud to introduce her first needlepoint-- are you surprised it's of a horse?

And yes, it looks like part of a leg is missing- it wasn't her fault, but the cheap kit that lacked the leg on the paint template- does ANYONE make quality items for children anymore?

Only in West Virginia...

...could your husband get away with making a sidewalk like this.

Just another Saturday...

...with men and power tools in hand, along with DUST- EVERYWHERE!~

lots of help from little guys~ LOTS of pounding~

and yet another hole in the house~ still undecided whether that's a good thing or not :)