Snow!

On Christmas Day is began snowing and it continued all through the next day.  Casey got his wish for a white Christmas!  On Wednesday, the kids went outside to play.. this was Kristiana's first year to really  get to experience the snow and she loved it!  She lasted outside way longer than I expected her to... she doesn't get her love of snow from me :)

Christmas Eve

After an amazing dinner, we opened gifts with my parents, Jake and Kristal... as always, we were truly blessed!  This year was fun for Kristiana since she's older and can actually open her own gifts now :)

Sugar Cookies

On Christmas Eve we went to my parents to celebrate Christmas with them and, Jake & Kristal.  As per tradition, the kids helped my mom bake sugar cookies then, my dad and Casey helped them frost the cookies.  They had a fun afternoon!

Christmas Program

Katie sang a solo part for her school program...

Christmas Program

Last Thursday night the kid's school held their Christmas program at their Lutheran Church... the kids did a fantastic job singing their songs and reciting verses.  Katie had her first little solo in a song called Peace on Earth.  She did a great job and didn't miss a note!  We are thankful for her beautiful voice :) 

I love this photo of Tys!  His class sang their songs then, had to wait while the others performed theirs.. clearly, he was just a tad bored with it all! ha ha

Christmas 2012

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.             Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas!!!

(p.s. Yes, Casey is still a part of our family... we didn't have anyone around to take his picture too!  More photos coming soon with him included)

Christmas Lights

This evening the kids and I met Meredith and Tuffy in downtown Caldwell to walk around the pretty, colorful Christmas lights.  It was cold outside so, we didn't stay too long... BUT, we had lots of fun! 

After School Party

After school on Monday, the kids had a little holiday party with their close friends, the DeWinkles.  They enjoyed hot chocolate, goodies and exchanging gifts to each other... followed by an afternoon of playing! Between our two families, there are 9 kiddos!  My friend, Katie, and I are always outnumbered by kids :)  but, we love it and they're great munchkins. 

Trenton showing off his beloved Captain America mask :)

a little this and that...

While getting my hair done at the salon one day last week, my awesome husband showed up with my favorite coffee and beautiful, colorful flowers!  What a wonderful surprise... and, of course, all the other ladies thought he was SO amazing and was the talk of the salon! lol  Yes, I'm pretty spoiled :)

 A pit shot before heading out to Cory and Katie's Christmas party last Friday night...

 My beautiful girlies :)     Never mind Kristiana's scraped up nose... she had a little run-in with the concrete and is completely healed up now...

Preparation

We are just a week away from Christmas and, we in the full swing of things around here... preparing for the celebration of Jesus' birth and remembering the reason why He came to earth as a man. 

While Casey is in MN this week (hopefully, not too many more future trips to MN!) the kids and I are busy this week with school Christmas parties, looking at Christmas lights, delivering goodies and gifts to friends & family and, preparing for the Zion school Christmas program on Thurs evening.  Both Tys and Katie are singing however, Katie has a solo this year! We've recently found that God has given her the gift of a beautiful voice! 

Last night, right before the evening church service, the kids Catechism class recited their verses and a few catechism Q&A and, sang Joy to the World.  This was Trenton's first year at performing before an audience... he made us quite proud by holding a hymn book up over his entire face during the whole performance!! Ha ha

We got a little bit of snow yesterday but, are still hoping for a true "white Christmas"!

Christmas Party

Last night was our friend's, Cory & Katie's, yearly Christmas party and, we had a great time!  Its adults only so our kiddos got to spend the night with their favorite cousin, Lynette... To make the evening special, it was a "black tie" event... the evening was filled with lots of laughter with new and old friends, yummy finger foods and of course, cocktails :)  The party eventually ended around 2:30am and, Casey and I ended up staying in their guest room.  I am already looking forward to next years party! 

Its Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Our Christmas decorations are up and, we're pretty much ready for the holidays! This year Casey surprised us with a big, pre-lit 9ft Christmas tree!!  It fits perfect in our living room and looks so pretty through the front window :)  Our older, smaller tree went downstairs in the kid's play room.. they now have their own tree with their own ornaments :) 

 The weekend after Thanksgiving my mom and I took the kids to the Festival of Trees in downtown Boise.  The Centre on the Grove is filled with hundreds of beautifully decorated trees! There was also games for the kiddos and entertainers singing Christmas songs.  We were there for almost 4 hours! Katie's favorite tree was a penguin one while, the boys loved the Avengers tree.

Battle Mountain

This last weekend Katie, Tys, Meredith and I took a quick trip back to Battle Mountain to see friends.  Meredith's Grandma had been in the hospital so, Meredith wanted to drive down to visit her.  I decided to go along (and drive) and took Katie and Tys to see their old friends.  We were only in BM for approx 24 hours but, it was so good to see everyone! We stayed at Ken and Judy's but, also visited the Clarks and the kid's former teacher, Mrs Brannan.  We then went to church on Sunday morning and headed home right afterwards due to the stormy weather. 

 Tys and Dalton playing together...

the girlies, Katie and Taylor