Silent Night....ok, not so silent

Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve. We have a lot of fun spending it with cousins and grandma and grandpa. Each year we are treated to a Christmas pageant with all the kids, this is always a highlight.

We couldn't forget to feed the reindeers some carrots!

Santa's helper

Savannah played some Christmas music on her violin for us.

This year Forrest was Joseph and Troy was a donkey.

It seems like each year one of my kids is crying for this picture.

Josh and Grandma Child

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

Ok, so it has been snowing for about 10 days here now, and my kids are lovin it. Our 2 giant trees in front of our house however are not. Here are a few pictures of the lovely mess Brett will get to deal with when this incredible winter storm is over. Also, this year instead of one gingerbread house for everyone to fight over and decorate, I decided that each kid could make their own little house/town home. Enjoy the pictures and "we wish you a Merry Christmas!"

Look closely at the broken branch still attatched to one of our beautiful trees in front of our house. Problem.....I don't want it there. Solution....Brett! Your mission should you decide to accept, (which we know you will because what other choice do you have?) operation :bring down broken branch""maybe you should hang on the branch a little"

" pull harder"

"I knew you could do it!"

What a mess!

This poor tree....on the bright side, less branches mean less pine needles in the gutters. That will make Brett happy.

This morning I checked to see how many branches had fallen and found this giant branch. It originally was propped up against the house....next to Grant and Troy's window.

We think Brett's car is under there somewhere!

A winter wonderland!

I can't get this video to rotate....I tried. Savannah is hitting the snow off our arbevidas (sp?) in our backyard. They are hanging so low right now.




"Merry Christmas"


Savannah does her best work while in her pj's

Josh went with the humble, yet delicious home.

Troy pretty much ate all his candy before it ever made it onto the house...do you see why I decided to let each kid do their own?

The finished products. Can you spot Josh?

Going on a tree hunt & some fun in the snow!

Last Saturday we went out to look for our Christmas tree. Now, the tree must not be too big, and not too small....not too fat, and also not too skinny! Each year we talk about having a beautiful big tree...with lots of ornaments...but we all know our tree once again will be half decorated so that little hands don't get into trouble or pull a tree on top of them. One thing new this year is dealing with a puppy that thinks the tree is a new chew toy for him! Seriously, we do have dog toys, but they never seem to be as good as a binki or a prized stuffed animal. Anyway, we found the right tree after freezing our tails off! Here is some pictures from the day and also from the snow fall we woke up to Sunday morning. It was so beautiful! The kids have been home from school for 2 days now, and they are hoping for a three week Christmas vacation!

Grant was thinking about throwing a snowball at his dear mom, but thought twice. He wants to stay on Santa's nice list.

Check out the ice on our streets. A sheet of pure bliss!

Forrest knew that it would snow....I kept saying it wouldn't. The weathermen are always wrong! He hasn't let me forget that he was right and I was wrong.

Sledding fun

BRRRRRRR! But isn't the snow beautiful?

Troy was out for about 3 minutes...then decided it was too cold! As you can tell we don't have any snow clothes. It doesn't snow here enough to need them. Unless you ski...and we do not!

Even Josh loved getting out into the snow.

Troy figured he better get to work and mow all this white stuff up!

Jake played and played in the snow. I think he ate a little too.



Noel on the other hand couldn't get back inside quick enough


Watch out for yellow snow

"Yeah! We got snow!"

"I knew it was going to snow!"

Pure delight!

Um, my hands are cold!

NO SCHOOL!!!!!


Nice and warm!



We're finally getting our tree...everyone is so happy

how about this one...perfect for Josh






This is the one




Grant was a little sad that it wasn't the one "he" picked out.

"are you sure this is the one?"

So, we found the right tree, and froze doing it, but we had fun. The next morning we would wake up to a blanket of snow.