Snow

It was my goal to get all caught up on my blog before the new year begins. So, here I am with 3 hours left to spare and I'm working on my last blog while the kids play charades. See, Aunt Pam was here 2 years ago for New Years and we played charades. Now, the kids think that's what you do on New Years. Thanks Pam.

Yesterday, we woke up and decided to be super productive and get Christmas put away. Noah wanted one last picture with penguin.

We finished in about 4 hours and even took down the outside lights. David had a delicious dinner of beef stroganof in the crock pot. And out of nowhere, it started to snow. We went out right after we ate and the sun was setting. Spectacular.

Ben likes to eat snow.

Noah seems to really like the snow this year.

Then the sky got even brighter.


My husband is a big kid and was pegging the kids with snowballs.

He's mischevious and hot.

Ben being cute.

Then David got him in the face with a snowball.

Emily made a big snowball.

I came back inside and did the dishes. I had a fire going, Dave Matthews on Pandora and my kids outside playing in the snow. Life is good.

Then, Noah picked up Emily's snowball and then dropped it and it broke. Emily started crying. My perfect moment was over in about 4 1/2 minutes.

We woke up today to more snow. Ben got to go down the slide first today since Emily went down yesterday.


This is the same tree as yesterday.

I love that we live someplace that gets a little snow. I think I maybe saw snow 10 times by the time I was 18. I'm glad they get to wake up and play in it.



Ben got snow all over himself again. He literally just rolls around in it.

Our friends called at noon and were headed to our sledding park. The snow was melting quickly, but we decided to go anyway.

This Dad from the Turner family makes the best sledding paths for everyone. He was leaving when we got there, but he built a great path with a ramp and everything.

Noah preferred a slower spot.

Emily had fun.

I love her face as she was flying over the bump.

The boys had a snow battle with swords.

Emily and Alanah.

They went down together which never goes all that well.

I'm so glad we went. We had a great time. We were ready to go and my girls cheeks were rosy and she looked beautiful.


It was a great way to end 2012.

Aunt Pam

Aunt Pam came up for 2 nights. We all love when she comes. It means some alone time for me as we go out for lunch and talk for hours. The kids just love Aunt Pam.

She brought presents for them too!


Noah is good at giving hugs.

And she brings them candy. I don't know why they like her so much.

She always buys them pajamas and books. It's a welcome gift since we have enough toys to open a toy store.

It even snowed a little. Not a lot though.

Then we played some Rock Band on the Wii.


Noah wanted to take pictures with Aunt pam.

Emily leaves her doll all over the house and she looks so real, she freaks me out.

Then, we played Just Dance and Michael Jackson Dance on the Wii and Hedbanz.

Yep, everyone has a great time when Aunt Pam comes to visit!

Christmas

Chrismtas morning is the greatest. Ben woke me up a little after 7. He was bright eyed and said something like, "Mom, mom, you have to get up. Santa came and he said Rudolph is real and he left us presents and he ate the cookies and the reindeer at the carrots, but not Prancer because he's picky. Come on Mom, wake up!"

It was awesome. I came out and everyone else was up. As excited as the kids were, they gave David and I our presents first. I love that they do that without us saying a word.

They got busy with gifts.


I told Ben one of the best things about having a brother is that you get to play with all his stuff.


Emily got this doll she was dying to have.

Yes, it's an Asian doll. She has an African American one too. I love that she doesn't want dolls with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Ben opened some gifts from Grammie and Grampie.

I surprised Emily by getting her 16 outfits for her doll. Yes, they were from a yard sale, but since her doll wears a size 3 months, I figured it was the best route. She was thrilled.

Every year I get the popcorn tub and it becomes our prebreakfast.

The boys got Hulk hands which they used to smash their Dad.

And they got some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle gear.

My house looked like this in about 60 minutes. Notice the Ninja Turtles in the popcorn.

Ben and Noah tried on the Buzz Lightyear costumes that Grandma Suzy got for them.

How cute are they?

It went by in a flash and I was thrilled that we had nothing major to put together for the first time in years. Then, David made a yummy roast for dinner. It was a great day!