Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Surprise Snow

Chris, Nate, and I took a nap at 2:00. When we woke up at 3:00, our world was white. A snow storm hit the area and took us all by surprise. What a treat!
Harry didn't know what to think about the white stuff. He was all crazy looking out the window and trying to get the snowflakes. Oh, Harry!
Since the snow came so late in the day, most of the play was done in the dark. We played at the McDonald's house, and an impromptu party ensued with neighbors coming out of the woodwork. In my experience, these types of parties are always the best....and this was no exception. We finally called it a night around 11:00!
We constructed a snow fort that was about 8' tall, and could fit about 5 kids. It was complete with a roof, and a door.
The beginning stages of the fort.
We had a feast of Thai Noon food, then back out to the snow to gather round' the fire.
Fun night with fun people. Thanks, Mother Nature!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Not Mama's Favorite

Not sure what Santa was thinking when he brought these....

Happy Doh-Pay! (just ask Will)

Oh yah, Christmas 2009. Christmas Eve was at our house, and we had a visit from Danta Claus. He made a guest appearance last year when we were snowed in, and he came back by popular request to do it all again.
Ho-Ho-Ho.
Cousins in their new p.j.'s. Almost time to go to bed so that Santa can come!
After Santa's visit. His big-ticket item was an air hockey table for Chris and Nate. We're still trying to figure out how he got it down the chimney.
Christmas morning and a Rock-em' Sock-em' robots.
Cool old-school game from Mick and Gail.
Then off to Mark and Claudine's for a Christmas morning brunch and cousin gift exchange.
Back home for the evening where we burned our Christmas tree logs from last year's tree....our new tradition. A crackling hot fire, a game of Clue with Dan and the boys, and Christmas 2009 was over.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Make A Wish....

We almost forgot about the Thanksgiving wishbone!

Looks like Chris' wish will come true.

Monday, December 14, 2009

go-go-go!

We had a really full weekend packed with lots of fun stuff to do, and it started off with these cute snowman drawings that the boys brought home from school on Friday. I love them....I wish that they did even more fun art projects at school. These are definitely keepers.
On Saturday morning, we went to the Younkin's annual Christmas breakfast where Santa makes a guest appearance. it was a great time, as usual. Both boys had written a letter to Santa, and Nate was very anxious because he said that all his letter said was "I hope that I get lots of toys." He knew that he should have mentioned how good he has been, or that he loves Santa, or asked about his reindeer...or something along those lines. Hopefully, Santa will look past that lack of a personal touch in his letter, and still treat Nate well. I bet that he will.
After the party we returned home and got started on making the gingerbread house.
Lovely, except for the coconut. My logical brain said, "Don't use the coconut, it will fall off and get everywhere." But the fun mom brain said, "Wow! Coconut shreds! It will look like fluffy white snow. Let's see how much of it will stick to the icing!" No coconut next year.
Then in the late afternoon/evening the Wiley's came over to have dinner, and I served my signature dish. It was delicious as usual, if I do say so myself. We hung out and had Mary's hot buttered rum concoction into the evening, as the boys played Wii and watched Owen smoke em' on Mario Cart. He is GOOD. It's always fun to have friends over for dinner.
On Sunday morning, it was time to can the Wiley Kraut. It had sat and fermented for 7 weeks, and it was perfect. We got our stinky cabbage out of the closet (pew!) and started the canning process. For a first timer, I was pleased with the results. It must have been due to all of the cooks in the kitchen.
The Moores are set in the kraut department for quite some time now.
Ah, nap time. 2 boys and 1 cat are hiding in this picture. We all needed the rest so that we could gear up for the next party.
At 3:00 we headed down the street to the McDonald's house, where we were invited to a cookie decorating party. I figured that Jenn would buy some round sugar cookies, some tubs of frosting, and the kids could make a few to eat. But no......this was serious business!
Chris had made the dough from scratch in the morning, and then spent the day rolling and cutting out an amazing array of cookies. Hundreds. It was awesome and a huge effort!
There was every possible color of glaze frosting for the kids to paint onto the cookies, and every possible sprinkle shape that you could imagine. Pure heaven for little kids. They all worked hard, and so did the big people.
Especially this boy.
Christopher worked the hardest of all. He literally sat in the chair happily decorating cookies for about 2 1/2 hours.
Cookies!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

counting the days

Every night in December, up until Christmas, an elf visits our house and leaves a treasure in the advent box for the boys.
The other night, I saw that this very nice card from Christopher was left for the elf. It said "look elfs, come and get this." I grabbed it for a picture before the elf could take it away.
What a sweet boy.
"Happy Christmas Santa and Elfs, from Chris" he wrote and tucked int on top of the box.
The Elf got the nice message and took it with him. But he left this nice note in return..complete with fire burned edges. That's how we knew it was the Elf--we don't have that kind of paper around here!
This is the advent box that holds a treasure each morning.
This is the same advent box that is responsible for 2 boys consistently waking up around 5:30 a.m., giddy with anticipation.
Who can sleep when there is a surprise to be discovered?
If you're ever not quite sure how many more days it is until Christmas, we can help you with that. Between the advent box, countdown chain, open the door tree from G'ma, and the ever-favorite chocolate calendar from T.J.'s, we've got it down to a science.
Um, by the way, as of today there are 15 more nights before Santa comes.

Good thing we've moved from this stage.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Christmas Tree gathering

Some annual events are not fun. Paying taxes, physical exams, getting older, to name a few.
But one annual event is fantastic...the Chandler Family's Christmas Tree party....always the first Saturday of December. Chris and Nate help to carry the tree.
What a beautifully cold and sunny day it was. The first trailer went out at 1:30 and it was full. We got the best tree in the field. Family.
The second load of tree hunters was much smaller. Mark/Claudine and family went on this run. Brrrrr!
Uncle Greg and his nephews. He was the photographer and tree cutter, since Big John wasn't feeling that great.
Slater family.
Nate amid the crown near the back of the trailer. It was a wonderful day.
Thanks, Chandler Family. I hope that this tradition lasts forever.

Nutcracker before & after

From this.....
....to this. Beautiful, huh?
Aunt Janis sent the boys a fun kit to make their own Nutcracker. They loved it.
Thanks, Janis!!