White Christmas (Eve)

Shaver was a beautiful winter wonderland! Snow fell on and off all day at my in-law's on Christmas Eve.

(Notice the new paint on the cabin- what a change from the light yellow and blue. I picked out the color scheme.)

The boys did a great job building "frosty". I jumped in and helped for the fun part- accessorizing!

Sledding has become a tradition on Christmas Eve- let's hope the weather keeps cooperating!

Pie? Check! Centerpieces? Check, Check!

Apple Pie with Vanilla and Lemon (When I wasn't looking Ben added some extra apple cut outs...nice, thanks Ben)

Flowers from Costco (and my yard!)

Now I need to stop blogging and go pack! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Thanksgiving Place Cards? Check!

We are spending the holiday at Shaver with Eric's family and I was put in charge of making place cards. Since we are not hosting thanksgiving like we have in years past- I actually had time for a fun project with the boys.

I painted their hands and "stamped" them onto a 6x6 square of card stock. Then I folded the bottom inch to make a base and cut them out. I added a beak and of course the names. Not exactly elegant- but the grandmas will love them!

I'm off to start my Apple pie with lemon and vanilla- wish me luck (I think Apple pies are intimidating!).

Don't drop her!

It only took us about 60 pictures to get this one-and poor Georgia looks like she is about to slip down to the concrete below! I'm giving up hope of getting a picture of all three children. Maybe our Christmas card will have three individual face shots?

You can't blame me for trying! (Sam is really great with her and didn't drop her by the way).

Halloween!

Here are all the boys (and Georgia)...Indiana Jones, Ben the Builder {missing his hard hat}, CSUF Football player, Train Engineer, Speed Racer, Racer X, and our Pumpkin!
Georgia had some quality time bonding with her uncle on Halloween.
Any mom (or dad) will tell you getting good pictures of your kids is hard work! I feel like I'm cursed when it comes to pumpkin patch/halloween pictures. Every year, something happens. This year I had my hands full with a newborn and looking at our pictures I was so disappointed that I didn't really capture the day. Well, there is always next year! {-ps if anyone has some pictures of my kiddos from that night- can you send them my way?}

One of these is not like the others

Taking a picture after Easter service with all the boys has become a tradtion (we missed you this year Peter!). But Ben was having a hard time...(maybe his uncle hurt his feelings making fun of his pink shirt?).


Here is a better one of sweet Ben-
Oh, watch out little girls- this one is taken by his mama!

PS- Pink is your color Ben!

Christmas Morning...

The big Santa gift...

I love this picture of Ben waiting for help to open his gift (a youth rei sleeping bag for the many camping trips he'll take with dad this year).
Sam loves anything and everything Thomas...espcially real, moving trains!

What all little boys really want for Christmas...

More Christmas Pictures coming soon...

Thanksgiving

Here is Sam telling Eric he needs to get that bird in the oven! Notice the tv remotes for the football on the big screen nearby. (Can you see the second turkey in the background?) Be still my heart- a man who can cook a bird! Make that two birds!
I just set the table... (thanks to my sister in law for sharing her gorgeous Southern Living serving pieces). Oh yeah- and I host the family dance contest, but more on that later.

Play Group Pumpkin Hunt

This is from our play group...

on the hunt for some hidden pumpkins...

Seven cute boys!

Cutest Storm Troopers, Wild Indians and Pumpkin baby you ever saw! (Are Storm Troopers supposed to be cute?)

Pumpkin Carving (no children were hurt in this process)

Sam carving his first pumpkin...

Clearly he isn't happy with the quality of his carving tool. Sorry Sam, it will be a few more years until you get your hands on dad's Henckels.