gingerbread houses

we made our annual gingerbread houses this week.  lia used a kit that my grandma had and sofie made her's from scratch.

...a first of many crafts this christmas season.

ummmm

...take a guess on who was responsible for this mess?

 these photo's don't even do it justice--i couldn't even step a toe in the bedroom.

it was all kye!!

 

snow and coughs

is what's new at our house.

here's lia plowing a little snow with some help from dad.  my grandpa got a new mower so we took his old one off his hands.  we removed the mower deck (so the kids could safely drive it) and put on the plow he has rigged up especially for it.

this poor guy is one of the kids the "cough" belongs to.   so...he was unable to go outside for the first snow and let me tell you--he was not happy about it!   nor was he happy about me taking his photo this morning.

he stayed right here til the plowing was done.

i really did feel bad for him...

this is the other gal who the "cough" also belongs too.  however, she wasn't as upset about not getting to play outside.  she was having a ball with the wii all to herself!

 i'm certain she can plow the drive better than me.

what other way is there to warm up???

since these photo's were taken we have had one more child fall ill with the dreaded "cough"!!!

 

a splendid evening

for a musical!

the girls have been practicing since august for their church musical: back to the manger .  it begins in present day with a group of kids.  they accidentally turn on a time machine that takes them back in time.  here they are in the 50's singing away to some great tunes.

there's lia--dressed in a 50's style poodle skirt(made by my gram) singing away during her solo

 here's her back-up singer's

 still in the 50's--here's sofie or "young betty"

 this kid knew all her lines the first week she got her part

 of course the actresses need a fan club!!

 and here we are in the 80's with the totally rad boy band--the manger boys!!

 world war 2...

 and finally, all the way back to the manger!!  the reason we celebrate this special season--the birth of our precious savior--Jesus!

 these kids did a fantastic job

have you noticed the posters on the walls in the back of the stage?

they are now plastered all over lia's bedroom walls!!  cracks me up!

 

snickerdoodles

how i wish these cookies weren't so gosh darn messy to make

because they are so yummy to eat

but i know one little girl who could care less about the mess

because it means more dough to eat!!!

 

o christmas tree

how i love this time of year. from the decorating to the gift giving to the many smells.

our usual day-after-thanksgiving christmas tree hunt was pushed back a day since i took part in the crazy black friday shopping festivities.

what a special day--

we headed out mid-morning

the sun was shining and the air was crisp

perfect weather to search for that perfect christmas tree

we usually look for at least an 8-footer, but this year i wanted something smaller, something thinner...something simpler

this tree was perfect

so, the cutting began

everyone took a turn

you see, the last few weeks have been crazy

we haven't had much family time

and the time we have had has been spent in our home

while i'm thankful to have time at home together, it was really special to just get out of the house

 it didn't take long and the tree was down

these 3 jumped in each grabbing a branch and headed off towards the truck

we ended up with a perfect 7-footer

and a perfect family outing

can you find the pink hat???

the stripes are a little easier to spot

the rest of the day was spent decorating with the highlight being the placing of the tree topper which happened to be lia's turn.  who knew a $2 plastic silver star would turn out to be so special.

 

thankful

...for

a faithful God who never leaves my side and loves me unconditionally

a handsome husband who is such a wonderful listener

the gift of spending another year with my grandpa

 3 healthy children

the blessing of having a sister

a warm house and food in my fridge

an awesome church family

the rainbow at the end of life's storms

my completely outgoing daughters

lia's heart and here ability to share it with others

kye's love of his papa

sofie's desire to make Godly choices

a husband whose priorities are in check

small town life

that i can't get enough of my husband's sense of humor

the simple fact that i wake most morning with 3 warm little bodies tucked tightly against me and even though i rarely get a "good" night sleep i really wouldn't have it any other way (please don't tell sam)  he he

the privilege of raising 3 beautiful, loving, joyful, kind, wild, loud, fun-loving, outgoing, wild, generous children

the gift of my soul mate whom i love living life with