Christmas Morning

Santa was good to me!

Hiding out with a bow.

Hmmm...

Merry Christmas to everyone! I really have to get a grip on completing my postings in a timely manner. Better late than never I guess...

Santa visited our house about 2:30 am, Madison was tucked back into her bed about 3:00 am and Allison came dashing into my bedroom about 3:30 am, setting the carpet on fire behind her, to wake me and let me know Santa had already made his stop at our house AND had brought her a new bike. Well, me being the good mom that I am had to play around with her and tell her there was no way Santa could fit a bike through our fire place. She informed me that he could, that he did and I needed to get out of my bed to see for myself! So, I went downstairs, looked and exclaimed, "NO WAY," we poked around to see what was what and then went back to bed. We all got out of bed AGAIN around 7'ish called Jerry on Skype and were able to share a little bit of Christmas morning (before his internet started acting up) together! From Alaska to Baghdad we were together as a family!

Madison, Allison and Sage

The latest pictures of Madison, Allison and Sage. I had their pictures taken just in time to get them out for Christmas....nothing like waiting until the last minute. I was not sure how the photo session was going to go as we (they) did an outfit change, had to wait 45 minutes past our appointment, which I might add threw us into Madison's nap time but, it was not too bad. I think the only one who had a melt down was me!!

Some Ride....

In Texas some ride.....
In Colorado some ride.....

In Alaska we ride.....

I could not pass up the opportunity to share the last photo. The girls took this picture with "Hank" the moose over the Thanksgiving Holiday. I would have posted the picture then but, I sent a copy to Jerry in Baghdad in his Christmas package.....couldn't ruin the surprise!

A White Christmas & A Visitor

I was on the computer the other day and out of the corner of my eye noticed a brown blob, I turned quickly and what to my wondering eyes should apear......NO.....it was not Santa's reindeer.....it was a yearling moose!!! It is really neat to watch wild life up close and personal as opposed to on television. It is that time of year when there is a large amount of snow on the mountains that moose start making their way down to try to find more to eat where there is less snow. With that said, it is usually on city streets and in housing subdivisions that we see many of them. And with the amount of snow we have we are sure to have a white Christmas. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Our Own Little "Monet"

Just thought I would take you on a tour of our art museum. Our little artist (Allison) has produced some nice pieces to add to our abundant collection. She really loves to paint and draw and does mighty fine work if I say so myself. I think our next adventure will be a canvas and some actual acrylic paint....

Watch Her Waddle

YEAH!!! I am SO excited and very proud to present (and just in time for Christmas I might add) baby Madie is now walking. It is hard to believe she is not even 10 months old yet! I could not help myself so, I just had to post the video to share. Way to go baby girl!!

Cool Christmas Craft

**I came across this craft project and it was just too cute not to share. I hope you and your little one(s) enjoy it as much as we did!**

This cute reindeer is made from your child's handprints and footprint, cut out of construction paper. It makes a cute Christmas decoration.
Supplies:
Brown and tan (or orange) construction paper
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
Googly eyes (optional)
Trace around the child's foot using brown construction paper. This will be the reindeer's head.
Trace around the child's hands using tan construction paper. These 2 pieces will be the reindeer's antlers.
Glue the handprint "antlers" to the top of the reindeer. Add a bright red paper nose, a paper (or drawn) mouth, and googly eyes (or paper eyes) to the reindeer's head.
You can now decorate your house for Christmas with these cute reindeer's. Don't forget to put the child's name and age on the back of the reindeer.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

"Don't Squeeze the Charmin"

What is it with kids and toilet paper? I have never understood the fascination of unrolling a full roll of toilet paper and shredding it into a billion pieces! I mean, they don't play with it afterwards, they don't try to eat it (at least mine never did) they just hone in on it and seek to destroy. Really....Madison "knows" when the bathroom door gets left open. It is like a secret force that all of a sudden hits her and off she goes. Don't stop for pedestrians, don't yield to on coming traffic just get to the bathroom as fast as you can and destroy that toilet paper!!! It is like she has tunnel vision and is totally focused on the mission at hand. KIDS.......gotta love 'em (and must take as many pictures as possible when they are doing something they shouldn't be doing.)

Gran and Paw-Paw come to visit!

Below are just a few random pictures that were taken by either Gran, Paw-Paw or myself during their visit from Texas. During their visit we were able to take in a little sight seeing, Christmas tree decorating, snowman building and of course we shared the Thanksgiving holiday! We REALLY enjoyed their visit and were sad to see them go. We miss you Gran and Paw-Paw!!

Hmmm...can you guess who is taking this picture?

Smooches!!

Her first Oreo cookie! Her daddy would be so proud!

And yes.....even Paw-Paw partakes in a little Nascar pastime.

Claudia and Claude

What can I say..... A day in the snow is just not complete without a snowman and/or snow woman. Gran and Sage took the honor of bringing to life not one but two beautiful snow people, AKA "Claudia and Claude."

Texans v's Eskimos

I never knew the Alamo was also located in Alaska. Sage and Paw-Paw decided to build a fort and well....it turned into a mini version of the Alamo. Great job guys!!

Gran decided to build an igloo so she could take refuge once the snowball fight began. However, the snowball battle was put on hold until everyone was able to thaw out their fingers and toes!!