New Christmas toys? Who needs 'em!

The other night the kids got into a bunch of cardboard that we had left from Christmas. (We have TONS of trash and recycling that needs to be picked up. Due to the weather we haven't had any trash pickup for two weeks!) The kids decided to use their imaginations and came up with some great creations!

Stratton found some black duct tape and decided to put it over his eyes...yes, duct tape! When he pulled it off there were eyelashes lingering behind!

We felt bad that he kept pulling out his eyelashes with his new "mask" so we cut holes in it for his eyes...plus it helped him to stop falling over things!

Cas turned her box into a Robot

And Presley made her box into a TV set...complete with a list of channels on the front.

This just goes to show that all the Christmas presents were good but give a kid a box and they'll make it into a lot of fun! Why don't we all just buy boxes for our kids next year?! Then they can make them into whatever they want. Anyone on board with me?

10 inches has grown to 24 and more on the way...Make it STOP!

Christmas morning is the one day of the year that is magical. At least it still is in our home! Strangely, all three kids were very cooperative when it came to bedtime on Christmas Eve. Santa came, ate his cinnamon roll, drank some milk and left some great presents for the kids. We are grateful to have been able to spend Christmas this year with my parents. Everyone has had a great time and we are thankful for all of our blessings!

We hope that all of you had a great Christmas also.

The presents...just waiting for the kids to come and rip them open!

Presley received an iPod (pink of course) and also an iDog from Santa. She has had it plugged into her ears, singing at the top of her lungs!

All Stratton wanted was a BIG fire truck and he was
lucky enough to get two!



My Mom was surprised with a very cute Coach purse...lucky girl!

Another one of Stratton's great presents...a huge GeoTrax set.

Cas and her Dad.

Presley and her Dad.

Monday, December 22, 2008

10 inches has grown to 24 and more on the way...Make it STOP!

I keep thinking that the snow, ice and wind can't get any worse...and then it does! Maybe I should stop thinking that. We now have about two feet of snow and the drifts are much deeper. It is crazy around here. It's been made official--this is the worst storm in at least 40 years. Great, I'm thrilled to be part of it. Here are some pictures to compare what I thought was bad to what actually is bad!


This is the picture that I took on Sunday and thought that we had a lot of snow then.



This is what it looked like outside this morning!


Can you see the trampoline sinking down because of all the snow on it?


I don't think that kids will be using the slide anytime soon!


The view of our grill outside of the window.


Arizona sure sounds nice right about now.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

10 inches and freezing rain...the fun continues!

Just when we thought that the weather had been bad we were proven wrong. It snowed more yesterday...a lot more. We now have around 10 inches of snow on the ground with drifts much deeper. It just snowed and snowed and snowed. If that wasn't enough...the freezing rain needed to make an appearance too. The trees are bending and straining under the weight their branches now hold. It's cold...it's really cold.

All of the windows on the front of our house are "frosted"

The wreath on the front door is icy, too!

Our Japanese Maple isn't dusted with snow--It's now frozen!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Ok--That's enough Snow!

Yes, it does snow in Portland and this week it won't stop snowing! The first wave came in on Sunday and dropped about 4 inches where we live. Then the freezing temperatures and wind made an appearance on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Today the snow made a repeat performance. The kids have had a lot of fun playing outside but you can't spend all day outside, so what do you do when you're snowed in?

Cascia likes to build Lincoln Log cabins.


Stratton uses the Jenga blocks to create a landing pad for his helicopter.


Presley emails her grandma and tells her all about the crazy weather!

The snow does make all of the big tress look amazing!



Our Japanese Maple in the back yard getting a covering of snow.

The kids haven't had school all week and all of the Christmas activities have been canceled because of this crazy weather. So, now we would like to say---SNOW go away!!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Let it Snow...Let it Snow!!

Over the past couple of days the buzz has been all about the weather that was coming...and here it is! We woke up this morning to just a dusting of snow but that changed quickly. We were getting ready for church when the snow started. In just 15 minutes the roads were covered and church was cancelled. It only took about an hour for enough snow to fall and the kids were dressed and out the door...the kids were beyond excited!

About four inches of snow and it's still coming down!

Our back yard.

This view out our back window after a morning of snow.

Kevin & Stratton having a great time slippin' and sliddin' in the snow!

Presley, Cascia, Kara and Bryce ready for some snow time!

Stratton wearing his new snow pants, jacket and snow boots.


After a cold morning in the snow there isn't anything better than a mug of
hot chocolate!

Yummy!

Friday, December 12, 2008

'Tis the Season

Jeff's mom (who my kid's call Gamini) came to visit over Thanksgiving and helped us start the Christmas season by decorating a gingerbread tree with the kids. They had a lot of fun and did a really good job on it.

The girls took turns piping the icing while Stratton's job was adding the colored "decorations". The girls had to learn how to hold the pastry bag--tight because the icing will ooze out the back if you don't...right?!

The finished project! It now serves as the centerpiece on our kitchen table.


Three happy kids!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

The Polar Express

Last night we kicked off the holiday season with an excursion on the Polar Express. As we journeyed to the North Pole, the kids wore their jammies, were given hot chocolate and cookies, listened to the book be read, sang Christmas carols with Santa's elves and then received a magical silver bell from Mr. C. himself. It was a really fun trip!



Kara and Cas--in their jammies ready to ride the Polar Express


Stratton loved his hot chocolate and cookies!







As we neared the North Pole, the kids
listened to the book be read.
(This man is in a famous painting...see which one here)


The Conductor came and punched our tickets.



Stratton thought that his spelled out
B-E-L-I-E-V-E



Each of the kids received a magical silver bell
from Mr. C.



Stratton and Mr. C. having a bonding moment.



Cas told Santa that she wanted an orange for
Christmas. He was a little perplexed by that!



Presley asked for an American Girl doll.



Presley, Stratton and Cas along with Santa.

Jeff and I enjoyed being able to experience a little of the

Christmas magic through the eyes of our kids.

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