merry christmas!

from our home to yours, we wish you a very merry christmas and a happy new year!

snow day

we've been waiting oh so patiently for the snow to arrive, and alas, 18" of fresh white beautiful snow has been dropped from the sky. that means no school! the kids we're so excited when they woke up,  they had snow gear on and were out the door before 7am (with a flashlight because it was still dark).  we played outside for most of the day, from sledding, snowball throwing, shoveling, making snow angels.....i love snow days!! 

dancing queen

sweet. joyful. artistic. beautiful. silly. love.

she's our little dancing queen.

(she doesn't need a recital, she will dance anywhere!)

on the mend

well, the month of december was mostly spent in our house, napping, crafting, watching christmas movies, eating every type of chicken or rice soup, drinking tea, going through tissues like crazy, and hoping that the nasty flu virus would finally leave.....but, that little bugger stayed for quiet some time! we are now back on our feet, bodies trying to take in every drop of nourishment, and still needing hours and hours of sleep...but, we are back to our "normal" routines. although there was something quite special and calm in those moments we shared while being ill, it sure is nice to get out of the house!!

 we found this sweet little gingerbread kit...so fun and so easy!

our little elf "snowdrift" brought the family a puzzle to work on while we were home sick. this was a 550 piece puzzle, the most pieces we've worked on! we just had it out on the floor and whenever someone felt like working on it they could...it was really fun! 

family fun day!!

the friday after thanksgiving, was probably one of our best days ever! we slept in, went out for a late, and super delicious breakfast (where everyone loved what they ordered), then went to an indoor skate rink for a few hours (can't decide who had more fun the kids, or jesse....wow, you should have seen him, it was so fun seeing that excitement again!), then home for hot cocoa, snuggling, and a movie (brave). we were all smiles that day! BEST DAY EVER!!!

gobble gobble

this year we decided to just stay home for thanksgiving, and man, was it nice! mellow, fun, and delicious! we are all so thankful to have such a wonderful life!

the morning of thanksgiving we hooked up with some of our soccer friends and played at a local park for a few hours. kids vs. parents, who do you think won? ryder was loving this!!

 post game refreshments (apple cider!)

some of our awesome neighbors joined us for a delicious turkey dinner, and the kids certainly entertained us throughout the evening! wigs, drawn on mustaches, and beards....hilarious:)

halloween 2012

we hit the streets, once again, with our neighborhood friends, on a cold october evening....looking for treats.

 "expelliarmus!"

approaching....

waiting....