Ice Sculptures and a Unique School Room

The kids enjoyed making these ice sculptures. They were a little messy but were worth it. Today all the schools had a snow day but we still had school and did fun things like this and changed things up a little bit. The kids put their swimsuits on and had fun splashing in the bathtub and actually we did some school while they were in the tub. We did Math, Phonics with Liah, and Geography. Hannah sat on the floor and played with the bathtub letters happily. The kids bathroom is the warmest room in the house so it got us away from the snowy view for awhile.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it...OK That's Enough!!!

And the snow continues along with FREEZING cold temperatures. We barely made it up the hill to our house after gymnastics.

After lunch we headed out to try to get ahead of the game. B has been asking to shovel and was excited to finally get a chance.
L liked helping too....but she kept shoveling the areas that didn't need to be shoveled. She was also very concerned about making a big sledding take-off hill next to the driveway and that is where she spent most of her time. Unfortunately it is so cold outside that sledding won't be happening for a couple of days.

Thankful: To not have to go out!!!

So this has been a cold, snowy day and I'm thankful that we had a nice pajama school day. Blake was very willing to read this book to Liah although he did get a little frustrated when she lost interest half way through.

New Year of Thankfulness and Sweet Moments

So I don't really do New Years Resolutions but I do love the new beginning feeling of the New Year and it always seems like a great time to start something. I am trying to catch those little things in my day that I'm thankful for. My goal is to do at least one thing every week with the hopes of it becoming a daily occurrence.
This evening I'm actually thankful for feeling exhausted. I was suppose to go to a Moms Christmas Party with our homeschool co-op. I had everything ready to go but after dinner I just didn't feel well. I tried to get up and get ready and I just felt even worse so I sadly made the decision to stay home. I went to bed and soon Liah joined me with cuddles and kisses. We then did a devotional which we were suppose to do last night but she fell asleep before I made it back home. A chapter from her American Girl book was also read. It was a nice and relaxing evening. I am so glad that I was too tired to go out tonight.

8 Candles

1. The Lord is our Light. Isaiah 60:19
2. The Word is our Light. Psalm 119:105, 130
3. We should be a Light to others. Matthew 5:16
4. The Light of the body is the eye. Luke 11:34
5. The Messiah is the Light of the World. John 1:4-5
6. Paul saw the Light. Acts 26:12-18
7. If Christ is your Light, you are no longer in the darkness of this world.
Ephesians 5:8-11
8. We need to shine. Philippians 2:14-16

Random Christmas Pictures, Maybe Next Year

Every year I tell myself I'm going to get tons of pictures on Christmas and every year I end up with about two dozen very random pictures. I think we are having such a fun time we don't want to take a break for pictures. Maybe next year I'll do better.

L's big pack of gum in her stocking. I think this is what she looks forward to most. The kids always pick to do their stockings first.

Then they always want to give their presents they picked out for each other and mommy and daddy. They love this part.

B very excited about his new underwear. We had been joking with him for weeks that he was going to get new underwear for Christmas and he actually did need some so I thought it would get a good laugh.

L trying on her new jacket.

Some people shake their gifts to guess what's inside but H has mastered the "chewing on your gift" method. Hmmm I think it's a cd.

I needed one of these.

As soon as she had a chance L was in the bathroom painting her nails with her new nail polish.

H playing at Grandma's house.

L getting ready to open gifts at Grandma and Grandpa's.

It was the most relaxing Christmas ever!!!!

The Makings of a Relaxing Christmas Eve

Playing new Wii games. Mario Cart is the favorite right now.

Building a new Lego set.

Coloring with Mommy.

Enjoying an early Christmas gift.

Decorating some cookies. You will notice that mommy left the room for a minute to get the camera and both kids have frosting on their faces and daddy just has a guilty look on his.

Making a gingerbread house.

Some hot chocolate with special marshmallows and a bowl of popcorn while we watch "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". The old one.

Our special Christmas Eve dinner.

New PJ's lined up for an after dinner surprise. We were suppose to then head to Grandma and Grandpa's to make fudge and watch a Christmas movie but just as we were packing up Blake threw up all over soooo.......needless to say we stayed home. It was a great and relaxing day.....minus the puking part. Blake was fine the next morning. A very short lived stomach bug thankfully.

Recovering

So today I had surgery to remove some scar tissue from previous surgeries. I'm feeling good and have enjoyed the day of sleep after a very busy week making sure everything was done for Hanukkah and Christmas. It's nice to lay here resting knowing that everything is done!!! I think I'm feeling better now than before surgery. I think my chronic pain was worst than I realized. My kiddo's should be coming home any minute. Hannah stayed all day with Grandma and it sounds like she did pretty well. I'm glad I listened to my husband and sent her with the older two. It made for a much more relaxing day and I don't think I would've been able to hold her since I was feeling so nauseous there for awhile. We're praying this will be my last surgery until the hysterectomy down the road.

Handel's Messiah

Blake had been practicing for a couple of months and it was finally time for the big concert. Before we left we got some pictures. The girls were dressed in their Christmas attire as well. Because of the awful cold that had been going around I think this was the first time we all got out in weeks. Hannah was still pretty stuffy and I wasn't feeling great but I was not going to miss out.

The kids did an amazing job. It was the best children's program I had ever heard.

I attempted to get the red eye out of this picture but it didn't work so well.

Deck the Halls

As soon as our new carpet was in we got down to business and decorated the family room Christmas tree. This is the tree that has all the kids fun ornaments on it. They are getting quite a few and in the next couple of years there won't be any need for the boring ornaments.

Blake helping Daddy put the tree together.

Who is behind there?

Hannah wasn't quite sure about the whole decorating thing.
Hannah attempting to hang an ornament. You will notice one of Blake's favorite ornaments, Luke Skywalker running with Yoda on his back. Somehow this always ends up in the front of the tree.

The finished product.
Here is the Living Room tree too. No Star Wars ornaments allowed on this one!!!

Last Resort Snack

So what do you have for a snack when your mom hasn't been to the grocery store all week?

Some Matzah that was leftover from Passover and Unleavened Bread.

Hey, Let me try yours maybe it tastes better.

Maybe I left some Cheerios stuck to this baby doll. Oh man, I guess it's back to this Matzah cracker that's as big as I am.

8 months

So this is how you will find Hannah quite a bit of the time. Sitting up, playing, drooling. with one or both socks pulled off.

Here she is all bundled up after a bath. I think she is definitely gaining some weight!!! She is loving solids and her favorite snack is Cheerios. I don't think she is ever going to crawl. She doesn't stay on her stomach long enough. She has mastered the roll and the stretch to get what she wants though.

Big Brother

You can usually find Blake playing with Hannah these days. He can always make her laugh.

I was asking Blake one day if he is enjoying Hannah more now that she is playing and he said,"Yeah but she is getting too big too fast."

Blake is 8!!!

Blake is 8!!!! It was a crazy day with a sick Liah and having our carpet installed but I think Blake had a great birthday. He had pancakes and sausage for breakfast and then pizza with his friend Noah for lunch. After lunch Josh took the boys to Chuckee Cheese and then to Choir practice. That night some family came over for cake and presents.

A Green Bay Packer cake was the choice this year. Nice and Easy!!!

Blake got lots of great things and had a lot of fun.

You will notice a sick Liah looking on from her sick bed.

Blake got lots of Star Wars Lego's that were all put together in two days. Even a huge set that I thought would at least take him 3 just on its own. He is getting mighty good at Lego's.

Trying out the new snowboard with his new snow pants on.