Sledding

During our Christmas break we decided to take the kids sledding and got to go with some of Blair's family. We went up by Pomerelle to the snowmobile lodge. We got there and there wasn't that much snow so we were a little concerned we wouldn't be able to sled. Well there was just enough where the sleds and tubes run down the hill and it was just enough for the kids.

Here is Mckay and Lyann pulling some sleds up with Rhianna riding in the sled and Cameron pulling up the rear.

Cameron taking his first ride down.

Statton and Rhianna being pulled around the parking lot. I think us adults were still trying to get our gear on so the kids were waiting patiently.

What a good dad to make the effort to take us all sledding and pull his kids around on the sled. Madison enjoying the ride. It's his idea every year to go and he gets everything ready including finding all my winter gear as well. I kind of drag my feet about going but once I'm there I enjoy myself.

Good ole Uncle Mckay taking his niece and nephew down the hill. Rhianna kinda got slumped down in the sled and didn't enjoy that so much. You can't see it but Statton has the biggest grin on his face.

Blair taking his girls down the hill. The picture doesn't show it but Madison enjoyed the sledding even though she would sometimes get pouty she would still walk over and try to climb in the sled signaling to us that she was ready to go again. Cassidy's enjoyment is obvious.

Madison enjoying the snow. She's looks so cute all bundled up.

Here is Rhianna giving me a wave.

I believe this is Cassidy giving me a smile. She sometimes gives me the weirdest faces when I'm trying to take her picture.

Statton showing his usual enthusiasm. He always gives me the greatest faces!

Grandpa and Grandma with Rhianna trying to keep the fire going so we can stay warm inside the lodge. We had a great day and were all worn out by the time we were done. If I recall though not one of my kids passed out on the way home. I thought they would be exhausted but they laughed and chattered the whole way home. I found this trip funny because at one point Statton came inside and hung out for awhile saying he was cold while Cassidy stayed outside and kept going down the hill. This was so weird because usually Cassidy would wimp out and be inside while Statton is usually the die hard one who would be outside playing. It's was an interesting switch for them. Also, Blair had started sending the kids down in sleds by themselves and would have someone stand at the bottom to catch them just in case. I don't know if it was lack of snow or just the kids lack of weight but they would slow way down before the bottom so it was safe for them. Even though the first time I saw Blair send one of the kids down I went running over and dove in front of them to catch them midway down. Blair just kept telling me to let em go so I finally did and sure enough they slowed down so I felt safer letting them go by themselves. It was a fun trip.

Merry Christmas!

Well we got to have a week off of work so we headed home to Idaho to spend Christmas with our families. We have done Christmas with my family the past couple of years since that's where we stay when we go home so this year we thought it would be fun to have Christmas morning with Blair's family. We sent a memo to Santa and told him to drop gifts off at Heward's house. Blair's dad wanted to call the kids Christmas morning and tell them that Santa dropped their gifts off there. Blair told him to call about 7:30 and atleast Statton should be awake. Well early the next morning at 6am Blair's phone was ringing and of course woke both of us up. Well it was Lynn wanting to talk to the kids. Since we were all in bed still Blair told his dad to call back in about an hour or so. Well little miss Cassidy had woken up and wandered into our room a little after 7 and Lynn called back. Well the little stinker wouldn't even talk to him. She must have been feeling a little quite and shy and still trying to wake up considering she's usually my one that sleeps later than everybody. So we woke up the other kids put their coats on and loaded them up and drove over to Heward's.

It was so fun to watch the kids open gifts this year because they are started to understand the whole Santa idea and they can dig right into their gifts and really enjoy what they got and be excited about things. Madison even enjoyed pulling strips of wrapping paper off her gifts. I don't think she was as excited as Cassidy and Statton but she seemed to enjoy the going ons of the day.

Grandpa and Grandma Heward were so helpful in helping all the kids open their gifts.

It was fun to open gifts with Blair's family even though it was crazy to haul gifts back and forth. After gifts the kids played with some of their toys while us girls got some things prepped and ready for dinner that afternoon. We then all got ready and went to church. They had a wonderful program of music and it was fun to see some friends and family. It's always nice to have Christmas fall on Sunday because it just sets a nice tone for the day and really puts the whole season into perspective. We then came home finished getting dinner ready and enjoyed a wonderful meal. I believe all of Blair's family was there for dinner except for lyann and her family. Merry Christmas everyone!

Santa in Thermopolis

Blair had gotten transfered in December to Thermopolis for a month job. They had the most amazing library storytime! The lady who does the storytime knows all the kids by name, she does wonderful interactive songs with the kids, and they always have a fun craft afterwards. Well they were having Santa and Mrs. Claus coming to visit on the wednesday before Christmas so it was a packed house when we got there. After you sat on Santa's lap you got a candy cane and your choice of a beanie baby! I tell you what small town storytime is the way to go! Statton was the first one to sit on Santa's lap.

We had visited a Santa at the mall in Casper about a month earlier and the kids liked to wave and say hi but when it came to sitting on his lap there was no way! So after seeing a few Santa's around they have really warmed up to the idea and are now happy to sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. Statton always asks Santa for a Wac-a-mole game and Cassidy asks him for an Ariel dress. The only problem is they assume that because they asked for it Santa is suppose to give it to them right then and there. I have to explain to them everytime that you just ask for what you want and then Santa will bring it to them for Christmas.

Madison watched all the other kids sit on Santa's lap and thought it looked like fun so when Santa and Mrs. Claus gestured her up to them she was more than happy to go..until they picked her up and tried to sit her down then she wanted nothing to do with them. She was more than happy afterwards when she got her candy cane.

Notice the face

The kids are showing off the beanie babies they chose. Cassidy got a snail. Madison got a unicorn. Statton picked a duck. Those things have not left their side since. Except Madison. She was more than happy to give hers up come bedtime in exchange for her favorite yellow ducky. (she loves that thing)