Swimming

Hey, it kept them busy for two whole hours.

P.S. I love where we live. Except that this morning we woke up to gun shots and looked outside in time to see a cow elk get shot and roll down the mountain.

Christmas

We had a great Christmas! The kids got up early to open presents(of course). But that was ok because Wes had to leave for work at 7.

Andrew asked Santa for a snow shovel for Christmas. He's so funny!The morning was spent making (and eating) swedish pancakes, opening and putting together toys and playing. It was busy and I could have used another pair of hands but we had a good time. Wes surprised us and got home about 11:30. Then Grandma and Grandpa Rogers et all came over to play and eat lunch and stuff. Over all a pretty good day.

Pre- Christmas Activities

The pinata at the Larsen Party. Anna went up to hit it, turned and ran to me crying.

Playing in the snow...

 Baking yummy cookies.

Kaylee did the turquoise, Andrew did green, Kara did purple, and I did blue. They were delish!

OOPS

I forgot to post this fun video.

Snow Day!

Today we woke up to a lot of snow. The frist day of winter is a doozy! I went to the computer to see if school was cancelled. Nope, just bus service so it was up to parents to decide if they were going to take their kids. I decided- no. Five minutes later Wes's mom called to tell us that school was cancelled. Here's why...

We got 10 inches of snow last night on top of the 8-9 yesterday. And it's still snowing steadily. I cleared the driveway by 11:00. I didn't, however, clear in front of the mailbox and driveway where Mr Plow pushe 2+ feet of snow. Just looking at it makes me want to cry.

Countdown to Christmas

I have procrastinated. Or maybe the time just flew by. Either way, I woke up yesterday morning at like, 5:00 and couldn't go back to sleep because I realized that Christmas was in one week and I wasn't ready!! AAAHH! So I got up and shopped online. Now I just hope that it gets here on time or Andrew might be upset.
So really, it's not as bad as I thought. I just needed the one "big" thing for Andrew. Which brought up the question "Are we super cheap?" Because our "big" things for each of the kids cost $30.  Anyway, Christmas is coming. Are you ready?

Anna's Cuteness

We got a new exercise bike last week. Anna stands by it and makes motorcycle noises. VROOOMM!

She has figured out how to climb into her highchair. I don't know how because I haven't seen her do it. I just keep finding her there. Then since she can't get down she yells "Mom, help!" over and over until I come get her.

She gives lots and lots of hugs and kisses.

She likes to "do" my hair. (Ouch)

She loves to sit inside Andrew's toy bin and read or watch TV. She usually has her blanket with her. (Doesn't she look so grown up with her pigtails?)

When it's time for her nap she waves and yells "bye, bye, bye" to Andrew.

Sliding

My Favorite Part of the Day...

When I go into the girls room at 8 to tell them it's time to turn off the light and they say "Just let me finish the page."

Hello, Hello!

Anna has become so vocal this week! She's picking up new words every day and using them more. She actually used words "peeb" please "mo" more to ask for more lunch. At walmart today she said hi to everyone. Then when someone didn't respond she yelled "hello, hello, hello!!" for like 5 minutes. Oh, and last night she sang through scriptures.

16, 24, 7, 2 1/2

16- the number of trees in the neigbors back yard.
24- the number of big garbage bags we filled with leaves today (the neighbors, Kaylee, and Andrew filled some the other day too).
7- happy helpers (including Anna).
2 1/2- hours worked/played (today).

Thank you Sister Neighbor! We had a great time raking and piling and playing in and throwing, and burying each other in your leaves!

Horse Races

WARNING: Bumpy ride ahead...

The Bear in My Backyard

Yesterday evening I was making dinner and glanced out the back window. To my surprise, I saw a bear just past the big rock at the back of our property! I sat and stared for a minute... it didn't move. I kept watching, no movement. It wasn't a bear. The shadows and tree trunks combined with just the right lighting made it really look like a bear. For the next 20 minutes I kept looking out, knowing there wasn't a bear but just wanting to make sure. Then, because I'm paranoid and have an over-active imagination I dreamed about a bear last night.

Is There A Correct Way To Walk?

I got a free pedometer the other day so I thought I'd use it. I was shocked by how few steps I took. Surely thiat couldn't be right, so I read the instructions that came with the pedometer. It says it will accurately count your steps if you walk correctly. I tested it this morning and counted my steps from the laundry room to my closet-32. The pedometer still said 0. I guess I walk wrong.

What do you think?

Would something like this look funny framed on my wall?

The Pumpkin

I found the instructions here . It was super easy. Mine cost a little more because I used two packages of grapevine wrapped floral wire because I wanted a bigger pumpkin.

Progress Report

Wes had the week off so I had more time to "play". I finished two of my tables. I don't think I'm going to do the other.

 I don't know why blogger turns my pictures sideways. They are right on my computer.

 Here's a close-up.

Oh, do you like the pumpkin I made?

So do you like the fall wreath or should I stick with the other? I can't decide.

I also crocheted a hat, modeled by Anna. It also fits the girls.

Halloween

On Friday we (finally) carved our pumpkins.

Then on Saturday we had Grandma & Grandpa and Kelly and Kristy over for dinner - which was delicious if I do say so myself. Then we went trick or treating. Kelly brought us donuts- YUM!

Anna looks about ready to fall asleep. It was pretty late by the time we finished trick or treating because we waited for the rain to stop.

Pumpkin Picking

 We went to go pick pumpkins last week. They had lots of fun stuff for the kids. I tried to get some cute pictures but they were too busy playing. This is a big pit of corn. Why? I don't know.

 There was a petting farm. With goats, sheep, a donkey and a baby kangaroo.

 We went for a hay ride to see more animals.

 Andrew with his pumpkin.

 Anna wanted this one. I think it's too big for her.

 Ah, that's better!

So fun! I'm glad we went when it was warm. It's supposed to SNOW tomorrow.

Project Overload

Is there such a thing as "project overload"? If there is I think I have it. Wanna see?

I just finished this today. It's kind of hard to see. I painted the letters pink then mod podged cute paper on the front.

I bougth this window at a yard sale yesterday. It needs some work (the glass is about to fall out). I'm not sure yet if I should leave it as is or if I should strip it and paint it white with a glaze. I think it will go above my new table in the entry. Maybe put a wreath on it.

Here is my new table for the entry. It needs to be sanded  and painted. Distressed white:

 I got both of these tables for $50. Not too bad. This one also needs to be refinished:

 Oh yeah, this one too. I already started:

 Andrew's quilt - in progress:

 Yarn for some cute crocheted hats:

 To be made into hair clips:

 Another quilt:

 For a coat/backpack rack:

 Decorative pillows:

 Then of course, there is the backyard. Not too much left that we can do this year though.
And those are only the projects I have stuff for. I am also looking for a dresser to refinish and covert into a TV stand. I need to do a quilt for Kara. Oh, and I just bought backpacks to put our 72hr kits in.

I'm tired just thinking about it.