Creative Memories

I'm going to steal this book idea - so I can capture all (the "good" things) the boys make that are 3-dimensional or don't fit into an 8.5 X 11 binder by taking pictures of them and writing a little something about them.

SNOW much fun!

School is closed today. Possibly another 6 inches of snow coming this afternoon. This winter has been crazy! Unfortunately most of the time, the kids can't even play in the snow because it's so cold.

But they did get to go sledding on New Year's Eve with their cousins (and with Ed the week before but I missed it) and LOVED it. Even when grandpa got cold, Brett was still saying he wanted to go more. Crazy kids!

Off they go!

Bro went from smiling to this

so he got off and decided to mow (with his tongue out :). Dreaming of summer probably. . . .

While the big kids were waiting to sled, they were doing this.

Breckyn got a turn before I went inside because my hands were on fire (no gloves WASN'T smart for the photographer)

And Brady thought he was pretty cool laying down.

And by the end of it, I think my dad was COLD.

Cute

NOT them, the dress.
(Image from People.com)

Homemade

I always have high hopes of getting a lot of homemade presents made for the holidays. I didn't get a lot made this year, but I was happy with the ones I did.

A reversible cape I made my for my 3-year-old nephew. (Brett was my "size model" and didn't even seem to mind that it wasn't for him.) I found the idea here. (I didn't do velcro - I had just made the straps long enough that he could tie it in a knot. This seemed to be easier for everyone!)





















I also made three of these block photo puzzles. It's a fun idea when you have pictures of friends you don't get to see often enough :)



















Oh, and I also made some of these for breakfast. They were quite tasty and easy.

2010

I've NEVER been one to make resolutions. But this year I am.

• Fitness - It's hard to admit (to myself) but it's been a long time since I've really been in shape. And it's not because I wouldn't love to, but I have never found that hour in the day. But I'm going to FIND the time this year (and feel good in my swimsuit).
• Home - I'm going to declutter and get rid of the stuff we don't LOVE - which I hope will make it easier to have an organized house.
• Projects - I want to finish the Christmas quilt I started last year and get all of my scrapbooks up to date (and figure out how I'm going to record memories/pics moving forward. . .)
• Family - Be in the moment. Patience and understanding. Growth and love. Happy Home.

New Year's Eve

The kids were BUSY on New Year's Eve. They took newspaper, scissors and tape and locked themselves into my parent's downstairs bathroom. The result was this. . . .

It was hard to get this picture of them because they thought there was "still work to do." I think that's when the adults told them they had done enough :)

Some "in progress" pictures.

In addition to making the chain, the kids had fun playing games. Breckyn & Brynna each got a new Nintendo DS and Garrett already had one. (Brady has since decided he would like one too - good thing he has a bday coming. . . .)

And the Rowley's brought their Wii. Brett thoroughly enjoys the Wii. Every other word was "Can I play the Wii??

And they all played Operation. Another game on Brady's bday list!

While the kids were doing this, we were playing "Pitch" and Scatterglories. I wasn't sold on learning a new card game (it usually takes me far too long to catch on), but it was FUN!

Christmas 2009

Our Christmas celebrations were a bit different (spread out) for us this year. We spent the Saturday before Christmas at Ed's mom's. The kids were excited to start the present opening process and had a great time playing with their cousins - Alexis, Jaxon and Gracie.

and were thoroughly worn out (asleep) by the time we left.

We were going to celebrate with Ed's dad and more of his relatives on Christmas Eve but the snow postponed it until the Saturday after Christmas. Since we were actually going to be home on Christmas day (so strange, but nice!), my parents came up for dinner (I was so glad to see them). We had already decided to have Chinese but I was totally ignorant and didn't realize grocery stores (Wal-Mart, McDonald's!!) are closed on Christmas and I didn't have anything to make Chinese food with. So, a little bit of stress but I made the snowy drive to a Chinese restaurant that was open, my parents brought egg rolls and crab ragoon and we had a great dinner and played a little Candyland.

The next day everyone that was going to come on Christmas Eve came up. We had a nice dinner and the kids enjoyed playing with their "Stockwell cousins" again.

We celebrated Christmas with my family on New Year's Day. We had already been in Lebo for a day so the kids were bursting and couldn't wait to open the presents. Now that we have almost 4 that can read, they all wanted to play Santa and hand them out. I remember loving to do this when I was little.

We go around the room and open presents from youngest to oldest. Brett and Brogan were excited to have a BIG present each this year and they opened them together - Extreme Smart Cycles!

We had great Christmas celebrations!