Ice Skating

After Christmas we decided to take the kids ice skating for a fun family activity. Samantha did pretty well and had a fun time. Paul couldn't keep his legs under him and wasn't a fan.

Merry Christmas

Thanksgiving was a really lowkey event this year with just my parents, my Aunt Nanette and Uncle Jeff, and Kevin and Holly. So, we decided to make Christmas a little more of a big deal. We had an advent calendar with an activity for each day of the month. Some days it was small stuff like playing Christmas BINGO, and other days it was a little more involved. It turned out to be one of the best things we've done. The kids had so much fun with each of the activities, even the small ones, and they were SO excited every morning to see what we had in store for the day. It was a great way to make the whole month of December fun instead of just a long countdown to Christmas. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were also really nice. Kevin and Holly went to California so we spent Christmas with my parents and Stacy, Lauren, and Caity.

Our family (Adam, the kids, and I) decided to do a handmade only Christmas. We handmade all of our gifts for everyone. The only exception was the kids' Santa gifts and stockings. I also caved and bought their pj's because it was easier and cost about the same as making them myself. I was really pleased with how everything turned out. It took a LOT of time to make everything but my mom told me it looked like everything was purchased and wasn't "homemade looking." For the kids I made felt quiet books for church which have already had half the pieces lost because they've been played with so much. I also made Paul a fishing set and Samantha a family of frogs. Adam made me an AMAZING sewing cabinet with room for all my notions and that have doors so when I'm done I can close away the mess. Although I will need to start earlier next year I was so happy with how everything came together that I think we will do this every year. It also didn't hurt that we spent a total of $100 on Christmas this year and ended up with some amazing things to give.

Samantha at her preschool party

The Barbie she got from Grammie and Ji-chan (probably her favorite present)

The train from Grammie and Ji-chan (another favorite)

Decorating cookies for Santa. My Dad is his absolute favorite person. Ever.

Opening a present Christmas Eve

New PJ's

Paul playing with his new kitchen

Halloween

Halloween lasted for awhile for us this year. In addition to the school and church parties we wore our costumes almost every day for 2 weeks before Halloween. Every morning Paul would wake up and yell at me that he wanted his "roar" costume. If I said no he'd run after me yelling "Me roar! Me roar! Me ROAR!" Until I'd relent and let him wear his costume. It was fun to have him be so excited. He was also super nervous trick-or-treating around the school until he found out if he would just hold up his bag they would put in candy. That helped him get over his shyness a little. Samantha and Paul LOVED the maze made out of boxes they had at Liberty (the high school where Adam's mom works). They went through that at least 10 times. I was just glad the kids had things to do since Halloween fell on a Sunday and we couldn't trick-or-treat.

Cute Paul

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a pumpkin patch with Samantha's preschool this year. We were lucky enough to have my parents come along and we had such a fun time. They had a slide, a hay ride, a maze, and some other fun activities for the kids. It was super expensive if you went on your own but wasn't bad at all as part of a group so I'm glad we went with her class.

Dad and Paul getting ready for the slide

This is my new favorite picture

At the petting zoo

Sammi with her pumpkin

Samantha with her two best friends from class

Camping

We finally went camping this year. Every year since we've had the kids it's something that we've wanted to do but it never seems to work out. So, we finally went up Mt. Herman and the kids had a great time. Sleeping didn't really happen, but it went well enough that we'll try again next year when the weather warms up again.

The kids helping Adam start a fire

Paul found a tree trunk with an ant hill in it and spent a good chunk of time hitting it over and over and over

Smores

Black Eye

Paul ran into the corner of a cabinet and ended up with a black eye the other day. Why is it that he ALWAYS has some kind of bruise on his face/head?

First Day of School

Samantha started preschool again this year. She is at a different school, but with the same teacher and a lot of the same kids from last year. She is super excited and has been having a ton of fun. She has so much fun in fact that she cries when I come to pick her up and often tells me, "I don't want to go home with you." Makes me feel like a good mom. Hey, at least she's happy there.

Kelle's Visit

Luckily the day after Kim left Kelle and her kids came out for two weeks. All 16 people on my side of the family stayed at the house the whole time. It worked out a lot better than I would have anticipated. The kids got along great and we had A LOT of activities. I was surprised how little any of the kids fought. Sammi and Grant would play for hours without us seeing or hearing from them. Here are some of the activities...

All the cousins at Water World

Fox Run Park

Paul in his bee boots

Just another day at the park

Watching the train go by

Lauren doing her victory dance after scoring a run in baseball

Santa's Workshop

A lemonade stand...the older cousins were calling the little kids "cute boosts" and were using them to increase sales. The little guys' payoff? A quarter.

The pond at Fox Run. It was gross that they were swimming in the pond, but the last time we went they got in with their clothes on, so this time we let them get in in their bathing suits. We bathed them the second we got home.

Garden of the Gods, where we had breakfast with my uncles, grandfather, and all the cousins

Kelle and cute, cute Alyssa. I was tempted to hide her so Kelle would have to leave her here forever :)

Adam stuck Paul in the basketball hoop at Monkey Bizness. He thought it was pretty funny.

Hailey, Grant, and Sammi in their new pj's

I figured that was enough pictures, but we also played capture the flag a few of the nights, went shopping with the little kids (the older kids went to a Rocky's game), went to Fargo's, and played around the house. It was a great time and we can't wait to see everyone again.