Santa Photos December 2010

Sunday afternoon with Santa. I wonder what secrets are being told?

Hard Working Elves

We are busy little elves this time of year. How about you?

Our December 2010 Photo Shoot

On the third attempt to get Christmas photos made, we finally made it. Between busted chins, bruised foreheads, scabbed over knees, the kids were finally somewhat bruise free. At least enough that we could cover them with long pants and long dresses. Thank Goodness it is over and do not have to attempt again for at least 6 more months. Finley is finally getting better about sitting still for more than 2 seconds, but she is still on her way to being a track star. Runs everywhere, all the time. You have to prod Grayson along, he is never in a hurry. Even Finley tells him now to "come on Grayson, get your shoes on!" How funny, the little bossy thing. Hhmm... I wonder where she gets it?

Christmas PJ's

Nothin' says Christmas like Cute Christmas PJ's.

Den 6 Bowling Night

Watch out Bowling Alley, Cub Scouts are taking over. What fun they had. And it was even on a school night, which as you know makes it much more fun.

Codington School Fall Festival and Thanksgiving Feast

There has been a lot of things this fall at Grayson's school. First the Fall festival and then a Thanksgiving Feast for the Pilgrims and Indians. As you can see there were smiles all around.

Friday Night Dinner

Before and After. This was our Pizza for our Friday night Family Night. Super Cute isn't it? Kids got a kick out of it too. Happy Fall Ya'll.

Boyscouts First Outing

Down on the Farm with Finley

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Aunt Nell, Uncle Hootie and Aunt Janie

Yes, It's true, we have an Uncle Hootie, and no that it not his real name. But that is all I have ever called him. My Aunt Nell is my Grandmother's sister and She looks the same to me now as she did when I was my children's age. Hopefully I will age so well. Aunt Janie and Uncle Hootie have been Married almost my entire adult life - just a short 29 years. But he will tell you it's been the best 6 years of his life. Too funny. We enjoyed your visit and miss you all everyday. All our love.

Baseball and Boys

Fall Baseball has started and this is the first season that Grayson is old enough to play Machine Pitch instead of T-Ball. He was very excited. It has taken some practice and a few strikeouts, but he is doing well for his first season. Not too many boys sign up to play in the Fall , so by Spring he will be one step ahead of some of the others. He did inform me last week, that he thinks he would like to be the designated hitter, because he like the batting the best. It's gonna take a lot more practice.

Finley is 3

Wow, I cant believe our baby girl is 3. So grown up. She is talking more and more, telling people what she thinks mostly. Also I can report she has not had any potty accidents in a very long time and we have not worn pull ups for a while now. Way to go Finley. She got her very first bike, doesn't quite have the hang of it yet, but we take turns pushing her around the house, even our next-door-neighbor Delaney pushes her. Thanks Delaney. Happy Birthday baby girl, we love you lots.

Guess who's 40-ish?

Happy Birthday Greg. We love you.

Summer Hiatus Photos

Such a busy summer we had, lots of friends and relatives came to stay with us, beach trips, bowling, kyaking, movies and lots of outdoor time. Too much to put into single blog posts, so just enjoy the slide show.

Can You smell Chocolate?

The kids had a grand time at Easter, with several Easter Egg Hunts, Easter Stories and of course a little chocolate thrown in just for fun.

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6

Batter Up

Baseball season has finally started. So many bundles of energy in the dugout, to bad they can't focus it all on the actual ballgame. What a fun time of dirt, baseballs, smell of a fresh cut field and leather gloves. Smells like Springtime.

"They blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the LORD had done for his people." 1 Kings 8:66

Polar Express

It was Polar Animal week in Grayson's classroom. Some of the projects were very good, others were clearly made by the parents and some well, let's just say there wasn't much effort there at all. A fun party nonetheless, with lots of parents and visiting siblings. Grayson's favorite part was that we signed him out to go home early since it was already 1:30 pm that day. It is always fun to sneak out of school early, no matter what time it may be. Don't you remember that?
"God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:24-26

Wordless Wednesday

I posted this, just because I like this photo. I can do that, it is my blog after all.
"These were the men counted by Moses..., each one representing his family."
Numbers 1:43-45

Dentist, again?

Grayson's 6 month check up with the dentist was last week. Thought we would get xrays this time, but it was a no go. Maybe next time. Other than the hygienist trying to get xrays, it was a pretty enjoyable trip. A full clean and polish and a perfect report for his teeth. Keep on Brushing, Grayson.
"Say to him: 'Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!" 1 Samuel 25:5-7

Snow Way

When we went to bed on Friday night, it was snowing, which is very thrilling in this little coastal town. We get a big snow every few years, and an occasional light dusting in between. We woke up to 5+ inches of gorgeous bright white snow. We were in and out, and in and out several times, made an entire snow "family" and also had snow cream for lunch. How divine.
"From the fullness of his Grace we have all received one blessing after another." John 1:16

Chocolate is in the Air

What a busy week of Valentine Card making and Valentine parties. I love homemade Valentine's, don't you? So we - meaning mostly me, with some help from Grayson - set out to make 25 Valentine's for Grayson's classmates and his two teachers. We looked online for ideas and settled on an Owl made out of an upside down large heart. They are so charming!
Finley's class was much easier, only ten Valentine's to make, including her teachers. We chose a fish for her, made out of two hearts the same size and one small heart for the tail. They turned out very incredibly adorable! There was cupcakes, pretzels, cookies and fruit and juice boxes at both parties. The kids came home and spread out all their loot on the kitchen table. Of course they wanted to eat all of it at once, but being the mean old mother that I am I only let them choose two. That Friday night was also our traditional family night with pizza and a movie. One of the pizza places in town had a deal on heart shaped pizza this weekend. How sweet.
"Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8

My Little Handyman

Saturdays are DIY Days at our local Home Depot. These are usually Grayson and Daddy mornings. This week they made a shelf for all his little matchbox/hot wheels cars. He was very proud of himself, as were we. He is becoming quite the little craftsman and is very talented with a hammer and nails.
"For we are God's workmanship..." Ephesians 2:10

Uncle Steve

Greg's brother Steve came for a (very) short visit this past weekend. It was so good to see him and the kids just adore him. Grayson asks to call him on the phone often and wants to send him some of his artwork and photos. How sweet. Steve lives in Oahu, Hawaii,(yeah, I know, poor guy, right?) so needless to say we don't see him very often. He will retire soon and hopefully come for another - longer visit. we miss you Uncle Steve and think of you often.
"...I am ready to visit you..." II Corinthians 12:14

Lost Teeth - Number 3 and 4

Grayson has had two loose teeth for the past few weeks. One was just barely hanging on. Suprisingly it fell out on Friday afternoon while he was eating pretzels. And no he didnt eat this one, like he has the past two that have fallen out. After a close inspection by him and his sister he put it under his pillow in his tooth pocket pillow. Hoping that the tooth fairy would bring him something this time, since he actually had a tooth to show her. Luckily I had been preparing for this day and had stopped at the bank to pick up some gold coins - aka. gold dollar presidential coins. He thinks they are real gold, so please dont bust his bubble. He was totally shocked that he got gold! and thinks it is just like the pirate money. So that Saturday morning he ask how to get the other loose tooth to come out, I told him to eat an apple. Two big bites and it came out too. Just goes to show you, Mom always knows best. So needless to say, there is another tooth under his pillow tonight. Gold coin is already in place. Thanks Tooth Fairy.
"God has given us these times of joy..." Psalm 81:4

The Lunchroom

Today my friend Mollie and I decided to go to lunch at Codington to surprise Grayson and her daughter Megan. They are in the same Kindergarten class. They have lunch at 10:30 am. which to me is really brunch. We went, but it was to early for us to eat, so we just sat with them while they are thier lunch. They were celebrating their 100th day of school that week and had lots of fun crafts that they brought home, all about being 100.
"When others are happy, be happy with them." Romans 12:15

Mom's "39th" Birthday Celebration

Today is mom's birthday. I baked her favorite pie - Chess, and we bought a small chololate cake. Grayson insisted on decorating her cake and pie. So I drug out everything I had in my decoration box and as you can see from the photo, he is quite creative. He chose Christmas trees, circle confetti and red and yellow candy balloons. I know, don't ask. We added candles and enjoyed it anyway. Happy Birthday Mom, we love you.

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

New Years Eve Dance Party

We had an annual neighborhood block party for New Years Eve. Thanks Erin and Eric for hosting us again. And a special Thanks to Delaney for watching Finley for us. I actually got to sit and enjoy adults. So Divine. It is so nice to have such great neighbors. Not one bad apple in the whole barrel. Please, wont you be our neighbor?
Finley's dance video is a little dark, but they liked it that way. You can see Grayson jumping and dancing in the back, he is wearing a green and white striped shirt. Hope it makes you smile. Happy 2010!
"A glad heart, makes a happy face." proverbs 15:13

Bowling 101

This past weekend we went bowling. What fun we had. Grayson is a pretty good bowler, he has kind of a Barney Rubble - Fred Flintstone flair. We had grilled cheese and french fries for lunch, bowled a couple of games and spent $5 buck in the arcade. All-in-all Grayson said it was a "perfect" day. I would have to agree.
"Celebrate God all day, every day..." Philippians 4:4

Christmas Day 2009

Merry Christmas.
"Today in the City of David, a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Gingerbread Train Recycle

After the holidays are over we always try to recycle our gingerbread projects. Grayson mad two this year. One Train, that we made at home and one House that he made at school. I hate throwing the "food" out, even though it has been sitting on the counter for thirty days. So we try to feed it to the local swarms of seagulls. Oliver, our cat, was beyond excited and was stalking them as they devoured their treat. This was amusing to us, since Oliver typically just hunts the rocking chair on the front porch.
"Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them." Matthew 6:26