Fantasy Lights 2010

WOW! Greg and I took the kids and my mom to the Fantasy Lights in Spanaway Park tonight for the first time. It was really fun. Of course, the evening had to start with some hot chocolate, chocolate milk with whip cream and coffee at Starbucks. The kids were on pins and needles from the first lights they saw. They couldn't get enough of it. Greg and I were really impressed with the quality of the display and my mom thought it was just magical. The kids immediately announced to us as we drove into the entrance that this would definitely be a yearly event from now on. What a fun evening of memories.

Neighbor Nummies

Winter Break officially started yesterday. We are so excited to get some down time. Yesterday we went to the library and then chilled with some movie time. Today, we got together with our neighbors to decorate sugar cookies. It was so much fun. The kids did great. Then the mommies got to give it a go. There was good food and lots of laughter. The kids had a wii tournament during the second half of the festivities and there was a lot of excitement as they tried to conquer a couple of games. We are so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors.

Finished products

Mommy tried to make a Mickey and Minnie Snow couple.

Decorating Divas and Dudes

We absolutely love to decorate sugar cookies around this time of year. This year we have discovered the art of decorating the tree sugar cookies with m&m's. It's super colorful and the kids like to sneak m&m's every other turn. Tomorrow is an ornament exchange for our Earnhardt side of the family so it gave us yet another opportunity to spend the evening prepping cookies while watching The Santa Clause movies. A wonderful quiet and sugary way to spend the evening with our kids.

Trimming the Tree

Not a whole lot of pics of the kiddos trimming the tree this year. They are getting so good at just handling things on their own that Greg and I just sit there and forget to even take pics. It is just so much fun giving them their new ornaments each year and then watching them take all the past years ornaments out and remember each one. It is one of my favorite times of the year. This year was no different. It was magical and the moments went by far too quickly. Unfortunately, we are having quite a time finding an ornament for Mikayla this year so no pic of her with a new one yet.

Cooking Cousins

Oh my how the time flies. The kids don't just want to eat the food at Thanksgiving anymore. Now they like to have a hand in cooking it! This year, we got to go over to Matt and Denise's house and spend the day with them. This meant that we got to prep Thanksgiving dinner together. It was so much fun. Mikayla was so excited to get to make dinner rolls with Uncle Matt. It is her absolute favorite thing to eat during the holidays. It was adorable watching the cousins all help each other out and make DELICIOUS rolls. We ate real good this year!

Winter Wonderland

Well, we finally got it. That stuff that they always say we might see but almost never really do unless you travel up into the mountains! We got SNOW! And a ton of it. We even made the national news this morning. I love the first snow. It's so quiet and peaceful. Greg and I sipped peppermint tea this morning as we watched the sun come up. It was perfect. Then the kids got up and the "little bit louder" fun began. Oh yeah, we have a great sledding hill at their school which just happens to be in walking distance. So off we headed with our snowboards and sleds in hand. It was a fantastic sunny day of fun. The kids did awesome. Jordan perfected his snowboarding. I actually made it down the bunny hill without falling off the snowboard which was impressive. We were whipping down the hill at mock speed and didn't have any major wipeouts!

This week is also Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for. Here's a short list: my health, my wonderful husband, my beautiful children, my parents, my extended family, my close friends, my acquaintances, Greg's job, snow days, food to eat, a bed to sleep in, a home to call my own, and a God who adores me and sent his son to save me. I'm sure I could go on forever but I'll just say.....may I never forget how much I have or what the Lord has done for me.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. God bless you all.

Costumes and Candy

Halloween is NOT my favorite holiday. Honestly, it could go away and I wouldn't even care. But, my kids definitely have a fun time dressing up and eating all that candy. I get to sit on the porch and meet new neighbors and their cute kids as I hand out candy. This year our kids went with a 60's Hip Hop Girl, a ladybug, and the karate kid. I still can't believe how much candy they ended up with. I was so glad the rain held off till 8 pm. It was perfect weather.