What do you know, it snowed!!

We got snow last night, like 3-4 inches of good, throwing & rolling (for snowmans) snow!!!...and the kids couldn't wait to go out and play in it this morning!

They made snow angels...

Parker had to eat some....

Connor had fun just checkin' it out, at first....

Then he started throwing the snow at Abbie....

The Abbie & Annie had a bit of a snowball fight....

They couldn't leave me out, so they threw some all over the back sliding door...

And, all four of them had fun trying to jump on the trampoline (Matt won't be too happy that I let them do it, but they were having so much fun!)....

Felix the Elf

Santa sent us a special surprise last week....his name is Felix the Elf!

Felix was sent by Santa to make sure our kids are being happy & helping at this time of year! A letter was included, letting us know that Felix would be around until Christmas Eve, but then Santa will pick him up when he stops by our house. Felix will let Santa know if Abbie, Annie, Parker & Connor have been good & if they deserve presents or coal....

But, Felix is also a little prankster...we all left to go shopping on Saturday, and when we got back, this is where we found him...swinging by the kitchen chandelier with toilet paper...

Yesterday while we were at church he threw his string cheese wrapper on the kitchen floor & climbed up the wall with ribbon...

Then, this morning, we woke up to find Felix in the kitchen getting into some of the candy I was using for Christmas baking...(Felix looks pretty proud of the messes he makes...)!

I wonder what he'll do next......whatever he does, the kids are behaving well & getting along for the most part. So, even if we have to put up with a few more pranks by Felix, hopefully he'll give Santa a good report on the kids!

Connor's Crazy Costumes!

Let me start by saying that Connor cracks me up....he seriously makes me laugh, a lot. Matt & I find ourselves doing some of his goofy mannerisms (currently he shrugs his shoulders every time "I don't know" is the answer) and talking about some of the funny things he says.

But, this last week, I've been looking for pictures for my sister & I realized I have a TON of Connor all dressed up & I don't think I've ever shared them with you....so, to indulge me, here ya go!

Rarely he goes with out a hat of some sort, combined with the sunglasses, even better!...

This is his "Knight" costume....

He wanted to show off his Pooh Bear snow boots, even though it was in the middle of the summer...

This was taken in July...Santa hat, Valentine's apron, and Belle's princess shoes...

And, not a costume, but plenty of make-up, courtesy of his older sisters....

Hope you enjoyed...and maybe had a few laughs too!! :)

New Game Favorites!

After a weekend of cold weather & snowy days, we now have 2 new favorite family games at our house! It started on Saturday when Matt & the boys were napping....I was playing "Clue" (an all-time favorite) with the girls. After playing a few games of that, I decided it was time to get into the game closet & teach the girls a new game....first up, Rummikub! Matt & I used to play this with other couples when we were at BYU....but, it hadn't been played for a LONG TIME! Abbie & Annie really got into it...they love a challenge & playing out their next move!

Then, Sunday morning (our church doesn't meet until 1pm), the girls were asking to play Rummikub again....but, for some reason, Matt pulled out Life! I don't think we have ever played it with them....but, both girls had a lot of fun with this one too....

We love games at our house...especially ones that we can play together! If you have some suggestions, I'd love to hear them! Our current favorites include: Clue, Mexican Train, Cranium (Family Fun Edition), now along with Rummikub & Life!! :)

Fire Station Field Trip

Last Thursday, we went with Parker's preschool group to the Fire Station. Parker & Connor had been talking about it all week...they were SO excited to see the fire truck, see the fireman, and check out the fire station too! Where do the fireman sleep? Do they have an exercise room? Where is the the kitchen?...those were all questions they had been asking throughout the course of the week. So, when Thursday morning arrived, they were beyond thrilled!!!

They did get to see the exercise room, the kitchen, and where the fireman sleep...but, there were some other fun parts too!!

The fireman taught them some special fire safety rules...like how to Stop, Drop & Roll...
And, to get down on your hand & knees to crawl out of a building on fire...
The got to see the fireman all dressed up & talked about how this is the way a fireman would look if they ever needed to come into a burning building to find them...

But, of course, the firetruck was the biggest hit!!

Having two boys means lots of talking about fireman!! We are so thankful for the fireman who took time to show us how important their job really is and all the things we can do to be safe!!

Things that make me smile...

The other night, as Matt & I were upstairs getting the boys ready for bed, Abbie came up with a note in her hand (her mouth was full of mouthwash). This is what it said...

And, of course, Annie had to have her own reply...

Obviously, sibling rivalry is going strong in this house....I would have done something about it...if I wasn't laughing so hard about the notes!! :)

We Are Thankful

''I stole this idea from my SIL, Rochelle, for Family Home Evening last night...and I think it was a big hit! Parker made 3 different hands (I love that he had SO many things to list that he was thankful for) and the girls had a blast cutting & writing down what they were thankful for as well. Matt was super awesome too, because (if you look closely, just to the left of our turkey's neck you can see a little tiny blue hand...just for Allie), Matt didn't want to leave Allie out on our Thankful FHE!

Some of the things Parker is thankful for are: jet planes, blankies, grandmas and grandpas, Talon (one of his preschool friends), Transformers (of course!), and then on one of his hands he listed each member of our family!

Connor said he was thankful for: Pooh Bear, his green blankie, Mommy, Daddy, his Curious George monkey, and then each of his sisters & brother!

Some of the things listed by Annie: Heavenly Father, my friends, books, bed, my family. Abbie was thankful for her friends & books too, shelter, Jesus, school & toys. As a parent, it was fun to see what each of the kids listed! I'm so thankful for this time of year, and a wonderful family to celebrate it with!!

Preschool Halloween Party Pictures!

Invitations were sent out...

Kids arrived in costume...a witch, a bunny, a puppy, Anakin Skywalker, a skeleton, Darth Vader, a bat and a storm trooper...

We played games...donuts on a string was a big hit!...

Decorated cupcakes!

And had lots of fun!!! Thanks from joining us for a fun Halloween Party!! :)

Here's Our Costumes!

A few days late, but worth the wait!

Connor's & Parker's costumes are the same from last year...I think they liked them, because there was only one time (early in October) that Parker asked to be Optimus Prime & then he decided on being a bat. Connor wanted to be the same puppy from last year...he was super cute though, because he ACTED like a puppy too...especially during our preschool Halloween party that we had.

Annie being a black cat...

Abbie was a witch!

And my Redneck Husband...

Gotta have a group shot too...

We hope you all had a fun Halloween, just like us!!

I hope I'm not jinxing myself...

...but, this handsome kid is *almost* potty trained. After talking to (and being inspired by!) my sister earlier in the week, I decided to just bite-the-bullet and do it. Connor's doing awesome...a few accidents, but overall, I can't complain much! I'll keep ya posted! It's fabulous knowing that once Connor's done, I'll only have one more kid to have to potty train!!! (jumping for joy right now)

Sunday Dinner Visitors

On Sunday we had some visitors for dinner... Matt's Grandpa Dave & his wife, Bonnie, plus Matt's Uncle Kent & Aunt Cindy came over. Matt's Grandpa & Bonnie moved to Boise over the summer & we figured it was about time we had them over. The were gracious enough to accept the offer...and luckily, though Kent really riled up the kids, Grandpa Dave and Grandma Bonnie were good sports with all the noise & chaos...

This was the first time Matt's grandparent's had been to our house...

Kent tries to have an innocent face...but, I think he has more fun with the kids than anybody else...

Kent even coaxed Parker into making goofy faces instead of his innocent, sweet smile that I usually get...

Dinner time...I caught Grandpa Dave right in the middle of chewing food (it's never easy to smile for the camera, when that happens...)...

And, of course, Connor was begging to have his picture taken...squinty-eyed and smilin'...gosh, I love this kid!!

Craft Night at Kerrie's

Kerrie is a friend of mine from my "old" ward. Last week she sent out an email offering to host a craft night for anybody that was interested...which, of course, I was!! She offered two projects to choose from, had the wood all cut out for us when we arrived, paint available, and candy to munch on! I couldn't stay to enjoy the girl-time, but I did take both projects home & worked on them...here's how mine turned out!

The witches hat...

And the "BOO"!...

I had fun working on them & my house it beginning to look a little more festive!! Thanks Kerrie!!!