A Little Snow...Then A Lot!

One of the things that we all agreed that we wanted for Christmas was snow. As Christmas got closer and closer it looked like it might not happen. Then about a week before it started dumping snow mid west style! We got nine inches of white stuff.

For some reason we were not prepared for the snow, the kids had coats and thin gloves and that was about it. They would try and stay out and play and would come in frustrated and cold. So Dan went to the store and got some serious snow clothes and then we couldn't get them to come in. We've missed snow! Not fun to drive in, but great to play in.

Mom was ambushed.

And it was a very merry...and very white Christmas!

Not to Leave Out

With both of the other kids' birthday's I think Avie has felt a bit neglected. I keep promising that her birthday is fast approaching but 2 months away doesn't make a lot of sense to her.

I found her the other night just staring at the Christmas tree.

Super-duper close up

Love this kid!

This Girl

Danielle celebrated her 11th birthday on 12/12/12. She is definitely the light of my life, she is responsible, and compassionate, and caring, and so much more. She's beautiful from the inside out!

For her party we went to a place called "That Pottery Place", where her and three of her new friends painted pottery. Then we came back home for cake and gifts. Danielle even made and decorated her own cake! She makes being her mom so easy! I'm so taken aback at the young lady she's becoming.

Her cake; a layer of zebra and red velvet!

Opening her gift from mom and dad...

Minnie pajamas and slippers! Happy birthday Danielle!

Winter Concert

This last Thursday Danielle and Rayce had a winter concert at their school. It was so cute! Danielle is a member of the strings, and she worked really hard practicing her violin to be ready.

Rayce's class sang two songs; they were so funny with their actions. Rayce was determined to learn how to snap his fingers for the song.

Avie sat still for about 2 minutes.

So blessed!

Trail Center

We live about 10 minutes from the Winter Quarters Temple, and each year the Trail Center adjacent to the temple does a gingerbread display with displays donated from wards in Omaha and surrounding areas. A couple of Sundays ago we went to check it out.

Megan, Danielle, Jenna and Avie.

There are some pretty talented women in the area, some of the gingerbread displays were above and beyond. This was supposed to be the Home Alone house, pretty cool!

Then we went upstairs to the visitors center. I am humbled every time I read or hear anything about the hardships of our pioneer ancestors and all they endured. It is a really neat place.

December Means Decking the Halls

Actually we put up our Christmas decorations the end of November. The kids started asking the week of Thanksgiving and it was pretty non stop the whole week so we relented and put everything up that weekend. When I say "we", I mean mostly the kids, we set the tree up and let them loose. They did a good job!

6

Rayce's 6th birthday is today! I don't know what else to say about Rayce except he's a joy to have around. We all love this kid to pieces! His birthday party was on Saturday; we had a small party with a couple of friends from school and church. The kids had fun playing video games and laser tag.

The guests

Rayce in the wind machine; he came out of there with a whooping 500 tickets.

Bumper car action

It seems like I was just posting about his 5th birthday, it's amazing how quickly a year can pass! Happy birthday to one amazing kid!