Random Fun Days

Grace has decided that she knows how to cook all by herself.  She is actually good, but I haven't given her free reign of the kitchen like she wants me to.  But I do love having a helper, especially with baking.  I don't like to bake.  Good thing she does!

The Christmas toys are still having their intended effect.  All the kids are still busy busy busy.

We are enjoying an extremely mild winter (thank goodness!)  We went for a walk by the river the other day, and then all went out to a restaurant -- you know, the kind where they show you where to sit and they bring you the food?  Yep, that kind.  We never do that, but the kids had great manners. 

And going to church at 11 am means we now have lots of time in the morning to build forts.  This one was a ship and we were on some sort of mission.  I just do as I'm told.

And Grace talked Daddy into sleeping in her bed.  She got him all nice and cozy, with stuffed animals all around.  What a sport.

A Little Painting Fun

We really didn't have anywhere to go this Christmas Vacation.  Eric and Lindsey didn't come to town to visit like they usually do, and we didn't have Kanalu or the Cammon kids, so we were left to our own divices.  That proved to be a little bit boring for the kids.  There was no snow to go sledding, but there was plenty of sunshine and nice warm weather, so we spent a lot of time outdoors.  We also spent a lot of time on our new Kindles and other electronics.  And I didn't even care because I had a nasty head cold.

On Wednesday, we decided to go paint at Chameleon's.  It's our favorite pottery spot, and even though it's pretty pricey to paint 5 pieces, we did it anyway.  I had the kids only pick things that were useful, though.  There would be no paying $20 to paint a dragon that would just fall off the shelf and splatter into pieces.  They picked mugs and bowls, so I was fine dishing out the dough.

It was a great afternoon, and I can't wait to see their finished products tomorrow!

Youth Dance

Over the Christmas Break, Haley and her friend Shelly, from Helena, spent the day getting ready for a Tri-Stake Christmas Dance.  They had a wonderful time and declared that it was the best dance ever.

Christmas Morning

Santa made it to our house!  On Christmas Eve, we carefully laid out some reindeer food and some snacks for the big guy to enjoy.  The kids were excited at 6:30 am (we had to get up early because of 9 am church) to find their stockings full, and some new presents by the tree.  Haley got a new Psych sweatshirt, Andrew got Madden 12 for Wii, Joey got a green light saber, Grace got a baby and a puppy (stuffed), and Matthew got a new kitchen set.

We each opened one present (I opened the huge box that Ben put my tiny little present in -- a necklace from Montague's), and then we got ready for church.

After church, we came home and had round 2.

Christmas Eve

Our annual Christmas Eve tradition started early this year.  The kids were getting sleepy from their early morning with Daddy, so we got in the car at about 5 pm to go look at Christmas lights.  Our first stop was Christmas Wreath Lane, where Matthew was amazed at all the candy canes (they were his favorite, and he pointed out every single one he saw).

When we decided to go see if we could catch Santa at his usual spot, Haley declared that she had to pee.  Nobody was surprised, because she has the smallest bladder on the planet.  She literally almost peed in a cup on our way home from camping this summer.  It was a major emergency that was complicated by heavy road construction.  Luckily, there were no complications this time, as we were close to the church and, luckily, Dad has a key.

Just down the street from the church is the spot where we catch Santa taking a break from his deliveries every year.  We stop and roll down the window to chat, and he gives the kids (and adults) candy canes.  This year he had some elf helpers along, and he also asked us if we wanted a picture with him.  When Santa asks that, you don't say "no", so we hopped out for a quick photo.

Then we were off to Grandma and Grandpa's house for some snacks, time with the great-grandparents, and opening one Christmas Eve present.  The boys were completely surprised and very excited to get new Kindle Fires and some new Hero Factory guys.  Grace was super happy to get her very own DSI.  Matthew got his favorite character, Mader, as a pillow pet, and a new ABC puzzle.  Haley got a new Ipod touch to replace the one she lost about a year ago.

Grace had fun practicing her shoe tying skills with Grandpa Kirschenmann, Matthew was very happy to have a snack, and we had four generations of girls in the house.  Awesome!

And, of course, we had to stop by our favorite family's house to drop off some presents.  Momma Harris was at her mother's house, but we caught Katie at home and gave her lovies.  That should hold Matt until next Sunday (although I'm preparing for a meltdown at church when it sinks in that he's no longer in nursery).