They've waited SO long

We've got a few kids here who were very excited to see this, who have been asking since the day they first had to put on their winter coats when this was going to come, and who are really hoping this is still here tomorrow morning when they wake up.

Christmas and Mom's Birthday

Birthday cake for Jesus Christmas Eve, birthday pie for Mom Christmas Day, lots of family time, a ton of good food, and some VERY happy kids.

Our favorite number

Here's a video of Kari and Joel singing a song in the Christmas program at church this last Sunday. They sang with all the other shepherds and angels, too, but they've been practicing this song at home for the last month. Aubrey can even sing parts of it with them (and did on Sunday from her seat on Daddy's lap). At the last minute we threw the unfamiliar camera at Uncle Blake and asked him to video for us, so thanks, Blake! I was herding shepherds to and from the stage throughout, and Greg quickly discovered he couldn't video and hold Aubrey at the same time. The older girls, Krista and Hannah, did a wonderful job, and were very sweet with the kids. We were so proud of our little singers. :)

Christmas play 2009 from Andrea Moffat on Vimeo.

Greg's getting inspired by Wilsons

Greg here. Andrea does not want any connection to the JibJab video. So if you like it, it's all me. If you don't, it's all Andy Wilson's fault (thanks Andy, these things are comic genius!)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Birthday, Kari Lynn!

Yesterday our oldest turned six. Six! We had her party last Saturday at Grandpa and Grandma A's house (video by Grandpa here). She loved every minute of it, and has been busy, and I mean VERY busy, with all her presents, most of which were art/craft related. Almost every morning this last week, except when she was sick, I've come out to the kitchen early in the morning and found her at the table working hard on one project or another.
































Kari had to stay home from school on her actual birthday (the 17th) because she had the stomach flu the day before and needed a day of recovery (gotta give it at least 24 hours). She was feeling pretty good, though, so even though she had to stay home, at least she wasn't throwing up on her birthday. Here the kids are making a birthday "coo-goo." And what is a "coo-goo?" It's Joel's made-up word for a big jumping pile of all the blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals you can find in the house. I'm not particularly fond of "coo-goo" (as you can imagine, it is NOT fun to clean up), and they have been banned for the most part, but I allowed one for the sake of the birthday girl. Kari's talking to cousin Maggie on the phone while she jumps.
















The last activity of the day was gingerbread house decorating. That made Kari happy, too. If we lived in Alaska, Great Grandma Arnold would make and decorate gingerbread houses with the kids, but since we don't, I carry on the tradition for her. I think Kari had a pretty good birthday, all things considered.
We're looking forward to another year of watching you grow and learn, Kari Lynn. We love you!

Double trouble

Kari is home sick today, and finally, after 5 hours of tummy trouble and misery, she threw up and then zonked out. This is how I left her when I went back to our room to put away some laundry.
















This is how I found her when I came back out to the living room a few minutes later. These two work quickly! Can you see Kari's head at the other end of the couch under all the pillows? She didn't even move as we took it all off of her.

The third born

Aubrey sat and played with this puzzle, stacking and unstacking the piece for 15 minutes! That's a LONG time for a little tyke her age. She's getting so old.
See? She is getting old, playing big kid games, like "tunnel" (also known as "under the bridge"), with the big kids.

Peace

It's 6pm, and I am alone in a clean, quiet home. I have a kind husband who suggested he take the kids on a drive around the neighborhood after dinner to look at Christmas lights so I could have a half hour of peace (it's been a bit of a busy week of party prep) and he motivated them (treat) to clean before they left. Here they are all ready to go out in their pjs. Alone time is a rarity, especially at home, so I am soaking it in. It's amazing how much a half hour of quiet can do for a mom's morale.

Unca B'ian

We went over to my parents for the Civil War game last Thursday (good game, bad ending for the Beavs and for Greg), and Aubrey kept us entertained throughout the game. She was Brian's buddy that night. She said his name in her cute little toddler way--"Unca B'ian!"--over and over. For so many months, every time he saw her, he coached her to say his name. He taught her well, and now she won't stop saying it. :)

Time for Zoolights

Had a good time at the zoo Saturday evening. It was cold but dry this year, and we were all bundled up. Half way through the zoo, Greg couldn't find his wallet, which kinda put a damper on things, but all was well again once we got back to the car and found it under the seat.















This elephant appeared to be sleeping standing up. Not sure if Maggie is imitating the elephant or just struggling with the flash.

Of all the animals to have walking around greeting kids at the zoo, why choose a cow? Wouldn't a lion or tiger have been a more appropriate choice? The kids didn't care, though. They still wanted to say "hi."

Know what I'm thankful for?

This:

When it's 22 degrees out, a wood stove is a wonderful thing. Our home is so cozy and warm.

Tree Decorating

Don't you just love fuzzy pajamaed kids?

As usual, Greg and I had a bit of rearranging to do later that night.

It's Here!

I was so excited when this arrived in the mail today. It's the first, of what I hope will be several, blog books. I don't scrapbook, but, obviously, I do enjoy blogging, so when I heard about Blurb (a site that does this--turns your blog into a book), I thought I'd give it a try. They had a great deal going just before Thanksgiving (free shipping, big discount), so I rushed to get the first year and a half done (I started the blog in Sept 2006). I've already found some formatting errors, but oh well! Overall, I'm really pleased with the end product. The next one will be a cinch to do now that I know what I'm doing. I think when the kids are older they'll enjoy reading through it. I know it's all online, but there's something about having an actual book in my hands that appeals to me.

Getting our tree the day after Thanksgiving

Waiting behind a tree while the big saw cut ours down.

Helping Mr. Buckner haul it out.

Aubrey camera face with Grandpa

The face again. Joel's smiling, though.

This is Aubrey's favorite coat right now. When I first pulled it out of the closet for her to wear, she absolutely refused to put it on, backing away as if it was going to jump out and bite her. Maybe it was too furry or something. Trying to think of a way to get her to wear it, I said,"Aubrey, look it's a tiger coat!"
That changed everything. Aubrey is really into animals right now, and tigers are one of her favorites (she does a great tiger growl), so the mention of tigers, made her slip right into that coat. Never mind that it's leopard print. They're both in the cat family, right? Now the only coat she wants to wear is the "tiger" coat.