Tooth Fairy Visits Aubrey

Aubrey lost her first tooth! Looks like she's lost two teeth, but she hasn't, just the one. The one next to the lost tooth on the bottom is leaning sideways and about to fall out soon. Not too much drama, according to Greg (I wasn't home for the big event). It literally fell out of her mouth and onto the floor. She seems too young to be losing teeth, but she IS going to be six in a couple months, so I guess it's time. The tooth fairy had double duty that night because Kari lost a molar that day, too. Greg put a reminder in our google calendar because the tooth fairy has been known to be a no-show on multiple occasions. Gold coins were discovered the next morning under the appropriate pillows.

 

Snow Day

I opened the playroom blinds for the kids the see the snow this morning, knowing they hadn't looked outside yet, and I got the reaction I was hoping for. SO EXCITED! The big kids already had the day off from school because of a scheduled curriculum day for teachers. I let them go out at 8am, not knowing how long the snow would last. They came in for a quick breakfast and some hot cocoa and then were out again for most of the morning. A bunch of neighbor kids were out, too, and a couple of moms, as well, so I got my snow gear on and joined them. We pulled kids up and down the hill on our street and just played for a long time. If we gave them a running start, they could go pretty far on their sleds. We have some great neighbors. It was a really fun time, even thought it was cold and windy. Grant didn't last as long as the rest of them. He and I came inside to warm up while the rest of them stayed out and played with their friends until I called them in for lunch.

After lunch we made Christmas cookies together, frosted and tasted them, and took plates of cookies to the neighbors we'd been playing with earlier in the day. The kids had a blast running from house to house delivering their goodies. Their "buckets" were filled to the brim today. Love days like this!

 

Tree Fetching

We went to a new tree farm this year, since the one we've gone to the last couple years is no longer in business. This new one was great, not quite the $10 deal we've been getting, but that was ok. Twenty dollars seems to be the going rate. They had lots of pretty trees to choose from, and they even gave us all hot chocolate and chili for free and had craft supplies for the kids to make an ornament. We also liked that they used a blower to dry the tree and get rid of loose needles--very smart. The kids had a blast running around, searching for the "perfect" tree. This was it! Ta-da! Greg was finishing up sawing our tree down, and the kids were having run running through the trees when they saw Grandpa and Grandma Moffat who also just happened to be there, at the same tree farm, in search of their own tree! I was glad I had my camera out when the kids found them. We had just seen them the day before on Thanksgiving, but you'd have thought it had been months, from the greeting they received! Greg sawed their tree down, too, once they picked one out, since he was already dirty from getting ours. :)

The kids decorated the tree pretty much by themselves. It was kinda cute, and they were having fun, but it was difficult to watch my ornaments (and theirs) placed precariously on the edge of thin branches, all in the same clumps. I'm thinking they might need their own tree upstairs next year.

 

Blake and Lindsay are Married!

We got back home from Disneyland on Nov 13th at 9pm, and Blake and Lindsay got married Nov. 16th at 1:30pm in Salem. It was a pretty exciting, busy time. We are happy to have a new sister!   Aren't they cute?  This was at the reception. Lindsay's feet were bothering her (beginning of an MS flare-up), so they sat down at the reception table, and people came to them. It worked well!

Grant and Russell were the cutest little ring bearers



I love this one with their hands in their pockets. They look like little men. They were watching Blake and Lindsay get photos taken over in the field. Grant's face cracked me up because it looks like he's disgusted by their kissing photos. :) I don't think he really was, but it was funny.

This is one of their "official," professional photos--very nice.

My Great Aunt Alene came for the wedding and stayed at our house. The kids are all wearing their Jersey t-shirts she brought. :) It sure was fun having her here. She was a delightful guest and was super helpful in the midst of a rather chaotic time. She kept the kids entertained a lot of the time, too. They loved playing games, chatting, and reading books with her. Looking forward to the next visit, whenever that may be!

Thanks Giving Tree

This was our table décor for the month of November, and I loved it. The branches came from our trees out front, and the printable leaves (and my inspiration) came from Ann Voskamp and her blog post here. Each leaf had a Bible verse about giving thanks on one side and was blank on the other side so we could write down the things we were thankful for. It was a great exercise in remembering daily to be thankful for all that we have been given. There were days when I didn't feel like being thankful, but there was that tree, ready and waiting for us to add more leaves to it. The kids embraced it and reminded me to do it with them. Sometimes we did it in the morning before school and sometimes at dinner. They were thankful for all kinds of things: fall leaves, Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, food to eat, a nice home to live in, friends, family, trip to Disneyland, cousins, our kittens, Grandma and Grandpas, birthday parties, and many more.  I think we'll do it again next year.

Last day, last post (5 of 5)

Just a little bright :-)

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for all you did to make this trip possible and to make it special for all of us!

Christmas Parade (4 of 5)

Grant ran over and got his new Astro Blaster to show Buzz Lightyear when he rode by in the parade. It was too cute.

More Disney and Some Characters (3 of 5)