Winter Break

It couldn't have been more perfect...the first official day of winter break for the girls and look at all of this snow we woke up to!

It's just the kids and me this week...Daddy has to work. 

They thought it was fun to play on a play gym full of snow.

The girls started piling the snow up...they eventually moved to the side of the house and started making huge snowballs for a snow fort. I was busy trying to shovel snow then so didn't get pictures of it. I'm sure we'll be back for more though.




 
Emma Marie....

Olivia Rena....

Marcus Charles.

I needed a break from shoveling (it's hard work!)...so we brought out the sleds.  The kids took turns with Marcus's new sled.

We also brought out the trusty old blue sled.

Weeeeeee.....

It was a lot of fun...but our hill turned to dirt.  It was still fun though.

We ended with a jump for joy!

Well...two jumps for joy :-)  LOVE THE SNOW!!!!

Christmas Cookie Time

I am home this week with the kids.  Yesterday Marcus and I decided it was time for cookies.  We made Sugar cookie dough and Gingerbread dough while the girls were at school.  When they got home we all rolled out the sugar cookies, cut them and baked them.  Today was frosting day..Marcus and I started early.

He did a great job!

When the girls got home, he showed them how it was done...they got right to work!

They each picked some colors and the decorating went into full force.  Olivia picked red!

Emma picked blue.  Marcus stuck with green, we added some yellow and purple too.  They turned out great!  We baked the gingerbread men today; the kids were impressed that none of them tried to get away :-)  However, they did sample the gingerbread men and none of them really liked them.  Emma and Olivia think once we frost them they will like them though; Marcus is not too convinced...we'll see tomorrow!

Simple Boxes

Marc is at the Eastern game watching them in the Semifinals...GO EAGS!  So it's just me and the kids today.  I had to run to the post office to get 2 humidifiers I ordered from Kohl's.  They came in two great boxes!  Of course the kids creative juices started flowing and I allowed them to go with it!  Notice the tool belt on the side of the box.  Emma and Marcus worked well together on one box.

A window on the side and air holes punched out with a pencil on the other side...clever. 

Olivia took the other box to her room.  She colored it with crayons and also cut out a window.  She made it into a little house for her dolls.  She put out the North Pole signs that she and Emma made at school...a few other items from her kitchen...the house is complete!  Very creative...don't you love what you can do with a box!  Those provided hours of entertainment...I LOVE IT! 

Visit to the North Pole

We went to visit Santa at the North Pole last night.  First we had to pick up our tickets, then wait for the boat to take us to Santa.  While we waited we explored Coeur d'Alene.  They had cool decorations.

Great for family photos.

Here are Hunter (don't you love his face!), Dustin, Aubrey and Stefanie...they came with us to see Santa.

We walked over to the Coeur d'Alene resort to hang out too.  I tried to get a picture of the lights of
Coeur d'Alene...they are so impressive.  The whole resort is amazing at Christmas.

Inside the resort are more cool decorations.  The kid thought this tree and deer were cool and wanted a picture with Aubrey...cute!

We walked around the boardwalk to see more lights on the lake...once again, impressive.

We had to wait in line for the boats.  While we waited a toy soldier came by to entertain us.

A reindeer came along too.

We boarded the cruise ship and ordered up the hot chocolate...YUMMY!

A few short minutes later we arrived at the North Pole...Santa was there with his list of Good little boys and girls...Marcus, Olivia, Emma, Hunter and Aubrey all made the list!

Another family photos...those lights are all in the lake behind us!

You can see the large Christmas Tree behind us...Santa actually lights that up for the kids after he goes over the list of good kids.  It is so cool!

On the way back to the docks, the Grinch appeared.  Marcus had an actual conversation with the Grinch...he was really part of the show.  Everyone on our boat got a kick out of it.  Marcus is not a shy boy...that's for sure!

Can you see the Grinch?  He's that big green blur.  Marcus had him shaking his fits and even mooning us!  Marcus thought it was the best thing ever!

On our way to the car we spotted Frosty!  Olivia was with Daddy already back at the car so Marcus and Emma were the only two in this picture.  It was a great time!  Can't wait to do it again next year!

Snow Sled

Look what Marcus got for his birthday.  He's been praying for snow ever since!

We got a little bit of snow on Sunday. 

He gave it his all pushing himself down the hill.

Weee.....not enough snow to go to fast yet; but it's coming!  Thanks for the sled Gramie and Poppi...it's a hit!

Santa 2012

Marcus wants a Lighthouse (I have no idea???)
Olivia wants a Unicorn Dreamlight.
Emma wants a Princess and the Pop Star Barbie.

Christmas Tree

We got a free tree this year!  A good friend of mine was given a tree but he's going to be in Mexico for Christmas so he gave it to us!  Thanks Ralph!

The kids helped decorate this year.  It was lots of fun to bring out the decorations.

In just the few short years of their lives we've accumulated lots of homemade ornaments already.  I love it!

They are all so proud of this tree and their ornaments.

Happy Holidays Everyone!