Warm Winter Days

My kids keep asking where's Christmas?  November and December are full of surprises, special activities, and presents.  Then comes January.  Oh, January.....around here it has been cold and rainy, and we've been feeling a bit trapped.  So, when 60 and 70 degree weather came our way last week, we welcomed it whole heartily!!!  Hello backyard, hello playground, hello friends....we have missed you!!! 

Check out our muscles!!  We're tough! 

 Some silly tickles and truck playing made for a happy, happy Chesson!!

  We are just so much happier when we are outside.  It's in our blood I guess.

Chasing Helicopters and the Christmas Upset

We had unusually, wonderfully warm weather on Christmas day.  This meant we were able to play outside, and really isn't everyone happier when they get to play outside?  

Chesson is captivated by the helicopter on the edge of the table...just before lift off. 

 The kiddos each had little rubber-band propelled airplanes in their stockings.  But, they were nothing compared to the incredible remote controlled helicopter Brian got for Christmas.  This thing was awesome.

   helicopter chasing

  This picture documents an unbelievable turn of events.  G is for Girls and B is for Boys.   Let's just let that soak in for a minute.

Corbin, bless his heart, is one of the more competitive people I know.  And he's just so used to winning, everything, all the time.  So, we were all pretty shocked when the gals came out victorious in our corn hole game.  Clearly we needed some documentation.  It was truly amazing.  I'm sure he won't mention it to you, but feel free to bring it up ~ often:)    Lucky for him, I'm not one to rub it in.....    ---     Love you Corbin!

The men, happy despite the loss.

Christmas Morning

 Who's excited?

 Chesson was so happy to use his new awesome grill (thanks Aunt Pat and Uncle Jeff)!

 Anna Corbin immediately wanted to put on her Minnie Mouse dress.  Now, I have to say..these gloves were the funniest part of Christmas.  She would not take them off....all day.

 When it was time to open some of her packages, she said, "it's too hard with my gloves on." So, she had Chesson open all her gifts.  He was of course, happy to help!

 The long awaited logging truck.  This child has been talking about a logging truck for months.  Hooray!!!

 Gra-Gra introduced Anna Corbin to Bitty-baby...the littlest American Girl doll.  It was such fun to watch the two of them play with her, feed her, and rock her.  I think Gra-Gra had as much fun as AC:o)

Can you tell we were in a house full of engineers?  Everything is piled up nicely so that serious building can begin.

This was just the beginning of a wonderful wonderful day.

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

We're ready!!! 

 We met my parents along with Becca and Brian at our church for the Christmas Eve service.  It's such fun to be together!!! 

 After church we came back to our house for some serious gingerbread house building.  Brian and Corbin helped the kiddos while Becca made a house that could have been in a magazine.

please not AC's outfit change -- still in her tights and wearing slippers.  what a hoot.

I am sure they ate more than they built, but really isn't that the fun of making a gingerbread house?

Despite the sugar rush and the anticipation of Santa the kids fell asleep quickly (while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads).

It was a great night!!

TIMMMMM-BERRRRR!

3:30am - Me : Sitting straight up. "What was that?" I get out of bed to look out the window. "Corbin, a tree just took out our fence." 

Corbin: "Huh? How do you know that?"

Me: "Because I heard it....a tree fell on our fence." 

Before I finish talking Corbin is back asleep.  

This morning I called Corbin at work.
Me:  Did you see the tree?
Corbin: Oh, yeah...I think I remember you said something about that.  I didn't see it.

I really, really wish I could sleep that well.  Seriously.  It's amazing.

Preschool Christmas

It's been a full couple of days.  Anna Corbin had her Christmas performance at the exact same time I was hosting Chesson's Christmas party.  Big thanks to Annie for going to Anna Corbin's performance and her party!!!  

I popped in to see her sing...and she promptly sat in my lap.  :o)  

Chesson's Christmas program.

Festival of Lights

We ventured out to Hillridge Farms on Monday night.  It was absolutely worth it!  We practically had the place to ourselves.

can you see anna corbin running up to go down the slide again?

family train ride

s'mores!!

the hay ride was 30 minutes of lights and music - so festive! now if only i could get our oldest to look at the camera....c'mon annie!  :o) 

Chesson is still talking about how there were "lights everywhere."