Casting Call

We act out the Christmas story every Christmas Eve. This year we had fewer to participate but did it all the same. Joshua was Joseph, Lily was Mary, Kerrigan was an Angel and Ryan played the role of all sheperds. Penny played camel/goat/sheep. It was great in spite of a small domestic custody rights dispute between Josh and Lily. We eventually all busted up uncontrollably laughing in the end. Josh got custody, put the baby in the manger and promptly climbed in with him. Leigh Anne saved the evening by suggesting we watch a DVD version which helped to transition from laughter to feeling the spirit. We had great laughs and a great close to the night. Definitely a night to be remembered!

What's under the tree?

Who do YOU think wants this puppy the most?

Thumb's Up Santa!

Josh sat on Santa's lap tonight and when Santa gave him a goodie bag, Josh smiled and gave him a big thumbs up!

The Real Thing

Mom picked up these itty-bitty coke glasses and the kids LOVE them! Macaroni and cheese is SO much better when it comes next to a package like this.

Snack Time

This is how it's properly done.

Cocoa-Latte!

Ah...how sweet it is! Tammy and Clint introduced us to this fine little appliance and we've been using it daily ever since. Hot cocoa has seriously become popular here!

How's YOUR mood today?

Kerrigan was in a mood. I came in and she was all mood. I walked back in with a camera. Funny how a camera can change everything. In the end we had a good little talk...and some fun.

Gastroenteritis -- that's what's for dinner!

This was not the way I imagined starting the Thanksgiving holiday. Everyone huddled on the floor together just wondering who will throw up next. Joshua went down first -- threw up for hours driving home from Spokane last Saturday. he's fine now and smiling as you can see. Then it was me. This morning Lily got hit hard but is improving and now Leigh Anne has the worst part. I hope Kerrigan is smiling because she knows she won't get it!

Big Helper

Joshua is always quick to dive in and help out...sometimes it's hard to get things done when he's helping but he LOVES helping daddy!

The Good Things.

Kerrigan does some of the sweetest little things. This is a little card she made for me and left on my nightstand the other night. I find little things like this all the time. When she was little they were no more than mashed up things made of paper and tape with random scribbles. I can't count the number of times she has made a bed for Little Bear on my nightstand. This one was particularly nice. I think she's a great artist too -- love the tree!

What do you remember?

What do you remember most about those trips to the temple for Mom and Dad? Let's face it -- as a kid we weren't thinking of the temple! I remember going to the pool.

We just got back from our first trip to the Spokane temple. It was great. Two other families made the trip with us and we swaped babysitting so we could go to the temple. This is a shot of the kids before we ran off to the morning session. My guess is they'll remember the pool. It's tough to top a waterslide.

This Horse Rocks!

Joshua has been in the saddle a lot lately. He just loves this horse. Papa Ted actually made this years ago for Kerrigan. I think Ted asked what Kerrigan wanted for Christmas, Leigh Anne said "Rocking horse" and he got to work. A few months later we received this beautiful horse. He's got some miles behind him between Kerrigan and Lily -- so his leather ears and his tassel tail are pretty much missing and he's got a few scars here and there. None of this slows Josh. It's just a great rocking horse. It will last forever. Knowing grandpa made it by hand makes it even better.

Tinker bell can come back to bite you!

Josh thinks these glasses are so cool! He was loving these tinker-bell glasses and would hardly take them off -- I just had to get a picture...who knows where this will pop up in the future...

Tucking the girls in

I like putting the kids to bed. We've got our little rituals...sometimes there's tickling...sometimes there's whining (ok, that happens a lot)...there might be a horsey ride or some special toy might be found to be held under the covers. Sometimes it can be a real pain but for the most part it's nice. Sometimes there's a little conversation with Lily or Kerrigan where I get a great glimpse into their lives and they say thing I hear nowhere else. Tonight Kerrigan just looked beautiful -- so I got my camera and snapped a picture. Then Mommy came in and I took some more. Nothing beats being at home.

Score!

The soccer season is complete. We had a great team this year. Eight kids who played their hearts out! Fun, fun, fun!

Jack O'Lanterns

The kids always love doing this! It's shaping up to be a good halloween!

Face Paint Fun

Have you ever gone to a fair and waited in line to face paint? The line was too long so we did it ourselves at home -- much more fun!

Little Bear Ride's Again!

Last night Little Bear rode again. I don't think I've ever told the story about how he became such a permanent member of the family so here it is.

I came across Little Bear when Kerrigan was two -- just gave him to Kerrigan on a whim. A few days later I came home late from work one night, everyone was in bed and I found Little bear tucked into a little tiny bed on my bedside stand. There was a reading lamp focused right on top of him so I wouldn't miss him. Kerrigan had left him there for me. She did this night after night whenever I was late. It became a regular thing -- when I came home late I'd find Little Bear at my bedside with a little picture or card or set up having a tea party. Then when I left town Kerrigan would send Little Bear with me. Of all the little toys that have come and gone, Little Bear has somehow stuck around.

Last night I got home from a week in Boston. There at bedside I found Little Bear riding a dinosaur with toy binoculars around his neck. Little Bear rides again! Just another one of the little things that's fun about being a parent.

The play room

The play room will take a while to clean...I kept finding toys and getting distracted! I can't remember who gave us this blow-up tug boat -- I think it might have been Papa Ted. Last time I saw it I think Kerrigan was two! Lily and Josh loved it tonight though...and then there was a little batting practice in the family room...don't tell Mom!

Closure

We filnally closed today! I never imagined it would take this long but I'm told our "short" sale truly was short compared to others. Kudos to Leigh Anne for riding this one out! The for sale sign is gone and now we can truly make our 'rental' our home!

I emptied out a lot of boxes from the guest room today! Come when you will -- we'll always have room for you.

Sweater time.

It looks like we'll have our first freeze tonight...followed by a freeze every night thereafter! Snow dusted the city today too. The kids are excited for snow! Sweaters tonight...goose down for tomorrow!

Pizza! Pizza!

We made homeade pizza's for FHE this week.

Fun, fun, fun -- the kids had a blast...but I've never had a pizza with that much cheese on it in my entire life!

Defending the goal!

Kerrigan had a great game today. She loved being goalie. She stopped quite a few, one slipped by and overall she just had a great time...what more could one ask for?

Bathtub fun

It doesn't matter where we are or what we're doing -- the kids love water. Couldn't resist posting this picture...

She's growing up so fast...

I took this picture of Kerrigan the other day -- she's just growing up so fast. It seems like time has just sped up a notch since we got here.

Little Bear is BACK!

Yes...Little Bear is back in action and here with the family. We moved all our belongings into the house and Little Bear came with them. So...here he is. Who would have thought the little guy would get so popular?

What a cutie

Mom sent Lily a dress up dress which she really loves. These are just of the few pictures I took of her -- she loves it!

Feelin' Tired?

When was the last time you were THIS tired? Joshua barely finished his cracker and then I noticed him with his head leaning straight back and breathing heavy...by the time I got the camera he was just a bit more comfortable. This guy can sleep anywhere.