Here, there & everywhere!

 I had to take a picture of my girls and my attempt at cuteness.  My hairstyling skills are quite limited.  Our baby-sitter, Maya, does fabulous braids in my girls' hair.  Unfortunately, she isn't here in the morning before school starts.  This was one of my first attempts at the cute french braid across the front of their head.  I was quite pleased with myself, it looked a little different by the time they got home from school though.

 This was an impromptu rock day.  For some reason, Brayden started banging on various buckets, I can't remember what he found to use as sticks, he then made cardboard symbols, complete with construction paper handles for Ellie. Dani lucked out with real maracas. 

 A play day at home.  Ellie attempting to dance on her toes.  A little break for strollers and babies.  I think they were headed to the gym or dance practice here....

 The never ending project, that was pretty much my fault.  A few months ago at a cub scout meeting, I was talking to the cub master (he is the guy in charge, I never knew this before).  Kent was out of town on business, and the cub master asked me if Kent had any tools and if he was at all handy.  Of course I had to brag about my amazing husband and his skills.  Well, this got him volunteered to make 50 neckerchief slides that are shaped into pinewood derby cars. 

 I thought it sounded a bit overwhelming, but Kent was willing to do  it.  If Kent is going to do a project it is going to be very well done, nothing halfway.  This project consumed  so much of his time, because he is a perfectionist and because he thoroughly enjoyed it.  Brayden was right there with him, sanding, painting and sanding some more.  They turned out super cute and it will be fun to see all of the boys' faces when they receive them on Pinewood derby day. 

On Friday night we attended a Winter fundamentals basketball clinic downtown.  The coaches included John Stockton's coach from when he was a kid, a Gonzaga women's basketball player and four all league high school girls, one who happened to be John Stockton's daughter.  It was a very fun night, Brayden learned a lot.  John took about a half hour and talked to everyone about the Dream Team, his Olympic experiences and his NBA team mates.  It was fun to hear personal stuff about those famous guys that we all grew up with.  He said Carl Malone is one of his favorite people, just an all around classy, hard working guy.  In this day and age it's nice to hear positive things about NBA players.  :)

Btw, John was a very friendly down to earth guy, who emphasized being a team player and doing what is best for your team. 

A Little Bit of the Funnies

After a long weekend of the flu bug, the girls and I hit the mall on a free afternoon, for a little bit of retail therapy.  As you may or may  not know, Vickie's has all sale panties for $2.99.  All styles.  Ellie and Dani were digging through the bins, because who wouldn't want two, five year olds help while shopping for undergarments?  Ellie pulled out a pair, and was utterly appalled.  Yes, you know what she found.  With a disgusted, confused look, she said (very loudly),

"Mom, look how small these are in the back.  These would NOT cover your bum, how do these work?"

Avoiding the question completely, I said, "Good thing I have such a small bum, those would work just fine for me."

Again, looking at me in total confusion, "No Mom, you have a medium sized bum and Dad has a big bum, and these would not work for you."

Let it be known, I have a medium sized bum,  pretty much made my day!  Maybe I will skip the gym tomorrow.  :) 

My little skiers!

                                                In the lodge, waiting to hit the slopes!

                                                     Dani doing her thing!

                                                Ellie headed straight down the  mountain!

                                           Holy smokes, headed up on their own.

                                    (Forgot to post the annual Santa picture earlier, here it is).

                                                  Brayden waiting for us to get going!

Kent and I could not be prouder of our little skiers.  Everyone did their best and stuck with it.  The second time at the mountain, the girls were all over it!  We hit almost every chair and multiple runs over and over.  Of course, Ellie was fearless and hit it hard, and fell hard.  I will never forget her little voice each time she crashed, "Don't worry, I'm ok Mom!"  Dani was very careful and skillful.  She made each of her turns with grace and perfection.  Sometimes they were LONG runs, but it was a very proud day for us.  Brayden is also doing awesome, it's his second year and he is all over the mountain too!

Now we are just waiting for some fresh powder so we can hit the slopes again!

It's finally here!

 At Brayden's class party, a Mom painted the kids' faces.  She was a professional, it was quite impressive.  This picture was after sleeping on it.  It's the Grinch's hand picking up an ornament.

 We went tubing again this year with friend's and family.  Unfortunately, my camera battery was dead, this is the only picture I got.  It was a very fun day on the hill!

 Snowman face painting.

 On Christmas Eve, we went to visit my Grandma in Coeur d' Alene.  Auntie Jan stopped by  while we were there too.  It was a fun afternoon!

 My Eagle Scout husband is using his skills to create new things.  He thought this para chord toilet paper holder may come in handy.  Right?  Everyone carries TP around in their house.  Weirdo!  BTW, Brayden thought it was AWESOME!

 Christmas Eve, making reindeer food.  Putting the special glitter into the food.

                                                       All ready to spread it in the yard.

                                                                   Christmas morning!

                                             Ready to rip into Santa's gifts!

                                        Brayden checking out the photo book I made for him.

Danielle's baby/photo book, from age 1 to 2.  It was so bittersweet making these books for the girls.  I had so much fun looking at those pictures, happy that those hard days are behind us, but sad that I no longer have babies. 

 Brayden rocking out to the Madagascar 3 "Afro Circus."

 More rocking.

 The girls got Barbie razor scooters from Santa!

 Playing a little bit of Fibber from Auntie Kalin.  (It was a quite disturbing how well Brayden could play this game of lying charades).

 Dani feeding her Baby Alive that she got with a gift card from Uncle Ryan.  Yes, you feed it and then it poops.  It's fantastic.  (I didn't buy it for her for a reason),

                                                               Hello Kitty BFF necklaces.

 Jammies that Grandma Wagener made and strollers from Grandma Phillips.

                                                               Ellie's baby book

Grandma and Grandpa Wagener came for a quick visit and brought Brayden a remote control helicopter!  We had a lovely Christmas at home, we are very thankful for everything we have and for all of you who are a part of our lives.  I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours!

Frank

 Frank, our elf, was up to some crazy shenanigans this year.  I had to capture the activities as a nice reference for the future.  :)  Here, Frank used the potty from the doll house.  The kids thought it was hilarious that he pooped chocolate chips.

                                         Bowling with a bouncy ball and mini marshmallows.

                                             Cruising in the Barbie car with some hot chicks.

                                          Watching some movies with more hot chicks.

 Uh-oh,  this was a very sad day.  The kids fought all day.  Frank was too exhausted to fly to the North Pole, he lost his magic because there was so much fighting going on.  He had to stay and get better, he couldn't report to Santa.  Unfortunately, the kid that I wanted this to impact, didn't give a rat's $%@.  The other two, Brayden and Ellie, were almost in tears.

 Sledding down the stairs in a toilet paper roll.

 Snow angel in sugar.

 This letter was a bit sad,  Ellie accidentally "touched" Frank.  As you know, this makes the elf lose their magic.  She was leaping over him, while he was watching the movies with the chicks.  Frank fell off the bucket and hit the floor.  (Which is scary because he is glass, if  I were a little smarter I would have bought a back up Frank 3 years ago).  Her heart was broken and she thought for sure she had ruined Frank and Christmas.  I let her know that accidentally touching him was different than being naughty and touching him.  Brayden thought it was important to write an apology letter to Frank, letting him know it was purely an accident.

 Hanging from our chandelier. 

Frank decorated our tree with the kids' panties and underwear.  The downside of Frank being so funny is the kids woke me up early every morning to tell me what he had done.  The nice thing was waking up to their giggles and laughter and utter disbelief! 

Sugar, sugar and more sugar!

                                                           Brayden and Preston

My cousin, Taja came over on a Saturday morning armed with sugar cookies and frosting.  Oh what fun the kids had.  Taja also had more sprinkles than I have ever seen in one place.  This was a huge treat for my kids, usually I forgo the sprinkly mess. 

 I thought Brayden's eyes were going to pop out of his head.

 Ellie, with her new toothless look.  It seems like her whole appearance has changed, just with that one missing tooth.

 Dani, hard at work.

 Dani and Ellie before their school sing-along.

Celebrating our beloved Shelbi's birthday with fancy cupcakes from Love @ First Bite.  Holy deliciousness!