I admit we get a little crazy around here when it come to Christmas cookies.

This year we did something good with the results of our obsession.

Emma I and delivered MANY cookies to a local assisted living residents.

We had a really good time and she wants to go back to visit some of the residents regularly.

Our "Thankful Chain"

Every supper we had together between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we would each write something we were thankful for on a tiny slip of paper, then tape them together forming our "Thankful Chain".

The chain became an added decoration to our tree this year.

This ritual along with lighting Advent candles each evening has been a highlight for our children.

Christmas Eve and happy about their new Christmas jammies.

Christmas morning ready for church.

Enjoying some stocking stuffers.

So glad they can still be thrilled with something as simple as bubble gum!

Hope YOUR Christmas is merry and bright!

Yes folks, today is OCTOBER 29...

these are pictures from today...

AND that IS a "snowchicken" sitting on our patio chair!

Birthdays Past, Present, and Future

We recently celebrated Pa's birthday with a dinner and cake at our house.

Thanks to my sister Lois for picking up the delicious cake.

We are still enjoying

the last

few

crumbs... Cowgirl Emma turned 8 in March. I flubbed up a section of the horse's neck but none of the cowgirls seemed to notice. Princess Rachel turned 6 in January.

The sparkly pink cake was just what the princess ordered.

Thank goodness for Family Fun magazine.

They have saved me more than once with simple to make cakes!

And Evan the Builder became a 2 year old last October.

Thanks to my sister Julia for creating this cake.

We were invited to a party for Ken's Grandpap last August.

And we're looking forward to celebrating his big 100th birthday with him summer.

A Visit From Cousin Leah

A quiet moment is pretty rare around here

and usually is an indication of mischeif afoot.

This time however,

I found ALL three of my children

lined up reading

their new bibles.

Ahhh, my little angels!

Sprinkler Fun

My Little People Playing With Their Little People

Fishing Trip

A fun day of fishing this summer with some of Ken's family.

Bath-time Blues

Evan just loves taking a bath. When he hears water running in the tub he comes crawling fast as he can. This time he was disappointed to see the bath wasn't for him... Big sister Emma assured him his turn was next.

As you can see by that middle dangling tooth this picture is a few weeks old. I will try to catch up on more pictures (including wedding shots) soon.

Rachel, Evan, and Emma

Sure can be challenging to get all three cooperating and Evan can't even run away yet!

Froward

Froward: willfully contrary. This was the word for the day on my igoogle page the day I edited these pictures. An appropriate word since Evan was more interested in sucking on his overalls than posing for some impromptu pictures and at least one other child was most definitely in a froward mood!

Oh, The Pitter Patter Of Little Feet