Now that's a stack of logs!

The boys spent the entire day helping Josh prepare for New Year's Eve.  

I'd say that is a good days worth of work there!

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!!!!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas Eve …. Part 2

The second half of Christmas Eve was spent exchanging gifts, playing games, and eating some more food.

Alyee's 1st gift was exactly what she wanted, Princess Elsa from the movie Frozen.  I'm pretty sure the smile shows just how excited she was!

Aunt Tamar you rock!!!

Next up was the boys and they received the Rose Bowl game.  A very fitting gift for 2 boys who LOVE football!

I'm pretty sure Uncle Brian was just as excited! 

It was a perfect Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve ….. Part 1

Christmas Eve was spent with the Roberts.  Tamar had a great idea of enjoying some time at Lake Wintoniak for some fun ice skating.  It was a beautiful day!!!

The boys enjoyed some hockey

Alyee for sure had the best way of transporation

Josh remembered how much work Ice Skating is

 And for me…. I don't skate so I simply enjoyed watching everyone and all the laughter and words that were shared between everyone.

What an awesome idea Tamar!!

Happy 1st Day of Winter

Christmas Programs

The last day of school before Winter Break was filled with Christmas Programs and awesome singing!  

Lake Wintoniak

This year the kids have been enjoying some Ice Skating at Lake Wintoniak with their cousins.  The boys are getting the hang of it but Alyee isn't so sure yet.  She at least put skates on her feet so far this year but it was short lived and I'm not sure it will happen again this year.  

Here they are setting out to skate across to the other side.  Oh the adventures they have together.

Thank you Uncle Lyndsy for taking them along with you and getting them excited about Ice Skating.

You are ONE awesome Uncle!

The North Pole

This year Josh & I checked a destination off our to do list with the kids.  We headed out for  Coeur d'Alene and enjoyed a boat ride to The North Pole.  What an awesome time we had as a family.  It was super cold but completely worth it.  We had an amazing view outside our room of all the lights and when it was time to load the boat it started to snow.  It made the whole experience so amazing for us and even more so for the kids.  To watch them soak up the ride and lights and when Santa talked to each one of them and they heard they made the "Good List" it warmed me to the bone.  It was a wonderful way to start the month of December.

looking out our window

Bundled up and ready for our trip

Even Douglas showed up!  We were close to his home after all.

Handmade

Grandpa and Grandma had a very special thing built for Alyee.  It is a handcrafted dresser for all her dolls and doll clothes.  This is a gift that will be able to be handed down for many generations. Thank you so much Grandpa and Grandma for such a thoughtful and very special gift.

take special note to the hangers… Grandpa has been building these himself for all the doll clothes.

It truly is a BEAUTIFUL piece of furniture

She's 5!!!

Our sweet princess turned 5 and I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that 5 means Kindergarten is right around the corner for her.  She had a wonderful birthday surrounded by all her family.

Digging into all the wonderful gifts she received

one being a jewelry box filled with TONS of jewelry!!  Thank you Aunt Tamar and Cousin Devyn!

Busting a beat on her keyboard and learning to use her bedazzled headphones

Making a wish!  Love you to the Moon and Back Alyee Jo!

READ…READ…READ

December 1st Aunt Tamar and Uncle Brian gave the kids part of their Christmas gifts, 24 books!!!  Aunt Tamar had spent a TON of time finding books at random stores for the kids to read as a fun way to countdown until Christmas.  Everyday they had a wrapped book waiting to be opened and read.  WHAT an amazing idea it was, the kids looked forward to their new book everyday and seeing what story they would have for that day.  

Christmas morning they got to open their 25th book!

THANK YOU Uncle Brian & Aunt Tamar!!!

Upgrade!!!

Hans received a VERY nice upgrade for his birthday.  Grandpa Lyndsy traded his smaller 4-wheeler in for a more appropriate sized one.  This kid LOVES speed and now he has it!  Thank you Grandpa Lyndsy!!!!!  

Hans and his brother have been taring up the farm together and now Hans isn't always last!

Hans and his new wheels

Grandpa did a great job of surprising Hans, I wished we could share the look on his face when he saw it for the first time.  Simply PRICELESS!

Thanksgiving is great because Hans is 8!

This year Josh and I got to have both our families for Thanksgiving and also celebrate Hans turning 8!  What a joy it was to sit at a table filled with all our loved ones and have a day to be together.  We truly are a very blessed family!

What an awesome Family we all make together!

Hans making his wish

He got lots of awesome gifts that he LOVED like this Seahawks Jersey with his nickname on the back
"HOLLYWOOD"

Trustworthy

Each month Grant Elementary has kids recognized for a specific characteristic.  

In 4th grade, teacher let the classmates vote on an individual whom they think fits the description of the word for that month.  Winston's classmates voted him as most Trustworthy for their class.  A mom can't help but beam when that happens.  What a very big honor that is to receive and both Josh and I couldn't be more proud of Winston the young man that he is becoming.  

Way to go Winston!  Keep up all the good work!!

  

60!!!!!!

Grandma Sally turned 60 and when you turn 60 there should be a celebration.  However, Grandma Sally decided to take a little vacation for her birthday so we had to celebrate for her.  Josh and I took the kids out for dinner and celebrated in honor of her.  Really it was an excuse for me to NOT have to cook dinner but it was so worth it.

Then she arrived home and we did the real deal.  60 candles and ALL!

Thank you Grandma Sally for being you!  You are one special lady to all of us. 

HaPpY 60th BiRtHdAY!!!!

Fall Dance Recital

There is no denying Alyee LOVES dance.  She and the rest of her dance class friends did a great job showing their moves.

All ready to show off her moves

Busting move after move

Alyee did an AWESOME job!

Cousin Payton got to join dance with Alyee this year and what fun they have together.

What a treat it was for Alyee to have these 2 girls at her recital watching her.  Alyee worships these 2 beautiful young ladies more than words can say.  Thank you Paige and Denali for making her big night even bigger!!!

AAU

This year Josh took the task on of coaching AAU for Winston and his friends.  What a great time they have all had!  After asking all the 4th boys if they wanted to play, Josh ended with 16 kids and 2 teams.  HUGE props go to Josh because he coached all 16 kids and both teams.  What an amazing dad he is!!!!  Not too many dads would do such thing but Josh LOVES basketball and his kids that much! 

Number 22!!!!  Just like his DAD!

Winston and his teammates listening to coach Roberts'

 Winston learned a lot about the game this year and did an excellent job at playing the post position.  

This was the biggest kid he had to play against this season

Winston managed to keep him to a very small amount of points and played defense against him VERY well!

Thank you Dad for all you do!  You are an amazing dad that makes so much time for your kids and their friends!!!!

All but 1!  What a great 1st year of AAU they had!