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Sunday, February 9, 2014

Cabin Fever

Since the new year, our Ohio winter weather has been causing problems.   Really the weather hasn't been THAT bad (comparable to what we have seen in Utah, Missouri, and Michigan).  But the "officials" are calling it bad and have been cancelling school left and right, and then delaying the school hours on all the other days.  Now, we all jump for joy when we have a snow day once in awhile. But now, it's getting old! The cabin fever has set in as activities and extracurriculars are being cancelled, too.  Who knows what other winter weather we will have in the next month!  I am just ranting, because in reality, IT'S NOT THAT BAD!    

 
 (One of the mornings of a snowstorm)

It's really not affecting my kids that much, because we home school. My poor kids feel jipped that they still have school when all the other kids are out.  But, I'm grateful I have something to do with my kids that is more productive than watching movies all day.  (We still are watching a lot of movies though!) But, I'm sure grateful we will be done with school in May, while everybody else will be going an extra 2 weeks in the summer!  I have only taught 5 seminary classes in the last 4 weeks!  I'm not going to lie, it's been nice to sleep in!  But then I know I have a duty to teach and it's not happening like it should be.  Some things are just out of my control.

 
 We love having a fireplace!

Without further ado... here is what we've been doing to stay somewhat sane!

 I thought this was a cute picture. 
Jordan is the lone "survior" of sleeping.

 Gavin is starting to sleep walk a little at night. 
 I found him like this one night before I headed to bed.

 Horsey rides are the best! 
 Tyler is running out of room!

 We are running out of room in the tub too!  
(Bathing all together is NOT a common occurance.  There's no room for the water to go, except on the floor.   No fun for mom!)


Tyler is working at the urgent care on the weekends now.  
We usually text and send him pictures throughout the day.







This is what we get back from him.

Since we have a  HUGE collection of Wendy's kids meal toys the kids love building these huge creations.  (Shows you how much we love Wendy's!) We've been collecting these for years, and somehow we randomly still get these in their kids meals. 
Great snow day activity!

Another fun activity was going to library time and doing a winter craft!  
I thought these were so cute!

I was watching a friend's children for an afternoon. 
 Her little girl has red hair (and is named Makenzie).  
These girls are two peas in a pod. 


Ellionna is starting to get into dress-up.  
Her favorite thing though is to pull everything out of her drawers and dress herself.  
I found her here with 3 extra shirts on, plus the clothes she was wearing!


Gavin still loves dress up, too.  
He fgot an Army helmet with accessories at the dollar store.
  
The boys are in swimming lessons. 
 What better way to enjoy winter, than to swim in the 85 degree therapy pool?

 
Grandma Sherman got the kids a Karaoke machine for Christmas.  
It's been a favorite around here for all of us!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

The last of the Christmas season

Before we start a new year, here is what I captured with the last of December.  We had a wonderful and simple holiday here at home with our little family.

Makenzie performed in the Nutcracker this year with her dance/tumbling group.  They always put on such a great show.  This year she was a mouse.  They were the cutest little mice I've ever seen.

 She was disappointed that she didn't need her hair and makeup done, as part of the performance.

 We were graced with several packages for the holiday season.  One was a big box of Washington apples from Tyler's future employer.  Ellionna wasted no time in enjoying those!
 The box is always so much more fun to play with than the actual package that was sent. 

 It got a little out of control within just a few minutes and mom had to call it quits!  We had styrofoam peanuts all over the house!

Mom had a birthday, too!  I was spoiled and showed much love.  I love how my kids are posing for this picture with their true personalities! 

Tyler was able to score free VIP hockey tickets from the hospital.  Now I'm really not into hockey or professional sports that much, but I didn't mind the excuse to have a date with my hubby!  We had a lot of fun.


Christmas Eve was spent tracking Santa,
 making Christmas crafts,
 and watching movies.

We ate way too much yummy food, too.  Santa came and I didn't get a single picture of it.  The kids were spoiled and we have enjoyed playing with all the new toys.  We wish we were closer to visit family, but it just didn't happen this year. 

 Merry Christmas, and to all a good night! 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

December Activities!

We have been enjoying the Christmas season!
I made this Santa Clause when I was in 5th grade.  
It's suppose to be a door hanger, but Gavin enjoyed using it as a mask.


 Yes, an Elf FINALLY found our house!  Oh, the kids were soooo excited.  "Red" has brought a lot of fun and mischief each night.  We captured some of his actions.
 

He decorated the tree with toilet paper!
 

He got a girlfriend and raced the night away in her hot pink convertible!













He used his artistic abilities to transform the kids into something else.  
Can you tell who everyone is?


He took pictures of himself while everyone was sleeping!





And he even watched a movie!


Here are Ellionna's first pigtails!  
Isn't she cute?
 

This is Ellionna's favorite place in the house.... on top of the table or the island counter top.  
She LOVES coloring!  She tries so hard to follow after her older siblings when they are doing their homework.  Just look how she is concentrating!  Love her!

November

 After some technical difficulties with our computer and having some grabby hands misplace the camera in the back of the closet, I am finally updating the blog!

Our trees were a golden yellow at the beginning of November.  
They sure do shed a lot of leaves! 

But before you knew it, the cold set in and we got our first snow... a dusting!   Our poor kids don't know what real snow storm is yet, but they will take what they can get.  Luckily the sleds still went down the hill!




Ellionna was completely frustrated with her mittens, so she took them off.  Then she was even more confused and angered that her hands got so cold so quick!




This is the only picture that I got on Thanksgiving... Gavin with the turkey!  
We had an enjoyable holiday weekend at home. 

We decorated the tree!
  It's always a favorite.  


All the kids with the finished product. 
Makenzie is throwing a grumpy face for some reason, but it was short-lived.