Country Living With The Warta's: January 2010

January has been a slow, but steady month. Keagan started basketball (a christian based league called Upward Basketball) and is loving it. Hailey is getting ready to participate in the annual cheer clinic put on by the F.C.H.S. cheerleaders (Auntie Kate is helping out this year. Yeah!) and to begin her State report. Bethany absolutely loves going to preschool with Cousin Landon and is like a little "sponge". We are all anticipating the arrival of Kelden. Hopefully, he makes his arrival in January rather than February. We'll keep you all posted. Until then, here are a few of our January happenings...

The Sportsman's Expo-

Watching the dog show is always the highlight for us all.

Bethany, Landon & Claire enjoyed the opportunity to use an umbrella.

Claire rose to the occasion to shoot the turkeys when Bethany and Landon were too skittish.

Hailey gave it her all in competing for the second year in the Casting Kids Contest.

Bethany, Claire and Auntie Casey were mesmerized with this stuffed giraffe.

The day was filled with a few showers, a ton of laughter, and lots of walking, but still no baby.

Fun with Friends-

Keagan and Bethany have enjoyed putting puzzles together.

One of many sibling sleepovers...

one of many Nerf gun wars...

and one of many "cheer leading girl times".

Cousin Lacey's 15th birthday party-

Like Grandfather... like Granddaughter.

Happy New Year!

It's 2010 and I am sad to say that Christmas vacation is almost over. Brian and I have really enjoyed having all the kids home over the past couple of weeks. (School resumes on Tuesday.) We have had some GREAT times together, made some wonderful memories and got a little R&R. I neglected to post this month so be sure to scroll down and capture all of our adventures in December.

Christmas Eve-

We've made it our tradition to take goodies plates around to our neighbors on the morning of Christmas Eve. This works well for us. The kids are usually anxiously waiting to go over to Grandpa and Grandma Warta's so it is a good way to keep them busy while we wait.

Bob and his family live across the street from us. They own a pheasant farm. Over the years, he has involved the kids in collecting pheasant eggs and harvesting them. A couple of times he has taken in eggs from abandoned nests which the kids find on our property and placed the eggs in an incubator for hatching. The kids love visiting with Bob and his grown children.

Mr. Reynold's lives catty corner from us. He is always sharing lemons, persimmons, and oranges with us. The kids love going to his house around Christmas and seeing the remnants of his old Christmas decorations. Years ago, he & his wife had a very large and intricate Christmas display that they would put up for community enjoyment. When his wife died of cancer so did the big Christmas display.

Keagan enjoys listening to Mr. Reynolds hunting wisdom.

Hailey has always enjoyed picking fruit since she was a toddler.

These persimmons are awesome!

Tastes like candy!

A very merry Christmas couple.

This traditional family photo in front of the Christmas tree almost didn't happen-it had been a no-nap day for Bethany and she was very uncooperative at this point in the evening.

Only one month to go!

Grandparents and soda pop-they just go together!

Grandpa & Grandma with the California Grand kids.

Cheers to Auntie Kate for the soda pop. You're the Best!

The soda is these bottles...tickle my nose!

Grandpa reads the Christmas story before opening gifts.

Hailey drew Claire's name for Christmas. She went to work on her very first sewing project...a cupcake apron. Great job Hailey!

Still digging. " I just know that they have to be in here somewhere. Grandpa never forgets."

"Oh yes, my favorite pickles."

"Thanks Grandma. It is SO cute. I can't wait to go on our trip for my State report."

All a kid REALLY needs is a couple of boxes.

It's not a Warta get together without a family stroll down Ohleyer Road.

Heading to the Candle light service.

I have the funnest Uncle & Aunt EVER!

Claire held onto this candle with such care. After all the car shuffling its a wonder that we all made it safely back to Grandpa & Grandma's house and that no one was left at church.

Where is Santa, now?

Bethany REALLY enjoyed Uncle Matt & Aunt Ashlie's visit.

It's great to have not one, but two aunts who are always up for kid entertainment.

"...baby shark, do do do..."

Christmas morning-

I don't know what it is with our kids, but they still sleep in on Christmas morning. We have not had one early Christmas morning yet. This year it was 9:30 or 10:00 before everyone was awake to open presents. Brian and I are not complaining.

Yes, finally my straightener. Thanks mom.

Bethany would not stop organizing her gifts. When her turn was over she would spend the next 10 min. stacking and sorting her gifts into a neat pile while she waited for it to be her turn again. Ashlie I think she has a little bit of O.C.D.

The gift of the year- Bethany's swimming dog.

A short game a laser tag before heading out to Grandpa & Grandma Penterman's house.

Christmas Evening-

Grandma Marilyn was successful in finding "mood lipstick".

This was our first year drawing names. Keagan had cousin Cameron's name. Keagan decieded it would be best to buy a few gifts cards that Cameron could use on date nihgts with his girlfriend.

The night was simple but super fun as we shared together times of...

wrestlling on the floor...

modeling our new clothes...

Snuggles from Grandma...

Teasing from dad...

Teasing Grandma...or should I say sneaking up on Grandma...

sharing old keepsakes...

reminiscing on the past...

sharing stories...

and playing pictionary. Our time together this year was simple and sweet.

The Holidays were so relaxing for our family. Whether is was because we were well prepared or we had down-sized Christmas there was a welcoming calmness in the air. We have concluded...Smaller, Simpler Christmas' are sometimes the best ones ever!