A day in the Snow

Yeah! For years, we have wanted to join this group for their annual, 'cutting a Christmas tree & snow' day, but Brian has always worked. This year we were able go and what a fun family day we had!

A Yuppie Christmas...

and a Red-neck Christmas.

All the kiddoes...there sure is a lot of love here.

K.C. sure did love everything about the snow. He takes after his big Sissy, Hailey.

A beautiful Snow Princess

Always up for a snow ball fight

Crashin' with Casey

Just us girls

I just love how all these kids worked together and truly take care of one another.

Uncle Brian became the 'Big Kid' rather quickly

My snow angel

Peek-a-boo

Ahh, popcorn in the snow!

...2 hours later, we have trees.

Round Table hit the spot for a lot of tummies.

Cousin time!

I was really missing these two kiddoes. So, I called their mom & dad to see if there was a day that they could come over for a few hours. It just so turned out, they needed afternoon childcare. So, I dropped off Alex and picked up Claire & Landon. Call me crazy...6 kids by myself, homework, dinner and baths...but I loved every minute of it! These two just blend right in with mine. Thanks Tim & Casey for sharing!

Hailey and I tag teamed Bethany & Landon's homework with a spelling drill in shaving cream. Of course, Claire and Kelden had to be a part of the fun, too. All was well until Kelden began to paint Landon with his shaving creme. Kelden was quickly wished away to the bath tub while Hailey finished the rest of the spelling list. It was only Monday and both Bethany & Landon knew all of their words and verse. I was very, very impressed!

Bethany came up with the idea of raising your hands when you were done writing the word. Everyone got on board!

Landon could not resists the temptation to jump in the pile of leaves. Kelden thought this was so cool!

Two separate games of go-fish.

Girl bath time

boy TV time with Handy Mandy

What fun memories!

Hailey's 1st pheasant video

Grandpa Fun!

The weekend of 'Grandpa Fun' started with Grandparent's Day on Friday at Faith Christian School. The fun continued with 2 Junior Pheasant Hunts. Who would have known one year ago when Hailey & Keagan got their hunting licenses that they would have so many opportunities to spend quality time with their 3 favorite men. On Saturday, Brian and Grandpa Jim took the 2 kids on their first Junior Pheasant Hunt at Nelson Slough. They only got 1 shot each and no birds, but had a blast! That afternoon, we all headed to Williams to help Grandpa harvest his walnut trees. The day was full, but the memories...PRICELESS! On Sunday, Brian and Grandpa Loren took the kids on their second hunt. They both limited out! The excitement was definitely in the air! The competition, too. Both hunts were entirely different from each other. The memories made and the experiences shared will be retold for many years. Bare with me I had to work backwards.

SUNDAY

"I got to share my love for hunting with this little guy!"

"I am not afraid to get dirty."

Hailey and Grandpa had a real good visit while cleaning her birds...melted my heart.

"Looking for some pretty feathers for you, Aunt Casey."

"One VERY TIRED hunter."

SUNDAY

As Brian and I pulled up at my parent's orchard, the site of my dad down on his knees picking walnuts with my kids, tugged at my heart. I have so many memories as a young girl doing this same thing with my dad and his almond trees.

Bethany reminds me so much of myself at this age. My dad had a lot of fun with her.

My 2 enterpernuers(sp?) discussing their future orchard.

I just love this man!

Keagan and Corey were competing with Hailey to see who would pick the most walnuts. There was an incentive... grandpa is giving them the profit.

My crazy dad...just as I will always remember him! Hailey loves his silliness, too.

"Grandpa, what on earth are you doing so high in that tree?"

This is me a little younger than Kelden with our family dog, "wimpy".

This is Kelden a little older than me with my parents dog, "dobby".

I couldn't resist. As the youngest, the family dog was always my source of entertainment when the family was working...It was for Kelden, too.

Whenever my dad would work ahead of us knocking the trees, Kelden would just run after him as fast as his little legs could keep up; just so that he could be a part of the action.

This gang was wet and cold from the rain and just plain EXHAUSTED! We were all ready for Straw Hat Pizza and a hot bath.