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Monday, December 31, 2012

2nd Annual Gingerbreadextravaganza

We had so much fun last year we decided to do it again. "Gingerbread" houses out of graham crackers and lots of candies.

Levi's modern looking triangular shapped house was awesome.


We love hanging out with this crew.


I helped build Levi's house a chimney and he cleverly used a marshmellow as smoke.


Look at Team JoelBen's house!  Check out that entry way.
 

Ruby did her house all by herself.  It turned out so cute.


The entertainment of the night was when the kids convinced Joel to walk on his hands.


I think Kelly's house won.  She had a porch and pool and a wreath.


Milo made one with Lucas.  He enjoyed that almost as much as scarfing candy.


Friday, December 28, 2012

Gift Package

Auntie Lea and Uncle Ryan sent a box full of presents from Boston. As I mentioned here, they are bundled up because the house was still pretty cold.


wrestling off the ribbon.

He was excited.

Yay!

Yay!

They got right down to playing with the play-doh.  The other end of the table was a lego building station.  Can you pick out my station?  Yep, hot tea and a shelter mag.


Thursday, December 27, 2012

Christmas Eve Service

We all enjoy the tradition of going to Lynn and Marji's church on Christmas Eve. The service ends by candlelight and everyone singing 'Silent Night.'


Kosse's chewing on an unlit candle.

 
Levi talked us into letting him hold a candle this year.  He did very well.


The funny part about that was I ended up with the 'special' battery powered candle. 



Our family picture!  Compare to last year.


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas at Gran and Grandpa's

Opening stockings.  Gran and Grandpa sure know what these boys like!


These D rings made Levi so happy.


He loved getting to be the little elf that dug out presents from the back of the tree.


Opening their own mess kits for camping.


They were both thrilled to get real camping backpacks.


Levi and Lucas put his lego set together.  It looked really cool.


Alison 'read' for the longest time from her new Bible.  It was so adorable.  She held the book out just like the teachers do.


Sunday, December 23, 2012

Last Sunday of Advent

Mia is feeling a little better but still is not quite herself.

Kosse is a very busy little boy.

 
The big kids enjoyed Gran and Grandpa's play-doh.


Kosse waking up from his nap.


Wanting to be picked up by Grandpa.


Levi and Lucas putting together a Legos gift from Aunt Aundrea and Uncle Chuck.

 
Milo got some, too. 


We got to worship together, make homemade pizzas, and open one present.  Santa is coming a day early so we treated this as our Christmas Eve.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

A Few Pics from the Weekend So Far

We've kicked off more holiday celebrations and have been visiting at Lynn and Marji's.

Here's Milo thoughtfully considering how to fill out his Gran's sudoku puzzle.

 
Sadly, Alison has the flu and stayed back with her Dad.  We'll see them later in the weekend, hopefully.   Aundrea, Mia, and Flurry came though.

 
Kosse!

 
Gran had all kinds of cool projects for the kids.




Friday, December 21, 2012

Odds and Ends

Skateboard!

Scooter!

Scissors require much concentration.


This is Levi at the end of his second (out of a total of four) outings in the snow yesterday.  It was reallycold and I would only let him stay out there for 30 minutes at a time.  He played so hard sledding and shoveling that he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow last night.


There is nothing like hot cocoa (with a liberal topping of whipped cream) to warm you up.


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Rest

A couple more pictures from Mom and Dad's visit:

Here's a picture of people looking in all different directions.

 
Levi and I wearing matching, strange expressions.

 
One of Joel and Kelly's Christmas presents to everyone was to take us out to an art studio to make mosiac ornaments together.

 
Nana patiently helped Milo make his.

 
Joel and Ben carefully choosing more pieces.

 
Later, Papa played the guitar with Levi and accompanied him while he sang Christmas carols. 


Friday, December 14, 2012

More from Nana and Papa's Visit

Levi playing with his new remote control car.

 
Nana read Milo's new books to the boys.  She was very patient- each book had about fifty flaps to open and talk about.  Here Levi is wearing his new pajamas and socks and made sure to keep his new snow boots and Christmas outfit very close by.

 
Cute boys in stripes!

 
We wish you a merry Christmas.

 
Ruby asked to have me take a picture of her and Levi together.  So, so, so sweet.

 
Look how big he looks!