Meet "The Bachelor"

He is a 29 year old independent rancher from Montana. Not only does he have compact abs....but he has an amazing stick smile. Not only is he the most handsome man on the block....but he never says a mean word....(actually he doesn't really talk at all). But be forwarned he doesn't really like it hot! Meet the next "bachelor" Charlie the snowman. So we've finally been able to enjoy the winter weather outside with bearable temperatures. A weird phenomenon has happened here. Normally it may snow once or twice during the winter and it melts away within the week. Not the case this year. It has stuck around along with really cold temps. But yesterday was 40 and the kids enjoyed playing around in the remaining snow. Today we went sledding and then on the way home we saw that Gracie's little friend had built a snowman....so we got inspired and decided to make one too. The kids named him Charlie....and they had more fun picking out what they would decorate him with. Although, I had to continually remind daddy that it wasn't his snowman....but the kids. Gotta love Saturdays with no agenda whatsoever....except pure fun with the fam.

Girlie Party!

So Grace turned 7 on Christmas Eve and we have managed to have a family party for her every year on her birthday. However, for the past couple of years she has requested a "friend" party. I knew that if I failed to provide this party for her this year she would be scarred for life. Unfortunately for Grace it's always a complicated thing to organize a party for her around Christmas. So we decided to throw her party after the New Year this year. She invited all the girls in her class as well as her BFF (who was in her kindergarten class). She had a beading party (which is making bracelets and necklaces for all you guys out there). Gracie is really good at making really cute jewelry and she loves it surprise surprise. While all of her girl classmates didn't make it she had a great time.....and was perfectly content with the one's that did show up. I have to say it was pretty relaxed. The girls made a couple of things each.....and then we played two games....a memory game where they had a minute to look at 15 items and then they had to recall all the items afterwards by writing them down. And then they had to dress the barbie blindfolded....whoever had the quickest time won. I think they all really enjoyed the games. Then we had cake and ice cream and opened gifts. It really was a great party. The cakes were amazing. I would love to take credit for them but we had them made. We went to Elijah's auction for school where their were a ton of items to bid on. I bid on a personal cake decoration and got it. It really came in handy with Gracie's B-day around the holidays. And the cakes were so adorable. Daddy was teasing that they made a new barbie called the "flaming" barbie. It was a great time!

It really was a Merry Christmas!

This year Christmas has been extra special because my parents and little baby brother have been here to celebrate it. Not to mention Gracie turned 7 on Christmas Eve. This is the first Christmas where I have been able to actually host it in our home. We thought we were going to be having a modest little Christmas this year....but somehow it never ends up that way. Thanks to all the Aunts, Uncle's, Grandparents, Great Grandma, and friends the kids had more than enough presents to rip through. Thank you everyone for your thoughtful gifts! The kids loved all your presents....and we greatly appreciate it! For all of you out their that we weren't able to see we miss you and love you! Hope you enjoyed Christmas!

There's no biz like showbiz

Tis' the season for Christmas programs.....and my kids are eating it up! They love everything about it. Grace had her little school program first. She looked so pretty in her little dress that happened to be quite popular (two other girls were wearing the same one). That's what you get when you buy it at Walmart. It didn't matter to her though she was a little showgirl standing and singing so proudly. Elijah's school program was next. I knew that Grace loves getting dolled up.....but apparently all my kids enjoy getting all dressed up. You could tell Elijah knew he looked good! He was strutten around like a peacock. He also equally enjoyed the stage. He was smiling and waving and singing out loud. By the way he is such a fabulous singer....must get it from daddy! He told us before hand that he was going to be dancing. He was planning on doing the "robot" that daddy showed him how to do. They turned the peanuts music on and let them go. He did the robot only for about 20 seconds. Afterwards I asked him why he stopped.....and he said "everybody was laughing....so he got shy." I had to explain to him that we weren't laughing at him.....but with him because he was so cute. Oh and I have to mention the little girl next to Elijah in his school program in the red dress happens to be his crush! That's a funny story in itself....but let's just say Elijah realizes that girls are pretty and nice.....I guess he has great taste not only is she beautiful she is also a very good little girl. The last program included Micah and David. Micah was also enthusiastic about dressing up and singing. I just have show kids I guess. David played a doctor in the play.....it was a real stretch...haha. It's funny how I can't get enough of these things. I know I am bias but I really think my kids have talent! We should go on the road!

My models

So this is my beautiful sister-in-law Lacey and my other model sister-in-law Tina and her amazing husband Dan (kinda like a super hero....which he loves). I took these pictures at Thanksgiving. I have been trying to get better at using my camera. We love you guys and miss you so much!

Thanksgiving come and gone!

We really had an awesome time going home for Thanksgiving. Inevitably it is to short. We got up at 5 and drove 14 hours with out any major hiccups. The only little bummer was that our portable DVD didn't work. We spend until Wednesday in St. Cloud and then went to the cities at David's Aunts for Thanksgiving. Black Friday we thought we'd join all the crazy people at the Mall of America. The kids enjoyed being with both sets of Grandparents for a movie while mommy got some coveted alone shopping time. Then we topped our trip off with a stop at the outlet mall heading out of town. What could be better right! We really wish we could see our family more often! But we are trying to get back to reality. I am still playing catch up.....and looking forward to my parents arriving for Christmas! Little Johnny my brother said he is sick of my music.....so I thought I would give you a little taste of David and my newest fun find! An awesome Christian rapper! I couldn't find our favorite song....but he's got alot of good songs!

Edited pic

I love this picture of Micah....He is totally my charmer. This is from the same pictures I posted a little bit ago.....but you can tell how much better it looks with a little tweaking.