T'was the Night Before Christmas....

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house

not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

while visions of ipod's danced in their heads.......

Happy Birthday Girls!!!

Madison's and Harlee's birthdays again. We rented the local gymnastics center and had their party with their friends. They had lots of fun playing and climbing, swinging etc. I can't believe how fast time flies. Madison is 11 & Harlee is 8!! Never a dull moment with these two.

Chris decided he wanted to show the girls a thing or two.... I think he forgot he isn't a young buck anymore! Someone is going to get hurt!!!

Elder Schroeder

Elder Trevor John Schroeder has officaly left for the mission field. He reported Dec. 3rd to Provo and will be reporting Dec. 23rd to the Jacksonville Florida mission. We are super proud of him and know he will make an awsome missionary!!!

Not the DENTIST!

Gracee had her 1st dentist appt. today, and of course the news isn't...she has perfect teeth!

Nope, Gracee got mom's bad teeth, poor thing. I won't complain though, she was so good, she wasn't scared (unlike some 10 year olds I know...Madison) she opened her mouth wide, not a peep!

They were pretty impressed how well she did for her age.

Hopefully she will do that well when it's not just a cleaning!

Mini Me

Harlee and Gracee thought they would have a little fun in our Halloween costumes.

I think they look better than Chris and I did!!

Trick or Treat!

Halloween time again. Isn't Gracee just the cutest Dorthy!

All the girls with their friend Stella are ready to rot their teeth out with candy.

Madison was a 50's girl and Harlee was a U.S. Diva.

Halloween COUPLES BUNKO Style!

Do you love our costume or what! No...that really isn't me, I wish it was though, it was way better than the cheesy one I had to come up with on short notice. It's amazing what a biker chic will attract!!

Halloween Party Fun!!! Was Chris HOT or what! He got more looks at his legs than I would have. Some times you just have to let loose a little bit.

As you can see us women were the only brave ones to get our group photo. All the men had striped off their costumes within the first 20 minutes of the shin-dig. Party poopers!!

BACK TO SCHOOL!!

5th grade for Madison. I can't believe it. She was not that thrilled to be going back to school. She would sleep in every day till noon if I'd let her. Guess she will have to wait till next summer for that. She did come home excited after her first day...she got a teacher who is new and isn't as strict with the homework. Madison's happy.
2nd grade for Harlee. She unlike Madison was ready and willing to be going back to school. She was up bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning. Even during the summer she never slept in...that wasn't always a good thing. She loves school!

Gracee is still home, although she would love to be going to school with the girls. She asked for them all day today so we took a little trip to the park and that seemed to help her forget them for a short time. She was so happy to see them when they got home. I know it won't be long before she will be joining them.

Cave Falls

One last day of fun before the grind of school. We decided to vistit Cave Falls and enjoy the beauty surrounding us. We had a great time.

Fun in the Sun!

The kids have had so much fun this summer hanging out at the lake with friends and family. I will say that the water is a bit colder than those Arizona lakes, but they don't seem to mind a goose bump to two.

Home Grown

It has been so fun growing my own garden. The girls love to pick and eat fresh strawberries every day. My sqwash and cantaloupe are growing like crazy. It is actually somewhat theraputic gardening. I will be anxious to try some other variations next spring.

It's the Latest TREND!

Some of you may not have known this, but while we have been away Chris has taken some classes at the local beauty school. Needless to say they haven't let him graduate!! This is called the vaccum do. All you need is central vac and a willing victim. She quite likes this actually. Maybe that is why Chris doesn't every seem to mind vaccuming!

Easter....yes that is SNOW!

Yes, you are seeing correctly. I am sure those of you in sunny weather will get a kick out of this. We actually did hide eggs in the snow. I must say, it was a little bit weird. The kids didn't seem to mind, they just wanted those eggs.

Last Minute fun in the Snow!!

Gracee and Chris are enjoying their turn down the hill. Gracee was having a ball. Boy did she throw a fit when it was time to stop. Typical red head I guess..
Madison took the sledding like a fish to water. No hesitations, she flew down the hill enjoying every minute of it.

Chris and Gracee got to be the taxi and take all the sledders back up the hill after each run. I got to stay at the botton...someone had to capture all the fun!

We decided since we live in snow country now, it might be a good idea to embrace it, so we all took snowboarding lessons (with the execption of Chris of course, he became a pro going to Sunrise...ha..ha...)

Harlee kicked butt..she didn't have any problem picking it up at all. She was going on her 3rd run down the hill while I was still working on my 1st. Pretty sad.

Madison was the same. She and I took lessons together and she spanked me. I think there is and advantage to being lower to the ground, not quite as far to fall and a whole lot easier to get up.

Plus I think they rebound faster after crashing and burning all day. It is amazing how fast these kids can learn new things!

This is the small ski slope we hit this winter and where we learned to board. Kelly Canyons' the name, and what makes it so nice is that it is a whoping 30 mins. from the house. Can't beat that.

They even have night skiing. We closed our last trip of the season doing it at night and really enjoyed it. I am hoping to get Gracee out there next season. It is awsome to see these 3 yr. olds riping down the slopes on their skis.
The girls were troopers learning this and actually wanting to continue it..usually after we have invested all our money in gear for a sport they decide they aren't interested anymore. So far so good...then again we have all summer for them to change their minds!