How was your Christmas?

We had a wonderful Christmas! Thank goodness Lizzie likes to sleep late. Our festivities began around 8-ish. And ALWAYS starts with the 'top of the stairs' photo.

Breakfast and then presents!!

Someone got really spoiled :D


Yup! Treekie :D name that episode!


Amber is SO happy she got a turtle. She failed to say WHAT kind of turtle she wanted so we got her this one. He will go with her everywhere. Turtle's name still to be determined.


Talking to us about her gift


We have a robot in the house!


Dinner


Love this shot.

Hope your day was filled with love and memories!

We Interupt This Blog for an Important Message

It's Cookie Time

There are always certain traditional Christmas cookies that we make. Sugar cookie are always a MUST! But ever more fun doing them with Lizzie.

Not sure what she is supposed to do...yet.


Watching "tatah".


Now she's got it!


Are those the cutest little fingers or what?! What you don't hear is her cute little grunting noise while trying to push down hard on the cookie cutter.

Getting the Tree

We didn't get to do our usual trip out to Fullner Tree Farm to cut our tree. But we have the next best thing here in Lynden. Vander Giessen nursery. The trees are always SO fresh! And this year we got a free 6" poinsettia plant. AND (as you'll see in the pictures) free donuts and apple cider.

"Come on let's GO!"


How about this one?


The Clan

The free donut. Sprinkles are the BEST!!


Robert & Amber

How Fun is This?!?!?!

Tonight ~ Spirit Band = 3 of our kids playing in the band. Something that Robert would NEVER have had the opportunity to do. Play in a band with his 2 youngest siblings.

And Lizzie having fun with her clappers

And her popcorn while watching the game

I just thought this was too cute

Too much fun!!!

Look at this little drummer girl!

And Robert's fabulous pizza making skills

And Lizzie's new little friend


Isn't she just adorable? We're having too much fun :D

Playtime with Daddy

These two were having SO much fun even the "sports mode" on the camera couldn't keep up with them.

It's fun to see Robert being such a good Daddy.

And look at this little "trick" they do together. Hiccups and all :D

Amber....

...had some time on her hands. And this is what she came up with.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

I Couldn't resist

Sorry Sarah! You're last comment made me think of this.....

Yes! We've made that cake too. In fact, we made it for a Cub Scout Cake Auction.


David (how my little boy has changed in 2 years) earned $40 for the pack from this sale. And Traci M. ~ your parents were the ones that bought it.



Funny the things that you remember, isn't it?!?!

It was a good day!!

How could it not be when you have this sweet little one at the table with you?

After we put the little peanut to bed it was time to play a game. Robert picked the game ~ Risk!! Yep! It was a long one but lots of fun. David was the first one to go down and lose all his territories. The winner of the night? ROBERT!!! Which is a good thing as he still doesn't like to lose a game.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Here's a new way to cook your turkey. To bad I didn't learn about this until after our turkey was in the oven.

1. Cut out aluminum foil in desired shapes.
2. Arrange the turkey int he roasting pan and position the foil carefully.
3. Roast according to your own recipe and serve.
4. Watch your guests faces.

And for your dessert ~ enjoy your pumpkin pie! Glad we're having apple pie :D

Have a wonderful day and always remember you blessings!

ATTENTION!!! Crafters and Scrapbookers!!!

A friend of mine sent me this info. Her friend, Michelle, and owner of A Million Memories has sent out and request. And a very worthy request it is!!

If you have any supplies clogging up your rooms, scraps you've been saving but never seem to get to, anything at all consider sending them to some kids who love to craft and need a little fun in their days!

Read her story below:

*******
When my daughter Chloe was 4 years old, she was diagnosed with Leukemia. She spent several months in the hospital when she first began chemotherapy. For several weeks during this time in the beginning, she was unable to walk, she would hardly talk and was basically a little zombie. The ONLY THING that brought her any sense of joy at this period in her life, was doing craft projects. She was sometimes unable to leave her room and the social workers and play room attendants would bring projects to her room for her to work on. It was a really dark place in her life (and ours), but doing little art projects gave her a purpose every day.

I'm telling you all of this because doing arts and crafts means a lot to children who are stuck in the hospital ~ especially during the holiday season when they cannot be home with their families. What I would like to do is do a scrapbook drive (same as last year, if you were involved in that), where what you do is basically clean out your scraproom and throw into a box the items that you know that you will not use. We are just donating this stuff to kids, so they don't mind the old Jolees and Suzy's Zoo stickers or the ancient Debbie Mumm papers that you never threw away. THEY actually appreciate them. LOL. So, if you would like to participate, please box up your stuff and send it to us.

Chloe is scheduled for her next hospital procedure in early - mid December (probably about 12/7). When we go in, I would like for her to be able to take the donations with her.

All donations can be sent here:

Chloe Quinn Scrapbook Drive
2378 Charlemagne
Long Beach, CA 90815

Thanks so much! If you do this, believe that you are doing something special for a sick child that will truly appreciate it!!!

Do you talk to your computer screen?

Okay, come on, fess up!! I do!!

So just this morning I was catching up on some of my blog reading and was just stunned when I read Stephanie Nielson's, (known in the blogging world as NieNie) blog today. I know some of you who read my blog follow her too. She was involved in a private plane crash in August 2008 with her husband and friend, who was the pilot. The friend did not survive the crash but Stephanie & her husband Christian did. But with terrible burns. They both fought for their lives. Her husband literally pulled her from the plane. The struggle and pain that she has gone though is just amazing!! She is AMAZING!!!

Today I read her blog about the rudest, most careless, inconsiderate comment made to someone that is obviously a burn victim. A woman said to Stephanie while standing in line at the grocery store “Oh, I feel just the way you look!!” CAN YOU IMAGINE?!?!?!?! I literally gasped out loud and started talking to this "woman" (and I use that term loosely) and her thoughtless remark. I'm just stunned. Of course, I don't know where this woman's head was or how her day had gone to make her say such a thing. But really, who had the rougher day? I'd say it would be Stephanie.

So what is the message of this rant of mine. Be careful of what you say. Or be like Thumper "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all!"

Can I Have that in Writing?

There have been times when I say something to my teenage or adult kids like "let me here you say it" just to get them to tell me and admit "yes Mom, you were right" or "that's a great idea" or some other profound Mother-ish statement I've made to them. I then will follow that up with "Can I have that in Writing"? Which most times is met with snicker, a kiss on the cheek and a "NO!" But not this time!!!

On Sunday Amber was working on a project for a presentation at church for tonight. She was stuck so she ask me "Mom, do you have any ideas for ...?" So I told her the first thing that popped into my head. With that she said "Mom, you are a genius!!!" And you know what I said. And look what she did.

See Mom's (and Dad's) there are those parental paybacks. I am keeping this FOREVER!!! Carrying it around in my planner and will whip it out any chance I get :D Especially to the next child that thinks this Mom doesn't know what she's talking about.

Thanks Amber!! It made my day!!

Are you in a candy coma?

We're doing pretty good here.

We started with our Bug Juice.


Then ate some Mummy Dogs and Bugs in a Blanket.

We managed to get rid of the majority of our candy.


The secret to not collecting tons? Let you kids go outside without a coat!!! They come home VERY quickly.




Rob and David had a "boys night" and Amber and I headed off to the church for a youth dance. Let me tell you, you can't expect to be taken seriously when you are wearing a ketchup costume.


Everyone kept asking me where the mustard was. One girl was really cute and said "awwww, the mustard stayed home to take care of the little mayonnaise". That made me laugh.

We stayed up way to late but enjoyed the extra hour of sleep. Now to tackle the month of November!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Hope your night is SPOOKtacular!!!

I (Amy) get to chaperone at the church youth dance tonight. So Amber and I get to party together. Rob and David are having some "guy time". Rob will take David out for what may be his last time trick or treating. Then I'm not sure what they will do besides hand candy out. We'll eat dinner together first with some traditional Halloween junk food!

Pictures to follow!!!

Bleck! It's the Creeping Crud!!

It's hit our house AGAIN!!!! Sore throat, stuffy nose, coughing. So far it's just Amber and David. Let's hope it stops there because neither Rob or I want or need to get sick.

So before I head off to take them to the Doctor to get a strep culture, here's a little fun from our Friday night.


David and Amber playing together in the high school spirit band. Yes, David has been asked to play the trombone in the band. It's fun and challenging for him. And he's sounding GREAT!


Amber with her friend Carlie with the high school mascots. Love their new sweatshirts?

And here is where Rob and I sit. Spirit band behind us, high school fans and cheerleaders in front. Friday night this song was played 4 times ~ every time there is a touchdown.

It's been a rough week

But not as rough for my sweet friend Dawn whose husband unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 41 and leaving her to raise 4 children, ages 19 - 9 without a Father. She has SO many people around her to help. But it gives you pause to think about all the "what if's" of life. It gives you pause to think about what really IS important. And when either one of you or your children walk out that door, make it a happy and loving departure. Because seriously, you NEVER know what might happen. "Life is remembered by moments not days."

This video gave me such strength and filled my soul with peace. Because THIS, our Savior, Jesus Christ IS what it is all about.

Amber's Surprise

Amber was trying to keep this a surprise from us. That was until she got wind that we might not come to the football game after all. So she had to tell us. Rob and I couldn't have been more proud of her. And yes, she made us both tear up!

Here's Amber singing the National Anthem (accapella) at the Lynden High School homecoming football game.

Look who is turning 2 today!!!

It's our sweet little Elizabeth Nicole!!

Jessica took her in to the doctor for her 2 year check up and Lizzie is in the 75% for weight and 90% for height. And to quote the doctor (clearing my throat in pride)
Lizzie is "extremely bright and has an amazing vocabulary"!



Hello!!! We could have told you that!!!


We love our little buggy. She has brought such joy to our lives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZZIE!!

THIS is why we live in Washington!!

Enough said!