Welcome Home David!

Aaron's brother David, returned home on New Years Eve at 9:00 pm. We made the trek over the pass on Tuesday so we could be there for the special occasion.


It was great to see David and I am sure he was a bit overwhelmed but we were glad we were there! He came home to 2 new neices and 2 new nephews, and only one niece couldn't be there.

Hayden, Ade and Darren and Uncle David

Back at the house, while we waited for the big 12:00am, we played Bingo with the bingo queen. If you have played bingo and think it is no big deal, you haven't played with my mother-in-law, Carol. She rocks and makes bingo one of the most fun new years traditions.

Uncle Carl's bingo prize

Waiting for midnight.

Darren was the only one who didn't stay up until midnight. Amanda was so excited and I was very glad that everyone slept in the next day!

Doesn't she have tired eyes?

Fun At Grandma and Grandpa's

We brought a few of our Christmas toys to Grandpa's house and had lots of fun with family.

We all took turns and played nicely. Guitar Hero is a blast!

And, hopefully I am not overwhelming anyone with too many pictures, but with cute babies, you have to take pictures of them in the tub! I actually have a pretty cute video of them too but better get dishes done and laundry off my bed so I can crawl into it!
We had a great time seeing family but are happy to be back home and in our normal routine.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for putting up with us! (And Uncle Brandon, Aunt Heather, Uncle Carl, Aunt Devin, Ade, Brooks, Hayden and Ella!) We love you all.

OK, OK, I will post Christmas

With all the projects, freezing cold weather, preparing for Christmas, visiting family for New Years, I have neglected a lot of stuff. I finally took the pictures off the camera and put them on the computer. That is step 1. Aaron and I even started our Christmas letter! We haven't given up yet, just are really really slow.

Before Christmas we had to set up our train. Alex begs for this every year and it is kind of a fun tradition.


We also kind of have created a tradition of having fondue at Christmas time. I have a hard time making it for just ourselves so we have invited our friends, the Pringles, over for the last 2 years. This year was swiss cheese fondue and chocolate. Yummy!


I just like this picture! Darren is such a sweetheart. He is so easy going and smiles at anyone. He loves to laugh and is happy. Our home wouldn't be the same without him!

Last year I let the kids open up a present before bed. I had made them all pajamas and they loved that tradition. I wasn't going to do it this year because I didn't eve dust off my sewing machine but we found a great sale and bought the kids all pajama bottoms. They were so silly and goofy and fun. For me, my kids is what makes Christmas so much more meaningful.


We had Christmas at home and woke up to it snowing...again. It was beautiful and I think that was my first official white Christmas. I loved watching the snow fall as we were opening gifts. The kids were so much fun and Amanda couldn't wait to dive into her pile of presents.


I was a great day. Aaron and I spent the whole day playing with our kids. It was so fun for all of us.

Amanda received a little cooking set with some cookie cutters, a rolling pin, measuring spoons and even a little pan that can actually go in the oven! Of course we had to make cookies! She was so much fun.

Do you love my new sweater my husband gave me? He has such good taste.

They day flew by and no one ever got bored. I love my family and this time of year.

Ghost of Christmas past?

This Alex during Christmas 2002. I was scanning our Christmas pictures and thought that my little guy looked familiar.

This is Darren this year. What do you think, is there a resemblance? I think it is funny that they both are wearing the same sleeper on Christmas morning, 6 years later!

Brrr, it's cold outside!

It has been unseasonably cold here for the last two weeks. We haven't been above freezing and in fact, it has been in the low 20's and teens. It is just cold. The river by us, the Nooksack, is frozen! This is the first time I have seen it like this. It was just too cool (no pun intended) to not stop and take a picture. We have been parking our van outside of the garage the last 2 days and last night Amanda couldn't get her cup out of her cup holder (which had a bit of water in it) because it froze solid!


Power Toe

Many babies will crawl and wear out the knees on thier pants. Darren is still sporting the army crawl and he pushes with his left arm and right toe. That is one strong toe. The other day I put this outfit on him--which happens to be my favorite--and he had worn a hole through the toe! Of my 5 children, that is a first.

Crazy Hair Day

Today is crazy hair day at school. The kids have really been anticipating it and this is what we came up with.

"the phohawk"

The "anit-phohawk"

no name, just fun

crazy hair, crazy kids

sometimes it is interesting how their hair styles fit their personalities!

Fuse Bead Mania!

The kids have done fuse beads a number of times at friends houses. I had told Amanda I would buy some after she was so brave during her skin test at the allergist. I finally did and holy cow! That bucket of beads provided a weekend of entertainment for the WHOLE family (even Darren who liked to eat the finished products).

Seriously...when I say the WHOLE family, I mean it...including Daddy. My kids just really like to create things.

Here are the finished products. Can you tell which ones are Aaron's?
Bye Bye, EM's

We found out Amanda is allergic to cats, dogs, molds, dust mites, some trees and weeds, oats, barley and milk. Needless to say we have had to make some serious changes over here. She is learning to enjoy tofu soy smoothies and she tried cheese from soy tonight. She is being a great sport and has amazing willpower. We decided it would be best to get rid of our cat so all the kids took a picture with her to remember her always. I am not use to her being gone yet but know she is getting more love and attention with her new family.


Morning at the park

November has flown by and we have been staying pretty busy. Not too much to post but here are some fun highlights. Last weekend we attended a geocaching event at a nearby lake. It was a beautiful day so it was nice to get outside. We forgot the camera in the car but have a few pictures from others.

We were able to get a FTF on one of the new caches. Justin is showing the prize.

I asked the kids if they had a good time. All responded affirmative...except Alex. He said, "It was fun except for the geocaching." Oh well. I think he would rather run around, climb rocks and hills, throw things into the water, feed the ducks and get dirty. He just hasn't made the connection between the two things yet.

Darren slept for most of the hike and I was so glad to have the backpack, no wind or rain. Great day with the family.

Some Halloween highlights...

Better late than never, I always say. Halloween was a blast this year for the kids. The weather wasn't too cold and both Justin and Brittany were able to trick or treat with friends.

Darren didn't dress up this year but got to wear his "trick or treat" outfit. he looked cute and got comments on his festive outfit. Thanks Grandma McCain for the outfit 6 years ago for AJ!

Here are our costumes....Mad Scientist

Pig farmer

Fire fighter

Pumpkin

Justin and his friends. They really loaded up with goodies.

Hey, Swiper no swiping!

Sorting and trading

I am not posting pumpkin pictures but want to note that Alex carved his own pumpking, Amanda designed her own, Justin's was rotten from the inside (gross!) so carved Aaron's this year and so yes, Aaron did not carve a pumpkin! It has been a quick October and I hope that November doesn't go by quite as quickly. It was a great day