No Gifts This Year....

We talked to the kids early this year about gifts for Christmas. They usually get SO MUCH, between us, Grandparents and others. Not only do we not want gifts to be the focus, we've always emphasized having traditions and being together as most important. On that note, we told them this year that they could give us a few ideas for gifts or we could take a family trip to Great Wolf Lodge. It was an easy decision, one that surprised me. They all opted for The Lodge (aka Great Wolf Flodge by Franchesca in her younger, years). We told them they would still find something in their stocking and we would still have our traditional Christmas Eve gift to open (always new pj's). The kids were very surprised (and pleased) to find NOT jammies wrapped up for the eve gift, but something that each of them had requested on their wish list this year. They were also very impressed that SO MUCH could be jostled into a stocking. They are super excited to go and it should be great fun with Solomon old enough to really enjoy the water this time. Waiting until January has been a good lesson in patience and delayed gratification. Here is a pic from Christmas Day.

Updating

I've been having a bit of trouble with my laptop and I have been online for 6 hours now (thanks to our stoneage dial-up) updating Windows. With all this time to wait, I've been playing with the settings(or template?) on this page. Do you like the changes? I was so inspired by the changes on the dashboard and also the colors on one of my favorite blogs to visit. I'm not a huge blue person but one of my favorite people in the world is-Adrianna. Everything is about blue. Any decision to be made must be first filtered through the blue sifter if possible. She saw the car she is going to own when she is "grown-up", it was in the Meijer parking lot. When I asked her to describe what type it was all she said was "a really good blue". She has remarked lately that she "wishes her room was blue". I know the house is already 5 years old but it feels like we JUST painted it purple. Nonetheless, I've chosen blue for bits of this blog page. It feels Springish to me, full of hope and newness (if anything can in January in Michigan).

More Hand Made Gifts

Here is Adrianna sporting that new hat made by her sister. She also made these hats for AJ's babies (including the doll AJ gave to Solomon, so she decided to part with the one for him). Franchesca is really an artsy, crafty girl. She is also super thoughtful. She has a stack of things waiting to be given away.

Gifts From the Heart

AJ has really been wanting a vest like her Mom and sister and in her wildest dreams, it would be blue. We found one, she loves it.

Not knowing about the blue vest, Franchesca worked late many nights hand making gifts for all of us. The adorable hat for Adrianna matches the vest perfectly. Below is her typing Nathan's black scarf on properly for him.
Adrianna also gave of herself this year. She has the Bitty Twins from American Girl and Solomon often asks to play with the boy. Below is what she wrapped up for him for Christmas, including a perfect sized box which doubles as the baby's bed. She also included a book and the baby's pj's and day outfit. The purple pillow she wants back:)

From Our House To Yours

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hustle and Bustle with No Time to Blog

Life with 4 children is always busy but this time of year leaves me feeling frantic. Things I need to do, things I want to do, things others want me to do along with baking, buying, wrapping, decorating does not leave any margin of time for blogging about all that is going on. We decided to try to simplify a few things this year and I will probably look back at the season and feel like it did indeed feel somewhat easier but in the midst of it I sure feel like my head was sometimes spinning.

Doug has been busy and cold at work everyday. He is definately ready for a holiday break as you can see...

We were so surprised and thrilled to have a pop in visitor, (who happens to also be related) home from college, brave the high winds and snow on Sunday to spend time with us...doesn't she remind you of Franchesca? They are both bookworms and have very sensitive stomaches.

One of things we like most is seeing people that we just don't get to see often enough. And all the candy and cookies.

Eagle

Last night we enjoyed attending an Eagle Court of Honor for a Scout who has earned his Eagle Scout, the highest honor one can earn in Scouting. Nathan's troup had a pretty large part to play in the ceremony including color guard and a candle lighting ritual where each boy explains 4 parts of the Scout law. I must say that Nathan did extremely well at handling the pressure of public speaking (surprise?) with only a little polishing needed (twisting his hair and checking his belt buckle once). Although he seems a giant at home, he appeared scant next to the older boys who have not only height on him but bulk as well, not to mention a more "mature" sound to their voice. It was good for me to see him in this light as he seems to be growing up much to quickly. We were very impressed by the statistics of Eagle Scouts and the "other" scouts left very motivated to press on for their own.

Santa and Rudolph

Yesterday the girls were locked into their rooms and were firm about not letting anyone know what they were up to. After about 45 minutes, they came down to reveal their new identity. Adrianna was in a laundry basket that was attached to Franchesca by a robe string. That was the best prop they could come up with for a sleigh from their rooms. Can you guess who is who?

Under Pressure

"The Most Wondeful Time Of the Year" can certainly become busy. For the last few years, we have set out on Black Friday to search for and cut down our tree. For a variety of reasons, including the accumulating pine needles, we decided this year to wait. Until 5:30 last night, we were still without tree. Only because of a last minute cancellation were we able to find time for "the hunt". We left our house at 4:30, knowing we would have limited light by 5:30. We drove to our favorite farm in Ganges only to find out that they closed at 5:00. This gave us 16 minutes to find our tree. We all took off running in different directions, spurred on by the challange. Soon voices were calling out "I found it", "here she is", "no I like this one","Nathan tripped me," "my shoe needs tied", "Nathan pushed over a tree", "my shoe came untied again", "it's GOT to be 5:00 Babe". I stopped and looked around and pointed to the best looking tree that was in my field of vision, not even knowing what the OTHER side of the tree looked like. Nathan trotted up to tell the boy that indeed, we had found our tree while Doug began sawing. It's amazing what a little pressure can do for decision making. I'll post photos when we get her up.

The Need for Green

It came early this year. Actually, it never left. My longing for the feel, the scent, the touch of life. Can hibernation actually be in the catagory of "possessing life"?

Aaaah. To see life again.

Good Choice

Yesterday the girls were attended a fun birthday party for their friend O. at the local indoor ice arena. Adrianna began the morning in jeans and short sleeve shirt. When admonished to dress a little warmer, she came down in a thin but cute long sleeve shirt. All the wisdom in the world couldn't convince her that it would be cold at the ice rink. She simply replied "well, I'm hot right now". Both the girls were strongly encouraged to bring their winter coats, hats and mittens but AJ insisted that the black (cotton) snowflake sweater would be more than enough to brave off the cold. Once we had loaded all the gear into the(cold) van, buckled in, and were driving down the driveway, she started complaining about how cold she was. I smiled at her and explained that this 27 degree temp that she was now experiencing would be needed to keep the ice frozen at the rink. As I backed up and opened the garage to let her in to get her winter coat I felt thankful for all the lessons that nature teaches us.

Here is a picture of her newest tooth coming in-the one we thought must be missing for all the time it took to show itself. Also present are the 2 loose ones on the bottom that are just hanging there by that miraculous "glue" that holds a tooth in until it falls out in ones sleep.

Fun With Dad

Recently Doug and I had a huge list of things to do and decided to split up, (boys with boys-girls with girls) and get it done. He headed off to Rivertown Crossings to buy sub-zero sleeping bag for the upcoming campout for Scouts. (Scouting does not recess for cold weather). While they were at Dick's, the boys did a little rock climbing. Nathan made it to the top and rang the bell. Solomon never flinched or wavered. Around 15 feet he just let go (he was tethered to the boy on the ground) and looking at his helper, said "I'm all done".