Snow Sledding!

I'm finally getting around to posting our snow pictures. Caden had been begging to go to the snow all Winter. The last time he saw the snow he was a baby so he was dying to see it when he actually could remember it. The Saturday after Christmas we decided to head up to the mountains and try to find a place to do some sledding. We didn't have to drive long before we saw the perfect spot for our little kids. I thought they'd be a little apprehensive about sledding and planned on just watching the other people for a while. Well, not my kids. Caden was going down on a sled before I got to the top of the hill. I was so nervous and wanted to run after him to make sure he was ok. He went so fast down the hill and crashed at the bottom. He smiled and ran back up to do it again. I swear I hardly saw him the whole time because he just kept going up and down without a word. Jillian got on a sled and took off. Maddie got on one and I swear I almost freaked out. Bryan let her go all alone and I just watched her go flying down the hill. I ran after her and fully expected her to be scared to death. She was smiling and I tried to pick her up and she freaked out. My dad had to carry her back up the hill on the sled. If we took her off she instantly started screaming. So needless to say our kids love the snow!

Caden the Super Sledder!

Jillian the Happy and Cute Sledder!

Madelyn the 'Don't Take Me Off This Sled' Sledder!

Grandpa the World's Greatest Sled Catcher!

He's carrying Madelyn as she's refusing to get off the sled.

Cooper the Always in a Good Mood Sledder!

Bryan Wishing We Had a Bigger Sled Sledder!

Maddie Loved the Snow!

Caden and Jillian snuck up a hill and threw snow balls at Aunt Sara when she walked down.

Aunt Sara, Jillian and Cooper made a snowman. Don't you love

the "piggies" that Jillian insisted on giving her?

Aunt Sara and Cooper are the Cutest!

I think my kids watch too much television.

Yesterday I noticed Jillian had the smallest little red spot by her nose. I asked her about it.
Jillian: "It's just my owie."
Later that night we went to Costco. As we're driving home this was our conversation.
Jillian: "Mommy, my nose is still hurting!"
Me: "I'm sorry princess."
Jillian: "When we get home can you put medicine in there?"
Me: "Yes."
Jillian: "Mommy, I know how I got that owie."
Me: "Really, how?"
Jillian: "Last night when I was in bed Swiper came in and swiped my nose. That's why it hurts, but I told him No Swiping so he won't come back."
Me: "I'm so glad he won't come back." (trying not to laugh)

So needless to say, I think my kids watch too much television.

"Cheese! Cheese! Cheese!"

Maddie's new thing is that she hates the camera. If I get it out she gets upset and starts trying to run away or yell at me. I tried to talk her into taking a picture, bribed her and begged, but nothing worked. So I just ignored her and decided to take pictures of her brother and sister. I was taking pictures of Jillian and all of a sudden I heard "Cheese! Cheese! Cheese!" I look over and Maddie's got the biggest smile on her face and is trying to get me to take her picture. I move the camera and take it and she laughs. Now it's become a game. Every time I get out the camera she acts grumpy, but sure enough a minute later I start hearing "Cheese!"

Christmas Eve

Bryan has to work every Christmas Eve and so this year we decided to stay home on Christmas Eve, open presents Christmas morning, hang out and then go to my parents for dinner. Well, we didn't want to be home alone on Christmas Eve so we decided to invite Bryan's sister Jeanine and her family to come over. They said yes and we started planning a little family dinner. Then my sister Sara said that since Todd had practice on Christmas they weren't doing anything on Christmas Eve and we invited them. Well, my sister Amanda's husband is a police officer and he had to work Christmas Eve so she decided to come and hang out with us without him. After that my parents said they didn't want to stay home alone so they came too. Needless to say, our little party got pretty huge. I was worried because our house is small, but it ended up being the best Christmas Eve ever. The kids all had a blast and it was so fun hanging out with everyone.

The Kid Table

Sara's cutie patootie son Cooper

Cooper and Madelyn thinking they're so big at the kid table

My sister Amanda and her adorable daughter Elizabeth

Caden and Jeanine's son Aaron making Gingerbread Cookies

All the kids getting ready to open their one present

Cooper "letting" Maddie play with his baseball toy

The girls ended up playing dress-up and this is how Maddie came out.

My precious nephew Jameson (Amanda's son)

Jeanine and Christian (Happy almost 10th anniversary)

Bob the Builder and Wendy

My parents gave Caden a tool set with real tools for Christmas. They also gave him a build it yourself wooden truck set. He has always said that he wants to be a builder when he grows up and he used to love Bob the Builder. He got all dressed up in his gear and set off to work. His truck turned out great, but I don't have any pictures. Jillian was so jealous of his tools that she asked to wear them when he finished. Doesn't she make an adorable Wendy?