Almost March

I cant believe it is almost March! There is still snow on & off. My bulbs are poking up out of the ground...I guess the squirrels missed some. Solon played Frisbee outside with the kids last weekend. It is fun to get out in the yard as a family when it's nice out. Here are the kids competing for the frisbee.

52 card...I mean DAY pickup

So really it's been MORE than 52 days since my last update. Funny thing about 52 card pick up is: I was playing speed w/ Solon recently w/ a new deck of cards. He was winning of course, so I pouted saying "you're gonna play 52 card pick up". He then replied " you wanna play 52 card pick up?", and bent the deck of cards in his hand....well they were brand new crisp cards...so they shot out of his hand INTO my eyeball. ouch! After I beat him I forgave him.
Anyway, Christmas was great. The kids said it was their best yet. In Bellingham,We got to see alot of both sides of the family! Everyone knows how much snow there was over Christmas break....it was fun sometimes (like when we were pulled on inner tubes behind the tractor by Uncle Nicci or Uncle Beav), but not so fun driving or being stuck at home some of the days.
New Years Eve was fun too. We went to the Allinson's. Ate great food and played lots of games. We had a potluck with some of our old college days friends too.
It's back to the regular hectic schedule. Alyssa turned 7 on Jan 22! We had a fun party ....thanks to the bouncy house we borrowed from Ricardo. Payton and Mackenzie spent the night, which was also fun.

Deck the Halls

Of course the Christmas season was under way right when we got home from Thanksgiving. Everything is decorated, the Christmas music is on, and the kids ask for cocoa EVERY day! Report cards are in & conferences are done (every body did fine). Most of my shopping is done too. I LOVE IT...except I sent a huge batch of Christmas cards out yesterday with not enough postage & am wondering if everyone is gonna get charged ! Merry Christmas?

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving. It was good to see everyone who could make it to Joe and Mel's. I believe the head count was in the 20's....can you believe that is low for the usual Elenbaas gatherings?! The man in the picture carving the turkey is Tim's uncle .

Also pictured are: Alyssa w/ her cousins eating up the relish tray items, and Alyssa's school paper on what she is thankful for.

We went over to my parents for a bit too, then went out with all Tim's siblings & their spouses to see the movie Australia.

This Post is For You!

Today was the almost annual "outlet shopping" with my sisters & cousin in law. It perked me up to spend time with them. I think I got some good things and advice- so thanks ladies! ...and this is me taking your advice to post on my blog more! I look forward to seeing you again soon. So, Jess, everyone else knows already- but did you know I've taken up knitting? The above pic is my first project( my only completed project truth be told), a scarf that I sent to my brother's girl freind for her birthday. Can you hear Solon? "Not ANOTHER Hobby!" Well, I had to put some picture up with the post, and a clothing item is good to represent the day.

Trick or Treat

I came down with a cold the day before Halloween, So Solon took the kids to our church festival on his own for a bit. On Halloween, I picked up Jake and Alyssa from school early so that when Julie got home they could go in to Solon's work to trick or treat. Jake was a military person, Alyssa was a cat, and Julie did not dress up (but was a mummy at her junior high youth group's party). I felt ill and stayed in the car. I loved doing Jacob's cammo make -up.Something kinda funny is that the green makeup stained Jake's face. So, he got to show "part" of his look to his grandparents when we went up to B'ham over the weekend. We went to the Young Life auction up there w/ all Solon's siblings. I had fun- but felt miserable. Anyway, now we have a gigantic bag of candy at home. My mom could scarcely believe her eyes when she saw it! When I feel better (I now have ear infections: ouch) I'm sure I'll have at it.

Pumpkin Patch Pals

We got to meet at a pumpkin patch with the Allinson family last weekend. I didnt get that many good shots...but I liked this one of Kenzie & Alyssa. They were like two peas in a pod wearing their vibrant colors/scarves/hats! Anyway, after the pumpkin patch we went to their place for an awesome dinner/dessert. We also played some fun games! So, thanks Allinsons....we always enjoy time we can spend together.