Sledding Fun

Zoey begged to go out in the snow. Having only one foot doesn't slow her down much.

Whee!

Jake hit a snow bump and ended up wearing it all over his face

Go, Jordan!!

Look at her go!

Zoey's hat fell off and Jake attempted to put it back on.

{Fail.}

Awww...but he's so cute.

Is there anything cuter than a little boy and his sled?

Maybe a little boy who always puts his boots on the wrong feet.

He-man, Jordan.

Jordan carried Zoey's sled up the hill for her countless times today.

"You're so nice to me, Jordan."

"Hey, Doey, how 'bout I gib you a wide?"

"Hmph. You too heavy, Doey."

"Oh, Dakey...you give up too easily."

"You haf to get off, Doey."

"Dakey...you need more muscles."

"Ok..I'm getting off."

"I'll just hop over to da hill."

"I not interested in dis conversation anymore."

Zoey...never one to give up easily, tries one more time for a free ride.

We don't need no stinkin' sleds!

Katie is no longer timid on the hill

"Dake...we hab a lot of fun, don't we?"

"Hee, hee, hee, Doey."

Then some crazy lady in her pajamas decided to join the fun.

{I have no idea who she is.}

You don't recognize me in my glasses right?

{Clark Kent pulled it off...}

The aftermath

I am curled up on the sofa by the fire while a Nor'easter snowstorm blows around the house. I love a good blizzard! It seems like a good time to blog about our Christmas day festivities.

Before we let the kids come downstairs on Christmas morning, we Skyped Ryan so he could be with us while the kids opened presents. It was so awesome to have Ryan right there. At first we just talked and then the kids started to open presents. It was so cute how they would show him what they got.

Sweet Chloe, who has always been Ryan's buddy, started to cry when she was talking to him. She misses him so much. When the kids chose their spots to sit and open presents, she sat down right in front of the computer so she could be near Ryan.

Here they come!

Jordan is but a blur as he flies by

And Jake brings up the rear

Clustered around the computer to wish Ryan a Merry Christmas

Ryan was very festive in his signature Santa hat. He always wears one when we open presents. We sent him one right after Thanksgiving so he could get in the spirit a little early.

Jeff adjusts the computer so that Ryan can see the kids tear into their presents

Woowee...Gymboree outfits from Grandma!

Stylin'

Molly is a budding photographer and now she has her own camera. Look out world!

Jillian really wanted a pillow pet

Dad records the memorable moments

What a mess!!

Jordan's Army bear {or is it a dog? whatever...}

Katie model's her new outfit {Mom...this photo is for you!}

Zoey fell in love with this ridiculous blow-up football helmet that we got as a gag gift for Molly

{who has been begging for a real football helmet}

Jake {helps} set the table for Christmas dinner. The kids insisted on eating in the dining room "because it makes dinner feel special."

Smile everybody!

Notice they only have rolls on their plates.

Don't forget to take our picture, mom!

{Notice the Teenager lurking in the background. I have to be sneaky to get a photo of him.}

And just to prove that I was actually there, I took my own picture.

T'was the Night Before Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas

and all through the house

the kids were all Wii-ing

and stressed was my spouse.

Ten stockings were hung by the chimney with care

in the hopes they wouldn't topple

into somebody's hair

When up in the bedroom there arose such a clatter

I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter

Away to the doorway I flew in a flash

to see a small child sprinting a 50-yard dash. {away from the scene of destruction}

More rapid than eagles my words they now came

and I whistled and shouted and forgot all their names.

Now Katie, now Jakie, now Chloe come here

I know where you live so you cannot steer clear.

In the midst of the chaos the dog started barking

just what the kids needed to diffuse Mama's snarking

{Oh sure...she looks all calm right here but don't let that fool you.}

Just when my head seemed about to explode

The sounds of sweet singing filled my humble abode

My children were singing about Jesus' birth

and all of a sudden, my heart filled with mirth.

Life can be messy and filled with frustration

and sometimes we can only dream of vacation

but with all of it's trials, it comes with the promise

That God will be with us, no matter the....um.... {someone help--nothing rhymes with promise}

well...anyway... I'm obviously not a poet, but I do know that God has always been by my side and will always be beside you, too.

Have a wonderful day celebrating His birth!

Merry Christmas,

my darlings...

"Let me tell ya...

I've been good!

Real Good.

{You believe that, right?!}