mama said there'd be days like this...

Just another one of THOSE days.

we're ready...are you?

ok...so there are still some things (decorations, ornaments, etc. - you know, essentials) that I'd like to purchase. But for the most part we're ready.

Icicle Warning...

Don't stand under your eaves.

Pillow Monsters

Beware!

A Mouse

We probably all know the horror of having a mouse in our house. And just as many of us are familiar with the excitement of catching said mouse and ridding our house of its presence.

I was going to post a very boring picture until I turned on my camera and found this lovely number. Jason surprised me with a great post. My mom has had a little friend plaguing them for some time...not any more. If you'll notice, the trap is no longer set. (I know, some of you are thinking poor mouse.) You want to know the secret? Tie the cheese onto the trap with thread. Works every time.

Happy Turkey Day & Thanksgiving

The crazy snow drifts at my mom's.

Grandpa had two little helpers while he was eating his pie.

Katelyn was helping herself to her mom's (Aunt Julie's) famous yams.

Uncle Kirk led the Risk battle.

Igloo Fun

Emma was so excited when Jason suggested they make an igloo and then carve out the middle. Yesterday she kept going outside to test the hard shell-they poured water over it to harden it up.

She was so excited with how much they were able to dig out today. She was hoping that they could go out in the morning before we leave for Thanksgiving in Mattawa. Maybe we should just stay home and finish the igloo...nah!

A snow day!

School was canceled today because of all the snow last night...and the wind that drifted it like no other.
Poor picture quality I know, but I was trying to get the disappearance of our back steps under the snow.

Once again we were up and ready to play outside before breakfast. Who needs breakfast when there's snow to be played in? Tomorrow I'll post the igloo that Jason helped them make this afternoon. I forgot to get one before it went dark outside. Oh, I was supposed to point out yesterday that Claire is wearing camo pants like her Uncle Travis. We used that tactic to get Benjamin to wear them, but he wouldn't. Claire though, jumped at the chance and keeps telling me, "I like Uncle Travis."

I love this shot of them running off to play.

Snowtime! & Sitting Happy

The kids didn't even want breakfast this morning. They just wanted to go out and play in the snow.

Benjamin trying to get the big kids back for always picking on them. Look at that wind up!



Lainey has now learned to balance herself and sit up on her own. We're ALL a lot happier. She can sit longer on her own and play. She can sit next to me if I have something else to do. She can sit up and watch the kids. And we're all excited to try out a trip to the grocery store because she can now sit up in the cart.

Plunger

I am thankful for our plunger that saved us from a disaster in the bathroom today...and many other days past.

First Snow

We were so excited to look out the window this morning and see the first snowfall of the season. I remember one year in Ellensburg we had snow on Halloween. I was thrilled that we haven't had snow before now. The kids were all excited to go out and play in it. There was a trail of hats and mittens and coats from the closet to the door.

Hot Fresh Cinnamon Rolls

I have been making cinnamon rolls of late and I think I've got it down for a tasty outcome. This is another one of those things that I always thought was just too much work and I wouldn't be able to get right. Well, I've been proving myself wrong. They have been delicious. Having a good bread dough recipe helps too. Thanks to Vicki my hot, fresh cinnamon rolls are divine every time. (Vicki, I stumbled across your recipe in the ward cookbook and I'm glad I did. Only I'm asking myself why I didn't think to check Vicki's recipes earlier.)

School of fish & First Cereal

We found a little school of fish in our silver Costco bag today.

Lainey had her first taste of cereal today.
She likes it...can't you tell?!

the key to red lips & my little messengers

Emma and Claire were using the markers tonight and I noticed Claire's unnaturally and exceptionally red lips. The key to such luscious puckers is simply red marker.

Emma helps Jason fill his water bottles for work. She then takes them out to his car and sends him on his way. One night just a few days ago, Emma got his water bottles and snacks ready without being told. She was so excited to surprise her dad. Here's my little messengers helping their dad.

Not quite up and running

Our internet is not fixed...I am currently at the library because the weight to fulfill my goal of a photo a day is so heavy upon me. I couldn't let too many days go by without posting. And for those of you who voted for my sister's poem...or even thought they liked it better and didn't leave a comment...You're all traitors! :) (not really...I liked hers better too.)

Lainey has learned to scoot herself forward and get into things. It's kind of like she's doing the breast stroke on the ground. I knew this was coming, but this early? Come on! Once I get MY internet back, I'll post a little video clip.

Internet difficulties

Please Vote - Let me know which version of this post you like the most.

Tears are falling all around
because of problems found
My connection's toast
so no more posts
Photo-a-day will be back
so don't give me too much flack
Shelly - the amazing sister

OR

My internet is down and photo-a-day will resume when the problem is fixed. Cindy

Camp Out

One night I let the kids camp out in the living room and it was the highlight of their weekend. So I've let them camp out in Paul's room on the floor. It's so fun how the simplest things make them so over-the-top happy.

Sitting by the fire

The kids have loved building fires lately. I do too! There's just something cozy and wonderful about a fire.

What I was neglecting...

Craft season takes its toll. We had a laundry folding party tonight. Not my favorite kind of party, but it gets the job done.

on her way up

A little bit of fall

Grandma and Grandpa E have lots of leaves. We had fun jumping in them today.

She was using a lot of breath, but couldn't figure out why it wasn't turning.

Grandpa played a little tug-o-war with the grandkids before we left. They loved it!

almost five down...

We've got all of the wood and vinyl done for number five...minus 22 stars. Almost there.

Welcome Home Travis!

Travis with Mom and Dad E

We went to the airport to welcome Uncle Travis home for good this time. He's back from his year in Afghanistan. My kids were so excited to get to see him...and go to the airport. We're so glad you're home safe Travis. Thanks for your service. We love you!

four down...

One more down...one to go!

Five Olives

Doesn't this just take you back?

three down...

Mattawa had their craft day today. It was a great success. We had fun crafting and ate a great lunch (put on by my sister - of course it's great - hehe!). Three down...two to go!

We had a baked potato bar - with lots of butter and bacon they tasted great!

two down...

This is craft season...and I mean CRAFT season. Two craft nights down, three to go.

At the register

She's been grabbing for EVERYTHING. So you can imagine how much she loved Claire's cash register.