Counting Down: the 7th

Claire got to do the muffin tin advent today.

There's a delicious Hershey kiss inside each one.
This was a gift from my very talented sister-in-law. We love it!

Miss America Princess

Miss America came to Tri-Cities
and Jason got to be her security detail for the day.

She visited the new pediatrics wing at Kadlec.

Jason and I even got to attend a fancy benefit dinner later in the evening
that they held to honor members of the community and Miss America's visit.

Jason brought home some Miss America Princess sashes for the girls.

Claire is modeling the sash and holding
a picture of Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan.

Doesn't Lainey look so pleased with her sash?
We laughed so hard looking at this one.

Here she's performing her talent - God Bless America.

Here's she's giving one of her signature looks.

Dining Room Disaster?

Not really.

Ben playing with friends Miki and Malia Cook

The kids have moved their train building inside. It used to be in the garage until it got too cold. Now they build, take down, rebuild, repeat all in the dining room and kitchen. We've had friends, insurance agents, customers, and family step over and around these train parts. And it really isn't that big of a disaster. They play together so well, for the most part. It occupies their time and expands their imaginations. I do kick them out of the kitchen area where I cook, but I don't mind stepping over the tracks because they use it so much.

One time after we had just had dinner with the missionaries, I heard Paul, Ben and Claire talking about going on missions with their trains. I didn't think they were necessarily talking about church missions until I heard Paul say, "I've got two cars with Visiting Teachers! Two cars with Visiting Teachers!" Funny!

Falling into Leaves

Grandma and Grandpa Erickson have a huge maple tree in their front yard.

We just had to go over and jump in their leaves. There were plenty.

We had to sit in the tree for a bit.

We had to throw the leaves A LOT!

We had to run and play and have tons of fun!

Lainey loved her first time in the leaves.

We're making our lists...

They loved looking through the Target and Walmart toy catalogs that were sent out in preparation for Black Friday. We don't watch regular TV, so they haven't seen any toy commercials. They were in heaven.

Playing in the tree box

We got the tree out early. I know - shame! shame!

I just couldn't help myself this year.


Needless to say, the box was the favorite thing to play in.

Full Toy Access, Almost!

They are almost ready to open the toys.

We can hardly wait!

Fly like an Airplane

We just couldn't stay away. We went over to the park, because the toys are almost done, and played a little...on the grass even. :)

We walked.

We ran.

We danced and laughed.

We flew like airplanes,

and walked the far reaches of the park.

We admired the grass once again.

Oh what fun to play at the park!

Orange Library Card

We went to a new library branch.
Fun for the kids, not so much for me.
I will be requesting ALL my books through the internet and
then just picking them at the reserve center.
I will go again...without Lainey...until she's older!

Playing at the neighbor's

We are finally getting a nieghbor on our left. We met them and they seem very nice. Phew! AHO was working on the lot, and of course some of my little ones found their way over there to play in this wonderful hole.

Bathtime Twins

We've been posting a lot about Benjamin and Claire lately.
It's just so fun that they are TWINS.
There's two of them. Yep, that's right. It's double the fun sometimes. ;)

Twin Tongues

Hey, what can I say? They were in a picture taking mood.
Claire has her cell phones in her pockets.

This is the way...

...we eat our apples.

Benjamin started it...

... Claire copied.

Mom's Secret Salad Dressing

Claire and Mom Z-I couldn't have asked for a better pose.

So there really isn't a secret, but it is so good it makes you think there's a secret. Like on Kung Fu Panda when Po's dad talks about his secret noodle recipe, but there is no secret. It just is what it is. Her dressing just IS good. I'm definitely more motivated to have a salad these days with that delicious ranch goodness in the fridge.

"What's going to work? Teamwork!"

Bringing the toys in after an afternoon of playing.

A twin pair of shoes

Benjamin and Claire got new shoes. They were in dire need of some new ones. They absolutely love to wear them. Every morning now they wake up, get changed, and put their shoes on. It's fantastic!

"I need some lipstick"

My chapstick/lipstick has remained safe for quite a while in a zippered pocket in my bag...until recently that is. Ben and Claire now know where I keep them and are constantly asking for some. Here's Ben's application technique.

Happy Real Birthday!

Benjamin and Claire got to start their day off with the fun cereal they picked out. Lucky Charms it was. It was cute at the store when I was helping them choose. They started fighting over the box of Lucky Charms. They didn't realize that there were more right behind me on the shelf. I produced another box and they were happy.

It was pretty low key today as far as celebrations go. Grandma E and Aunt Lara dropped off their gifts and we sang Happy Birthday before Jason left for work. Ben and Claire were so excited to play with their police station and Dora set. Of course, the remote control dump truck was also a HUGE hit as was the Pop the Pig game. I had THE hardest time getting them to go to bed. Emma said, "I'm glad Grandma and Grandpa buy presents." Aren't we all.

Make a Wish

We celebrated Ben and Claire's birthday today since Jason has to work tomorrow night. My sister Shelly helped prepare a delicious meal of chicken and vegetables (delish!) and we had them blow out their candles. Grandma Z's birthday is the day after Ben and Claire's so we sang to her too.

I don't know why Grandma doesn't have her own cupcake.
Something about 65 candles not fitting...

Emma had this great idea for making swirly cupcakes.
You put a drop of food coloring in and use a toothpick to swirl it around.

Cousin Trenton giving Claire a piggyback ride.

Making Minion Cupcakes

Benjamin and Claire are turning four. Hooray! Ben's request was minion cupcakes like on Despicable Me. My sister-in-law made them during the summer and Ben wanted his chance. You take twinkies, cut them in half, and use them as the head. You then use smarties and black frosting to make the goggles, eyes, hair and whatever else. We have made quite a few friends here in our new neighborhood and decided it would be fun to have them come decorate cupcakes with us.

Here's the minion making group.

Here's our minion.
He looks kinda like he got a bloody nose.

Lainey got a hold of one of the twinkies while it was still wrapped, but that didn't stop her. She popped the package and sucked out the mushed twinkie.

After cupcakes, we played some games
Red light, green light; Ben/Claire Says, and Duck, Duck, Goose

Ben and Claire received a giant, inflatable bowling set.
Very fun for the kids :: Very hard to keep the pins standing.