Night in Bethlehem

This event has been so special for Kira these last two years! The dramatic interactive display of "Jesus times" gets all of us thinking! We took two of the daycare boys, Josh and Ryan. It was hard to explain what they were about to see but once it was over I think we all agreed it was pretty cool. From the guards, the beggar woman, the horn blower, the live nativity, the gold coins we used, being a part of a census... it was all so unique! We love looking over their treasures from the shops we had been to in the town. At home we love to play the Driedal Game with handfuls of dry beans. We love the shot of the boys who truly have a bedtime... it was 7:30pm and they were out!! Kira on the other hand couldn't stop chattering about Dairy Queen... the boys almost had FORGOTTEN... but then Josh opened his eyes in time to tell us he still wanted to go get his blizzard: )

Memorable Weekend

Friday was the Elmo and Friends Show with cousin Travis and Aunt Laurel. This was a Birthday gift KIRA was so excited to be able to share with mom. Travis and Kira love to be together!

Saturday was our chance to cut a couple trees in the mountains. Bart hesitated this year to drive as far as we normally do... so we ended up on the old Davis Ranch in Rist Canyon. BIG MISTAKE! We chose to go to the end of the property and had the most dangerous time scaling up and down and around boulders. We all thought we were going to die... Kira even slid off the rock we were doing photos on while Daddy climbed ahead. I fell, Bart fell three times and came back down the cliff side. I ended up cutting this year's tree for upstairs... it was out of pure desperation. I cut it mid-air with little footing, once cut I had a heck of a time pulling down the obstacles without falling. Bart had his own challenges trying to keep Kira safe in her sledging DOWN the cliff: ) We had no interest in looking for our nice living room tree and resigned to buy one at LOWES. It will work, not as tall as we are used to and TOTALLY annoying with thousands of needles dropping BUT we can say it is officially Christmas time now! Next year we will not only be healthier but smarter too!

Sunday we had Ryan and Carey and their three kids over for dinner. Ryan is my hero, he is such a good supporter of Bart and they have been lifting and exercising at 5am since Thanksgiving Break was over. Not only do they have the family connection, but they both have worked for Walker, love the Lord, and are technically inclined. They can be total nerds as long as we don't have to talk computers with them! I roasted a couple chicken, shredded them and put the meat in a crock pot with BBQ sauce. It has made MANY meals! I hear Brady calls Kira "Carrot," she sure wants the kids to come back and play more. We plan to start playing games here monthly with Bart's cousins and all the kids can play and watch a movie upstairs: ) Any game suggestions... Jacob hopes for Apples to Apples and of course may bring the Wii from home: )

Random MOMENTS

Sorry to all of you who hate having their photo taken, Clara always manages to be dressed for the moment... not always sure what I am doing- but she sure is CUTE!

I love this little floating drawing board for only $14 at Toys R Us. The crayons are kept in the ends that flap open.

We love painting onto bags from our Dollar Store... these hand prints were done with paint that was too watery:( Isaac has been coming once a week and has been such a joy to watch, accepting all the new friends and activities.

Despite the near 0 degree temps and snow... RICKY the cat is surviving the outdoors... poor animals! Ryan, our animal lover was tough enough to brave the insane temp!!

TOTAL CUTIES...

HEY BLOG SPIES>>> could you WRITE a comment to let me know you do read this... you know who you are... this is for us to keep someday but it is also for you... to know the lovely drama that unfolds here... the adorable kids that grow up here... the MOMENTS I missed sharing with you in person!

I have to learn how to do YOU TUBE clips asap... my videos are too long for blogger but sure are funny! Today Breck and Kira were playing DOCTOR again... this time I actually got my camera out to capture the moment! They make sure to use all the supplies we have... not always correctly but they keep this serious look like that is what happens at the REAL Doctors Office.

Poor Breck he is sure giving me plenty of ammo for when he is older!! HE was the one to put the headband on and HE is the one who wanted a BIB on at the Doctor! THEO we miss you already, what will Kira turn him into over this next month???!!!

A GOOD WEEK

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I should be posting a shot of Bart at the GYM... maybe sometime I'll spy on him and get EVIDENCE for myself.... WOW... Bart and Ryan (cousin in-law) have been exercising and lifting at 5:am EVERY MORNING this week... THIS IS HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!! My husband is COMING BACK!!! I almost can't believe the difference already just in his attitude! After such a cruddy spell getting screwed by doctors, meds, and the insurance HE IS READY FOR HUGE CHANGES! Ryan is such a good match for Bart... you should see them texting each other at night for the last months... total nerds!! It has been neat for Bart to problem solve with Ryan when it comes to computers and running the business. I hear Dave (another cousin-in-law) is back in action at the gym too... what fun!! THE THINGS I AM MISSING OUT ON WHILE I SLEEP!!!!: ) WAY TO GO GUYS... I hear the Boulder race is in the plans in May!!