Christmas eve

Traditions! We love them around here! So we enjoyed our usual Christmas eve- driving around to find the very best Christmas lights ( " Chrees"  to Mase) . When we were successful at that, we picked up our favorite Chinese food (Thai for me) , opened up our Christmas eve jammies and watched The Polar Express before the wee ones were sent off to bed. Mack was extra excited to leave out our homemade muffins and a cookie for the Big Guy.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

It was an ordinary evening, bed time was approaching, the kids were watching A Micky Christmas Carol on TV when this happened

We never figured out why that naughty Rudolph was playing silly reindeer games so close to Christmas but at this point, it didn't seem to matter.

Mase liked Santa from afar. Here, he was a little too close for comfort

Arsty AND smartsy M

Mack's artistic ability is astounding.  Hers is the chameleon on the right. Not only did she draw this herself, but she walked me through drawing mine on the left! 

I showed her once how to do some more complicated addition and she ran with it, doing this one all on her own .

Up with the sun

Trickle down days

The days between school getting out and Christmas trickled by. The anticipation seemed to double every day and we just needed SOMETHING to do.  I lugged in the sand table from outside, filled it with water and bubbles and the M's had a great time at the " beach" :

Of course, things ended abruptly when one of the beach goers crossed the line into the water.

December cuties

A new way to travel

Mike's car was first my car. We bought it brand new in 2002 and it has been the best car- never any trouble! But Fanny Focus was getting up in years and , with all the driving Mike does to and from work, we really wanted him to have something a little heavier and dependable.  Mike is becoming quite the car salesman tamer! He left at 3, drove 45 minutes to Loveland and was home by 6:45 with his new wheels! It's a 2008 Ford Fusion ( Frida) with all leather interior and plenty of bells and whistles. THe kids had so much fun exploring the new car and Mike took Mack to the pet store in it. It got her seal of approval.

What's cookin' , good lookin?

My mom got Mike a heavy duty smoker for Christmas, something he has been looking for for a long time.  We just couldn't find the one we wanted in the stores ( at least not for a price we could afford) so mom and I were both very excited to find one in excellent condition at a moving sale here in town!  Mike has been having a good time creating delicious things to eat:

Back wrapping is an art

The end result was phenomenal! A perfectly smoked pork tenderloin. And the following day, we added in some custom made bbq sauce and it was even better!

We found a pork shoulder on sale at Safeway for a phenomenal price. I can't wait to see what he does with it!

Hello?

Mason is calling Santa to find out how many more days there are until Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Aunt Meg!

 Mackenzie couldn't get the box from Northville Michigan open fast enough. Not because she knew there would likely be presents in there. No, this girl remembered Aunt Megs pistachio treats! She and Mike dove right in and even Ellie tried to snatch a taste.  Mackenzie was delighted with her science book ( it's actually a cousin book of one we got in her Kansas so the two will be a fun way to fill the holiday break). She has already used up the bug stickers and she wore that apron up until the very last second before bed.

Mason was asleep when the package came and so he got an exciting surprise when he woke up! This dump truck has been driven ALL over the house and has carried many loads, including a load of Mason, who figured out he can sit in the truck and push himself around.

Aunt Meg also send us a fun chocolate ( cocao ) coffee to try with a french press!  We are saving it to try on Christmas morning. We sure do love and miss Aunt Meg!

Little scholar

Mackenzie's teacher is stumped again! Despite Mackenzie's time with the gifted and talented teacher, Mrs. Solliday notices that Mackenzie still isn't being challenged enough in class, especially during reading. The kids will be doing their mid-year assessments and, after those are complete, Mrs. Solliday would like to work out a routine for Mackenzie to spend reading hour with the 1st graders. Truth be told, Mackenzie's reading level is well beyond first grade, too, but I fear the age gap between she and the second graders might be a bit much for her at this point. Both Mike and I love to read. Mike was always advanced in school and I myself was always sent to reading with the kids a few grades ahead.

As if we couldn't be any more proud of her, we got this note home from her art teacher and the assistant prinicipal: ( click to enlarge )

The note proclaims that Mackenzie is always a model student, always respectful and her teacher is blessed to have her in her class. The assistant principal added that Mackenzie is a diamond in the school's treasure box! She was so proud of herself and we of her! 

Art is one of Mackenzie's favorite things. She spends much of her time at her desk drawing and creating things. This is one of my recent favorites:

Does this look like the work of a five year old?

This and that...and then some!

Every time I upload pictures from my phone, I remember all the things I wanted to blog but forgot about! So here are a few pictures to bridge the gap from the last post:

Gunner, looking festive.

Mack and Brooklyn had fun playing dress up at a family Christmas part.

Mason invented his own toy! It's called marble in a bowl.

This sleeping buddy comes with her own night lights.

"What's for lunch, Ma? "

What else would be in a little boys potty chair? Mason loves the idea of the potty chair and he even tells us when he needs a new diaper, but potty training is a long way off for this household.

Sports Ware day at school! Mack shorted her Maize and Blue proudly!

Snuggling with " Sazzy"

Mackenzie created a wild bubble boy!

Early morning cartoons

My boys

An Early Gift

 One of my very favorite March Mamas has recently moved from Nevada to Colorado!!! I could hardly contain my excitement when I got the news. So , of course, a meet up was in order! Tammi ( another March Mama who lives in Brighton, about ten minutes away- small world, right?) had us all over for lunch and lots of chatting and playing. Mike had to work but I know he and Sarah will get along very well together so it's only a matter of time before we have everyone over for dinner.

When we are with Tammi, we refer to my Mason as Baby Mason. Her five year old Marchie's name is also Mason. He makes himself scarce when the girls invade. Baby Mason just makes himself heard...Tammi also has Emmersyn who is just a few months younger than Mason. Emmersyn slept through our party. Maybe baby Mason should have.

Grace and Mackenzie are peas in a pod. Both love science and nature and have a similar sense of humor. Sarah and I couldn't wait to get them together.

Charlie ( Charlotte ) and Mack in the ball pit

Next time, we vow to get better pictures. At least one of the Marchies ( Mason, Grace and Mackenzie) together  and one of Baby Mason and Emmersyn as well as the mamas.

Playing Photographer

 I've been using close friends and family members as practice for sharpening my photography skills. Each shoot has shown me areas that I have improved on or things I need to work out. My parents got me a photography class through an arts school in California and I'm looking forward to that.

I really enjoying being able to do this for the people I care about . I has been a lot of fun!  I have agreed to take a few more friends family photos in January and one wedding in October( for candid shots only, not as the main photographer) . One set I plan to do in January is 22 month old twins! I will wear my running shoes that day.

Logan is growing up!

Malachi has been my trickiest subject so far but when I can make hims stand still, he sure is handsome!

Brock is an expert at taking pictures.

Brothers

Sweet Sunshine

Sweet stuff

 We decorated our gingerbread houses ! Fitting with the Charlie Brown theme, we found four little dog houses, equipped with gummy " Noopies" as Mason calls them. 

Just a tiny taste. Not much actually made it onto Mason's house.

Sad when she found out she'd have to wait to eat her house

but ok with eating a few jelly beans after dinner

Busy little elf

mmmmmm