Elf on a Shelf

This little fellow turned up very mysteriously one day.  But it wasn't him we noticed first.  It was a present wrapped neatly and placed under the Christmas tree.  A present addressed to "2 sweet girls" but which no one recognized.  Once opened, we saw it was this little Elf's story.  But now, the challenge arose to find the little guy. 

After some serious searching, we found him sitting atop our giant wall clock in the living room.  He was so cute, but the rules in the book say "you must not touch him or he will lose all his magic to fly back to Santa".  And if Santa doesn't hear from his little helper elf, well you know what happens then and it is not pretty!

So, like we were instructed to do, we first named our elf.... Kolbie.  The girls then proceeded to make him comfortable in our home, elf style!  Each day he moved to a new spot and it was fun to search for him and wonder how on earth he got where he was!

Christmas is coming! 

Cross Country

It's 4th grade and now Josiah can join any or all of the school sports teams.  I think she may be choosing the latter by joining all the teams available to her.... and I couldn't be happier.  It is so fun to watch her try new things.  To realize that some things come naturally and some things take work.  And maybe secretly I am hoping that all these fun sports will keep her on the straight and narrow....at least I can hope!

Cross Country Team... Josiah ran her little heart out! 

School Sports Rule! 

4th grade.

Oh Christmas

It's that time of year again.... lights, tree, decorations, cookies and more!  This year we all agreed a smaller tree was in order again!  Even so... the ladder was a staple for reaching the top!

Looking forward to another fun filled season!

2012

Every year we take a family picture for our Christmas card.  It is fun to look back and see how our family has grown right under our eyes over the year.  We sure do love these sweet girls.  They are beautiful inside and out! 

So here is looking forward to a wonderful holiday season!

Bass Lake 2012

Thanksgiving

Each year it is our family tradition to take a Thanksgiving Picture. Although there is always some grumbling involved, I cannot help but to look at the progression of pictures year after year and be filled with such joy. Time has changed our family.  We have grown in numbers and in love for one another.  It is through these pictures that I clearly see that my plan, in so many ways, was and is not God's plan.... and yet His plan fills me up and leads me to life abundant!

He is so Good!

Thanksgiving 2012

Our Thanksgiving holiday tradition at Shaver Lake was filled with fun.... cards, targets, baby holding, crafts, exploring, running with Josiah, and more! 

Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

Lucky Mommy!

Oh, how these sweet girls love to create little surprises!  They cooked, they decorated, they set the places.  I am the luckiest Momma in the whole wide world!