8th picture... 8th folder

My dear friend, Amanda, had a fun idea to share the 8th picture in your 8th file. I was all excited to see what cute picture I could post of our kiddos... but, not so much, in my case! I thought about cheating and choosing a cuter photo... that wasn't blurry and dark... but, I will not cheat!!!

So, here is this year's attempt to have a cute picture of Santa with our children. Every year, we go to the local library to sit on Santa's lap and then receive a wooden toy (a bribe!!!) made by Santa. Well, I don't know if your kiddos do well with this but mine do not enjoy Santa, too much. I always get to sit in the picture with them in order to keep the tears and screams from mounting! Fortunately, Parker is old enough to be fine with Santa but now Noah and Savannah will have nothing to do with Santa. I think we're done with traumatizing our kiddos with Santa pictures!!! I wonder why Santa pictures have become such a tradition since most kids really are terrified of the cute old man in a soft/furry suit.

huntin' 'n hikin'

We had a fabulous time in Hatcher's Pass, again! I am ashamed to admit that I had not played in the outdoors for over 3 weeks- that is forever, for me! So, we ventured up to Hatcher's Pass with; our kiddos, Kep's chipmunk gun from his childhood days, the boys' cap guns and our fun hiking buddies! We hoped to spot some ptarmigan and bunnies to hunt, but you guessed it... 7 children on a trail is a tad-bit too loud for ptarmigan and bunnies! But, the boys had fun shooting off a couple rounds of caps and it was great fun to be outdoors, again.

Thankfully, the kiddos all did A-mazing for a 2 1/2 hour hike! We treated ourselves to our new Wasilla Dairy Queen. Nothing like DQ's burgers, fries and Blizzards after a hike- gotta get back all those calories we burned (and then some)!

Savannah hung out in her throne for 2 1/2 hours and was just plum-tuckered-out by the end! I guess this sled is super comfy and I wish they made it in all sizes- even mine!!!

gracious Bush daughters...

Here's political Rachel again- it doesn't happen very often! Although, when I am moved to tears... I want to make sure everyone else can also see and hear the gracious words these two beautiful ladies have shared with Obama's daughters. Yesterday, I read the sweet letter (thanks to the link from Amanda :) ) and today I received the video link (from Sandy :)- gotta give credit, where credit is due! ). This video made me tear up because of Barbara and Jenna's sweet words to Sasha and Malia and because it drew me into "their world". I can't imagine living life in the public spectrum and hearing the media's constant negative/false portrayal's of your DAD! Then, I started to realize that despite the Bush's poor approval rating and media-treatment... they are being incredibly gracious to the Obama family. In the near future, I am excited to see and hear the media change it's course and share the truth about our respected President George Bush. I will continue to pray for Obama and his family but I am also praying for the Bush's, and if I knew they would receive it... I would love to write them a letter. Until then, I know my prayers for both families will be the best I can offer. Enjoy this video-it is well worth your time!

PS: click on the word "video"- and it will take you to the Bush daughter's letter video. Isn't that cool?- I figured out the "link" option- woohoo!!!

she's on the move...

Savannah is now 9 1/2 months old! Wow, time has flewn by and our "last" little one is changing so quickly! I remember always wanting the boys to learn the "next" thing and now, with Savannah, I am realizing she is our "last" and I want her to stay a baby. I know she will always be our "baby" but I am going to miss the; bottle-cuddles, baby chatters, and many more precious baby moments. But, at the same time... I am loving watch her get older because our boys just love watching her reach every new milestone. It's very sweet to see Parker and Noah; teach Savannah how to wave, play "Patty Cake" and "Peek-a-boo", and now lay out toys to encourage Savannah to crawl! She has been rocking on all four for a 1 1/2 months, but last night she finally figured it out... she's crawling! So, to celebrate her new crawl... we had the kids have a crawl race. Of course, Savannah came in last but the boys loved cheering her on! Now the boys are learning how to keep their Micro Machine cars, PlayMobil and Legos off the floor!
So, I have to keep reminding myself not to be sad that they are getting older, but to LOVE the fact that they are getting older and appreciating eachother more and more!

2 more months!

It's mid-January and I already accomplished my resolution! I haven't ever made resolutions... but, I think I'll make this an annual tradition, especially if it involves traveling and completing them before the end of January!!! My resolution, you might ask... I am leaving this; gorgeously, cold, blustery and icey Alaska ;) and we are going to San Diego in 2 more months! Our little family has not been on a family vacation, so we are super pumped to be going somewhere warm and sunny. Now, I just have to pray that San Diego WILL be warm and sunny in March. My sister's family vacationed in San Diego and Coronado, last March, and it was unusually chilly and sprinkly. And, that would just not be good for my NEED of sun, beaches, flip-flops and amusement parks!!! So, the next 2 months will be spent checking out all San Diego has to offer our munchkins, like:

San Diego Zoo- we can't wait to see the safari animals and monkeys!!!
Barefoot walks and sunsets on the beach

Shamu shows at Sea World

rides, Pirate land, and the Knight Castle at LegoLand

AND fun memories with the Kroon cousins, Uncle Teagen and some other CA friends!!!

I know people usually post pictures after their trips (according to my hubby!!!) BUT I am just so tickled to be going on this Spring Break trip, I had to share! So, more pictures to come of our actual San Diego vacation.

when it's cold... you bowl!

We've had negative temps for about 3 weeks, so I think we've visited most indoor play areas! Today, we woke up to -15 and headed to the bowling alley with 2 other families! Fun times. Parker learned about bowling when we got our Wii game this summer, so he was pumped to go "real bowling" today. On the way home he asked "now was that my bowling practice or a game?" I told him it was a game and he could go home and practice on his Wii- that, of course, was exciting for him! Doesn't take much for our little guys! As, you can see our boys both just loved throwing the ball and then we had to keep reminding them to watch the pins fall! They kept wanting to get back to get "their" ball from the machine (whatever it's called!?!). Good thing for bumpers- Parker scored a 102 with their help!

I love this cute smile from bowler Noah! After the first couple bowls, he would do the cutest little dance every time a pin would fall.

Here's our boys with their bowling pals. Nope, we did not plan the John Deere matchy-matchy shirts! :)

cabin fever

That is not snow on my boys' hats or Ryder's face... that would be frost!!! Brrrrr! This Christmas break has either been incredibly blustery (up to 70 mph gusts) or super frigid (down to -30 degrees). I have a heavy case of Cabin Fever and it's only January 3rd- SERIOUSLY!!!

Fortunately, I have a husband who will still venture out in the -20s with our boys. They, have spent about an hour/day for the last few days digging a tunnel in our humongo snow cave. I love to watch them from the inside, with my cup of coffee in my hands, while they are all-smiles leaping off of our snow-cave-mountain. It is also nice to have my little Savannah because then I can rightfully stay inside, with her, and not feel guilty for not bundling-up with my boys!!!

I am, also, glad that Parker is a home body! I am going crazy with our little home BUT he is loving life. Every day would be a perfect day if this little guy could stay home- so different than his mom!!! It's also a good thing we got the boys the Mario Kart Wii game for Christmas because they are becoming quiet the pro-gamers! Since, the weather has been so blustery and frigid... we are allowing them to play more than normal, just to maintain sanity!

Finally, I am thankful for all the indoor play areas our area has for us... Cabin Fever-ers! We had fun at the H2Oasis indoor water park with a few other friends' families. It is very strange to get out the swimsuits when it is -25 outdoors, but it was a perfect change in events!

Now, I am on the search for reasonable flights to Mexico, Hawaii or anywhere warmer! I think it would serve everyone well, if mommy had a day on the beach!!! ;) Maybe, this will be my New Year's Resolution! We shall see!

Happy 2009!

A toast to the New Year with Sparkling Cider! We had a blast with the Kroon cousins at our little home on New Year's Eve. Of course, I forgot the camera- again- so here's a picture of how we ended our night together- none other than Sparkling Cider. We played a lively game of Loaded Questions that kept us all awake and entertained until midnight. This is the first year, in many years, where I actually stayed awake to toast the new year! It might have had something to do with the handfuls of peanut butter popcorn I munched on throughout the game! mmmmm

our Christmas

Our Christmas was very sweet, lots-a-fun and some days... low-key! We spent Christmas Eve day and evening with Popeye, Mo-mo, the Uncles and the Grindles. Then, after a full day of eating, presents, games and good family times... we came home to finish off our Christmas celebrations and traditions. We opened our 2nd to last book, The Night Before Christmas, talked about Santa and then laid out cookies and a glass of milk by our wood stove. Then, the boys laid their stockings out on the hearth.
Here they are, all smiles, after opening the stockings that "Santa" filled! Then, all the Santa-fun is put aside and we opened our last little book, The Story of Baby Jesus. It was a short book, which is essential when presents are waiting, but the message was BIG! My family always read the passage in Luke every Christmas morning since I was a little girl and I can't think of a better way to start Christmas day! So, we do the same! We ended our little book talking about how Jesus was God's gift to US! Then, we opened their Children's Bible and read the Luke passages and focused on how Jesus received 3 gifts from the 3 wisemen. And, that is how many gifts our children opened at our home! They opened many more at all the other family celebrations!

Parker the pirate! Uncle Teagen hooked Parker up with another costume- of course, it's a hit!

Noah got this cute little four-wheeler. We're still waiting for him to use it on his own! He'll push the button and walk alongside it, but he'll only sit on it if no one is looking. I know he'll love it soon. ;)

Parker got a Kung-Fu Panda puzzle, so here's our pirate doing a puzzle with his great-grandparents. Perfect way to end Christmas Eve!

We finished off our Christmas day with a Christmas ham dinner at my aunt's house. What a fun time eating and playing games with my aunt, uncle, cousins and grandparents.

This Christmas, we also loved spending time with Kep's cousins and family. Uncle Larry and Aunt Marlene hosted our "Christmas Eve" celebration on the 26th. It was so fun to meet little Miss Ella Kroon, again! I wish I had a picture of Ella with our children- but I forgot to take my camera out of the diaper bag! Bummer, dude! Next time, we have Christmas with the Kroon cousins... we look forward to giving presents to Joani and Mark's little baby!!!

And, a Kroon Christmas is not complete unless the ladies take a day to shop in Anchorage. So, we shopped for the WHOLE day with NO kiddos- I LOVED that!

All in all... we had a very sweet Christmas with Kep's family. And, like Parker keeps saying... "I'm so very sad that Christmas is over"!

great-grandparents

My dad's parents came to Alaska this Christmas to visit my Aunt Connie's family! We, of course, loved hanging out with them.

Here are the 3 great-grandkiddos with their two sets of great-grandparents. A lady at church mentioned that our children are very rare to have two healthy "full" sets of great-grandparents. So, it was her "great" idea to get a keepsake picture of our children with their GREAT grandparents. We are blessed by both of these special couples!