Joanna's bday present

We gave Joanna a "coupon" to get her ears pierced for her birthday. This past weekend we went and got that done. She was very excited and nervous at the same time.

Should be interesting to see how many earrings she loses. Not even 24 hours after getting her ears pierced we had to go back to get one of the earrings replaced. Joanna was just getting the cat some food and new water and "poof" it's gone. I didn't think that they could fall out so easily. We still haven't found it, so we're thinking Karis will be the one to find it.

Christmas cookies!!

Tonight we made some sugar cookies and started painting them. We always have a lot of fun "painting" and listening to Christmas music.

Caleb enjoyed getting the cookies ready

Ready, set, decorate.

Joanna getting started.

Busy kids

Eliana painted a lot of cookies. She was fast!



Mmmm. They are yummy!

Still have lots of dough left, so we'll have another decorating night soon.

Snow day

We were eating breakfast this morning when we noticed that it was SNOWING!!! I looked up the forecast and it said that we were probably going to get 2 or 3 inches of snow. The kids were ready to go and build their snow fort right away, but we had to get school work done first. What motivation to work quickly!

Here's what I'm left with when the 3 oldest are playing outside in the freezing cold. I guess it's time to reorganize the coat closet again!

Not much snow, but they enjoyed themselves.

Meanwhile, Karis and I played peek-a-boo under the kitchen table.

And chased her to keep her away from the cat's food. She thinks it's a game.

We enjoyed hot soup for lunch.

Caleb warmed his hands around the bowl, but then decided he needed an ice cube so he could actually eat his soup.

And what's left when the fun is over?

Yep, all the wet stuff.

Wall-e

We watched Wall-E for the first time this weekend. I know a lot of you have seen it already, but what a good movie. We enjoyed watching Caleb while he was watching the movie. His eyes just sparkled with delight and wonder. Caleb's laugh is just too fun!

Here's a little clip of Caleb watching.

Climbing Trees

One day we were waiting at Scott and Rebekah's house for them to arrive home, and the kids took to climbing the trees in their front yard. Karis enjoyed watching from the car.

Aviation Museum

These pictures are from a field trip we took to the Aviation Museum back in October.

Caleb loved this field trip!

Caleb enjoying some of the displays for kids. Hands-on fun!

Karis got to try too.

Don't get sucked in Eliana!

A trip to the Art Museum

The art museum doesn't charge admission on Saturday, so sometimes we take the kids for a visit. One of their favorite stops is a glass floor with big, colorful glass flowers beneath it.

The museum offers kids' art projects on some Saturdays, too. Here the kids are making some pictures.

Run at the shore

(Joel here.) Tina went for a run down to the beach at the beginning of the week, and I rode alongside on my dad's bike.

It's always interesting to see a bit of local history. We went past the site where James Garfield died two months after he had been shot. He was brought here in hopes that the fresh air and quiet would help him recover. The small street where this monument stands is named for him.

This church is near the site where Garfield died. Seven different US presidents would vacation at the shore here and all of them attended services at this church. It is currently scheduled to be restored, and is now known as the Church of the Presidents.

Happy B-day Joanna

Happy Birthday Joanna!

Have a happy day - We love you!

Grandma & Carriage Crossing

Grandma came in the beginning of November to help Scott and Rebekah out with their new daughter, Chloe. Aunt Patty also came down for the weekend while Mom was here. It wasn't easy getting a picture of all the cousins together, but here's a good one.

One morning we all went up to Carriage Crossing for a late breakfast.

Everything is big at Carriage Crossing. Eliana is ready to dig into her plate size chocolate chip pancakes that she shared with Joanna, Caleb & Mom.

After breakfast, we all shared one of their big cinnamon rolls. They are so big and should not be eaten every week!

Can you tell Caleb enjoyed his share of the cinnamon roll?

Finding seashells at the beach on a cold day

Usually, we visit Boomba and Grandpa's in the summer. Going down to the beach in November this year certainly was a bit chillier!

Karis watched the activity from her vantage point all bundled up inside Joel's coat.

Follow Caleb's footprints down onto the beach with us.

The kids had baggies to collect their seashells and sea glass in. Eliana was all smiles.

Caleb particularly enjoyed throwing large shells and sticks into the waves.

Joanna collected more seashells for her collection.

Time to head home. Too chilly to stay a long time.

Waffles

The big kids helping Uncle Dave make waffles.

While they were making waffles, Karis was enjoying the fire.

Doesn't this look good? Yum!