Winter is Here Again

Well, this year it waited until after Halloween before we had our first real snow. Now winter is really here. We have snow, ice, and temperatures in the teens. Going to get the mail is an adventure. We go from the house to the car through the garage and back again. I try to be out in it as little as possible, while Kaylynn is constantly wanting to go out and play. We started a snowman, but the snow wasn't packing too well. We'll have to finish it this weekend, if the snow hasn't all turned to ice.

Those Eyes

How can you look at those eyes and not just want to give in??? She was so tired and needed a nap, but kept crying because her friends were over for a baby shower mom was co-hosting. She finally fell asleep about 5 pm. Not good for the new early to bed routine.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY!!!

Happy Halloween to everyone! We had a great Halloween season. Friday we had a Halloween party. It is becoming a bit of a tradition. We had lots of fun with friends, food, costumes, games and a relay. We had Paul Bunyan with Babe, the little blue Ox; a number of superheroes; Woody and Bo Peep; a hunter; a fairy, and our Wizard of Oz crew. On Saturday our ward had a chili cookoff and a trunk-or-treat. Kaylynn (I mean Dorothy) went around with daddy (aka Tin Man) and gathered at least as much as we gave out, if not more. She would 'twick or tweet' and 'tank U'. Her favorite candies were dum dum suckers, nerds and smarties. Ick. Our tastes do change as we age. We had only 2 groups of trick-or-treaters on Sunday. They got big handfuls of candy. We love halloween. It is lots of fun. We haven't decided what we'll be next year, but it will have to include a team of five. We'll see what next year brings.

A Few Precious Moments

There are those times as a mom that exhasperate you, that amaze you, and that down right make you split your sides. A few weeks ago we were in the kitchen and the kids were playing in the living room. Robert was in his shirt and a diaper, because I was going to get him in his PJ's soon. Brandon and I were talking and all the sudden he yells, "OH, OH, OH, no Kaylynn!!!!" I rush in and find Kaylynn sitting at Robert's feet. She has taken his diaper off and, unfortunately for her and us, it is a fully loaded one. She was prepared with a new diaper, wipes and even diaper cream by her side. Unfortunately it was a little too much for her to handle. Fortunately, she is anxious to get on board the diaper change rotation. Also fortunate was that none of the poop made it to the floor. I told her that soon enough she'd get to do more diaper changing than she could ever want.

Storytime

I was in the kitchen cleaning and I heard Kaylynn chitter chatting away. I peeked around the corner and saw her sitting next to Robert, holding open the book, reading it to him. He was as inthrawlled as can be. It was too precious. As soon as she saw me with the camera, she stopped reading and started posing. Still cute.

They both love books, and I love it that they do.

Last Park Trip

We took our last trip to the park of the season. It started out as a trip to the mail, we continued on down to the end of the cul-de-sac, and on our favorite path to the park. Kaylynn played so hard, she slept very soundly that night. It is going to be a bit tougher getting all her energy out when we are stuck inside most of the winter. We'll got to places like the arctic playland, chuck-e-cheese and McDonald's playland. Plus, we'll get dressed up like snow mummies when it's not too far below freezing. That's what it takes, here in Alaska.

It is amazing how much Kaylynn is able to do this summer at the park. She has grown so much in the last year. And she is very coordinated and daring.

Sweet Containment Unit

"How can I pop the hatch on this here containment unit?"

Brandon made this lovely fence for us. It was much wanted, as Kaylynn would book it around front, into the front yard and out into the road if left unattended for 30 seconds.

We put their handprints in the cement, but it didn't turn out as well as we'd have liked

The cement set up after dark, so we had flashlights, but couldn't see all that well what we were doing. It's the memory.

Now she can play in the backyard without me having to chase her all the time. Sweeeeeeet!

Getting Chilly

It's the time of year when the kids want to be outside, but mom wants to stay inside.

We had to break out the winter coats

And we don't stay out too long

Good Big Sis

Taking care of her Bro

More Princesses

Kaylynn, the princess, with her princess friends.

Umberella

It may be considered bad luck, but Kaylynn loves to play with her umbrella be it inside or outside.

Fall Leaves

Mustache

So, I like Brandon with a full beard and mustache, prefer a goate, but can't say the lone mustache is his best look.

My Tired Boys

Waiting for Church

For once we were ready 30 minutes before we needed to leave for church, so we just watched the kids play together. We almost ended up late for church anyway.

Skintight Skins Fan

Supporting the team

And about to bust at the seam

Sister trying to console him after a team loss.