Monday, February 27, 2012

Anytime is creek time!

Even the cooler weather can't keep these explorers out of the creek on the weekends!  Snow boots, winter coats and a few sticks were the accessories on Saturday as we chopped through the woods and hiked down to the water.  Later we propped out feet in front of the fireplace and enjoyed a warm snack.  Ah. . . . weekend bliss! 

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Playing Opossum!

We have been wondering where all our dog's food is going. . . When Randy checked to see if Gracie was out of food, this is what he found.  A(n?) opossum had crawled into the automatic dog feeder and got stuck!  The kids got to see this scared animal and were very interested in seeing where he headed when he was set free (to a tree in the woods!).  Gracie is old and has lost most of her vision and hearing, which is why this animal can "rob" her of food right under her nose!

Sock it to me!



We played "The Wrights" with Christmas socks.  It was crazy, especially when some of the grown ups began throwing socks at each other (Randy and David!).  Debbie was the grand prize winner of $5.

Family Fun I style!

This is not a picture I would have imagined seeing in our family a few years ago.  However, technology has invaded the family get togethers and the result is mixed.  I purposely left our I-pad in the car during a recent family event so the kids would play together instead of fighting over who had the i-pad.  However, the kids (all 6 of them!) were marooned on the sectional for "rest" time.  So the ipad was requested to keep them "resting".  I seriously worry about the neck and spine development with these little gadgets.   In spite of this photo, the kids played together well, and only a minimum amount of time was spend attached to electronics!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Welcome Amelia!

We traveled to Joplin, Mo last weekend to celebrate a very late Hall family Christmas.  One of the reasons we postponed the event was to allow the birth of the newest family member, Amelia.  I can already tell that she is going to be a very tolerant young lady.  She was passed around, jostled, tickled (see photo above!) and generally disturbed by numerous cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles and grandma and grandpa's (including greats!)  And she slept and smiled most of the time.  What a sport and a cutie!  I will add more photos soon.  I am having a great deal of difficulty uploading photos to this blog.    It was a great weekend full of fun, food, games and family bonding. 

Monday, February 13, 2012

Best of Friends?



It was a kid filled weekend at our house.  What I noticed most this past weekend was how much fun Maddison and Mason have together.  They remind me so much of our children when they were young.  In fact, several times recently I have caught myself calling Maddie, Jessica and Mason, Josh.  Maddison takes the caretaker role and wants to "mother" Mason.  He has a divided reaction to this.  Sometimes he really "eats" it up and plays the younger brother.  The other part of the time, he resists her "babying" him and wants to prove that he is as big and capable as her.  These pictures show these siblings at their best.  Maddie is "schooling" Mason on an IPad game, and then reading a goodnight story to him.  In fact, as we soon found out, in the bottom picture, Mason had already fallen asleep.  Explains why he is so still!  I would like for the kids to always maintain these close ties.  I know from experience that a lot can come between siblings, but when you get to the "heart" of the matter, those feelings are still there, just sometimes buried!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Maddison surprised me on Saturday with an early Valentine's Day card.  Her little message really touched my heart.  To celebrate the message, we had chocolate chip pancakes and then went for a long walk!  I, too, wish she was my "naber"!
Mason was my kitchen helper this weekend.  We tried several new recipes.  The kids are enjoying some of the 3-2-1 cake Mason helped me make.  You take 2 cake mixes (see below), one has to be an angel food cake mix.  Mix them together (dry) in a bowl or bag.  Take 3 tablespoons of the mix, add 2 tablespoons of water and microwave for 1 minute.  Pretty darn good little cake!  We added some whipped topping and the kids loved it!  I also tried a recipe from Pinterest.  To 1 lemon cake mix, add 1 20 ounce bottle of diet 7 up, mix and cook for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  I took this to a get together on Saturday evening and it was a big hit.  The cake was VERY moist and lemony!

Friday, February 3, 2012

A Trip Down Memory Lane







I have just been thinking lately how grown up Maddie and Mason are.  I was looking through some old photos today and found some that I would like to share.  In my mind, the kids are about the same age now as they were in these pictures. . . but obviously I am just doing some wishful thinking!  Maddison is 7, and half way through with 1st grade.  Mason is 4 and 1/2 and will start kindergarten next year.  I just want to freeze these babies in time and let them stay this age forever!  Sigh.......................