Birthday and Basketball

It snowed on Mead's actual birthday, so the kids got to stay home for an extra hour or so before going to school on a delay.  We started the day with our traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

And then Mead got to open her gifts before school and play with them for a bit too!

On a completely different note, Laine started playing basketball this winter.  She's been enjoying the games, and her team won for the first time this weekend.  They're working hard and learning a lot!

And Laine is studying about ancient history in school, so they did a mock day of ancient Olympics in class this week.  Love the creativity in her learning!

Happy Birthday Mead!

Mead turned 7 this week, and we celebrated with a trip to the bowling alley with a couple friends from church.

 The kids had a good time bowling - look at the intensity on Cole and Mead's faces!

After bowling we all came back to the house for lunch and cake.  It was a fun way to celebrate Mead's birthday!

First sticking snow

We got some snow the weekend before Thanksgiving this year, but it never stuck.  So this most recent snow was our first "real" snowfall of the year.

The kids were so excited to get outside and play in it - even though there was barely enough to cover the ground.

They tried sledding and "snowboarding" on the sleds!

I'm looking forward to more snow later this winter, so I can join the kids in the fun :-)

Merry Christmas!

I didn't take many pictures this Christmas, but snapped a few to start off the morning.

Many smiles as the kids dug into their stockings!

Straight out of bed, and ready to get things going.

I love our tradition of stockings, Christmas story from the Bible, breakfast, then presents.  Keeps on a slower pace, which I'm thankful for.

Both Cole and the girls got "big" Lego sets this year - Cole got the Lego City Fire Station, and the girls got the Lego Friends Heartlake City Mall.  Both were assembled by the end of the day.  Legos are taking over our house!

Waiting for Christmas

We got the Christmas decorations up shortly after Thanksgiving, but then the kids had to wait, wait, wait...

So they started pulling out old toys to play with and coming up with other activities to pass the days until Christmas came.  We've had these Mega Blocks since Laine was a toddler - glad they are still getting some use!

Christmas Chapel

The night before school let out for Christmas break, the kids participated in the school's Christmas Chapel.  They all looked so nice in their formal uniforms!

Cole did a great job with the ABC's of Christmas.

And he sang "Go Tell It On the Mountain."

Laine got to sing a couple songs with her class.

And Mead sang as well.  It was really fun to see everyone together and to prepare for Christmas through music and singing.

Piano recital

Laine has been taking piano for a year and a half now, and she's making great progress!

Several of her friends have the same teacher, so they got to do their recital together.

Laine doesn't love playing piano in public, but she did a good job with her pieces nonetheless.

I love hearing Laine practice her music at home and am so glad she's learning to play!