New Toys

The kids are enjoying their new cameras. Here's some of their early work.

A small cathedral outside Bethlehem marks the supposed to birthplace of Jesus. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps.

You can enter the main edifice and admire the ancient church. You can also enter the quiet cave where a star embedded in the floor recognizes the birth of the King. There is one stipulation, however. You have to stoop. The door is so low you can’t go in standing up.
The same is true of the Christ. You can see the world standing tall, but to witness the Savior, you have to get on your knees.
— Max Lucado

Merry Christmas!!!

Back track to last week...Brooklyn's Christmas Concert. Brooklyn is in the Middle School Choir and they put on an awesome Christmas Concert. Unfortunatly...there were a lot of heads in my way and I couldn't get a great picture, but here's what we have anyway.

Later in the week we got our first big storm...and Rylee was more than happy to go dig in and get to work.

Christmas Ever dawned with more snow. Two hours worth of shoveling by me to be exact. But it did entertain the kids and give me one heck of a workout.

After Dad got home from work...the girls opened the Christmas Eve presents and we played a few games of Yahtzee before heading to bed.

Ryan was the first one up this morning. 5:00 AM. He's realy feeling the Christmas Spirit this year. Us girls rolled out of bed about 6:30 and the fun began.

Rusty was first. A stocking full of Candy Canes.

And then the girls tore in.

Rylee got a hamster or gerbil. She will pick it out.

Brooklyn wasn't into rodents. She wants shoes! A true woman!

And we finally quit holding out. The girls are now "cool".

Lots of peace at our house!

The rest of the day will be spent napping, eating, watching new movies and playing games! Oh...and digging out the driveway again. Dang snow!!!

Note from the 'Universe': "Sometimes success is better measured in smiles received, giggles heard, and hands held, than in dollars earned, deadlines met, and pounds shed."
Me thinks the 'Universe' is a Mom!

Here's to my greatest success.

I love you girls!

Pictures from my Mom

I just got some pictures from my Mom from Thanksgiving weekend. Too cute not to post!

Don't I look good with the wind in my hair! LOL!

Last week

Last week started with Ryan heading out of town for work. So the girls and I went swimming and Brooklyn did what the cool kids do at the pool!

Rylee played some very rousing games of volleyball and keep-away with all the other kids in the pool.

Tuesday was Rylee's school concert.

It was themed around aliens trying to learn the spirit of giving. Rylee's class were elves and the other class was aliens. There was a cute little Santa and a lot of speaking parts. It was a super cute way to do the Christmas Concert.

Friday we headed to Carrington to see friends and go to Carla's 2nd annual Christmas party. Ryan met us there from New Town and we once again, invaded Les and Joyces house for the weekend. We all stayed up WAY too late visiting friends on Friday and were super tired the rest of the weekend, but not too tired to party it up at Carla's! And who knew that Santa Ryan could be such an interesting guest of honor!

We played the gift game.

Judy and Anna cheated.

The kids got to enjoy their friends.

And I got to enjoy my friends!

OK...so we got a little camera happy, but hey, I don't get to see these girls everyday anymore!

Some Catching Up To Do

It has been over a month since I even downloaded pictures off my camera. That says something about how busy it's been. Too busy. So, this post will be full of pictures in an effort to catch up.

First round of pics? The long awaited birthday present from Grandma and Papa Brick for Brooklyn. Apperantly it's a bit of karma for Ryan and I. Mom and Brick get a good laugh out of these things.

Rylee loved the box.

The last few weeks, I have become Rusty's favorite. The kids are crazy jealous, but the dog dances when I get home. He snuggles me where ever I happen to sit or lay down. He pouts and whines for me when I'm gone. It's hilarious!

I thought sunset was amazing, but there are days when sunrise is even more beautiful.

We had company for Thanksgiving. My mom, Brick, Skyler and Kaylee flew up to share our turkey and have some fun. Grandma and Papa wore themselves out playing with all their granddaughters. Playgrounds, and barbies, and stories. A grandparents heaven.

Skyler and Ryan got some of the kitchen duty on Turkey day. Peeling potatoes and carrots.

And redneck wine opening.

We're such big wine drinkers, we had to use something that helps Ryan climb to his tree stand to open the bottle. It's amazing the do-it-yourself abilites Ryan has inherited.

Not sure what Kaylee has going on here, but she's pretty cute.

We were all able to fit at one table in our cute little kitchen.

Brick was so impressed with the Mobridge Alco. He found the Fore Arm Fork Lift that he's been searching for. It came in handy for some indoor swing time.

We celebrated Pricess Grandma's birthday on Friday. Kaylee was very impressed with the crown.

However, she did not understand why she was supposed to give Grandma the princess card she picked out. I mean, Grandma's don't quite appreciate the glittery beauty of a fairy princess birthday card. She just couldn't bare to part with it into such unsophisticated hands.

The three cousins had an awesome time. Kaylee was the little shadow. Trying to be just like her beloved big cousins.

We bundled up and went downtown to see the Mobridge Parade of Lights.

And got great seats right in the park.

So great infact, that Skyle almost got his foot run over by the geriactric scooter dancers. He was sure one of those old guys was going to crash and land right on him.

Uncle Skyler helped pass the time while we waited with a little spinning.

Too bad he almost fell over. Can't hack the turning anymore.

He's getting old.

Sunday morning we had to say goodbye. We tried to talk Kaylee into staying with us, but she said she wanted her Mommy. I explained that I'm much more fun than Alisha, but none-the-less, she's a mommies girl! Maybe mommy should come visit. She does at admit that I'm her favorite Auntie. She's very diplomatic about the rest of her favorites. When Skyler and Ryan were trying to get her to choose her favorite uncle she thought it over and wisely said Andrew. When Brooklyn and Rylee were trying to get her to choose her favorite cousin, she said Isaiah. She knows how to handle herself in sticky situations!

So, that's the story of the last few weeks. Well, that and working. Working is taking a major downswing this week. I'm so excited. I always seem to bite off more than I can chew and then have to find a way to spit it out, nicely. Sometimes a girl should just say no to begin with. One day, maybe I'll learn!