Making Ornaments and Snow Angels

Before leaving for MN this Christmas we spent some time making ornaments to give away and we also got to enjoy a little KY snow.

Otto's Potato Head

Otto isn't real excited about snow and cold.

Family Christmas in Ky

We decided this year to start the tradition of setting aside a day before our trek to the frozen north (MN) for a family Christmas day here at home. We spent the day going slow and just enjoying some time together celebrating this beautiful holiday. Which means we hung out and relaxed, ate lots of good food and played with the kids. I had plans for decorating a gingerbread house and painting ornaments with Brian and the kids, but we ended up saving those for another day this time.... we just ended up relaxing most of the day (which was super nice). Here are just a few pictures from the day and a video too - had to capture Eli's excitement after making his bake a bug.

Reading from the Bible the story of Christ's birth.

Brian framed this beautiful pen and ink drawing which he originally he made for me a couple years ago.... a total surprise! We had been talking about getting it done for a while - so glad I can enjoy it on the wall now.

Yes, this mama is a teacher at heart - I can't help but get educational toys (thankfully the kids don't know anything different). This one was really neat! It is a human body that you can take the organs out and hold them etc. Eli is holding the squishy intestinal tract here. There is even a removable squishy brain inside the skull.

Making the Bake a Bugs! Eli was sooo excited about this gift. Also, notice Otto - he is still going through this stage of wanting to wear his coat all the time. So funny.

Bake a Bug from capture box on Vimeo.

Books Galore!!!

I can't even express how excited I am about the 30 pound package of books I got in the mail today! I decided a couple months ago that I wanted to go ahead and order a curriculum for homeschooling that suited my ideals with teaching and allowed me some flexibility to also follow Eli's interests and passions and I think I found one. We will see! It is a curriculum based on great literature. There are plenty of experiments and activities that are in the teaching manual so it is made of both good reading and activities that can be put together with things found at home. I am sure excited to start this with Eli. I figured I would start early in January. I will possibly allow myself a year and 1/2 to finish the material or just do another January start next year (we will see how it all goes). I plan to take a break when the baby arrives and also allow myself the time to add extra units to it that are more focused on Eli's interests. Woo hoo!!!!

Marching marching marching from capture box on Vimeo.

Eli and Otto like to turn on this music and just march around. It is pretty cute. I especially think the nerf gun is a nice touch - especially when Eli stops to shot mid song. Boys.

Eli Snapping Pics

Yes, our little Eli loves to take pictures! Here are just a few - when he gets the camera he usually takes about fifty. I am pretty sure he took at least that many of just the ornaments which shows how much he loves the tree. The past couple years he has taken a liking to decorating the tree with us.

Eli put the santa hat on me and took this picture.

So I had to take a picture of him too! Such a cutie.

A relaxing evening. Sometimes these are my favorites!

Otto. I DO fully dress them everyday.

Not sure why Eli took this picture, but I thought it was pretty funny. Otto is trying to close the glasses case on his face. Must be a two year old thing.

Thanksgiving Celebrations... and sword fights

We really enjoyed our time with Mom and Dad over Thanksgiving. Patty and Mike and family - we soooooo missed you guys! - but we will see you soon! in the frozen north this time. :)

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the holiday.

Charge!!!

Fishing with Grandpa. They love this fishing game.

The Thankful Turkey. These were sweet little projects they did at the homeschooling co-op we are a part of.

Opening presents from Grandma and Grandpa.

A St. Louis Birthday!!!

I know it has been a while since my last update and my birthday was well.... about a month ago now, but updates are better late than never. This mama has been soooo tired lately and really Eli has been taking more pictures this last month than me.

Well, Brian asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I said, "I want to get away!!!! and go somewhere fun!" So we did. We planned a fun filled 2 and 1/2 day trip to St. Louis. Everything about it was wonderful (except the ceiling leak in our bathroom on the second night - but all worked well and we got a new room and a discount in the end). Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Brian and I planning the trip at Sunergos!

This was taken at a small local roastery/coffee shop we found. It was a very pleasant place to start our mornings.

This was taken at the St. Louis zoo - which is free!! and beautiful!!

Yikes! Snakes!

Otto's favorite - the giraffes!

The baby belly.

At the City Museum

Yes, this pregnant mama still likes to jump in the cage of balls and have fun with her little Eli!

Now I didn't venture down the 10 story slide here with Eli and Brian - for this very reason - you can catch up with the person in front of you. I just didn't want to get kicked on accident - that's why Brian was behind Eli. They had TONS of fun and did this again and again and again. I hope to join in next time.

Pappy's BBQ for dinner!!! We found this jewel online and knew we had to go!!! It was wonderful. The place is usually sold out of its food by 4 and the line is usually about an hour long. Well, on my b'day Brian called in about 2 pm and they still had food and there wasn't much of a line so we bee lined over there and got some tasty food. When Brian got up to order there were only 3 ribs left - just in time I guess. Then we went back to the City Museum for more fun.

This is in a cave at the City Museum.

Slides of all kinds!

Weeeee! Swinging at the indoor skate park - yep, there is even a skate park in this place.

Roasting marshmallows outside the Museum.

Once we got up to the arch Eli was pretty afraid. He thought it would fall on us.