School Christmas Parties

I love to be a part of everything the girls do, so the teachers in each of Kelsi and Heidi's class asked me to be the homeroom mom. This means you organize the class parties - Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's. I picked a couple moms from each class to help me, so when I went off from classroom to classroom, there would be someone to keep control of the chaos. For Christmas, Heidi's teacher wanted to keep it very simple, so in her class, we just had the kids enjoy snacks and visit. In Kelsi's class, we ventured out and tried gingerbread houses. This was so much fun and perfect for fourth graders! Note: Use small milk cartons next time for a sturdy structure (we had a few houses that just would not stay together).

Something neat this year, the teachers all decided to stay away from the gift exchanges. I loved this idea since I believe kids have so much, and will get so much in a couple days. Also, there always seems to be the kid that just doesn't have much money and the other kids know and are not very discrete about it (snickering and complaining if they get his/her gift - that irritates me tremendously!) Good choice teachers!

Our little monkey

Ryan is not the type to sit still or to stay off things. As a result, he ended up with a nice knot right between his eyes. OUCH!

To start his day off, Heidi wanted him to sit next to her at the island. This is normally not a problem, if Mom puts him in the booster seat that is TIED down to the chair. Heidi was already in that seat, so Mom put him in another booster, not tied to the chair, but buckeled to him. After the girls took off for school, Ryan wanted down. Instead of waiting for Mom, he rocked himself off the chair, booster and all. He didn't cry much, and looked to be in a fairly safe position on the floor when Mom came to his rescue. Well, a few minutes later, a nice sized goose egg was popping out right between his eyes. That was not all. Later that morning, Mom was painting a dresser in the living room. Ryan had made his way to his hard, wooden rocking horse. This is not unusual. Ryan loves to climb on and off this thing all the time, and never really had a problem doing it. Well, maybe the first knock made him a little uneasy and as Mom peeked around the dresser to see what her little monkey was doing, he took another BAD fall right on his head, hitting that same place right between his eyes. Mom tried ice, but that didn't last too long. He didn't cry too very long, but the result was sure nasty looking!

Tortilla Snowflakes

I had found this idea in the Friend and thought it would be fun for a Monday night activity. We had lots of fun making them, but they weren't so tasty. After cutting them out, you are suppose to fry them in oil on the stove and then sprinkle powdered sugar on them (I guess for the white snowflake affect), but if I do it again, we are putting cinnamon and sugar on them.

Cydney always enjoys a little craft!






Kelsi knows that serious concentration goes a long way.

After a few tortilla tries, Heidi got hers to work.

CJ had fun eating the project.

I don't have a picture, but I believe Ryan was enjoying eating them also.





Ty and I joined in on the fun.

Happy Holidays!

Little Monster

This is what happens when Mom isn't completely in control. While I was hurrying to finish our Christmas cards one day, this is what Ryan was able to accomplish. He is a destroyer! :)

Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree

Our home is full of that fun Christmas Spirit! It's lit up everywhere, so now when Dad comes home and says, "This house is lit up like a Christmas tree" , he won't be too far off :) The kids even have lights up in their rooms. We had a blast decorating the tree. I meant to take pictures, but I was video taping and passing out the ornaments instead. The kids get an ornament every year from their Grandma and Grandpa Barrus, so it's fun for them to hang up there own. Ryan was good at taking them back off.

As you can tell, our mantle is full. It looks like our family is complete. I haven't put names on CJ's and Ryan's quite yet. I want to learn how to crochet and make some real cool ones some year. My friend said she'd help me.

I'm looking forward to the Christmas Season!

It's one of our favorites!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

CLOGGING

Today was a fun filled day of clogging. It was Kelsi's first experience with performing. I think she ate it up! It was a chilly day - high of maybe 45 degrees - but the sun was shining to at least make you think it was somewhat warm. The wind was not blowing, so in all actuality, it was a gorgeous Wyoming Winter day!

Kelsi, Kamryn, Taytum and Kylie did an excellent job! You could tell they worked really hard. Way to go girls! It' so fun to be close and do these types of things together!

Move those feet :)

Cydney's an old pro. She knocked 'em dead :)!

The day started in Cody at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center around 10:30 am. We made it back to Powell in time to get Heidi to a birthday party and then off to watch Cydney and Kelsi at Plaza Diane - downtown Powell. The evening ended with dinner at El Tap with Grandma, Grandpa, and Trav's family - which then took us to the lighted parade down Bent Street Powell. The girls were in that also. It was fun to watch them today. They all did a super job!

Over the river and through the woods

Saturday we picked up and took a joy ride to Meeteetse. We wanted to spend some much wanted time with Grandma and Grandpa Barrus. It turned out to be a gorgeous day.

As we crossed the fence to take in a little fishing at the river, the deer just lay and watched as we passed. Look closely :)




The guys didn't catch anything, but the day was beautiful and the scenery just as wonderful.

The kids did some exploring and enjoyed throwing rocks in the river. Sorry fish :)

Taylor had taken a tumble, but Cydney was right there to offer her jacket. How sweet!

Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING

WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR ALL OUR MANY BLESSINGS!

Thanksgiving was so much fun. We usually get together with the Barrus family since Scott and his family travel here from Utah, but with Grandma Marj and Jim's condition we just joined our family with Scott's, and Pennie, Page, Jim, and the rest of the family stayed back in Meeteetse. Jonna stayed home with her baby back in Utah, so I was the only female adult around. It was great though! We had a wonderful Turkey dinner with taters, rolls, salads, veggies, the whole shebang. The girls helped me make some pies the night before, which was lots of fun. Cydney made a pumpkin and Kelsi made a chocolate cream. YUMMY! The boys got to do some hunting. They seemed to enjoy that. All in all, it was a great Thanksgiving Holiday!

Heidi and Jensen

Taylor and CJ

Shaye and Cydney

Kelsi and Kassidy

Ryan

There was a lot of computer playing, card playing, and of course, the Wii.








We all enjoyed each other tremendously!