Day 366/366 (Leap Year!) ~ 2012

Happy New Year!!

Ringing in the New Year with the best of friends....

Pizza, chocolate chip pie and sparking cider.

Perfect!

Day 365/365 ~ 2012

We only had a dusting of snow but Andrew was determined to make a snowman!

This little guy took nearly all the snow from our back yard.

Way to go Andrew!

Day 364/365 ~ 2012

Brotherly love.
I couldn't resist snapping a photo of these 2 as they warmed up by the file.
I'm so thankful for their friendship & for lazy days.

Day 363/365 ~ 2012

Sweet little snow bunny enjoyed some time outside on a cold day.

Day 362/365 ~ 2012

My all-house clean out commenced.

First stop:  The kitchen desk cabinet/drawers.

Everything came out to be sorted, organized & edited.

An "after" photo would have been easier on the eyes.

This is the It-Gets-Worse-Before-It-Gets-Better part.

Day 361/365 ~ 2012

Before Mom and I went shopping and Dan's parents made the trip back to Richland, 

we finished the puzzle!  

Minus that pesky missing piece.

Day 360/365 ~ 2012

Merry Christmas!

We enjoyed a delicious dinner of Prime Rib & Yorkshire Pudding 

with family from Richland to Las Vegas.

Happy we could all be together to celebrate this blessed Day!

Day 359/365 ~ 2012

Christmas Eve service this year was so special.

The Living Nativity was heralded by our little angel, and visited by our two wise men.

My favorite part of the Christmas holiday was this precious night.

Day 358/365 ~ 2012

Ready for Christmas Eve Service & dinner with the cousins...

Will Santa make an appearance?
Excitement is in the air!!!

Day 357/365 ~ 2012

Christmas Eve 2012

Day 356/365 ~ 2012

 

One of my favorite moments of the year.

The table awaits the arrival of family to be gathered to commence our holiday celebrations.

Christmas Eve brunch with my brother's family kicks off our holiday each year.

A cherished tradition!

Day 355/365 ~ 2012

The week leading up to Christmas is a busy one.

Holiday baking tops my list of to-dos and I love being in the kitchen preparing our traditional treats that (with the exception of the sugar cookies) we only enjoy during this special time of year.

Christmas movies & music play non stop while dough is made (tasted!) and baked!

Boxes are assembled with love and delivered to friends, while the rest are enjoyed by our family over the holiday.

Day 354/365 ~ 2012

Andrew's basketball team finished their season this last weekend.

Coached by our friend Kyle, Andrew had a very positive and fun introduction to the sport.

While the boys played, the parents had fun visiting & cheering the kids on.

Day 353/365 ~ 2012

Since infancy it has been hard to tell when this little one is sick.

She is a tough little cookie and remains cheerful even when under the weather!

She very quickly developed an ear infection one afternoon and fell asleep on the sofa while we waited for our appointment time.

Day 352/365 ~ 2012

We have a fantastic Occupational Therapist.

She made our usual Wed. afternoon appointment unusual & fun with Andrew's transformation into Rudolph!

Day 351/365 ~ 2012

We enjoyed sharing Kaitlin's first Nutcracker with Katie and Kennedy.

Kaitlin's review:  "I triple loved it!!!"

The downpour after the ballet kept us from our planned post-ballet treat, but an ice cream cone through the drive thru window proved just has satisfying when enjoyed with friends!

Day 350/365 ~ 2012

Katie and Kyle hosted to a lovely Christmas Soiree for our small group.

It was a treat to pause during the holiday bustle to share some time & laughs with dear friends.

Day 349/365 ~ 2012

Tickets to ride The Polar Express!

 Hot Hot Hot Chocolate!  A reading of The Polar Express & receiving a silver bell from Santa.

How is it possible that it was just as magical with a 9 year old as when he was 3?

A Christmas gift to this mother's heart.

Day 348/365 ~ 2012

Kaitlin strikes a pose before her christmas pre-school program.



She was quite the little performer.
Very comfortable on stage, her little personality definitely shone through.
This little girl delights my heart.

Day 347/365 ~ 2012

Day 346/365 ~ 2012

Matthew& Dan sang Christmas carols with the youth group at the Alzheimer care facility.
I was really happy Matthew had the opportunity to do this.
I hope it brought a little bit of Christmas joy to the residents.

Day 345/365 ~ 2012

Our Christopher Radko ornament for the year.
A sandcastle from our trip to Cannon Beach....preserving a family memory of our favorite vacation spot.



Matthew's ornament for the year.
Because we do gingerbread houses each year at Thanksgiving.



Andrew's ornament, because he has a love for knights and castles.



Kaitlin's ornament.  This was the pose she would do as a 3 year old when I would  go to take her photo.  She was also an angel Halloween one year and loves flowers so this ornament was perfect for her!

Day 344/465 ~ 2012

Kaitlin was given these paperwhite bulbs as a gift.
The kids loved watching them grow.
My eyes are drawn to them countless times a day as they are a breath of fresh air for me while it is grey and dreary outside.

Day 343/365 ~ 2012

My Super Kids ready for Super Gracie's Fifth Birthday party!
(Those capes I gave the kids for Christmas last year came in handy!)



Such a cute little crew.
A fun time was had by all!  (Matthew said it was his favorite "girl party" ever.) :)
Happy Birthday, sweet Gracie girl!!

Day 342/365 ~ 2012

Spirit Day at school!
Fox Rocks!

Day 340/365 ~ 2012

Matthew worked on a Christmas craft while I volunteered in his classroom one morning.
I love getting to volunteer at the kids' school.

Day 339/365 ~ 2012

"Come here, Mama. I want to show you something."
Andrew said as he arrived home from school.
He retrieved his planner and sat next to me on the sofa.
Proudly, he opened it and said, "Can you read it?"

I can!!

Making progress!

Day 338/365 ~ 2012

That Jingle!
Up to his old mischief again.

This time, encouraging good oral hygiene....

Day 337/365 ~ 2012

The end of a very quick trip to Richland.
Last stop on a cold and very windy morning: The cemetery to put up Dad's Christmas tree.



I'm certain Dad would love the tree that the little hands decorated.

Day 336/365 ~ 2012

Reindeer feeding started our trip to see Santa!



Santa was visiting one of my favorite stores in Richland. Full of beautiful holiday displays like this one.  We took a quick picture and then....

it was time for the big moment!
The kids shared their letters...



{Since Mom and Dad won't let me get an itouch}, "Santa, I'd like a Ninjago Lego Set..."



"I'd like Epic Mickey II for the Wii, or a new Bike."



"I'd like a 'Garden Doll', please."



I love the magic of Christmas with children!

Day 333/365 ~ 2012

Matthew couldn't wait to get started on his workshop and was all set up before school started.
After some printed lessons/exercises on how to use tools, First project:  taking apart a seal-a-meal.
Learning how things work is fascinating to Matthew.
And to some other little people in the house as well....

Day 332/365 ~ 2012

Wonderful care packages were put together by our very special friends, Jeannie & Carl.
A tool kit/workshop for Matthew.



REAL fatigues for our resident "Army Guy."



Lots of fun baking treats and a weaving activity for the Bug.

Such excitement over very thoughtful gifts perfectly chosen for each of the kids' interests & personalities.

Day 331/365 ~ 2012

I had Gracie girl with us today. 
A little snapshot before heading out for some errands and lunch.
I do so love this little ones.

Day 330/365 ~ 2012

North Pole Breakfast 2012!
Our Elf Jingle arrived today!



The kids were SO excited to see Jingle sitting on our chandelier....



Christmas Jammies and their special ornaments for the year were waiting for them in their packages.