New blankets

My kids are blankets babies and it was time to get some new ones. I needed to put Kate's away because it was her baby blanket and Nat's was starting to tear. They take their blankets every where so they take a beating. My aunt (Mimi) made the blankets and they turned out great. I asked for bigger ones because my kids are getting bigger and they love them because they can wrap them all the way around them and bundle up in them.

Christmas at home

We got home at about 7:30pm on Christmas night so we could open our gifts at home and have our little Christmas. The girls love their presents and were so excited about the new tea set they got. Natalie loves any thing pink. Paul also loved his gifts and was a little surprised by how much thought I put into it. I worked hard this year and asked some of his friends what he would like. (I did my research) I got a Wii and love it!! Plus Paul is ordering me some boots for a bonus present because he liked his so much. (woohoo)!!!

The snow at Parkdale

It snowed almost the whole time we were up there and Parkdale didn't need any more snow. This is what it looked like on Christmas morning. I suppose I should get use to this amount of snow if we are going to move up there soon. Also I don't think there is any way that my little car will make it through one winter up there. A new car will be something that Paul and I will need to discuss. (cross my fingers)

Dresses

I couldn't get a good picture of the girls in their dresses because they were way to into playing with their cousins. Natalie was having a pillow fight and was totally ignoring me. Kate at least stood still for one min. but it wasn't a good pose. The dresses were adorable and Kate's was a little big so I think we might use them again next year. We didn't get to go see Santa and do some of the other things that I have the girls wear the dresses for because of all the snow so I think I will reuse next year.

Forgot to thank....

I forgot to thank my sister-in-laws for being Santa for my girls. I forgot Natalie and Katelyn's stockings at home so we had extras up there and Liz and Cecili filled them with some things they brought with them. Look at Natalie's stash and Katelyn put the hair glitter on her face. They had a great time and carried their stockings around with them all morning long. Thanks again for making up for my bad mommy moment.

Christmas meal....

There were so many people that we had to set up buffet style. Everyone did such a good job cooking the food was delicious.

Natalie sharing her candy with Uncle Amos.

We also had to have two table in two rooms but it was a blast!!!

Christmas morning......

What a circus!!!!

This isn't even all of the Martin's that came for the meal. Thank goodness Vicki's house is really big so there is room for us all.

Doesn't Mike just look thrilled!!! Haha this was towards the end of opening up the presents and pretty much all of the parents were hashed and just let the kids run around and destroy the living room.

The boys decided to take over one corner of the living room. Boys are significantly out numbered in this family and based off these pictures they decided to stick together.

Natalie was completely jealous that her cousin Taylor was dressed in pink from head to toe. Natalie picked out that seat for Taylor for Christmas and is waiting patiently for her to get up so she can sit in it.

The trip to Parkdale

The drive to Parkdale for Christmas was interesting to say the least. They just opened the highway that day and they hadn't even plowed it yet. When we left Portland the temp was 38 so things were starting to melt but 35 miles outside of Portland it was 28 degrees so we drove almost the whole way with the roads looking like this. I was only nervous once or twice.

Taken out the trash

So we ran into a little problem....Friday was trash day and I noticed by Friday afternoon our trash still hadn't been picked up. I called the trash company and was told that the trucks were having problems with the roads and they weren't going to pick up trash this week. Great!!!! So now Paul is out burning any cardboard and burnables so we can make room for all Christmas weeks trash. I don't like this part of the snow. It looks pretty and I love the snow as long as it doesn't inconvenience me.

Acting like they like each other...

Natalie and Katelyn can be buddies one min and the next be fighting over something. I caught them on a good moment and plan to keep this little clip for when they are teenagers and don't even want to sit next to each other. LOL

Love the SNOW!!!!!

We are getting so much snow!!!! I love it!!!! The girls won't stay outside for more then a min. at a time. It gets to cold and the wind is starting to pick up.

Of course the truck can still make it to McDonald's. Heaven forbid anything comes between the girls and their McDonald's.

Kate's hair

Katelyn finally sat long enough for me to do her hair. She has only let me do ponytails up until now. She wiggles too much and her hair doesn't turn out and then I am frustrated. The really bad thing with Kate is that every time she eats anything or plays with something sticky it winds up in her hair. So not be able to pull her hair up has been quite a headache for me.

Sweet Sadie

My cousin Emily came for a visit and her daughter Sadie makes the best noises. The "Ohhhh" noise I think is a classic Sadie noise. She does it so well and I die laughing every time she does it.

Christmas program

Natalie had a Christmas program with her pre-school. I thought with Natalie being Natalie she would stand up there a be completely still and not particapate. Instead she song all the songs and did all the hand guestures (that she could remember).

I was so pround of her. The only thing she didn't do was smile. Not one smile the whole time but that really doesn't surprise me.

Kate spent most of the program saying "where is Natalie" and then when I would point her out she thought she should go up there with her. We had to stop her a couple of times.

Mimi and Papa came to watch Natalie perform. Mimi video taped the program for me so we have it on a disk. Mimi made a special bow for Natalie and it turned out great.

We had a great time and it was a cute program. I can't wait until next year when both Kate and Natalie will be in the program.

Snow

The girls love the snow. They only lasted a few mins. before they were too cold and wanted to go back inside. We normally see snow every year we just lucked out that we didn't have to travel this year too find some.

Home on the range

We went to a bed and breakfast out in the middle of no where a couple of weekends ago. I was a lot of fun and the girls got to see some animals.

We went with friends and the guys did some bird hunting. They didn't get any birds though. (nice try)Natalie and Kate thought the horses and cows were fun as long as they were on the other side of the fence.

We did some shopping in the local town and bought Kate this little stuffed dog. She found a leash that our friends brought and attempted to walk her dog. It was the cutest because every time Kate would put her dog on all four legs and start to drag him then he would tip over. Kate would say uh-oh and walk back to her dog and try and set him on all fours again

We had a lot of fun and will probably go again next year.

When we wer in town we saw a herd of about 20 deer running around. The lady at the bed and breakfast said that they live in town with the people and just wonder from yard to yard. That would explain all the high fences and everyone's garden.

E-bay

OK....so I finally did it. I am currently bidding on two things on e-bay. What a rush and when I placed my first bid I thought I was doing it wrong and I out bid myself but I think I've got the hang of it now. My friend and I had a good laugh watching me do it for the first time. Anyways I am bidding on the Jolly Old Santa Claus books. It was the one tradition that I liked growing up and wanted to pass on to my kids but you can't find the books any where but on e-bay. So I broke down and finally did it. Anyone reading this don't bid on those books for 2 days, I would appreciate it. Hopefully I won't become addicted.

Pilgrim

My little Pilgrim. She had a Thanksgiving festival at pre-school and they made these hats. How fun!!!!

Natalie's pictures

Natalie has really taken a interest in the camera. She took a couple pictures on Halloween and they turned out pretty good. She has taken some others that surprisingly about 50% of the time she takes a picture of what she is aiming at. For someone who hates to have her picture taken I would think this would be the last thing she would want to do. The one picture of Paul is him stealing her candy. The last picture Natalie didn't take but I forgot to add it to the Halloween post. Kate was having problems lifting her bucket by the end of the night.