Snow Fun

We have learned you have to embrace the cold to enjoy living here- and the girls have honestly LOVED playing in the snow as much as possible. I have tons of pictures of them sledding- they love to throw on their snow clothes and head out, sometimes for 3-4 hours!

 

We had some crazy crazy cold days here, school was cancelled for extreme cold, wind chills between -50 and -60. It warmed up to 0 degrees- who ever thought I'd think 0 is warm... But my kids love being outside sledding, and with the snow being hard and frozen it's perfect for sledding.

Darrell and Ashlee were out cleaning up dog poop- fun huh?! And with the extreme temperatures the poop freezes and you have to get shovels to chip it out of the snow. While doing that they decided to climb the hill in the back yard and start chipping out a snow cave.

It was hilarious to watch the girls play in the cave, sled, and climbing the mountain of snow to get on top of the cave was entertaining as well. The snow was so hard, they had to kick in foot holes to pull themselves up on top of the hill.

 

After another couple days of cancelled school from extreme temps Ashlee and Carly decided to take the shovel out and chip another cave in the hill, with an adjoining hole so you can talk to each other through the hole. Carly and Baylee were in them for hours- with breaks of sledding of course!

Lexi's Honor Choir Concert

 

 

Lexi and her friend Paige after their Honor Choir Concert.

 

It's really fun to watch Lexi grow and develop in her skills and talents. She is very modest about her talents- and it's been nice to watch her start to not try and hide her talents, but to share them.

The choirs here in Minnesota aren't as strong as they were in Bentonville. It's hard for Lexi, because most of the kids in her choir class are just taking the class for a credit- they don't really like singing. So with All Regions and Honor Choir she enjoyed it so much more since everyone there had to audition.

We love you Lexi and hope you continue to work hard developing your talents!!



Bentonville Or Bust!

We left early and headed south the Bentonville- we were all really excited to see familiar faces, and have some warm weather!

The drive was uneventful, which is just how we like it! My friend Carrie was out of town for the holidays and let us stay in her home while there. We got there around 6, and after unloading the car we were ready to drive and see friends.

We went to the Patterson's first- and there was some shrieking and screaming coming from some little girls. They were so excited to see each other again. Soon Bingham's came over and then Hooper's. Darrell stayed at Carrie's and slept- he hadn't slept well the night before and with the 10 hour drive he was asleep by 7:30.

We were able to see so many friends and get so many play dates for the girls. Friday night the Bingham's hosted a dinner in their home, the kids were running and playing while the adults chatted and played games.

Saturday we took the kids ice skating. None of us have ever ice skated, but the kids picked it up pretty quickly. Baylee was grumpy for the first while, until the older girls started helping her. By the time the skate session was over she was loving it!

Sunday we had dinner at the Patterson's and then headed to the Hooper's for dessert. It was also time to start saying some goodbyes. I hate goodbyes!

We have become so close with these families- I definitely consider them family. I know my kids feel the same way also. I was worried this trip would be a set back for my girls and that we'd have a lot of melt downs, but over all the kids did really well! Only a few melt downs- but I anticipated that.

Monday morning I had a doctor appointment scheduled for my feet. After x-rays and discussion I had two cortisone shots, one in each foot. They are incredibly painful, but not as painful as walking around in constant pain from the fascitis. After the appointment I had to stay off my feet- and we had to get packed up.

Ashlee had a few friends sleep over, so they all were leaving by the time I was done with my appointment. The hardest thing was I wasn't able to finish saying goodbye's to all my friends. I focused so much on each of the girls having their time- I was feeling a bit sad to not get mine. (I know it sounds a little selfish.)

Here are some picture's-

 

It was such a great trip- we loved being able to see so many friends and can't wait to go back and visit again!

 



Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve- after everyone is in bed and the house is so peaceful.

Christmas Eve books and pajamas.

Christmas morning- checking out the stockings.

Carly asked Santa for an itouch or Saige the American Girl doll. She wasn't quite sure why she was unwrapping Lexi's itouch- but was super excited to find out it was wiped clean and now she is the happy owner!

Lexi was excited to unwrap an ipad mini.

Balylee loved her giant Barbie boat!

Ashlee has been begging for a Charger's hoodie- and was very specific that she did NOT want an ipad mini for Christmas.

Lexi loved her new coat.

The girls finished opening all their gifts.

Baylee and her very first American Girl doll- she named her Katie, but her nickname is Kate;)

Another hoodie for Ashlee- she was super happy!

A Bosch- I keep walking by it in my kitchen and just admiring it. I have wanted on for years!

Darrell got an ipad mini.

Ashlee with all her gifts-

Lexi with her gifts-

 Carly with her gifts-

Baylee with her gifts-

 

We woke up extra early with the intentions of driving to Kansas City to eat Christmas dinner with my brother and his family- 7 hours away. We had a white Christmas, which is gorgeous- but the roads were icy and not really safe for travel. We've changed our plans and will drive to Bentonville and spend a few days with friends, and then on the way home spend the night with my brother and his fam. These last few months have been hard on all of us with the move, but we were all able to put things in perspective this Holiday Season. Each one of us has had our testimonies strengthened, we have made some great new friends- and still have our great old friends! We have learned to drive in snow and mess, learned what cold actually feels like, and learned to be closer as a family! We hope you all have a Merry Christmas!



Christmas Card Pictures

 

Living in Arkansas spoiled me with having lots of time to find picture clothes for family pictures. Minnesota winter comes much sooner, and I wasn't able to get family pictures done, so I did the next best thing... I told the girls we are going in the front yard and taking a few. It was probably 7 degrees- and who knows what with wind chill. The girls were troopers, their coats were on the ground next to them and they'd put them on each time we paused.

 

The dog came out for a while, her feet don't handle the cold so well- but she was so happy to play with the girls for a few minutes.

Ashlee and this dog Belle- she LOVES her!!

Baylee loves Belle too, she wakes her up each morning and Belle sometimes hides her face in her bed so Baylee will leave her alone. But Belle also gets really happy with all of Baylee's millions of hugs and kisses!

Carly loves Belle too- I think this dog is a little spoiled.

If you notice Lexi isn't in a picture with the dog- she likes her ok, but gave me a "Are you serious" look when I asked her if she wanted a picture with Belle.

I love these 4 girlie's- Darrell and I are incredibly blessed!

Baylee As Mary

Mary and Joseph- so stinking cute! Joseph's Mom (he's also called Chase on regular preschool days:)) came up to me after and said he got distracted and Baylee grabbed his hand and reminded him to stay right with her.

They held hands both times they circled the chapel- it was so adorable!

Holding Baby Jesus. Bays was a little bothered that the baby didn't have any clothes on under the blanket.

Singing a Christmas song.

 

Seriously, 4 year olds are seriously the best age! They love everything, they think everyone is a hero, they most generally are happy, and most of all they say and do the cutest things!

Great job in your play Baylee- we loved watching you up on the stage!