Finally... A Little Bit Of Snow

Friday finally brought us a little bit of snow and we woke up today with just a little bit more. Not enough to slow traffic, but just enough for the kids to be excited! We headed outside today for some fun in the thin layer of white fluff. Russell was determined to make a snow fort, but after an hour of filling buckets with snow we only had about a one foot tall hill. We are hopeful that more snow will arrive soon (did I really just say that).

Sloane was perfectly content filling up buckets.

Russell relented to playing Star Wars in the snow.

He most certainly has a wild imagination!

Another Year Older

Aron celebrated his birthday on January 2nd. The kids and I surprised him with a Red Wings cake and tickets to see a game. No matter who's having a birthday, the kids always know how to have fun - especially if cake is involved! They even insisted on singing, "are you 1, are you 2, are you 3..." all the way to 36!!!

Hmmm... I wonder what he wished for? Does it still count if you only blow out one candle?I had to include this photo. Mac LOVES Sloane's room. He is always curling up under her table or on her bed. He even lets her dress him up. I guess even dogs like to celebrate the new year!

2012

Last night we welcomed in the new year at a bowling party with our neighborhood gang. We had 20 people bowling, eating pizza, and yelling "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" After bowling we headed home, put the kids to bed, and rang in the real new year with a bottle of champagne and a toast with our good friends Tracy and Dave. We are very hopeful for all that 2012 has to offer and feel blessed with such a great family and group of friends!!! Cheers to all this new year!

Antonio and Russell hanging out at the bowling alley.

Is it a strrrrrrike?!?!

Sweet and stylish bowler.

Zeke and Russell watching the scoreboards.

Sloane gives Casey a hug (more like a squeeze).

Can you see my top score? K earns 187!!!

Our family!

Christmas Fun!

We returned yesterday from our Christmas visit with Aron's family in St. Joseph. We had a wonderful time and felt surrounded by the Christmas spirit. Now we are looking forward to a fun-filled and relaxing vacation at home! I have put together a slide show of the kids on Christmas. Happy holidays everyone!!!

Customize your own slideshow design

My Toothless Wonder and Princess in Waiting

We are having a very exciting week! Last Saturday, Sloane and I (along with her good friend Sadie and her mother Christy) went to see the play Cinderella at Stagecrafters in Royal Oak. What a blast!!! Sloane enjoyed it so much that for her birthday we will be going down to Fisher Theatre in Detroit to see the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast - or as Sloane says, "the Belle play." On another note... After weeks of wiggling and jiggling... Drum roll please... RUSSELL LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH!!! He has been patiently waiting and with a little help from a McDonald's chicken nugget, it finally came out! His first visit from the tooth fairy has landed him $5.00 richer (the tooth fairy didn't have any singles) and even left him a piece of gum - something I don't readily allow. Check out the excitement:

Russell showing off the empty space in his mouth.

All dressed and ready to go!Sloane was so excited to wear her new dress from Grandpa Carlson and Bevie.Sloane and Sadie eating out before the show at Pronto in Royal Oak. Such little ladies!Ready for the show to begin!After the show we went out for dessert. For the girls - Christmas cookies. For the moms - red velvet and chocolate cake! Mmmmmmm!

Mom's Brag Book!

I can not help but take a moment to brag about my little girl... Check out the pictures:

Once a month, the parents are allowed to watch the last 15 minutes of dance class. Last week happened to be the week Sloane was chosen as the leader. Here she is leading the girls around the dance floor.

Shuffle, hop, step... gosh this brings back memories!!!And then... Tonight was Sloane's final Christmas musical with Grace Christian Learning Center. What a glorious night! These children know so much about God and the true meaning of Christmas. Here are Clay and Sloane - they have been friends since infancy."What child is this...""Who lay to rest""Frosty's in the House!""The Prince of Peace""Happy Birthday Jesus!"Miss Maria and Her Girls!!!Russell was excited to attend Sloane's musical to reconnect with his old buddies Carter and Jake. It is amazing that these boys can go months without contact and then instantly go back to where they left off!WE LOVE GCLC!!!

Christmas in Gladwin

Last weekend we celebrated Christmas with my family in Gladwin! The kids of course think it is wonderful that they get to celebrate Christmas 3 TIMES!!! It seems every weekend Santa is visiting us somewhere. In addition to opening gifts with our family, we also went to my hometown Christmas light parade followed by fireworks. We are definitely enjoying all that the holiday season has to offer us!!!

Sloane received a Disney Princess Ballerina DVD dance kit from Uncle Keith and Aunt Kelly!

Russell gets a blow-up deer target...yes he is definitely our future huntsman!!! Check out Mac - he can never be left out of the fun!

A Hello Kitty Make-up Set from Papa! Oh boy! Can we say 4 going on 14???Papa found the most wanted item - water blasters for our mega water fights at the lake!Uncle Keith could not resist our little make-up sales girl :-)We have been living and breathing princess ballerina!!! Sloane has awaken every morning this week by 6 a.m. wanting to do her ballerina DVD!