Big Boy Underwear!

Mikey is sporting something new these days and chances are you won't notice at first glance. But the puffy diaper-bottom is gone and in its place, under his pants, he is wearing them...BIG BOY UNDERWEAR!He worked hard to earn them. In addition to earning a Pez every time he went potty in the toilet, Mikey also placed a sticker on his potty chart. When it was finally full, we went to Target where he picked out his first packages of big boy undies.

He proudly chose packages of superhero and Sesame Street unders.
Kennedy helped place them all out on the couch before he decided which ones he would wear.
Today marks the second day of wearing them- even out in public. He has had a couple of accidents, but each time he apologized to Cookie Monster and Elmo for going potty on them.

Karate Kids

The three older children were given karate lessons for Christmas. This week marked their third week taking the class.

I am impressed with the academy's approach to teaching the children. Emphasis is placed on being a good listener, paying attention and practicing self control. What parent wouldn't want extra help teaching those traits to their kids!

Visiting the Museum of Glass

While studying the Phoenicians in our history lessons, we learned that they were the first glass makers to blow glass. All around the Mediterranean Sea people were glad to pay the Phoenicians for their glass wares.

We visited the Museum of Glass to check out glassblowing first hand. Entrance is free the third Thursday of each month, so we took the older three to enhance their studies and broaden their appreciation for this ancient art.The walkway outside the museum is full of amazing glass eye candy art. We were mesmerized by the beautiful glass ceiling as we passed under it.

The children had fun picking their favorite pieces in the encased outdoor display.

This one was Kennedy's fav.This giant structure reminds me of those fancy rock candy stir sticks that can be dissolved in coffee. There was a team of three artists working on this piece of glass. The rod that the orange glass is attached to is actually a pipe through which the artists blow air in order to stretch out the glass. Our children were very interested as they watched the process. This was the only place inside the museum where cameras were allowed.

The other exhibit that the children enjoyed was one in which children drew creatures on paper and the winning designs were turned into glass art. Harrison especially enjoyed hearing the descriptions that the children gave of their own designs. Bacon Boy, Pizza Cat and a fish sitting on a banana riding a skateboard were among their favorites.

I loved the lighting outside the Museum of History as we passed by on our way back to the van.

The children had a great time and we were very pleased with their interest in the art and the process. We are all looking forward to another visit.

Our Little McKinley is Six Months Old!

Yesterday marked Mickey's half-year birthday. I am amazed at how quickly the time has gone by. This last month she has gotten stronger and is able to sit up on her own for longer periods of time before tumbling over. She continues to be a happy little girl and such a delight to us all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOx1eri7c18

So glad I was able to capture her screechy-squeal on video. It helped that big brother was making silly faces for her.

Before and After

Before

After

Before

After

Our Christmas Cabin

This year among Ken's family we decided not to exchange gifts. Instead, each family chipped in to rent a lodge up at Mt. Rainier. It was snowing up at Paradise and the children were enjoying their first snowy experience of the year ... until Mikey took off his mittens and began crying about his hands being too cold, Harrison refused to wear his snow suit and his jeans got too wet, , and McKinley was upset by the cold air on her little cheeks.

Grammy and Papa took the younger three to the visitor center to warm up while the two older kiddos had a chance to try out their new sleds. In the above video Jack sleds down first and then Ken gives Kennedy a push down the hill.
All of the family gathered at the Dancing Bear Lodge when they finished in the snow.

The dining room was big enough to accommodate all 22 of us!The three little boy cousinsThe girl cousins enjoyed snuggling together in the morning.

Everyone loves Aunt Becky's cinnamon rolls.

Good times. Fun memories. Hopefully we will do it again next year.

Visiting With My Mom

My mom came for an after-Christmas-celebration from the other side of the mountains. My aunt and sister's family joined us for a scrumptious dinner and some more gift-giving.The grandkidsAunt Cyndi and McKinley The kiddos opened gifts from Gramma Karen.

While my mom was visiting we spent an afternoon at the Children's Museum. Harrison and Mikey paired off and explored together while my mom took Jack and Kennedy ice skating.

No photos of the ice skating experience. When we met back up with Gramma and the big kids they were already taking off their skates. But I love the above photo of the children with an ice sculpture that was outside the rink.

Here's another good photo. We are glad for the nice visit with Gramma Karen and will look forward to seeing her again in the spring when the mountain passes are more drivable.

Capturing Christmas Day 2009

Christmas morning the children awoke to lights, gifts, the scent of cinnamon rolls and a tea ring, and a letter from Santa.It was addressed to Harrison, thanking him for the cinnamon roll and reminding him to tell his brothers not to shine their flashlights in anyone's eyes. The stockings were stuffed and waiting to be opened.

MickeyMikey Hare-BJack-OKikiThis year we decided that in place of big gifts, the children would receive experiences. The three oldest children were surprised to open Karate gi's and find out that they were going to begin Karate lessons in the new year. J and K were given art lessons and all the children received a gift certificate for a local bouncy house.
Dad's big gift from all of us was a pair of cowboy boots. I love that he wasn't expecting it. I think he's worn the boots every day since he got them. I rarely nail it on the head, so I've been very pleased with his satisfaction over our gift.I didn't plan on purchasing gifts for the children other than their stocking stuffers and experiences. But when I was at the western store, I thought that it would be neat if the children had cowboy boots, too. I caved.

My lovable red necks.

We went to my grandpa and grandma's home for a celebration with the extended family. Here are the Christmas birthdays; December 21, 23, 25 & 26.

McKinley's first Christmas. What a delightful child.

It was a nice Christmas with family. I enjoyed the company, delicious foods, sparkles, and carols. Something was missing though. Throughout the month of December we had focused on Jesus as the reason for Christmas. We read the account of His birth from the Bible as well as from many children's story books. We played with our manger scene and placed the crown of thorns on top of our tree. We sang, "happy birthday to Jesus" as we ate peppermint ice cream and appreciated the Sunday school crafts that our children made in preparation for Christmas. But when Christmas morning actually came, we got caught up in the lights, stockings, treats, etc. We didn't pause to give Jesus His place in the day. I regret that. When our celebrating was over and most of the children were tucked all snug in their beds, I snuggled up in my bed with Kennedy and we took turns reading from the book of Luke about the first Christmas Day.