Annual trip to Winter Wonderland

In our area the local Bass Pro Shop sponsors a Winter Wonderland and has Santa come to visit. The pictures are free and a digital copy is super cheap. So after visiting Santa there last year we decided to make it an annual event for the kids because they have lots of fun.

This is the picture with Santa from Winter Wonderland this year. We did try a picture with Ashlyn on Santa's lap but she turned around stared at him for about 10 seconds then turned and looked at Jay and I and wailed so needless to say that picture didn't look so great. And Sarah was not about the sit on Santa's lap maybe next year. Even with all the particular age groups our kids are this year we thought the picture was quite cute.
Colton's absolute favorite activity there was shooting the lasar BB gun. He was actually pretty good. Now he keeps asking Jay when he gets to go hunting. I just keep thinking about the Christmas movie when the little boy wants a BB gun and the adults just tell him he is going to shoot his eye out. HaHa!! But I think Colton will be a good hunter and that will be a great bonding activity for Colton and Jay when he gets a little older.
Ashlyn was just happy to be there! All smiles!

As for Sarah she is more of the off-roader type. Roughing it in her princess heels and fancy clothes, can't you just see it?! :) But I think she would have liked this jeep a little better if it were pink.

We have fun every time we go to the Bass Pro Shop, there is so much to do and so, so much to see.

Christmas Joys

Here is a picture of this year;s Gingerbread master piece. Unfortunately we had the non-drying frosting. I know that the frosting from the kits are supposed to dry/set quickly but we got a special kit. So the project took extra patience from the kids and has a "running-down" effect. But it was still cute and the kids had fun putting the candies on. Sarah also created a mini gingerbread house at pre-school and like most things she does, it was very fancy and had LOTS of accessories(candy) on top.
Oh our little princess, all dressed-up for Christmas. We had lots of comments of how beautiful the girls looked and how they look like little dolls with their fancy dresses and matching bows.
Ashlyn has precious moments but after church she is just tired. She wanted the pictures to be done with so she could take her afternoon nap. But you have to notice the tights, too cute, they have a mary jane shoe pattern on the foot.

Isn't that just the most precious crew ever? I think so. How could any of them be put on the naughty list?! :) And notice Colton's little gap. He got to honestly sing all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year and a time that we enjoy the excitement and spirit of our children. Their twinkle during the holidays is such a delight.

Merry Christmas 2010

Having fun with Family

Grandpa and Grandma were kept quiet busy between the three grandkids while they were visiting us. Unfortunately, Ashlyn wasn't quiet as demanding since she was not too thrilled at first that someone else besides Mom and Dad wanted to hold her. But she did warm up to them by the end.Colton was the ring leader for a number of games, one of which was good old fashion Monopoly!
The kids had fun and a test of patience as they waited for the icing to harden when they made a Gingerbread house with Grandma.
When bed time came Grandpa was a great bed time story reader!

And they even got read to by our newest reader in the family, Colton. He is becoming a fantastic reader especially those Cat in the Hat books which are his favorites.

Ashlyn just enjoys playing with the books and listening from a distance.

It was a great visit and as always we love having family come to visit us in California any time that they can and the kids love sharing their toys and home with everyone.

Our trip to San Francisco Aquarium

It was a great treat to have Grandma and Grandpa come the week of Thanksgiving. We thought it would be fun to do something in San Francisco so we decided to adventure to the Aquarium down on the Bay. Colton got eaten by the jaws of a Great White Shark, hence why he is looking a little dead:)
The kids loved going under water and being part of the displays of fish.
The petting pools were really neat. This pool had sharks and sting rays to pet. Both Sarah and Colton loved feeling the backs of the animals. Ashlyn did not pet any sharks. We decided since they were the same size that was not such a good idea but she did pet a snake.

The star fish and sea anemone were another favorite. The texture was really amusing.

The kids had such a great time. The aquariums are set up so that you walk through the middle and fish, sharks and other creatures are swimming beside and above you. It was amazing to see all the different species that live out in the Bay.

What a educational and memoriable experience in San Francisco.

ADORABLE MOMENTS at HOME

Some days you just look at your kids and realize how fast that they are growing up and you just want to capture every moment as possible. Here are a few kodak moments from home last week. Ashlyn is growing up so fast! She is sitting up playing by herself now and is eager to move but has not quite figured out how and is not quite strong enough yet.
Colton is getting smarter every day. He was so proud today after a great day at school, where he got a perfect score on his Spelling test and passed his minusing 8's timed test.

Sarah is full of ups and downs but lately she has been full of lots of love in those up moments. Out of the blue she will say, "Mom you are the best!" Music to a mother's ears!

GQ Little boy style! Thought I would try to catch Christmas card picture moments!

How cute is that! Look up to her daddy! She is ready for the holidays! Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner?!

Colton's Birthday Party Karate Style

What a FUN party! I think we can call this one a success and I didn't have to clean my house for everyone which made it so much more enjoyable for me. We had a Pinata that every kids got to take at least 3 swings at but at the end it was Colton who broke it apart but not with the stick. Colton broke this Pinata apart with karate kicks!
We are so gateful for such good friends and we were happy that so many of them could join us to celebrate Colton's 7th Birthday.

The kids got to learn some TeaKwonDo moves to start the party off. Colton got to show off his skills and he has really gotten good.

The kids played so many fun games!! One of them being a NERF war, every boys dream come true. And even the girls had a good time!

It took me awhile to decide what kind of cake to make and in the end this was our cupcake dragon cake for Colton's party. I am a huge fan of the cupcake cake. It is much easier!

Make a Wish and have FUN!

Thank you for the great gifts! Colton had every Lego set he got put together within a day!

He had a great time and I heard that the KARATE party was the PARTY!! It fills my heart with join to see my child have such a fantastic day and to know how special he is to so many people.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLTON!

What a Memoriable Experience

For Colton's Birthday present from Jay and I he wanted a trip to the "Mud Mill," a place where the kids paint a piece of pottery and then they fire it and glaze for them. Colton really enjoys artistic activities. I think that is the one thing he wish he could do more of is art projects of any sorts.
Our first trip Colton chose a Dragon and then for his Birthday he chose a Soccer ball bank.

Sarah just LOVES any opportunity to Paint, no matter where she is. On our first trip she painted a Castle bank and then on Colton's birthday she painted a cute little Snail.

Ashlyn is always just happy to be a part of the activity. She is extremely alert and attentive to what is going on around her, especially what her brother and sister are up to. She is so pretty in Pink!

I just love those spontaneous picture moments and I just had to include this pic!