Vacation/Christmas

Christmas Vacation has started and I am looking forward to having to worry about homework and school stuff for a couple of weeks. Christmas vacation actually started the 17th but I am posting what we have done later. We really haven't done much it has been nice.

On Wednesday the 22nd we decided to go sledding with some friends that were visiting in Bellingham from California and so we went all the way up to Mt Baker and went sledding and let me tell you it was worth it. It has been so long since we have been to Mt Baker. The last time we went sledding there was when Madison was just barely a year old. It was so much fun to go back up there and go sledding, I forgot though how long the hills were and then you had to climb back up them, it is a work out just goin back up to sled back down. The kids had fun and it was fun to see our friends again and visit with them. Madison had such a fun time and Zach did too but he doesn't much like the cold so he had fun but was a little winey and well. Carson loved it as well but he wanted to take his coat and gloves off and so we had to take him back to the car to warm up. We had fun and I would like to go back there with just Larry and I and sled, because I don't know how to skii or anything like and either does Larry, and it would be nice to not have to worry about a 6 year old complaining and then a 2 year old you have to carry up the hill. So here are the pictures of our sledding adventure.

We are at the top getting ready to go sledding.

Madison happy as a clam after she went down the hill for the first time.
Here is Madison bringing the sled back up the hill, it isn't easy.

I love this picture because Larry went down the hill and his beard had a ton of snow on it, he kind of looked like Santa.

This is usually how we had to carry Carson back up the hill and it was not easy.

I picked this picture because you can see kind of how much snow there is and how the hill kind of is as well.

Larry trying to get Zach to get on the sled and Zach not wanting to and then Carson getting ready to push them down the hill. Zach got on but only because Larry pulled him on and went down the hill. Zach was not impressed.

He doesn't too unhappy.

We never got a family picture but we got one of Larry with the kids and them me with the kids.

My jacket looks extra big because I have about two coats on under the main coat. I wasn't about to get cold.

We said good bye to the mountain and went back down.

For Christmas this year we stayed home for our Christmas Eve. It just got to be too much to take everything up to my dad's and so we stayed home Christmas Eve and we went up to Bellingham on Christmas for dinner. It was nice to wake up in our house and open our presents at home and not have to worry about taking all of the kids presents back home with us either.

On Christmas Eve we went over to Carlee and Jason's because they weren't doing anything either and my dad came and stayed with them and we had a ham dinner and the kids played and we decorated sugar cookies for Santa and made reindeer food. It was quiet and nice and I think that next year I am going to have a party like we used to do when I was little with music and food and games and stories. I am already looking forward to Christmas next year. I love Christmas.

Zach and one of his cookies for Santa.

Adeline and one of her cookies. She was so cute I would take her picture and then she would want to look at her picture.

Heather and one of her cookies. Heather really got into it she did such a great job on her cookies.

Two of Heather's cookies

Madison and Zach dumping their reindeer food. It was raining outside so they were in a hurry. Zach wanted to put his on the roof but unfortunately we weren't able to do that.

Christmas morning. Zach helping Carson get started but Carson new exactly how to do it.

Madison got a ipod dock which she has been wanting for her ipod.

She opened her next present and it was a dsi and when she opened it Zach said that is was unfair that she got one.

Here she really excited about it.

Here Zach opened his Santa gift and he got his own dsi as well, he has been wanting one for a long time.

He also wanted Donkey Country Returns and he was super excited about that.

Carson happy as a clam and everytime he opened a present he wanted to open it and play with it. He loved it.

Carson was the last one to open his presents because he was distracted with his new toys.

When we were done with our presents we ate breakfast got ready to go to Bellingham and we picked up my dad from Carlee's and off we went. When we got to Bellingham we waited for Carlee and Jason to get there and we were told that we had to go down to my grandma's because she had something for the kids.

Here is Carson and little grandma.

After little grandma's we went back up to sister's and opened up presents from sisters.

Carson got some truck and cars which he loves.

Zach really wanted a paper jamz and he got it from my sister Angie's family.

Carson got hotwheels and a track and he had a blast with them. I think Jason had fun as well.

Madison got a Taylor Swift cd which she wanted. The kids faired well this year and I am greatful that it is over. I tried to teach my children that it isn't about the presents during Christmas and Madison and Zach got it which I am greatful for. Now I can't wait for next year. :)

A project well done

It all started about 6 years ago when we did our final walk through of the house and looked at the bathroom up stairs and noticed that the toilet in the bathroom was on the opposite wall across from the sink. It doesn't make sense I know. So when we saw it we asked them if it was right and they went back and looked at the plans and sure enough the plans showed the toilet right where they put it across from the sink. So we just lived with it. I know that is a long time to live with a toilet like that. Well it has really bugged Larry that the toilet was on the wrong side and me well I just got used to it. So a couple of weeks ago Larry decided that we were going to put the toilet beside the sink. Larry wanted to do it himself and he did except for the plumbing part because well he isn't a plumber. So he found out that his step brother is a journeyman plumber and we called him and did the plumbing fore the moving of the toilet and then Larry did the rest. My dad came and help Larry with the bathroom. When it was time for Larry to do the floors I asked him how he knew how to do it because he has never done anything like that before and his response was "DIY network", I think that is the right newtwork, it is one of the home improvement networks anyway. So we got it moved and it is amazing how much of a difference it really makes. I am so proud of Larry for taking on something that he has never done before he did a great job. The plus side of moving the toilet is that the bathroom had to be painted because they had to cut into the wall where the toilet was. I really like it the kids really like it as well.

This is where the toilet was before we moved it.

This is where the toilet should have been.
There is the hole in the floor.

More hole in the floor

This is what the bathroom looks like after. I still have to get white rugs to go in there but I like it already and I need to get something for the side of the wall that the toilet was on.

Basketball

We have started into the world of Basketball. This year both Madison and Zach are playing basketball, Madison decided not to do Ballet this year and try for some sports, this is Zach's second year playing basketball but it is still new to him. Madison does good for someone who hasn't played before, there are a few things that she has to remember and I think she didn't realize how much running it was. There are only seven girls on her team which means that almost all the girls play the whole game. They do take turns though sitting out if needed because we have one extra girl but unfortunately if we have two girls that are gone we have to reschedule the game because we can't play. Anyway Madison really enjoys it and I am glad. She isn't really aggressive but being aggressive really isn't Madison's thing but she is learning that in basketball she needs to be. Zach is doing good as well. He is still one of the smallest on his team but this year he is with kids from his school and it is boys that are in the first and second grade and they have alot of boys on his team. So all is going well and the kids are having fun and really that the most important thing anyway for right now. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of Zach yet but when I get some I will post them.

Here is Madison and the girls on her team.

When I have to take Carson this is usually what I have to do to keep him occupied so he doesn't run around. It works sometimes.
Here she is getting ready

Madison is great at defense she blocks her person really great, she just has to remember to get infront of her person to block them not behind.

I find her sometimes with her arms crossed. She must not be working that hard