Christmas Snow

This year we had snow on the ground before Christmas. The weatherman predicted that we would get a dusting of snow for Christmas day. That turned into 4-6 inches of dust. I can't complain because it made for a beautiful landscape.

We have three steps going to the front door. I can only see 2.

Throughout the whole front yard we have many tracks just like these. I just hope these rabbits don't invade my garden come spring.This is from a large spruce in the front yard,

The latest forcast is that we will be getting more snow tomorrow, but less then 1 inch. We will see. This month alone we have recieved 17.5 inches of snow so far. Oh well I guess that is what I deserve for moving to Minnesota.

T'was the Night Before Christmas

Thomas, Mariah, and Esperanza all huddle around the Christmas tree to listen to the phone call from Santa. Every year Dad calls poised as Santa. I talk to him ahead of time to give him a list of items each kid is getting for Christmas, each kid gets a hint of what they will see the next morning under the tree. (Mariah plays along)

Mom has started her own tradition of sending Gingerbread house. This year Mariah is finding out how hard it can be to squize frosting out of a tube. ( I put the frosting into a decorator bag with a tip)Looks like she did get the hang of it afterall. Hey, Look!! They are working together, and nobody is getting hurt. We must all mark our calendars.

Finished and decorated by the kids. Front View

Side ViewOther Side.

After bathing and putting on their New Pajamas they are ready for bed.Well, I guess all good things must come to an end. Thank goodness they have separate rooms. As it is I am still waiting for them to go to sleep and it has been over an hour.

Merry Christmas.

Happy Birthday Mariah!!!!

Mariah celebrated her 10th birthday today. I had to work this morning and Sherry attempted to make the birthday cake for me. Well, needless to say, it flopped. Mariah's comment was, "Well I didn't quite know how to tell you, but I wanted my mom to make it anyway!"

When I came home she insisted that the cake be made in a bundt pan, and the only pan that resembled that was my Angel food Cake Pan. As you can see, it turned out to look like a donut. I decided to add the finishing touch of the sprinkles. She thought that was so funny.

While the cake was cooking I ran to the party store, Mariah thought I was going out to my car to retrieve her presents. She said she would stay in my room until I said the coast was clear. I guess she stayed in there for approx. 30 min. before she realized that I wasn't even home. I surprised her with a bunch of balloons.

I made her wait until 7:00pm to open her gifts. When she opened the last gift, she had a puzzled look on her face. She opened the box and found a block of wood, a partially used roll of paper towels, and a orange grocery bag. Mariah removed each item one by one and found taped to the bottom of the box, gift cards to Walmart. That is when she let out a screech. I guess that is what she wanted, to go shopping.

In all she said she had a good birthday. She even shared the bows with Thomas. She is l so looking forward to the box that comes from Grandma on Tuesday.

Our Trip to Monster Jam

Last night JT and I took the kids to see the Monster Trucks at the Metrodome. Mariah and Thomas were able to bring a friend. We had seats in the nose bleed section but that gave us a good vantage point to see all of the action.

Thomas was so excited that His driver in the Grave Digger Truck won, even after rolling over completely, returning to its wheels and completing the course.

Mariah's Favorite part was when Bounty Hunter crashed through an old Winnebego.

All in all it was fun, we didn't get home until 11:30 and the kids didn't get into bed until after Midnight.

The First Snow Storm of the Season

We made it through the first snow of the season. We didn't get as much as they said we would but 8 inches is enough.

Jt is out playing with the snow blower, trying to keep a head of the snow plow. It never seems to fail, they always come by just as soon as we spend an hour clearing the driveway.

Mariah is bound and determined to make the largest kid made snowman ever. I am not sure if she will succeed, but she has made a small mountain. It is large enough for both her and her brother to play king of the hill.
This is the time of the year where the kids are required to wear snow pants and boots to school, so the teachers can send them out for recess, as long as it is above zero degrees.

Poor Tuxedo is so tired from the kids picking on him all day. He is has found the highest point in the house to take a nap.