Saturday, January 09, 2010

Snow Day with Grammy

We had a "snow day" with Grammy last week after we got several inches of snow! It was a fun day of sledding down her side hill, drinking warm cocoa, making homemade pizza, doing a winter craft, sitting by the fire and eating our yummy pizza! Thank you, Grammy, for planning such a great winter day for us!
Going down!

Grammy pulling Anna back up the hill!

Anna, our daredevil, LOVED sledding and asked to "go again" many times!

Mommy having some winter fun with her girls!

Mommy & Anna going down, down, down!!!

Getting tired...

Nothing like coming in from the cold and warming up with hot cocoa!


Mmmmmm!!

Making our pizzas!

Such helpers!

Craft time!

Glue sticks, painting, hand prints... doesn't get much better!

Adding the snow!

Staying warm by the fire!

I have so much much with my girls!!

Eating our delicious pizza made by Chef Claire & Chef Anna!

Friday, January 08, 2010

Happy New Year

We had a much needed relaxing New Year. On New Year's Eve we put the girls to bed, got Chinese carry-out and had a nice, quiet evening alone! New Year's day we went to Grammy & Papa's house for a traditional pork & sauerkraut dinner and watched our Buckeyes win the Rose Bowl! Can't ask for much more than that!
We hope that you all have a healthy and happy 2010.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11






Happy New Year!

Annual Christmas Hunt

It has become a Christmas tradition for the guys to go pheasant hunting around Christmas. Ben always loves hanging out with the favorite guys in his life and shooting their guns at innocent, unsuspecting birds! Anyway... this year Ben took our 12 year old nephew on his very first hunt and bought him a hunting vest. Connor seemed to be a bit reluctant initially, but Ben said he warmed up quickly and even got a couple birds! L to R: Uncle Brad, Connor, Ben, Thomas, Philip, and Papa (and a bunch of slaughtered birds).

His first bird! Hesitant, but proud!!

A sweet picture of uncle and nephew!

The group!

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Gingerbread House

Aunt Bethie, Grammy and I had fun helping the girls ice & decorate a gingerbread house on Christmas Day. I am fairly certain that Claire & Anna like eating the huge variety of candy more than the decorating part! We had fun and the house turned out so cute!






The masterpiece (of sorts)!!

More Christmas with Family

Here are some pics from some of our Christmas celebrations with family! One of our favorite holiday traditions is going to the Lemaster family Christmas dinner! I have one of the biggest, loudest, funnest, craziest extended families known to man! We always have a great time hanging out with them! The food is AMAZING! The Lemaster ladies know how to cook!

Some of my Aunts... Evelyn, Karen Sue, & Joyce.

My cousins (and Uncle Gary ,too!).

Claire had so much fun playing with all her cousins! Running around the gym and playing with the basketballs!

Some more of my cousins!

The Play-Doh table (thanks Jill!!).

The girls at my Grandparents house!

We really try to make an effort to visit them often! My Grandpa especially isn't doing well and seeing the girls really brightens their day!

So sweet! They truly love their Great Grandparents!

This melts my heart... priceless moments!

Nobody gets my girls more riled up than Grandpa Stephens!

So silly!

Christmas with the McDowells

This Christmas was a sad one for our family. My sister-in-law, Kristen, lost her mother just two days before Christmas after a long, hard fought battle. My Dad also had shoulder surgery a couple days earlier. We still managed to have a good time and my Mom did a great job making a delicious meal and preparing a beautiful Christmas celebration for our family! Thank you, Mom!! I know it was a difficult time. Lots of presents!!

Kristen, Grandma McDowell and kids!

Claire opening up her gifts!

Papa with his shoulder sling on... poor guy!

Connor!

Claire & Caroline loved their princess sleeping bags! Their excitement was contagious!

Me & my wonderful Mama!

Anna's birthday gift from Aunt Kristen & Uncle Shawn!



Love my family!

Uncle Scott, Aunt Heather & Catherine!

Lauren & Anna... cousins!