A Great Day for Washers

Yesterday the weather was gorgeous, with perfect light!

So we played washers as a family.

Maebelle has great form!

Above: Maebelle is hoping Zac's shot will go in. I believe this one was one of the few bullseyes of the game. : )

I love that above I caught both Orion throwing and Maebelle dropping the washers she was holding.

By this point in the game, the score was close. Orion and I had been in the lead the entire game. But Maebelle and Zac were catching back up.

Maebelle puts on her game face, which includes this cute little mouth thing. You can see it above as well, in the second picture. I love it!

She scores big:

That put them at 21. I tried one more shot, and came close, but close was not enough. They won 21 to 17. : (

Orion was a good sport about it.

The winners! In a pretzel!

Here's to  more warm, sunny days and yard games!

Christmas in Auburn, Part Jonah

So this may be more moment by moment than anyone actually needs to see, but I loved this series so much that I couldn't help myself. I was sitting right across from him, so it made for great photos. 

Maybe I should take that into consideration next year and sit across from my kids instead of what I did this year - across the room and so close that I cannot get great shots.

Jonah opening his gift from Grandma:

Beautiful Brandy:

He loves the dinos!

He loves all the dinos!

ROAR!!!

He is just so sweet. I love it so very much! I love him! : )

Christmas in Auburn, Part 1

Christmas in Auburn is a fun time with food (soup this year), fire (even if it is too warm), and lots of smiles.

Orion had a package of extra Nerf darts in his stocking. While Jonah tries out the whistle from his stocking. 

This year, the kids (our kids) drew names and shopped for a thoughtful gift for their recipient. I felt like it made the gift giving much more heartfelt.

Orion had Jonah. Orion loves Legos and he thought Jonah might as well.

Jonah also loves tractor rides from Grandpa. So, tractor legos it was.

"Plus he can learn colors and fruit!" ~Orion

Within a few days, I received a text from Brandy that included a picture of Jonah leaned over the table closely contemplating the box of his legos. It was so special to see. Orion appreciated it as well!

Maebelle shopped for Kenzie. She found something crafty that would also be useful afterwards. It's a pillow craft so after you're done creating the face of the big eyed cat, in this case, she can keep it on her bed or use it around the house.

For some reason I didn't get a picture of Orion with his gift open, but Kenzie had him and he got this really cool remote control bumper car set.

You have to try to bump into the other car and knock the other guy off of his car to win. It's really fun! And it's remote control. Orion LOVES anything remote control! (Honestly, what boy doesn't love remote control?)

Maebelle received a peace sign chalk board, which matches the peace sign necklace Grandma got for her. : ) Parker also got her a dreamcatcher craft. Both right in line with Maebelle's interests.

Jonah had Parker's name. At 11 years old, you don't really need toys, so really cute socks and athletic clothes it was.

I have to say, I was a bit jealous. Her outfit was so cute! Good work Jonah!

On to gifts from Grandma and Grandpa!

Oh, the anticipation! The wonder...what ever will it be?

"I bet it's a Nerf gun Mama. It's the right size!"

Maebelle has been wanting Apples to Apples for probably over a year. She LOVES that game!

All the kids got jammies as well!

Warm, cozy jammies are a Christmas tradition at my mom's house.

Just what he was hoping for! Leave it to Grandma to deliver!

More to come!

November Birthdays

Maebelle's birthday and mine are next door neighbors.

After celebrating our birthdays during our thanksgiving dinner at my mom's house, Maebelle and Orion came home and dug right into her Jelly Belly's from Jonah, Brandy and Josh.

When we were at the Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays (see Gingerbread Barn post), I mentioned to Mom that I was sad they didn't have puppy chow at the bake sale. She totally remembered and made me a whole bag of it for my birthday!

It was so delicious, I could not stop!

My mom gave Maebelle a tree for her birthday that was decorated for the holidays! What a wonderful idea! Maebelle loved it and still has it in her bedroom. : )

And these are just the remains, but of course, Maebelle got her turkey cake.

Trying to figure out what flavor is what is so fun! So much fun it makes a sister want to share with her brother. ; )

Then on the evening of Mabelle's actual birthday, we celebrated with Hannah, Kyle and Heidi. Here she is now, being weird with what they were pretending were light sabers.

Since we had so many sweets over the few days prior to this evening, Maebelle wanted poppy seed bread for her birthday treat. It was a great choice and turned out DELICIOUS! But the bread has an amazing glaze on it that we didn't want to compromise. So, butter candles it was.

And it suited Maebelle perfectly. She LOVES butter. Disgustingly enough, she could eat it straight if we'd let her. Ewww...

A new book and handmade bookmark from Heidi, Hannah and Kyle.

As she began to open the gift, a strange song began to play, explaining the curious look on her face above.

A PHONE!!!!! All her own.

Brandy gave me the cutest little tea kettle for my birthday. She had noticed that I didn't have one when she and Jonah hung out with the kids earlier in November. So sweet of her to remember!

Maebelle hiding with her phone. After I took this picture, the thought occurred to me that we might not really see her anymore. However I do have to say (in true Maebelle style) she has done really well with the phone. She loves to play on it, but it has not overtaken her life.

I really had no right to be concerned. Maebelle is about the best girlie anyone could ask for. : )

Thank you to everyone for such wonderful, thoughtful gifts! We are blessed to be surrounded by amazing family.

I have lots of holiday pictures to come. Hopefully soon!