Holiday happenings...so far

The first week in December they had a Merry Merchant Munch (free food and prizes at several of the local small businesses) and the lighting of the tree in town square.



It was a lot of fun and the boys loved the abundance of treats and hot chocolate everywhere! Josh's favorite was the warm chocolate chip cookies...I think I caught him mid bite in this picture.




Santa made his appearance in true Alaskan style, accompanied by his eight "tiny" reindeer. I couldn't get a good shot with all of the reindeer and sleigh, so this is Houston with Cupid.




Houston at his Christmas Program, they all did such a good job! Houston is on the second row from the bottom, behind the little girl in the Santa dress.





Jaxson playing in the new snow



Josh and I decided to test out our snow shoes and had a good time stomping around in our back and side yard. Jaxson wanted Josh to give him a ride!





Houston building a snow fort with our neighbors next door



Our wonderful primary choir


Mary and her baby. Everyone got to put straw into the manger as their gift to Christ


The list keeps changing...


Super Cheesy and super sleepy

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

We had such a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with some of our "Alaska Family" and wow did we celebrate!




Jaxson going lefty just to make sure the food kept coming!


I love that the Coombs have made pinatas a new must have at any celebration. Such a great time and the kids were in heaven!



I still don't know who was having more fun, James or all of the kids!




Some of the guys on "babysitting" duty....such hard work!

It wouldn't be quite the same without Black Friday craziness and this year was insane, but so much fun.


Cute pregnant Marianne being a good sport and repeating her Target Lady pose from last year.


Cathie, Marianne and I with our cart full of goodies

October Fun

Hard at work scraping, carving and decorating





Most of the finished products


Jaxson and Paxson ready for the Playgroup Halloween Party


Trying to get everyone lined up for a picture....it was pretty cute!


Cupcake walk


Optimus Prime and The Green Skeleton at the Ward Halloween Carnival


Cheese! If I was holding my camera then he would say Cheese and want to see the picture.



Entertaining, messy and hilarious to watch! (donuts & Pie eating)



The neighborhood hayride was a lot of fun and the kids loved the hot chocolate and candy at our stop.



Enjoying the ride


Our attempt at a family picture....not so successful, but funny!

Halloween Fun at the Reindeer farm

Jaxson riding on "his" horse. When he was asked if he wanted to get off, he said "No Thank you, I want to ride"


Houston LOVES horses and keeps trying to convince us that we need a few in the back yard.


We took two trips to the hay maze and guess what? We didn't get out any faster! It was huge and the kids were having a blast running around in it.





Enjoying their prizes from the maze on the hay ride


Houston feeding the Reindeer. They had been fed a lot and weren't as interested in our food.


Jaxson was getting upset that they weren't eating as much and kept saying "They are full...Reindeer aren't hungry"



Feeding Mr. Moose was one of the highlights of this area and both boys kept laughing when he would eat the leaves and twigs.







The Pumpkin Patch





They had two different kinds of hay rides and the boys wanted to make sure we got to ride on both....a few times!

FIRE!

Our volunteer fire department had an open house last Saturday and it was amazing. Food, prizes, tours and the highlight....a ride on the fire truck!


The kids checking out the ambulance


Newly appointed Fire Chiefs Dax and Jax, taking the truck out for a spin


Jaxson, Houston and Ezra taking a ride on the Brush Rig


Loading up on the fun prizes and fire supplies

Phonograms, racing, and fun

Houston receiving his award from the principal for finishing his first 26 phonograms.



Running Jamboree


Houston and Lillian with their medals.


Story time at Appletree bookstore


Boys on the stairs during playgroup