Snow Day...

Winter decided to hit us this week. Wednesday morning we woke up to snow!I took the girls out for a little sled ride (right before the wind came...talk about good timing). We were going to build a snowman but the snow just wasn't quite wet enough. They had a really good time being pulled around together.Then we had snowman pancakes and hot chocolate for lunch! We would be playing in the snow more but Thursday we had freezing rain the entire day. So now there's a nice layer of ice on top of our pretty snow. Not your ideal kind of snow for playing in...but it looks pretty!

Reading with sister...

Eliza and Talia got a princess tent for Christmas. They discovered that when they put it on it's side it makes the perfect little cave for reading books. For a split second they were both enjoying reading and being together!Then they tried to smile for a picture...They really are cute when they play nicely together...however short lived it may be! And I really hope that Talia continues to enjoying books as much as her big sister does. It's a good thing for her to copy!

Welcome 2012!

Somehow the new year came and went without us taking pictures...but for posterity's sake I'll at least write down what we did! We spent New Year's Eve with the Moodys over at Chris and Missy's. We played games and ate a lot! Eliza was so excited to "stay up" yet really had no idea what that meant. When midnight came she was still energetic and going! Shortly after, when we were getting ready to leave however she became quite angry with me..."but I want to stay up!" The argument was short lived...how do you reason with someone who has no concept of time!? Talia apparently wasn't going to be left out either. She wanted to be part of the action and so refused to go to sleep each time I attempted to put her down. She finally gave up about 11:30pm...by that point I was almost ready to force her to stay up and ring in the new year! (But I didn't.)

New Year's Day was Sunday...probably the only Sunday that I will be thankful for 1:00 church. It allowed us plenty of time to sleep in and get ready. After church we joined our Hague family for the traditional black eyed peas and rice dinner. Let's hope that dinner brings us all the luck we need for this new year! Happy 2012!

Eliza's perspective...

Eliza got a camera for Christmas. She took quite a few pictures...her perspective is a little bit different than ours!

Joy School Christmas...

I have to do a little back tracking. Eliza had her Joy School Christmas program in December.She was Mary and Ty was Joseph. Here they are asking the Inn Keeper Emma if there is room for them to stay.Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.After the Nativity the kids performed the songs they had been working on. They did a great job! (Olivia, Paisley, Eliza, Emma, Ty...Kase isn't in the picture.)

Day after Christmas...

The day after Christmas we ate more food, played games, relaxed, and enjoyed some more time out in the snow.Eliza all bundled up! She had a great time playing in the snow.Me, Talia, Audrey, and Eliza in the snow.Dad trying out the sleds.The family in the snow...don't our children look thrilled?!

Christmas Day...

Christmas morning we woke up to LOTS of presents! Eliza was pretty excited about everything she got.Talia reading her new book with Grandma.Anything girly or princess themed was a hit...which pretty much describes each of Eliza's presents.Showing Uncle Dallin her present from Talia.Eliza being very excited about her pillow from Grandpa and Grandma.After opening presents we got ready and headed to church. Here's everyone Christmas morning!Christmas morning with our cute girls.Sisters in their new church outfits.

After church we ate a very yummy brunch and then Andy, Julie, Brayden, Dallin and Cassie headed back to Kennewick. The rest of us stayed and enjoyed relaxing on Christmas Day.

What a wonderful family Christmas!

Christmas Eve...

We had a wonderful Christmas at Cocolalla! The entire Hague family was there...and it was sooooo much fun!We had a lot going on...lounging around......playing the Wii.......Dance party (in case you were wondering)!We were extremely excited to have snow up there. There was already some when we arrived but when it snowed all Christmas Eve morning it was the perfect amount to get some sledding in!

Darran, Audrey, Dallin, and Cassie on the sled train.Apparently sons will always need help from their mom...no matter the situation!Dallin and Andy racing down the hill.Taking a breather? Or just left behind? Not sure!Audrey, Darran, Cassie, and Dallin.

I believe the quote for the day was "geronimo"...and it didn't even come from Dad!Speedy Audrey.Audrey and Eliza...they were quick buddies since Audrey had a pair of high heels that only could have been from Eliza's dreams!Almost the whole gang...Dad, Dallin, Eliza, Cassie, Frosty, Lori, Mitch, Elayna, Audrey, Andy, Mom.We had an amazing Christmas Eve dinner!Here are the "little ones." Talia and Brayden.Family dinner table.Eliza had to get some reading in before the festivities continued.We had our traditional Nativity that night. Here's Mary...she took her role very seriously. And then we opened a few presents. Eliza and Talia opened their Moody cousin presents. They were both very excited about them.And we exchanged our gifts from siblings. Such a fun day! Then it was off to bed to wait for Santa!

Santa times two...

We saw Santa Claus twice in one weekend!Friday night we drove by Senske Lawn and their AWESOME display of lights. We noticed people were parking and going inside so we decided to check it out. And we found Santa! Eliza was pretty nervous about talking to him but since we went up there with her she did ok. Then they gave us candy canes and hot chocolate!The next day we went to a Holiday fair with lots of games, crafts, and snacks for the kids. And Santa was there too! Since we took friends with us Eliza was a little more willing to go up to Santa with them there too. Quite the Santa filled weekend...although this did cause Eliza to ask when Santa would be coming to her house many times after!