Annual Cookie Decorating

December and the Christmas season wouldn't be the same without our annual cookie decorating time with Mema. This year Mema prepared the cookie dough, cut out and baked the cookies a day ahead so the kids could get right to what they enjoy most ... frosting and decorating. 

This little artist was right in her element ensuring her cookies were masterpieces.

I immediately took Dawson up to the bathroom after the cleanup and remedied his helmet head by giving him a long overdue haircut.

Cookie decorating is serious business with my trio. It's not about speed or production, they focus on the final look of the cookie. Holly candies placed just so; sprinkles evenly dispersed; candy canes lined red & white. 

We laughed so hard because the instant McKenna finished decorating her 1st cookie she immediately devoured it without hesitation. Call me biased, but Mema's cut out cookie recipe can't be beat.  Even though she baked around 8 - 10 dozen they don't last long in our homes given the fact that each of our sweet tooth prevails.
My neighbor and friend pulled me aside just this afternoon and told me how she thinks we are so blessed to have my parents live a stone's throw away and we all agree. Blessed indeed!

1st Snowfall of Winter

We received our 1st snowfall of winter the night of December 21st, the 1st official day of Winter! The kids couldn't wait to get all bundled up and head outdoors the following morning. It was cold but that didn't stop them! 

I laughed hysterically watching McKenna roll over and over again in the snow, her face beaming with joy!

The neighbor boys, Noah and Ben, joined the fun.

If you asked the kids, they would say the snow didn't last long enough. They are eager and awaiting the next snow fall!

The kids played long and hard before coming inside to enjoy a hot cup of ho-cho and cuddle up in front of the fireplace to warm up. 

I don't know about the rest of you, but we've been sporting pajamas for days this winter break. Things have been quiet which = good. We've spent far too many hours watching football, cartoons and recorded movies; the bigs have been engrossed in their screen time on the iPad, Kindle & their DS's; the threesome are either at each other's throat or playing beautifully together - this changes quickly and frequently; we've eaten loads of holiday treats and haven't done a darn thing to work off the extra calories. There are just a few days remaining of winter break before the kids return to their regular school schedule next Tuesday. We have a few fun things in store between now and then :)

Visiting "Santa"

As in years past we payed Santa's Wonderland at the local Bass Pro Shop a visit.

GG & Aunt Shari traveled into town for a very short visit the Thursday afternoon - Saturday morning prior to Christmas. Aunt Shari and I got the kiddos showered and dressed early Friday morning and were ahead of schedule to meet with Santa when he made his appearance at 10AM. 

We had a couple of pictures snapped then the kids made the trek around the activities and carousel. We shopped just long enough to lose McKenna in the camping department ('tis true). I picked up a Christmas gift and we returned home in time for lunch.

Embrace the Camera: November 14, 2013

A much anticipated stop at Schaake's Pumpkin Patch for a cup of hot cider and a pumpkin spiced donut. 

Oh my! My mouth is watering just thinking about that donut. 

My sweet tooth enjoyed every.last.bite!

We love family outing but they are always more special when Mema and/or Papa can join us in the memory making!
They make everything more fun!

{Parched} Pumpkin Patch

We picked a beautiful Saturday afternoon in late October and made the short drive to Schaake's  in Lawrence for our annual visit to the pumpkin patch. 

I snapped the obligatory photo 1st thing
How much fun would it be to carve that pumpkin above? OK, maybe not gutting it but carving it - shoot yeah!

Little Miss loved! this lion spring toy which occupied her while the bigs waited in line for the pumpkin launch nearby.

 Both kids gave it a valiant effort to hit a target.

 This child cracks me up! It's as if she is preparing to hike a pumpkin through her legs.

 Followed by her stance after commanding her sissy and her boy to "Come on!"

These photos speak volumes as to why I titled this post parched pumpkin patch. The kids were sports and walked rows and rows of patches in search of the perfect pumpkin to no avail. There were a handful of small green or yellow pumpkins and an assortment of flat white pumpkins which we all liked but not a one "acceptable" "pretty" orange carving pumpkin was to be found.

We did leave with a small assortment of pumpkins including a rather nice, large orange pumpkin (not pictured) that we selected from the pre-picked sale area. 

Travis & Papa were working this particular weekend so Mema accompanied us. More pictures to come in an ETC post. 

Stratton Oaks Annual Egg Hunt

Each year Ms. Kiersten organizes a neighborhood egg hunt. She purchases the candy and goods and stuffs what I'm sure ends up being hundreds of plastic eggs.

The kids all gather on the main hub (113th) and line the drive divided by age. Kiersten gives the instructions and the kids are off in the pursuit of some sugar loot.

Dawson was being a sweet big brother trying to keep McKenna in the correct line of kiddos.

Kiersten gave the go ahead and this was McKenna's response.

Complete deer in the headlights :)

I may have shouted for her to get her hunt on. 

There were enough plastic filled eggs for each child to seek out and collect 16.

McKenna landed on 5. 

I'm confident she will have her game face on at next years hunt now that she understands she is collecting sweet treats.

Dawson intent on investigating what treasure awaits him.

These are the boys who live directly next door to us.

Ben - age 6 and Noah - age 8

These four spends countless hours playing together! 

I wanted to include these last two pictures for memory sake. 

This is our super sweet neighbor girl, Madelyn, who I care for a couple hours every week. 

She LOVES her time at "baby Kenna's." 

PS. We don't refer to her as Kenna but I don't mind that some of her younger friends do.

This pint size ball of personality is Ellaina. Lainey {or Buggie as I often times call her} spends Thursdays with us. She is 3 months older than McKenna. They are such great play mates for one another. My hope is they will grow to develop a good friendship as the years pass. 

Sledding

Mother nature dumped a couple feet of snow on Kansas over the course of a week in late February which resulted in several snow days from school, lots of indoor playtime, snuggles by the fireplace and the perfect opportunity for sledding. 

Saturday, February 23rd we hit the hills just a couple of miles up the road. Initially we were the only family there before others joined closer to the noon hour. It was perfection! We weren't too sure what Little Miss would think of the events of the morning but she once again amazed us with her spirit of adventure. Travis and I quickly learned it's a good work out lugging a toddler up a steep incline in over a foot of snow time and time again. 

This was McKenna's 1st time down the hill.

And much to our surprise she didn't mind the snow blast to her face. The hill had seen many visitors before us which made for fun and fast sledding! 

It was SO much fun seeing the older two sledding independently as well as tandem sledding on the new sled they received the previous Christmas. 

Gabrielle tearing up the "slopes." 

And the craziest, most adventurous child of them all ... Travis. 

He not only spent a fair amount of time building a jump for us all (which resulted in many belly laughs, a few wipe outs and tears) but also decided he would brave snowboarding. On a plastic sled mind you. 

Burn out! 

This sweet ray of sunshine stayed bundled up atop a large mound of packed snow at the top the hill when not in action. She was and is such a trouper for always going with the flow even when the outing or planned event is geared toward the older two. 

She is growing up right before our eyes and is reminding us she isn't such a baby anymore.