New Chapter

A new chapter has begun, one where I don't have time to both blog and create blog books.  My current plan is to write the books, then post the pages. As soon as I figure out how to do it, I will. :)

Presents and Time

Grandma Osborn made and gave us these cute sock snowmen! We each have our own. I love them!

She and Grandpa also gave us "snowballs" made out of socks. We had some really fun snowball fights.  Such a cute idea!

My parents send each kid their own reindeer.  So cute too. 

This was back when Baby J still napped a lot.  We were able to spend a lot of time playing dominoes and other games.  I love that the kids are old enough to enjoy doing those thing.

Christmas 2013

We made a huge gingerbread man.  He was deeeelicious!

Christmas Eve the kiddos open two presents, one a present about the Savior, and another, a new ornament. 

Then we acted out the story of the Saviors birth.  We had our own baby Jesus this year. 

She learned to braid that day.  She will work at something, with no break, until she gets it. 

 It's becoming a tradition to have the missionaries come for the day.   Here they are posing for their Avenger's shirt.  However, they are both home, and I don't have contact with them so it may not happen this year.

We took it easy this year for Christmas.  It was fun to just BE.

Christmas Parties!

Mr. M was in a cute play at his school.  He practiced and practiced.  It was so fun.

We were bored after his was finished and the third graders were doing there production so Dad snapped some pics. 

My fav..haha:

Gotta show the socks! 

M's classroom and mates. 

Miss L's classroom: 

 

 

Miss L's shuts down when there are a lot of adults she doesn't know.  She acts like she doesn't even know me.  When I have to pick her up from school, it looks like I am kidnapping someone else's child.  It's always a bit awkward but she lets me know, later on, that she is happy I came.

W Kids

Mr. D does a little class at the gym.  It's once a week.  He has gymnastics and then they do a little preschool type class.  He lives his classmate and I love the moms.  I thought he did a great job on these.

By Damon, 3yrs. 3 mos.

Goodbye, Toby

We got our dog, Toby, when Miss L was about 1-years-old.  He was this fat little roly poly thing that ate until he was stuffed and waddled around.  We found him at the pound in with the kittens.  He was so adorable, we just couldn't leave him behind.  They told us he was a border collie/healer mix and would grow to be about 30-40 lbs.  He ended up being around 60 lbs.

 

Toby is a very needy pup.  He followed me from room to room, he begged for attention.  The more kids we had the less he got.  He was my running partner.  At times he was a great joy.  I loved to run with him, I loved to toss his ball for him and watch him play with the kids.

 

Unfortunately, when we moved from Texas he changed.  He became anxious.  He starting nipping at people who came near his food.  He would bark and get very upset with new men who came over.  His nipping started to become biting, biting strangers who reached out or children who got to close.  He was gentle with our kids, but terrified of others, and would get aggressive. 

 

The time came we had to say goodbye.  We tried to rehabilitate him, to no avail.  We found him a new family.  They LOVE him.  It's a grown lady and her mom, no children.  He is so happy there.  I am so glad we did not have to put him to sleep. He brings them much joy too.  It's a win-win.  He definitely gets more attention over there too. 

 

It was hard to say goodbye.