Christmas 2011

This was one of our more low-key Christmases and I was thankful for that. As always there were tons of gifts to be open and the kids ended up with so many nice things! After opening gifts in the morning Corey made breakfast for all of us. Doug and the boys went skiing and Corey, Annemarie and I headed to the Larkin's for their annual Christmas open house. Later that day we ate leftovers and went to bed early. It was a great day!

Will checking out what Santa left for him.

Jack opening his first set of golf clubs.

Annemarie opening the Rapunzel doll and dress that Santa left for her.

Golf clubs and dress up...the kids looking pretty happy.

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Eve was busy and fun filled. This year Mom, Corey and Dad were all visiting which made it feel like a traditional Christmas (but in Montana, of course). We changed things up and had our family dinner on Christmas Eve before Mass. This year Will and Jack participated in the church Nativity play held prior to service beginning. It was very cute and I didn't get enough pictures.

The crazy kids all ready to be snug in their beds.
Our attempt at a family picture. (This was the best out of five).

Jack as a Wise Man and Will as Joseph.

Not sure who thought these guys could be serious and follow directions. Thankfully they didn't have any lines and the play was only a few minutes long.

Holiday Party & Gingerbread House Building

We held a holiday get together last night and had so much fun. Christmas time can be hectic but when you're enjoying the company of those you cherish you cannot help but feel so lucky. As an activity we had gingerbread houses for the kids to decorate. They did such a great job.

Getting started

The chef and her sous chef.

What a masterpiece!

Matthew and Laura with their house.

Annemarie, Aunt Erin and Jack

The Candy Monster returns.

School Program

The 1st and 2nd grade holiday programs were on Tuesday. Jack's was call the Incredible Reindeer (hence the reindeer antlers) and Will's was called Christmas at the OK Corral. Both were very cute and entertaining. The moment to remember would be when Will had a few lines and kept saying to the other kids (there was a microphone) "Stop hogging the microphone...I'm not hogging the microphone...you are." Somewhat mortifying as his mother but definitely a funny moment for the audience.

Will Turns 8!

It was a great day to turn eight. It was cold but the sun was shining. Will took cupcakes to school to share with his class and they dug into them before 9a. What a fun start to the day. This evening we made Will's favorite dinner...risotto (with carrots and apples on the side) and followed it up with mint chocolate chip ice cream cake.

The perfect reaction to a gift. Apparently he was excited.

Sharing AND putting together the Harry Potter LEGO set. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Happy Birthday Will!

Opening Day

Today was opening day on Big Mountain. The boys made it up there and skied a few runs. They also enjoyed the views/inversion.

Feeling Festive

A few holiday pictures to share.

Trimming the Tree

Time to decorate the tree and the kids could not have been more excited. They were very focused and didn't want any help when it came to hanging ornaments. They did a great job.

Annemarie doing her part.

Will trying to hang ornaments on the top part of the tree.

All the elves.

Our darling tree.

Tree Shopping

We went looking for our Christmas tree this weekend. We didn't have to go far. We found the perfect one in a lot just a few miles from home. The kids of course had lots of fun and were very helpful.

Will asking if we could take home a tree that was still in the ground and growing.

Annemarie and Jack looking for the perfect tree.

Doug and the kids.

Let's take it home!

Thanksgiving 2011

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Oregon this year. We had dinner over at Sara and Jason's house (they prepared everything and it was so good!!). It was a quick trip but we really enjoyed seeing all our family.

Mick, Will and Doug enjoying Thanksgiving football.
Family picture

Annemarie and Grandma

Will and Jack playing a game

Annemarie making a grand entrance.

The boys with cousin Caleb.

Grandpa and Tyler

Annemarie with the teeny glass Uncle Steve gave her.

Annemarie reading to Jen and Uncle Steve.

Snow!

We had a light dusting of snow on Saturday, so that technically would be our first snow. However, this morning when we got up it was snowing and hasn't stopped yet. I had to scramble and find boots, snow pants and mittens for everyone...thankfully it didn't take long. Bring on the snow!

Singing the praises of snow...

Halloween 2011

So the big difference this year was that we had trick-or-treaters at our home. In past years maybe we'd get two or three (in Oregon and Montana). So this year I was ready. I started stock piling candy so I didn't have to purchase it all at once. We ended up going through 4 large Costco bags of candy and a Costco box of fruit snacks (when the candy ran out).

The kids celebrated Halloween at school, they bring their costumes and then get dressed later in the day. They have parade through the school so all the students can see what each other is dressed up as. The teachers and staff also get into the spirit. Second grade teachers were dressed up as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and 1st grade teachers were fairies. The boys were pretty impressed.

We began our festivities at home around 5p. The Peschels and Erin joined us for food and drinks and then we headed out to trick-or-treat. Erin stayed at the house and handed out candy for us. Stef, Tyler and Kathy stopped by to check out the chaos. Tyler was quite the greeter and wished each and every trick-or-treater Happy Halloween. It was hilarious. The amazing Raider pumpkin above was done by Erin. It received tons of comments and I like to think it was the best looking pumpkin in all of Whitefish!

Jack, Annemarie and Will showing off their costumes
A Storm Trooper, Jedi and Boba Fett. Happy Star Wars Halloween!

John, wearing Annemarie's bumble bee antennas

Trick or Treat!

Candy Monster

"My tummy hurts"

Tyler Larkin - the cutest monkey ever!