Merry Christmas!

We hope all of our family and friends had a safe and happy Christmas!
In an effort to not get behind (due to so many great pics:) Mommy is posting lots of pis with minimal text:)

The kiddos opening a gift from Grandma Pat and Grandpa Roger on Monday.  Thank you!!!






LOOK where Elvin, the Elf on the Shelf ended up!  Ayson wanted Mommy to take a picture and send to is First grade teacher, Mrs Zehner:) Never mind Addie's hair, it does not get brushed until she is sitting down and eating breakfast :)


Mommy attended the holiday sing (Thanks Neighbor Jo for telling Mommy to make time for this informal program at school :)


Both kiddos sat on Mommy's lap...boy, was it HOT in the cafeteria with all of those people AND Santa!!!


Addie's holiday art work


Ayson's family tree and Santa


The kiddos receiving their awards for the FIRST annual pumpkin carving contest.  Thanks, Grandpa Roger!!




The kids had great expressions on their faces while Daddy read aloud the letter :)


A walk in the orchard on Christmas Eve (to get some fresh air AND tire the kids out ;)


Look at the hives!!!


The  kiddos insisted on pulling sleds...


Nice pout face Addie


All smiles now that she is playing (and not walking)




Zoom in on this picture...Ayson is trying very hard not to smile!


Sprinkling reindeer food on the front lawn:)




The kiddos and Daddy and Mason watching movies


Mommy's four loves :)
Funny story: The kids were mostly good on Friday and Saturday and were told that IF they did not behave that Santa would NOT bring them the gifts that they asked for.
Well, Daddy "asked' for a new garbage can (last week he cut his hand on the lid on our metal trash can) and during an instance when Daddy was rough housing with  Addie, Addie stated "I will tell Santa to NOT bring you the trash can that you asked  for"  hahahahahahahaha!!!


The kiddos next to the treats and their Santa lists (Santa only brought three big gifts for the kids...Mommy/Daddy and friends/family give the rest)


The kids seeing the Grandparents gift for the first time: a star projector!  thanks, Grandmas and Grandpas!!!!










Addie was out soon after her head hit the pillow BUT Ayson would NOT go to sleep!




Santa left notes on the lists...the Turbo Charger (a robot toy) could not be fixed :(


Ayson woke us up at 5:30...sigh.  At least he lets us sleep in on regular weekends :)


The kiddos playing with their robot dog and cat :)


Addie playing with the doll house while Daddy puts together the racing track




Mason, Daddy, and Ayson


The "loop de loop" and Legos (and the "BaCoN" periodic table shirt that Mommy gave to Daddy)!


Addie working on a craft toy


Mommy had asked Daddy if Santa should put together the Robot Arm toy BEFORE Christmas and Daddy said no,  Hahaha..it took Daddy at least 4 hours to put the Robot Arm together.


Mommy' and Daddy's gift from the kids was to go on a hike with NO complaining.  We went to Tinker Falls!






While taking this photo, Mommy thought "hmm, the kids should not be in the water even though the water is only 2 inches deep"...well, Addie slipped and got her leg wet (and cold)...So, we went home early :)


Almost done!


TaDa!

Thankfulness

Another quick week for A^4 with much to be thankful for!  We are all happy, healthy, and have family and friends that love us!

Mommy's colleague and friend, Robyn, gave the kiddos a "build your own birdi feeder:)"


Thanks, Robyn!!!
Sigh, take a look at Ayson;s poor eyes.  Ayson was not feeling great Monday night and ended up staying home on Tuesday.  Mommy now thinks that she and Ayson MIGHT be allergic to the Christmas tree...as we both keep sneezing more than normal when at home....ugh!


Another ornament on the tree!


Mommy was floored when she read the thank you note from Teagan to Ayson.  Ayson "stood up" for Teagan when another child was calling Teagan a liar...granted, Ayson did call the other child the "real" liar.  We ARE working on how to "stand up" for someone without antagonizing others ;)
Every school day, before the kiddos get on the on the bus, Mommy reminds the kids to: "have fun, listen to their teachers, be nice to everyone...as others may not be having  "good", day and that Mommy and Daddy love them."


Hahaha!  Addie helped Daddy clean the fish tank Friday night.  Daddy had Addie take off her shirt so that she could put the structures back in the tank:) Mommy loves that Addie still has the "baby" elbow  dimple.


Mason and Daddy getting personal on Friday night :)


Mommy and Daddy's friend, Sister Caryn (a Franciscan nun that was formerly a usfws biologist, along with Mommy) came over Saturday afternoon for a visit. It was wonderful to catch up with Caryn!!  Addie even colored Caryn a picture :)


We told Caryn that we got rid of her old couch (finally) in the "boys room"and replaced it with the "new" couch :) When Caryn joined the "Nunnery" (as we jokingly call it), she gave us some of her furniture and house hold items...the rocking chair that Mommy used for both kiddos, as babies, is looong gone).  Thanks for the visit, Caryn, we love and miss you!!!


All three "kiddos" finishing the gingerbread houses Sunday morning.


Fabulous neighbor Denise offered to watch the kiddos Sunday afternoon so that Mommy and Daddy could finish up their shopping!  Mommy and Daddy are so thankful for their wonderful and caring neighborhood friends such as Denise, Josephine, and Donna.  Thank you, Ladies, for keeping A^4 in your hearts and minds!!!
Hahaha, Addie did not want Denise to leave ;)


Ayson checked out a great book from the library last week and Mommy helped Ayson read the book (Sam and Dave Dig a Huge Hole) to Addie.  The poor kids, Sam and Dave, missed digging up HUGE diamonds but their dog DID find a "spectacular" bone :)


Daddy and Ayson preparing for a staring contest during dinner.  Of course, the kiddos won every time!  Thanks, Daddy :)