Baby it's cold outside!

The kids are getting stir-crazy as we work our way through the frigid temperatures this winter.  Thankfully they get creative and have a little fun indoors.

 

New Wheels

 

Just shy of 4-years and many, many, many miles (I forgot to ask Dan exactly how many), Deputy Daddy got a new car right before the new year. 

 

 

 

Start of a New Year!



 *GULP* - 2014 has hit me like a ton of bricks!  No we didn't start the year with serious illness (thank goodness) or record breaking temperatures; rather the reality of having 8.5 months left with Kailer before he starts kindergarten found a way to rip into my emotions!  Obviously this isn't a surprise, I've been preparing for it since May 30, 2009, but it's really sinking in and "this is it!"  This is the last bit of time we get with him before he becomes a big kid, goes to a big school and rides the big bus!  He's ready, he's MORE than ready.  In fact, this morning he came down into my room quite early (too early) so I told him to crawl into bed and go to sleep for a bit.  He did and when the sound of Aylah saying "Momma" on the monitor woke us up the first thing he said was, "Mom, I'm already dressed," (Sure enough) "because next year I'll have to be dressed, eat breakfast quickly and run out to the bus!"
I look back in awe at how the past 4.5 years have flown by!  The anxiety of having my first baby, being without Dan for the first 3 weeks and learning the ropes [disclaimer: I'm still learning, every day] of parenting seem like they were worries only yesterday.  I watch Kailer and Aylah interact and I'm reminded that she, too, will go through a grieving period of not having her brother around every day.  With 19 months under their belt together they have managed to create a bond that goes beyond the bickering and sibling rivalry.  It will be nice to have some 1:1 time with Aylah, but the dynamics of her life are going to change as well.
Oh, we'll adjust and a year from now we'll be asking, "What was the big deal?" But for now, and until then, I hope that we can make the best out of these last precious months with Kailer.

Pulling your sister around in a diaper box is hard work!!

She always wants to be like him - camo crocs and Ironman gloves!

How Do You Jingle?

We start off by making a Gingerbread house that nearly needed a hot glue gun to stay together!

 Followed by food - lots and lots of food during the holiday season!

Say "CHEERS"!!

 

 Early on Christmas morning, before anyone else was awake Kailer said, "I moustache you a question!"  (Okay, he didn't really say that, but it is so appropriate)

Say "Cheese" (heads) - good thing Miss Santa knows which camera to smile at - elf ears and all!

 

Daddy and son prepare for memories in the field.
Kailer's favorite gift!!
It appears Christmas puked on our floor ... hee, hee!

 

The girls were questioning Uncle Wade?!

Looks at those happy boys!

 

Practice, Practice, Practice!!

We also watched movies, played cards, lost a filling that got super-glued back in (after all, that's how everything from Mexico is fixed....baaa - haha), shopped & got the stomach bug!  It really was a good holiday and as always, entertaining when you bring the masses together!

Happy New Year!!

Reindeer Games

We were very excited to have the opportunity to meet REAL reindeer in our very own town!  Please meet Nicholas and Noel.  These two gentle souls are 8 and 9 years old and traveled to Montana from Washington state.  It was a lot of fun to see them, though Kailer kept wondering why Rudolph wasn't here?

Nicholas

Miss Noel

Dash Away,Dash Away,Dash Away All

I'm sitting in my living room this Christmas morning - the tree is lit and the house is silent.  There seems to be a gazillion presents under the tree and I'm thinking, "Good thing the kids don't need anything,"  For the fist time in 13 years, Dan's parents are spending the holidays in the United States; quite possibly experiencing 'climate' shock' - with the cold weather and snow.

 

I've been reflecting on our visit from Bruno and thinking about the Spirit of Christmas and how we've seen it come alive these past 24 days since his (Bruno's) arrival.  Every morning Kailer anxiously spied down Bruno and excitedly shared his many adventures with all who would listen.  The innocence of his heart brought back vivid memories of Christmases long ago when my own spirit wasn't hindered by the reality of growing up.  Even our sweet Aylah has taken to pointing to Bruno and saying "Brew" with a big grin on her face.

 

Dan lost a friend/coworker this Fall from a rock climbing accident - a man who truly represented the way we should live our own life. He loved his family, friends and most importantly God! On my 33rd birthday I sat in a room surrounded by 100s of people who came to honor this man. I listened to his family, friends, co-workers and his amazing wife give a testament of his life and the type of person he was.  I embraced my children tightly as we left the church that day and thanked God for providing me with more than I will ever truly need.  It was humbling to listen to the life of this man - a man with honor and grace - and I reevaluated how I was going to live my life.

 

On this morning, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!  I pray that at some point today, amongst the chaos of the presents, cooking, putting together of new toys, laughter, family and friends; you are able to step away from it all - step into a moment of silence - and reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas! It's so easy (guilty as charged, I am as well) to get caught up on the hustle and bustle of the holidays and lose focus of WHO we are celebrating today. 

 

 

Bruno departed last night on the North Pole Express - suitcases packed he headed home.  Good-bye little buddy, we look forward to seeing you next year!

 

Testing the Goodies!

It was a welcome surprise to find Bruno back in the house this morning - he was missed by all, and most especially by Kailer!  Bruno decided to make sure that the cookies and milk that we had for Santa were satisfactory.  Thankfully I believe they passed the test.

 

Tonight Kailer told me that he's "not sure he's ready for tomorrow night," .... "because Bruno is leaving and he will miss him!"  Wow, what a way to pull at my heart-strings!!