Skating in Dixie

How do you ice skate outdoors when the temperature is in the mid 60's?

On plastic, of course.

When I saw the sign for ice skating in the parking lot of our local Lowes with such warm temps my curiosity got the better of me and I took the kids to check it out.

Sure enough, it looked just like ice and we put on real ice skates, but it was plastic. However, I can tell you that real ice skating is much easier. The fake stuff was slicker and I found myself hugging the sides to keep myself from falling on my face.

The kids were slightly more graceful or at least less self conscience.

They actually got the hang of it pretty quick.

Alex is not picture here because he freaked out when Chubbby, the ice-skating polar bear, appeared. So dad came to the rescue and whisked him away to another activity. Alex has a major fear large costumed characters. He's going to need serious therapy when we go to Disney World in a month.

O Christmas Tree

The Saturday after Thanksgiving our friends, the Atkins, invited us to cut down Christmas trees in the mountains with them. Since we lent all our artificial trees to the Community Nativity Festival our Stake puts on the first week in December, we though we could use a live one to tide us over. Plus, it's a fun experience. We couldn't have asked for a prettier day to hike around the North Carolina mountains.

Before searching for our tree the kids got to visit with red-neck Santa.

That's what you get in the North Carolina mountains, folks.

We all loaded on covered wagon for a free ride up the mountain side.

The search for the perfect tree begins.

Rolling down the mountain side.

The kids needed a quick nap in the sun after hiking all over the mountains.

Finally. The perfect tree. We decided to go for a small one since we had a couple full sized artificial ones at home.

After cutting down the tree we enjoyed lunch and some pond fun.

The mild weather gave us a different experience than our past Christmas tree hunts in Utah.

Tiffany Atkins and Isaac.

Now to trim the tree. The kids all took turns putting lights on, including Isaac.

Don't tell DCFS my baby stuck a cord in his mouth. Don't worry. I didn't let him chew on it.

How long will it last?

Tonight as the we're watching a princess movie the girls said, "Mom she's pretty but not as pretty as you are." To which they added, "Mom you sing prettier than she does."

I had to record this moment to remind myself in years to come when they are teenagers and they think I'm ugly and beg me to quit singing to them.

A Very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. To me it has all the warmth of Christmas without as much stress, expectations and cost. And it never seem to be the same year to year.

This year we decided to host and have over close friends.

Rob really got into Thanksgiving. His words were, "I really want to go all out this year." He actually researched fun crafts and decorations. He came up with these adorable turkeys and chocolate pilgrim hats. He even put them together almost all by himself. To save face in admitting doing a craft, he claimed he used power tools to create them. Totally uncharacteristic of Rob. He's usually the one telling me to keep it simple and not go overboard.

I couldn't have Rob showing me up in the craft department (although I think he did out-do me) so I came up with the turkey napkin rings and the created the cute turkey tablecloth.

The Worths and Abbotts helping put together our "turkey gobbler."

In addition to his craft, Rob also put together a treasure hunt for the kids to do after dinner. He hid clues all over the yard. The kids had to find the all and put all the pieces together to form the picture of where the treasure was buried.

Decoding the puzzle.

Digging up the treasure in the sandbox.

Eating their candy cane treasure.

The tryptophan kicks in. Well all settle in a watch a couple episodes of "Kid History". If you haven't seen it, check it out on youtube. It's hilarious.

Finally, the pie ends the night. They were all sooo yummy!

I'm thankful to have such great friends to spend the holidays with.

A few more precious moments.

If I could get away with it, Isaac would be naked all the time. His skin is soooo soft and soooo squishy. I just want to nuzzle him.

Leaves, leaves and more leaves!

It begins with a carpet of leaves.

The Master of Disaster Returns

This is what our dining room table looks like 90% of the time. Why? Because this what Maycie does with 90% of her free time. Maycie earned the title of Master of Disaster (or MOD) early on when at age 2 she took permanent marker to my new leather couch and several other choice items. Multiple wall murals were also to her credit. She soon learned the appropriate place to express her creativity. After several years of absence, however, MOD returned this week when she took a marker to another wall. As punishment Maycie was banned from the art table and coloring instruments for a whole day. Maycie rarely gets upset, but you would have thought the world was ending based on her reaction. She was lost without her paper and markers.

Maycie, I'm sorry I had to deprive you of your first love. I marvel at and truly love all your creations. Your talent should be encouraged and developed. Just not on uncommissioned walls. Keep creating. I love you!

I'm not necessarily proud of this captured moment, but Rob insisted that it be captured. This is so typical Maycie and Alex. What do you do when wet rain clothes impede jumping? Remove them, of course.