Winter Wonderland

A couple days ago, our neighbors brought back a truckload of snow from Big Bear and my kids were ecstatic. Thay had so much fun throwing snowballs at each other. Life couldn't get any better...
...until, it started snowing at our house (which, we have heard from our neighbors, never happens).

Tatum and Davis were little snow maniacs and played until they were so cold, they couldn't help but cry. I took Lyric out to see the snow and brought her back inside... she was devastated to miss out on the hands-on snow action.Here is Frostette, Frosty's miniature cousin.

I wish I would have taken a picture, the next morning, before the snow started to melt, but everything was so serene, covered in a white blanket of snow.For someone who has seen little snow in her life, I found it breathtakingly beautiful and almost teared up looking up in awe at the mountains behind our house... they looked so majestic. This was definitely an unexpected and wonderful surprise. I am so grateful that we got to experience an early white Christmas at our house and got to appreciate another aspect of Gods enchanting creations.

Dear Santa

Santa has become absolutely magically for Tatum this Christmas. I have never been one to promote Santa, trying to keep commercialism to a minimum... Nevertheless, Tatum has been so cute, this year writing letters to Santa, coloring pictures, and quizzing me on the logistics of Santa operations. I am actually growing to enjoy her her sweet, innocent excitement, knowing that too soon she will be all grown up. I guess Santa is not so bad after all. He is the symbol of selfless giving--right??

A Ride in Cinderella's Pumpkin

What winter evening would be complete without a horse drawn carriage ride in Cinderella's Pumpkin? I am not sure the hour-long wait was was worth it, but it was free and the kid's seemed to think it actually was Cinderella's.
I hope this is not our only Santa pic this year. It is awful... my camera was in video mode and apparently, you have to be smarter than the camera to work it. Regardless, my children were able to relay their imperative message... "Easy Bake Oven, Pirate Ship, Stroller for my baby sister, and of course we were good."

Thanksgiving 2008

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my [family and] friends, the old and the new.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Phoenix Children's Museum

During our Thanksgiving trip to the AZ, we went to the Phoenix Children's Museum to celebrate Ella's birthday (my adorable niece). It was some good fun for the kiddos (with some learning experiences sneaked in). I would totally recommend it, if you are in the area.Lyric and Aspyn

Davis Van Gogh (Pictured with his good ear)

The cousins going through the bike wash.