With the warming of the earth days like these will be long forgotten....
Hiking uphill in the snow to attend church at a neighbor's home.
Snow monsters....
Burying Dad... because he can
Thinking about getting Mom...
....ignoring child labor laws!
What is a mother to do when her delightfully bored offspring are pecking at her heels for an activity? My temptation is to tell them to go chop wood- AND THEN- have them relocate it to various locations in the yard, but due to the nature of hatchets and ages of my children this would be a bad plan....
Instead, we drew monsters! This activity led to a fun twist. I had them draw simplified versions of creations, minus blood and mucus, and then I copied them in a loose pattern form.
Aren't we talented? 
The kids thought it was very odd we had to sew them together inside out-
Stuffing a monster is fun to do! (except when your little sister wants to help...)
The boys were thrilled with their creations. They have been carrying "Mo-mo" and "Stompasaurus" everywhere....and I am a hero to unbored-boys! Woohooo! 
She was named after her grandma- in a round about way, and they both
At first, I was thrilled about her "mature pallet", but was quick to discover that baby girls who love onions...smell not so baby fresh!
Infact, this baby girl down right stunk...for days! It's a perfume
that only a grandmother can cuddle.
When I reflect on this passed Christmas season I am so grateful for family. We have such a large group it is easy to feel overwhelmed. When my sister and I descended upon my parents home for over a week, with 10 children between the two of us, our parents hugged, smiled, and showed no fear. Grandma and Grandpa were prepared with the traditional "hot-chocolate-tea-party" and fishing pond activities the kids relish. We went ice skating - a tradition on my husbands side, sledding, out to eat, played cards, ate more food, attended a fantastic basketball game- where the boys yelled themselves hoarse, and visited with grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins. We hauled my #4 and his dear cousin/cohort in crime away from numerous intrigues. It was an amazingly busy Christmas. I am so thankful for our busy, crazy, loud, munchy, exuberant, loving family- because intermixed with all the rushing about were the memories of Christmases passed, loved ones missed, and tender moments when testimonies were shared. I love Christmas. I adore my family- on both sides. I am profoundly grateful God placed us here in families, and especially for the family I am a part. 
I have been waiting for some major epiphany to erupt in my brain so I could spew it forth for all to read- or at least my illustrious neighbor. But alas, here I sit, not a thought in my head. I should probably not decide to wax brilliant after 7:00 in the evening.
.jpg)
