Santa's Little Helpers

Living in a small town is sometimes a lot of fun. Especially during this time of year. I know Santa comes to visit kids who live in all sizes of towns, but there is something special about a small town event.

Every year in our small town, Santa comes to visit at the towns old Clubhouse. It was a little sad this year because my two oldest boys thought they were "too old" this year so they wouldn't sit on Santa's lap. Fortunately for me the Mom I talked them in to "standing" by Santa. This was a good compromise!

After the kids all got their pictures taken with Santa they got to go pick out a picture frame ornament to put their picture in. Then they had hot chocolate and cookies for everyone.

We then went in to the next room and helped make ornaments for the towns Christmas tree which is in the Gazebo in the town park. The Gazebo is completely covered with lights and looks really awesome at night!!

 We all got in to the ornament making and even made some paper chains! I think Derek's favorite part was eating the candy cane Santa gave him and drinking the hot chocolate!

Christmas Time

Check out our real live Christmas wreath!!

Another Home Depot Morning

Have I mentioned that I LOVE the little workshops that home depot does for the kids??

It's so cool. Free fun is something we like any day!!

This last Saturday we headed on over to home depot again for another building project.

This time the kids made Christmas picture frames. 

Derek always love going to Home Depot because it's one of the only times he gets to use a hammer!

Santa was also there handing out candy canes to the kids.  As you can see Levi dug in to his right away!

Caleb well on his way to finishing his frame!

Daddy always helps Derek with his project!

And they are done!

Another fun project! Thanks Home Depot!

No Elk at the End

Nate went on an elk hunt this year starting the day after Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately he didn't see an elk the ENTIRE time he went hunting...and he went out EVERY day of his hunt!!

He did however have an excellent time despite no elk meat at the end of it. He was able to spend four of the days with our oldest son Caleb and had some great father son bonding time.

He also had a day that his Dad came out with him and a day his friend Brian was able to come.  

He said he enjoyed being out in nature and spending time in Gods creation.

He even enjoyed the cows that kept getting in his way!! :-)

He saw lots of them as well as many deer, coyotes and even a turkey, but not an Elk in sight...oh well, maybe next time!

Christmas Traditions

This time of the year is definitely one of my favorite times of the year!

It starts getting cold outside, which I love!

The holiday seasons are well under way and there is Christmas cheer everywhere you turn!

This is also the time of year where tradition is going strong! I am very much in to traditions and some of my favorite ones happen during the Christmas season!!

One of my absolute favorite ones is putting up the christmas tree and watching the kids have so much fun decorating it!

Nate and I get in on the decorating too!

 Christmas music is always playing in the background and everyone drinks hot chocolate or apple cider!!

The stockings get hung and the kids put on santa hats and everyone gets a little crazy and wild but we all have fun!

Another tradition we started years ago was taking turns placing the star or angel on the tree. The boys always forget who's turn it is each year so we go back and look at all the pictures to see who's turn it is this year. 

Caleb had that privilege this year! And he is finally tall enough to reach up to the top on his own.

He wasn't very excited when we told him we are thinking about getting a taller tree next year! :-)

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

May we remember and be thankful for all the blessings we have been given!!

Brotherly Love

My two youngest sons have a love-hate relationship.

 They are generally bickering or fighting over toys and this or that.

But there are those moments where they completely get along and are having a great time together.

I LOVE watching and listening to these rare precious moments. 

It amazes me how sweet and kind they can be with one another when they want to.

There's just something special about brothers!