Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Fun in the Snow

We had a little free time today so I got the boys bundled up and let them loose in the backyard! They had a blast! We even built our annual snowman. Here are a few pictures and a short video! Enjoy and Merry Christmas!!!





O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Gabriel and Cali made this delicious Christmas tree today.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Lesson in Economics and Life


As some of you know, by my incessant text and e-mail messages, Gabriel, Cali and I did the majority of our Christmas shopping last week. But did you know we caused quite a stir among the retail people and other shoppers?

If I had a dollar for every time a person asked my kids or I, “Why aren’t you in school?” or “Aren’t you supposed to be in school?” or “Is school out already?” I would probably come out ahead with what we spent on Christmas gifts.

When people think of homeschoolers the first thing that usually comes to mind is uneducated, out of control and rude. While I would be the first to admit my kids can get out of control, uneducated and rude I don’t tolerate. And because they are homeschooled, I expect more from my kids, and during our recent outings, they didn’t fail me once.

Every time they paid for their purchase, they said thank you and wished the clerk a Merry Christmas. (Not “Happy Holidays” like we hear so much lately) They read the name tags and those names they could pronounce the kids addressed them by name. And for every inquiry about “school” we responded that we homeschool and are learning about economics. Which when put together with Gabriel and Cali’s great manners, brought smiles to many faces around us. Isn’t that what life is about?

For me the past few days provided me with many very proud memories and reinforced the fact that my kids are indeed learning important things. Because not once did they turn away because of someone’s disability or race. And not once did they fail to respond because the other person was different. I hope we all will remember to spread the love all throughout the year, not just at Christmas.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!!

Here is a picture Andrea sent me of the snow in VEGAS!! Yes, I said VEGAS!! Now you Las Vegas people know how some of us others feel all winter long! If anybody else has pictures of the snow email them to me and I will post them. Merry Christmas!!!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Childrens Christmas List 2008

Children 2008Siera: ColeKala: Cooper
Zachary: BrockWesley: GabrielGabriel: Caleb

Cali: Michealla
Caleb: Cali
Cole: WesleyBrock: Siera
Cooper: Zachary

Friday, December 12, 2008

Santa's Helper

Here is a picture of Santa's little Helper!
Lola!!!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Snow in Boerne!!

Michelle emailed me these pictures of the snow they got in Boerne, TX!!
Looks like fun!!


Sunday, December 7, 2008

Spreading a Little Holiday Cheer!!!

Hope this spreads a little Holiday cheer in your life, it worked for us!!!!


Send your own ElfYourself eCards



Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Chicken-Turkey and 1/2 Pound Burgers

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was pretty nice, filled with food, desserts and football.
Last year Cali couldn't completely grasp the whole turkey thing, so according to her we had a rather large chicken.
"Cali what did you eat for Thanksgiving last year?"
"A great big chicken!"
This year she almost managed to wrap her head around the concept. As we girls were preparing the turkey she said, "Mom, that's a really big chicken-turkey." I just smiled and agreed.

We went out to dinner recently to a fun 50's style diner called Chee-burger, Chee-burger. No I did not misspell it. They serve the best burgers and onion rings around this part of VA. Gabriel, who is constantly reminding us that (at almost 10 years of age) he is almost a teen-ager, ordered the 1/2 burger. They have a wall of fame boasts of children under 12 that eat this monster burger. Todd is the first to admit and very proud to say, to anyone who will listen, Gabriel's picture is now a part of. Gabriel also ate an order of french fries, root beer and a chocolate shake. I think it's time to re-evaluate my food budget.

We had our first sticking snow last night. It's so beautiful. The kids went out in pajamas and bare feet to play in it. Five minutes later they were back inside, staring out the window.
Love to all!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Moapa Thanksgiving


Here are a few pictures from Mom and Dad's Thanksgiving and a few words from Dad!

Dinner was held at Rhonda's, about 1/4 mile from Sandy's in Moapa.
ALL my sisters were there, (yes Jan was there)!
All of Sandy's kids, only Jill from Susie was there, with her kids, Domingo was not there, (do not know where he was), we took my cousin Janet and Bro and Mo's kids.
The bambino's had a ball, feeding the puppies and feeding the horse in Rhonda's front yard. Zachary had a particular sweet tooth for Aunt Sandy's mashed potatoes, made from real spuds, and not from a box. He ate one plateful of food, then went back and got a plateful of just spuds and gravy.