Duane and I went for a walk for the first time with the TWO of the kids in the jogger. Worked out great. They stayed toasty warm. Clara eventually fell asleep.

Cabin fun

Duane and I really enjoy playing at the cabin. Problem is we only go a couple of times a year. What a waste! I have so many memories of Yost as a child. The best ones of course included my Grandpa. He was the BEST! He was the one who taught me how to build a "rats nest", find the best pinion pine christmas tree, snow sled behind a truck like a champ and gather a shit load of pine nuts. Duane and I have decided this is the year we are going to play at the cabin alot. We hope to build the same memories with our kids.

Avery eating snow

More snow eating

Gavin Dean "cracking ice"

Christmas Day.

Christmas was modest this year, but memorable none the less. With our limited budget we decided to do more activities and less presents. I enjoyed spending the time with my kids and hope that I built some memories with them. Some of our activities included gingerbread house building, sledding, Christmas cookie making, various crafts, many nights of the Polar Express movie and of course driving around and looking at lights,. Avery said to me one night in bed after Christmas was said and done "Mom, I want to go see lights again." With that comment I feel it was a success. The older girls spent the first part of their Christmas break through Christmas morning at our house this year. That's always the best time to have them. Duane and the two older girls got Flip video cameras, Avery got her "dame" she had been telling us Santa was going to bring her (I tried desperately to use the "Santa won't bring you presents if your naughty" bit, but she still confidently insisted he would and continued on her naughty merry way)Clara got a few toys and books and I got a new cell phone. I really enjoyed Christmas and my family this year.

Christmas Eve

The girls got to open their traditional Christmas eve gift of new pj's. After that they headed over to their Uncle Scott's for a pajama Christmas eve party. Avery was so excited to open Grandma and Grandpa Simpson's presents to her. She kept grabbing them and saying "another pesent!". The "r" in present is silent when Avery says it.

The girls stole my camera and of course did fashion shots of themselves.

Santa's cookies

The girls made sugar cookies two nights ago for Santa. Avery wanted to do everything by herself and would not anyone help. She kept saying "just a little bit" and then dumping a whole shaker full of sprinkles on her cookies. Below is a sample of "just a little bit" of icing. Hope Santa does not have sugar diabetes!

Avery's cookies

Gingerbread party

The goods

Meg helping Ry with her house

Ry's house

Anthony and his "art"

Ava with her helper Nikki

Nikki finishing where the kids left off

Avery and her house

Olivia. Better late than never

Becca did some pimpin on Olivias crib

Clara in the hat Tiff brought.