It was another fun Sunday with Grammy and the boys.  The sun was shining so we decided to go to the Natural Science Center.  Evan did a two week summer camp this past summer where he learned how to take care of all the animals in the zoo.  He still remembers a lot of the sheep's names and how to sheer them (although he wasn't a big fan of that experience).  We visited Pappy's fish and it seems to grow even bigger each time we go.  Always good to hang with the boys.  Aaron is turning 15 in April and I get sad when I think that the day may come very soon that he doesn't want to hang out with us.....but for now, I will enjoy every minute of himself he gives to us.

 

 

Evan's grade celebrated their 100th day of school with a special Rodeo Day Party.  They all dressed up in their best cowboy and cowgirl wear.  I am not sure what the G.I. Joe guy in Evan's pocket has to do with being a cowboy but whatever.  Simon also got into the act, unfortunately my red eye fixer doesn't work on dogs.  I can't believe there are only 80 days left of the first grade.  I really can't get over how much he has learned so far. 

 

 

 

 

We got about 8 inches of snow on Friday and Saturday.  Always exciting. Evan could spend hours in that stuff.  I prefer to be on the inside looking out.  Audrey also opted to stay in with me and fix the hot chocolate.  When it got too cold outside, we did some indoor crafting.  With my limited supplies I did have what I needed to make salt dough.  The kids still had to wait after making it for the 2 hours it took to dry before painting it but they were okay with it.

 

 

Audrey started her dance class today and she loved it.  It was the cutest thing.  She is in a class with 4 other girls.  They do 20 minutes of tap, 20 minutes of ballet and then 20 minutes of gymnastics - a perfect combination for 3 year olds!  I really like the class and the other moms (which is a big deal!) so I am looking forward to the next 19 weeks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audrey got her new soccer shoes this week.  She was breaking them in today.  She calls this dress her cousin gave her, her "mommy dress" and likes to play mommy in it.  I am not sure why because I know THIS mommy doesn't flutter around the house in a dress but whatever.  Evan is practicing his computer skills.  No shirt of course.  You wouldn't know it was the middle of winter. 

 

 

 

 

I have a couple of random photos here and then some of the kids in Bryson City, NC.  Whenever we go to the mountains one of our favorite things to do is visit the small town of Bryson City. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audrey starts her dance class on January 29th.  She got her dancewear, ballet shoes and tap shoes today.  She was thrilled and put on shows all evening.  I know she will love taking lessons. 

 

 

Christmas morning.  Evan was up at 5:45 but was patient and just hung out looking at his gifts until 6:30 when we let him wake Audrey up.  They tore through their gifts in about 15 minutes.  Audrey still liked to stop and play before opening the next gift so Evan had to help her finish up.  After all the gifts were open we noticed a note stuck in the tree that said "Evan" on it.  We told him he better open it and read it.   He read it to himself and then took off to his room.  We heard him yelling and cheering as he ran down the hall with his red ryder bb gun (the gift he wanted most).  By the way, the note said "One more thing.  I did not have time to wrap.  Look in your bed.  It was stuck in my cap."  It was a fun way to end this year's gift opening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After coming back from the Great Wolf Lodge it was what we like to call, "A Very Grammy Christmas".  We had a great Christmas celebration with the entire family.  The kids got some great stuff and, as usual, Grammy had a great spread of food for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our family Christmas gift this year was a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge.  We took Ryan with us this time and we all had a great time.  It snowed in the lobby every night and Santa stopped by to say hello and pick up the children's Christmas lists.  What a great gift!