December 2011 - Week 3

We made our annual visit to Santa at the mall last week with Sam and Eli.  All the kids did great except for Quinn who wouldn't even look at Santa let alone get near him.  For some reason the Santa here won't hold screaming kids.  Kind of sad.  Meredith brought her official list with her and boy was it loooong.

 The kids get story time with Santa when the photo printer breaks down!

 This is our year 'off' from Christmas/New Years in McCall so we ventured up last weekend to see if there was any new snow.  Nada, zilch, none since Thanksgiving.  We went up to Brudage to see if there was any chance of skiing soon.  Outlook is not good, darn it!  We did throw in the sled at the last minute and hit the cat tracks.  For some reason Quinn lostherfreakingmind and screamed the entire time if Jesse wasn't holding her.  She is so weird about some things...I guess she isn't going to like the new sled Santa is bringing her in a few days.

 Sometime the stars align and we have a great family outing where all the kids are super happy and have a great time and Jesse and I cheers each other to being awesome parents and doing fun things.  This was not one of those times.  Lot of whining, lot of complaing, lot of screaming.

 Really, really mad that Jesse is not holding her.  She wanted nothing to do with me.

 Gave up on the hill and hit the steep cat track that leads down to the Centennial Chair.  I have to say it was pretty fun!  Delaney got to hitch rides on the way back up.  You can't tell but Quinn is again losingherfreakingmind in this picture.

 What a good Dad!  We'll make'em have fun dammit!

 Pretty ready to go home I think.

 Super ready to go home.

 "For the love of God just pick me up"

 Big girl in her cool new ski jacket.

 Getting to be a big girl too.

 More snow please.

 Maybe we'll ski in 2012?

 Throwing in the towel. 

 Time to go home.  It was a good effort!

 Ruby was there too.

A Star is Born...

Oh Delaney how do we love thee?  There is not enough time to count the ways!

I am often told there is just 'something about Delaney' and I have to agree that it's true.  She is turning out to be our sweet, sensitive little chatterbox.  She had her first big 'performance' at the end of her ballet session a couple weeks ago.  She was so excited and very proud.  I'm pretty sure there is nothing cuter than a 3 year old in tights and a Santa hat.

 This was beloved Miss Laceys last class.  She will be missed by all her little students!

December 2011 - Week 2

12 days until Christmas and the list is getting pretty short!  My list is anyway, Merediths list gets longer every day.  We need to get that thing sent!  We have been keeping busy doing all sorts of fun things.  Sara had the brilliant idea to hit up the bowling alley at BSU.  Totally empty, no soggy carpet or smoke, teeny bowling shoes and super cheap entertainment.  We loved it!

Eli and Delaney are really cute together.  Delaney always tells me that Eli is her best friend because he doesn't hit her.  Setting the bar high there Delaney, geez.

Quinn had to get in on the action

 Super Mom Sara helping Delaney.  You know those friends that just GET it and you don't have to ask for help wrangling kids?  Sara is the best!  How cute is Sam?!

 Meredith the Perfectionist had a hard time not getting a stike every single time.

 Hudson conquered bowling quickly!  Takes after his Mom.

 Team Hamilton snack break.  Thanks for the resusable snack bags KK!

 Another super Mom - Meggan.  Kennedy got in the mix.

 Meredith had her big school Christmas program last week.  And big (by big I mean long) it was, it was so cute and special.  I did not however realize it was like Chistmas Eve Mass where you have to save seats 4 hours early.  Next year I will know to throw down a coat at morning drop off.  Seriously, parents did that.  We were pretty close but had a horrible veiw of the Kindergartners.

 The light of our lives!  The top of the star hid her headband which was not acceptable.  I wonder where she gets her OCD?

 Amongst the candy and snowflakes.

 Kindergartners!

 Oh geez.  I can hardly look at these pictures.  If only we had known what was coming...

Third Annual Holiday Pub Crawl commenced on the 10th.  Why do we think this is a good idea?  I think it's like having a baby where you forget how much it hurts after a year.

These pics are courtesy of Brooke who was a tropper and hit up the pre-funk at our house.  Eric got to have one last hurrah before baby girl Ramstad enters the world in January! 

Here we are super excited looking at the Cowgirls website. 

Note* Eric has his party watch on.  Never a good sign.  I should have known.

 Sober and fresh-faced!  Me, Heather and Amy prepping for our favorite time of year.

 Erin, Sara and Karen! 

 Ramstads pre-baby!  Can't wait to meet her.  Thanks Brooke, I can always count on you to take pictures! 

 Meggan, Jessica and Jillian.

 Embarking...we love the party bus.  I don't know why it's so much fun. 

 I see public enemy #1 in the photo.  Damn you jello shots!

The beginning of the end...we left our one mile comfort zone and traveled to Kuna.  One the way we stopped at The Curb which was packed and had this awesome dude rocking some 80's requests.  I heard rumors that we might get to see him again and an upcoming birthday party.  We can only hope!

 This is one of the two pictures I took.  Seriously horrible.  Also seriously horrible was the next day.  So cheers to 364 days of recovery!

December 2011 - Week 1

I have a feeling December is going to whiz by in the blink of an eye.  I'm going to try and make up for the lack of pictures from last month, we have LOTS going on this month to document!  I did find a couple Thanksgiving pictures on my phone.  Still waiting for pictures from someone else *Mom*.

We had some great snowman making snow in McCall over Thanksgiving.  We are getting excited for our 2nd annual Hawaiin vacation!

 Scott and Stacy opted for a more sophisticated look.

 We got to spend some time with the Brouses (8 hours and they still like us).  After we cut down Christmas trees we watched the game and the kids spent some quality time sledding, coloring, eating and watching Cars 2.  Meredith, Marcus and Taelor...

 and last but not least Delaney Jane.

 After Thanksgiving we got into full Christmas mode.  KK gave the girls a cute nativity set to play with.  And play they do...for hours.  Until Quinn gets bored and starts throwing the wise men.

 This is what a 3 year old that refuses to nap looks like.  Barely alive. 

 I think Quinn is almost crying here because she is wondering why she is dressed like a boy?

We have about 23 Christmas outfits to wear by the 25th!

 'Francis' our Elf on the Shelf magically appeared on December 1st.  Ava Mae was over for a playdate and was quite curious.  Meredith is still wondering why Francis has a tag, but she isn't going to take any chances and NOT believe.

 KK sent us the goods to make gumdrop Christmas trees.  Quinn was not happy to be excluded from the project so she was in charge of handing out gumdrops. 

 Day 5, no naps. 

 These two...are hilarious to say the least.  And almost the same size!

 Look who happened to be at the Pancake House in McCall last weekend?

Meredith requested Marble Tracks (?) and a new computer game (??).  First I have heard of this.

 Delaney requested a Barbie House and a kitchen.  Mind you we already have a play kitchen. Whenasked Delaney proclaimed she wants a new 'cooler kitchen'. 

 Krahs furniture store in McCall has a great window display at Christmas.  We drove into town one night to check it out.  They loved it to say the least.

 Quinn loved the train.  She is smitten with Thomas the Train.  A nice break from Barbies, American Girls and Polly Pockets!

 This is what happens when Dad is outside cutting firewood and Mom is trying to pack up to head home.

Quinn started off on the floor, sneaky kid.