Skating Fun

Josh's new work had their annual Christmas party last night at the Bellingham Sportsplex. There was free pizza and drinks and ice skating was free too! It was everyone else's first time at ice skating and it's been over 10 years since I last tried skating. Josh did OK, since they didn't even have skates in his size (he had to squeeze into some size 14s). Joshua was a little slow, but got it figured out. Gabriel and Zaccheaus did good as well, but loved the little walker things that gave them extra stability. Here's some pics of them playing around....

Gabe (green) colliding with friend Zoe

Cheaus (red) and Gabe (green)  racing 

Cheaus, Gabe and Zoe

I did get one pic of Joshua, but it was of him trying to get up after falling and he made me promise not to post it anywhere. Elizabeth looked so cute with her little figure skater skates on with one of her tutu outfits, but sadly I didn't take a single picture of her. 

I wore my skates for a bit getting acclimated to them, stepped out on the ice, moved about 10 feet  along the wall and called it quits and went back to being a spectator. My nearly 30 year old body can't do what it once did and I was really feeling each bump of the ice in my heel that has plantar fasciitis  (Little tip... don't walk long distances in Converse!). 

Hopefully next year we'll be a little better at skating, but probably not. LOL

Merry Swap

Hello everyone! I recently had the chance to participate in another Sister Shoebox Swap hosted by sister bloggers Monica and Carrie. This swap's theme was "Merry", perfect for this holiday season!
Dawn was my swap buddy again this time around and I loved getting to reconnect with her and put together a special package of goodies for her. Below is a pic of what I sent her...

sorry Dawn I stole this pic from you ;-)

I love the Nerf dart on the floor, reminds me of my house! LOL

I sent her pine-cones from around WA scented with rose hips and cinnamon (from Micheal's), jingle bells, candy canes, friendship soup mix, homemade cookies (in the box, from here and here), my favorite recipes written out on a digital scrapbooking kit, a cardinal candle holder and some of my favorite tea for her to try! 

Here is what I received from her...

I love the snowman box!

Paper crafts made by her! Gift tags, P for Price and a mini scrapbook!

Yummy treats! The kids' favorites!

 Beautiful ornaments! I love the pine-cones on the angel!

Homemade cookies (great minds think alike!), Christmas themed cupcake papers and picks and a snowflake spatula! I don't know why but the spatula makes me smile every time I see it!

I feel so spoiled by Dawn and loved everything in my box! Thanks Dawn!

Have a Blessed Christmas time Everyone!

Stoney Ridge Farm 2011

Like I said in my previous post, last Saturday we made our annual trip out to Stoney Ridge Farms in Everson. I love going there with the kids each year, usually with my sister and her kids and this year Josh was able to come along too! We rode the hay wagon, ate the most delicious apple pie ever, saw the animals, ate apples right off the tree, got lost in the corn maze, checked out the giant pumpkins, ate pumpkin donuts, kids rode the wagon train, saw lots of friends, ate yummy apple cider donuts and drank lattes made by our church friends, and picked up some kettle corn and fresh apple cider to enjoy at home. (I didn't realize how much eating we did that day, yikes!) Like always we had a blast and we'll keep going back year after year! Here's some cell photos of our day...

someone was a little excited by the ponies that were her size

Joshua, Elizabeth and Zaccheaus feeding the goats

Nelly and Ellie

"YeeHaw! I a Cowgirl!"

I'll get you Murphy...

... and your little "law" too!

Today I was supposed to go to Titus Two, but Josh had to work

I have one Saturday every few month that I schedule something and inevitably Josh will have some opportunity too good to pass up on that Saturday.

Made Cinnamon Rolls for Titus last night & they turned out ok, but the ones I made for the fam this morning were perfect... only difference was the pan I used!

Little tip; unglazed stoneware is not recommended for baking Cinnamon Rolls!

I decided I'll just drop off the Cinnamon Rolls I signed up to bring to Titus, but the truck wouldn't start

(the switch on the amp was left on and drained the battery, don't worry mom, your truck is fine)

Called Mrs. D @ the church and she had Mr. D come and pick up the cinnamon rolls (Yay!)

Tried taking a shower and all the hot water ran out

it's been over 2 hours since Josh took his shower

Had both my contacts roll back behind my eyes at the same time and had to work them back out

So now I'm sitting here, with icicle cold hair, a headache from poking at my eyes trying to retrieve my contacts, the kids are all hopped up on sugary cinnamon rolls and I'm worn out and ready for a do-over day.

Praise the LORD, I get to spend this afternoon/evening visiting with my sister and her family and going to Stoneyridge Farm! So hopefully that will redeem this day from it's horrible start. I'm off to blow a bunch of money, eat junk food and run my kiddos ragged! Hope your Saturday is off to a better start than mine! ;-)