Daddys....

In the past few weeks I have been especially grateful for the role fathers play in our lives. My dad is amazing. He would and does do anything for anyone. One specific example that happened a few weeks ago was him using his snowblower to remove the 3'x 4' pile of ice and snow that the plow left in our driveway after plowing our road. I could not even get into our driveway to get into the garage, and the road was only plowed in a single lane so I could not park on the road. When I saw this after a long day at work I drove right past my house and to my parents. I asked my dad if I could borrow his snowblower, and instead in 10 minutes he was on his way to my house to plow me out. It may not seem like a big deal, but it was huge. Both Brian and I work long days, and had been shoveling every night and were just sick and tired of the snow. Thanks Daddy for making my life easier every day. I love you!!!



The other example of great Daddys is Brian. He has basically been a single parent while I am in school. I don't even see the girls from Sunday night until Friday morning. Brian never complains, and he keeps things running smoothly with the family. I am gone 17 hours a day and this is hard on everyone, but he is doing and amazing job. Tuesday he took Sydnee to a Daddy/Daughter activity at the church which I know was out of his comfort zone, but when I gave him an out and said they didn't have to go he looked at me and said, "Sydnee has been talking about this for weeks, of course we are going!" They had a great night, and for the millionth time I thanked heaven that I met this wonderful man!!

Christmas

Christmas was amazing this year. Brian and I worked really hard to make sure that we had a whole week of Christmas activities planned for the family so no one would be bored. Funny thing is, it snowed so much we were pretty much stuck at home, so all of our plans went out the window. We spent the week just hanging out and enjoying being with each other. It was so nice just to slow down. The kids were more then happy to just have our undivided attention and I must say this was my favorite holiday so far!




Brian and I were up till 3am Christmas Eve/ Christmas morning putting together the basketball game for the kiddos. I think the game was actually more for Brian and his friends, he just used the kids as an excuse!




Gifts only a grandpa would bring home. Thanks alot Dad...........



Uncle Tyler came through for Sydnee by picking up this "princess gown" while in Asia a few months ago.

Thanks G-ma and G-pa Roberts!!!

Christmas packages arrived from Brian's parents tonight. The boxes were falling apart (and it is 4 degrees tonight), so we let the kids open them tonight. Celia made 4 of the most fantastic quilts. Each one is so different and each one specifically made with the kids in mind. They love them. Mike sent new, wonderful, cozy coats. Kels has had her coat on for the past hour and will not take it off. We are so lucky to have great parents. I really hope Mike and Celia know how much Brian and I appreciate them and the time and effort they put into our kids!!!

"Kelsei Kat" and her Kitty quilt. Not to mention her pink coat that has "diamonds all over it, just like a princess coat!"

Michael is too cool to smile, but he loves his bear quilt and super warm coat

Sydnee and her Asian quilt. She is obsessed with Japan this year. How Celia knew this is beyond me

Haley and her quilt and "the most beautiful coat"

Excuse me, when did we move to Antarctica????

All this snow, Let me repeat myself, ALL THIS SNOW has come in the past 24 HOURS!!! Spokane was hit with a record setting storm that dumped 22" on us in 1 day. Schools closed, Christmas programs canceled, basketball practices canceled, my office closed, every one of Brian's clients canceled, and the roads are a mess. Now I do love snow, but I was really counting on being able to finish up Christmas surprises with a few quick errands, and no kids, or husband around. Not gonna happen!!! Christmas break has officially started 2 days early.

I will say that the kids love it, and it is nice that they can play outside again!! Snow is great for the holidays, so I am not going to start complaining until
Jan 2nd. If the snow has not magically melted away by then you might not want to read this blog anymore. You take for granted dry clear roads. It is days like today that I realize how far out of town we really live!

Gratitude

Thanksgiving weekend gave Brian and I some much needed down time with the family. We went to Seattle to stay with Annie and Tyler and have our 2nd annual Thanksgiving dinner at Salty's on Alki Beach. Probably the best food I have ever eaten. The girls about had a heart attack when they saw the size of the chocolate fountain. It was great to get away, spend time with my sis, and just have a lazy weekend.
I have so much to be thankful for.
Brian who is a fantastic husband, who has been so supportive. My going back to school has put a lot of additional pressure on him and he has not complained once. He makes sure we have a sitter at least once a week and I treasure our dates more than he knows!! He is such perfect balance of romantic, funny, serious, protective, encouraging, playful, sensitive etc. My friends still tease me that he has a huge crush on me, but I have one on him as well and I wouldn't change it for anything!!! Every day, I am grateful that our paths crossed, and I have no doubt that we were meant to be together forever!!!
Our kids, I wouldn't trade our crazy life ever!!! They are all so very different and that it what makes our family so fun.
Haley...The mellow one. I couldn't ask for a better example for the other kids. She is smart, pretty, nice, and has Brian's dry sense of humor. I love that she is old enough that I can talk to her like a friend.
Michael...my only boy. So maybe I complain about the dirt and the destruction, but i love him just the same. He has a heart that will not quit. When he decides he wants to do something he goes for it, and puts in whatever time and sacrifice needed to achieve his goal. He is also a best friend to Sydnee. They bring out the best in each other and it is so fun to watch them in action.
Sydnee....My tenderhearted one. As long as everyone else is happy so is Sydnee. She is forever looking out for the underdog. Often when she comes home from school she tells me about things going on in all of her friends lives, and shares in their joy and sorrow as if they were her own. She can make a new friend with anyone in about 3 seconds, and sees the best in all people. I used to worry that she would get walked on by people, but I have noticed that people rise to the occasion around her. She sees the best in them and that is how they are around her!! Kelsei...such a strong will. So shy and quiet in public, so in your face at home. She makes all of us laugh all the time. She loves to play, and dance and sing and dress up. She is the ultimate girly girl. I love how she struts out of her room in the morning to ask Brian and I if her outfit is "fashionable" or "hip-hop". I love that she wears the same black skirt every day, whether it be as a skirt, as a top, over her jeans, as a head wrap whatever...she is just Kels, and I love it!!!
Brian and I both have great parents and siblings and friends, and I am so very grateful for all of them, and the roles they play in our lives.
Hope all of your holidays are fantastic!!

Family Pictures

A dear family friend came to town a few weeks ago to take family pics for us. She is amazing. We had so much fun and got so many great shots. Thank you Kristin!!
P.S. Kristin is more then willing to come back if any of you want her to take your photos. Let me know! (I am thinking of having her come back when the leaves change!!) Check out her work at... www.kristinkanenwisherphotography.blogspot.com

We LOVE school

1st day of school

The kids are back in school and I must say I am really impressed with the teachers they have this year!! After being home with them for most of the summer, I am even more grateful for fantastic teachers that are interested in the kids. I think that the girls are just as excited to get out of the house!

We were lucky enough to spend this last weekend my sister and her husband. They flew in for a fast and furious weekend of fun. We took them to Silverwood on Saturday. Annie was such a great sport, as she really doesn't like roller coasters, but didn't want to be the one to be a party pooper either. So we went ahead and took her on everything. We ate so much sugary, deep fried (delicious) junk that both Ann and Tyler had serious sugar highs/lows and left Spokane not feeling so well. My kids are so lucky to have such a cool Aunt and Uncle. It's always so much fun to spend time with them. We miss them already!!
Tyler, Annie, Sydnee and Kelsei

Brian the roller coaster "junkie"