Friday, December 29, 2006

Snow!


This morning Eric looked out our back door and noticed that it was white on the mountains, so I decided to round up the kids and take them out of the rain and into the snow. I drove up the Basin road to the Lost Mine trail. We played for a very short time. I couldn't find the kids gloves, we were all wearing substandard shoes, and I kept falling down. So I just let them play until their fingers got cold, then shoved them back into the van. Sam is upset in this picture because somebody else was using Mama's camera. A nice visitor took our picture, so I took their picture in return. A fog bank rolled in as these pictures were being taken, so I didn't get any nice Casa Grande pictures, except the ones I took from the road on the way in. It was thick fog for the drive home.
Posted by Picasa
Posted by Picasa
Posted by Picasa

Yup, here's the snow!

Posted by Picasa

Getting closer...

Posted by Picasa

Driving up to Snow

Posted by Picasa

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Pop gun


Sam also got a pop gun for Christmas. He isn't allowed to point it at people or animals. Even Awyn's figured out how to work it though, and they have had a lot of fun with it.
Posted by Picasa

Jump!


Awyn has made a friend. One of our guests was present both nights, and Awyn really took a liking to him. She still doesn't like strangers, and really gets picky about going to anyone but me. She makes very few exceptions to this rule. However, she's decided John is really cool, and will even let him pick her up!
Posted by Picasa

Fun Fan


One of our guests brought Sam and Awyn presents - some fans that light up. Sam broke his right away, so he stole Awyn's after she went to bed.
Posted by Picasa

Another Party!


And yes, here's the next evening, another party! This time I didn't have to do any of the work - the guests brought the food, prepared the food, and even cleaned up after. It was like getting another wonderful Christmas present.
Posted by Picasa

Morning After


This would be Awyn and Sam, the next morning, zoning out to their new favorite video, Dora.
Posted by Picasa

Part of the Crowd


We had about 25 guests for Christmas dinner. We hosted the orphan dinner. It was a success, and we're considering hosting it next year too. We'd intended for most of the 'festivities' to take place outside in the back yard, but it was just too cold. I think almost everyone found a place to sit. I cooked a 20 lb turkey and a 9 lb. ham, a couple of pies, and the stuffing. Eric made his favorite cranberry relish, wassail (a hot spiced wine beverage) and did a ton of yard work. Everyone else brought everything else. Our friend Debbie came over early and made the whole thing much easier - she came early and ready to pitch in, exactly when I needed someone to pitch in.
Posted by Picasa

Lots of little kids, jumping on the bed.
Posted by Picasa

Train as Hat

Posted by Picasa

Posing under the tree

Posted by Picasa

Awyn changes the points


Awyn was actually pretty good at moving the trains around the track, changing the points so they'd do different loops.
Posted by Picasa
Posted by Picasa

I am King Titan


Sam really really likes his robot.
Posted by Picasa

Sam also got a Thomas train set, and he loves it.
Posted by Picasa

Even Awyn likes King Titan.
Posted by Picasa

Dora


Dora is suddenly a huge hit at our house. Sam plays the movie repeatedly if I let him.
Posted by Picasa

Chocolate Santa

Posted by Picasa
Posted by Picasa

Ooh, presents!


Awyn really likes her wings!
Posted by Picasa
Posted by Picasa