The Horse knows the way to carry the sleigh???

So Christmas was quite the adventure this year, or should I say misadventure. We got all packed up and ready to go over the hills and through the woods to grandmothers house we go. When to our we started up our first hill (also known as snoqualmie) the snow was falling and the wind was blowing and our coachman decided to turn our caravan around.

The kids were very disappointed as were we, but it seemed a bit too risky for our little van full of kids. We opted for a quiet christmas at home. We missed out on seeing the fam, but had a relaxing time at home.

So the moral of the story is , Fly in the winter. The end.

my big day at the doctors office

I have had quite the cough for about a month and a half now, so I decided it was getting worse and I should see a doctor. I have only been to our baby doctor so I looked for a family physician, and found a practice near us. I got the kids all dressed and looking presentable and we were off. That was my first mistake, taking the kids.
As we pulled up and I started unbuckling kids, Hayden asks me "Mom do you have my shoes in your purse?" Why would I have your shoes in my purse?, I say. "I thought you would get them for me."
It was too late to go home so I had to carry my shoeless four year old in one arm and my one year old into the Doctors office, looking like the mother of the year%^&*(

We arrived and the three started wreaking havoc on the waiting room while I was trying to fill out new patient forms. Sid mentioned she needed to use the potty so I said okay I am almost done.
That was my second mistake.
The next thing was Sidney screaming Poop Pants!! Poop Pants!! I knew I was in trouble. I grabbed my bag and sidney and ran her to the bathroom and set her on the toilet which was too late. The damage done, so I instructed Hayden to sit outside and wait and took Mckay with me to clean up sid. I luckily had a pair of pants in my bag, which I usually don't carry. (somebody loved me today I thought)
The entire time I am cleaning up Sid, Hayden is at the door knocking and yelling I need to go, Now.
Needless to say we were quite the scene, and a lovely first impression.
As I finished filling out forms the kids were tearing the place apart. Lets just say at that point it was a good thing for them we were in public.
We made it in, and I got a prescription for my bronchitis, and I will never go to the doctor with all the kids ever again. I say it every time, but I really mean it this time.
This could make it to my top ten most embarrassing moments.

The new kitchen floor

So yes we are remodeling our new house. . . I know that sounds absurd, BUT it was a track home and we had carpet under our dining room table. Go Figure! We have four small children, and it doesn't work so well. We love the new floor. It lightens the room in our dark seattle clouds. We picked a light color just for that reason.

Preparing to do the floor, I took off the trim that came with the house, and I don't think I am putting it back on. We have been trying to decide which style of white wood trim we would like to put on instead.

When my dad was here he showed us a fun style that we may use. Matt probably isn't as excited about the projects I come up with because he is heavily involved in completing it, but hey what can I say.

So here is a picture of part of it. We have it from our front door, through the entry to the dining room and kitchen and then into the pantry. Around 600 sq. ft.

santa at the space needle?

Well here is a picture of me and sid, and ethan with santa on top of the space needle in seattle. Hayden was hiding and I had to be in the picture because sid is also afraid of santa, just like hayden. All of my kids have had a fear of santa????? what is up with that? We went up with my parents the saturday after thanksgiving, with free passes from our homebuilders and free valet parking. It was awesome not to have to find somewhere to park!!

Thanksgiving weekend

So we had a fun weekend full of family and work. My parents came from Rexburg friday afternoon. Grandpa teased and tickled kids until they wouldn't leave him alone the entire weekend. So Sidney was obsessed with grandpa and cried if he ever left the house without her. Grandpa helped us with our kitchen floor we were putting in, It was definately easier to have him there. Matt and Grandpa did a fabulous job. It looks a thousand times better than the stuff that was in there. The kids think its fun to slide on the floor. whatever floats their boat.
Saturday we went into seattle and went up the space needle and then down to the waterfront where we ate lunch at ivars and had fish and chips. It was sunny most of the time they were here so they didn't get the true seattle experience, ha ha. I think it will take us a while to recover from our remodeling project and finish up the trim and island.
Overall, I really enjoyed the weekend, I hope mom and dad had a good time. We hope they come again soon.

Ethan's Big Seven Birthday Party!!!!!!!!!!

Ethan and his friends eating pizza and cake at his party. They played with popguns, screaming balloons, and broke open a pinata. Then they opened gifts and helped ethan put together all the toys. It was fun for ethan , he was really excited for his bday. He took a snack to school to share for his bday in class.

We had a pretty crazy day getting ready for the party while ethan was at school, but it all worked out fine and they had a good time. Mom made his Cake, and Dad came home early from work to get the pinata and pizza ready. The kids got to take home a goody bag filled with pinata treats and a big army dude with a parachute. So its on to the next thing. We have Thanksgiving and then Friday, Grandma and Grandpa come from Idaho to visit and play. The forecast is sunny and cold for the rest of the week. Wahoo for the sunny days!!!!!

Mckay's cake

Need we say more? A One year old eating his cake his own way. He got spoiled, and had a fun day. It was probably a party more for the older kids, but still fun. We had Reese and Riley and their mom that joined our family for the cake and presents. We really enjoy their family and having them as friends and neighbors.