Happy 13th Birthday Sarah!

OK, I know I am a bit behind getting out the pictures from Sarah's party.  It has been a hectic year so far.

Sarah turned the big 13 this year so we had a little bigger party than we normally do.  She got to invite some friends and had special invitations printed for the big day.  I made them "treat bags" out of fabric that matched the colors of Sarah's party and printed custom iron-ons with the image from the invitation and their names.  Inside was 2 dresses for their American Girl dolls as well as some other fun little things.

Everyone chipped in and she got the mattress that converted her baby crib into a full size bed, something she has been wanting for a LONG time.  It was a good birthday party.





Her purse cake with the invite in the frame





The new mattress arrives!



Her new bed all set up



Her dolls got all dressed up for the occasion.  The black dress is one that was in the gift bags.  The pink one was a special one only for Sarah.



Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve was spent eating, eating & more eating.  The 5 of us had a great time just hanging out and being together as a family.  The kids got their annual new PJ's as well as some new tub time items.

Jake gets his Cars the Movie Bath Set



Alex get 2 big bottles of Axe body wash.  Look out ladies!





Sarah get her lavender scented bath set



Christmas Morning

The first stirrings of kids was at 1:30 a.m. which was meant with a stern "GO BACK TO BED!"  Then at a more reasonable 6:30 a.m. we all got up to see what Santa brought.  Here are the highlights of the morning.



Jake gets a new Vortex Nerf Gun




Alex gets his much awaited e-mail address





Sarah gets her new favorite movie, Monte Carlo

The morning was a bit rushed as we had to go to church and then to Grandma and Grandpa Couchey's house. When we got there the kids realized Santa had left 3 Light and Sounds Light Sabers.  They were the hit of the day.  It was a very nice day.



Christmas Eve, Eve 2011

No, that is not a typo.  We celebrated Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa Adams on the 23rd this year.  Christmas Day being on Sunday made it a little more difficult to have the festivities the night before with Church the next morning so they decided to have it on the 23rd.  The kids all had a blast playing together, as always and it was so nice to have Uncle Jeff & Aunt Susan here to enjoy the evening with us.

All 7 sitting in the same place at once, a rarity.  Uncle Kevin oversees the food choices.



The girls sit with their dolls, waiting for the time to open presents.




OK, we have the presents now, can we open them!



A Busy Afternoon, Indeed!

Yesterday afternoon about 1:30 we decided to attack the wood that needed split.  Three and a half hours later we were done with it all!  As you can see from the pictures, it was ALOT!



All this and the next picture was split yesterday.





This we split a few weeks ago




Nice center cuts, super dry for the fireplace.



Aunt Kerry Has A Birthday

On Sunday we celebrated Kerry's birthday by going to visit the horses at a good friends house.  Mr. Mack has Belgian draft horses, quarter horses and mini horses.  We all had a wonderful time, even in the cold.  Kerry brought hand warmers and hot cocoa.  The horses got carrots and apples from Kerry as well.  Everyone got a ride in the carriage pulled by Andy the big draft horse.  Some of us even got to ride him as well as the quarter horse named Beech.

Jake was completely taken by the horses, he just wanted to be near them, pet them, ride them, anything.  Sarah of course was the same way.  Alex was a bit intimidated at first but got up his courage and got on Beech for a ride.

Andy, a magnificent horse.



Jake gets to "drive."



Jake leads a mini, what a pro!



Alex & Jake in the wagon drawn by 2 of the minis.



Jake just hangin' out watching Andy.

 

Jake gets to get on Andy with Aunt Kerry.



"Finally a horse my size to ride!"





Kerry gets the first ride on Andy.





Trudi took a spin too!



Jaden gets her ride on Beech.



Alex gets his confidence back once he got up there.








Sarah takes her turn on Beech.





A Trip to see the Christmas Trees

Warther Carvings Museum in Dover has a charity event each year around Christmas.  Local companies and individuals donate a decorated tree to be sold.  The money goes to the local hospital auxiliary.  There was over 100 trees from the traditional to outlandish.  We had a great time with Kathy & her granddaughters.  Alex and Jake particularly like a large stuffed elf and wanted their picture taken with it.



My favorite, but $800 is a bit steep for a tree.



A New School Desk

Bob & Kathy refinished an old school desk from a local elementary school for Jake.  He is SO happy to have his new desk and you can see it in his face.  He told me that now he is "really in school."