White Christmas!

Sorry, no pictures of the snow. We've been snowed in since Wed night, and my new camera didn't make it before Christmas. The old one is barely hanging in. I can't find any official stats on our snowfall, but we are definitely in a blizzard and we have a LOT of snow. They were thinking 20" before Sat, but I'm guessing it's more than that. The snow has been falling thickly and steadily since Wednesday. We hope to get plowed out by Monday. The kids had a good Christmas, and most of them were happy with their presents. The boys received Indian dress-up costumes, play rifles, and Playmobil knights and dragons (red set for Eli & green set for Jonah). Anna received American Girl clothing, play makeup, and two pairs of earrings. Sarah received....well....not much. And let me tell you, she noticed! After we were done opening presents Christmas morning, she realized that she had gotten the shaft. Her little face scrunched up with tears and she ran crying into the bedroom. She was so cute, and I felt so sad for her. The other kids had gotten new slippers with their pajamas Christmas Eve, and she didn't get slippers even though she loves shoes. Anna's AG doll had gotten new clothes, and Sarah didn't get a baby even though she loves babies and AG dolls. The older three had gotten their own packs of gum, and Sarah didn't even though she would love to chew gum. Every time she saw something fun, it wasn't for her. I don't blame her for crying. Here's Eli with some of his new knights and horses and the fierce red dragon. Here's Anna opening her presents Christmas morning. Jonah is in the background as well.

Here's the Christmas tree with the presents. The kids have fabric gift bags that we use every year. Each kid has their own pattern. I LOVE these bags, and they are even more special since they were made by my Aunt Ellen.

Sharing a serene moment

Now that I am almost recovered from the septic shock, I am ready to post again. Yesterday afternoon I paused and realized we were having a wonderful, serene moment. I wanted to share my moment with you. I was folding laundry while Anna and Jonah were shopkeepers in their stores. Anna's signs say, "Holiday Sale" and "100% off!" Sarah was taking a bath, and Eli was reading a book to her.

I couldn't resist taking pics of the littles mugging for the camera.

And here is another day when Sarah & Eli were counting together.

I could just cry

We live in the middle of nowhere. I know that. All the houses in this town are old, old, old. They all have issues. I know that. We knew whatever we bought would need work. So, we bought an old farmhouse and remodeled it. We bought at the upper end of the market out here, but really there isn't much choice. Lower priced properties would have needed a lot more work, so I think it all evens out in the end. When we bought we even discussed bulldozing the house down and starting from scratch. We did all the right inspections and were OK. Now yesterday we find out that our septic has to be replaced. What??? What was the point of getting a septic inspection before we bought? We specifically told the inspector that we wouldn't buy the house if the septic needed to be replaced. We certainly didn't include a new septic system in our budgeting. So, I could just cry. Just a little vent. I'll be better in a few days.

The Tooth Fairy just can't compete with St Nicholas

So she shouldn't even try. Anna lost another tooth - the 8th according to her - and she told me that the tooth fairy isn't real. Why? Well, people can't fly and magic isn't real. That's all pretty logical. Imagine her nonsurprise then when she woke up and found nothing under her pillow. Yikes!! The tooth fairy ran downstairs, grabbed some cash (you get extra when you are forgotten) and coins, found the rubber cement and glitter, decorated the coins with glitter, and stashed it all in a spot where it could be found downstairs. Whew. A few minutes later all was good again. St Nick, however, came last night right on schedule. He left markers and fruit snacks in everyone's shoes. It's quite exciting to have your own set of markers and your own box of fruit snacks. Mom never buys fruit snacks. Can you believe it?

What a sweet scene this morning

They are coloring like crazy. I just love the huge roll of paper I bought a couple years ago. I have no hesitation in letting each kid cut off a few feet and go to town. Love that our kitchen/dining room has enough room for them all too!

The temp dropped today, and we woke up to snow. I decided that we needed to have a coat rule. If the temp is under 30 degrees, then everyone has to wear a coat outside. Over 30 degrees, and only Sarah is forced to wear a coat. That doesn't seem unreasonable, right? Wonder why it doesn't seem so obvious to everyone.

Jonah is off to the high school to watch his first wrestling match. He went with a friend, so I am sure he will have a blast. He's going to start wrestling next week. This should be interesting.

Silly Sarah

Here are a couple shots of our silly little Sarah. Can you see that she pulled the stool over so she could grab the phone? Caught ya!!!

Little Sarah is struggling with some sort of virus. For the past couple weeks she has had trouble sleeping with a terrible cough. It peaked (I hope) for a few nights when she threw up every time she coughed. Now in addition to the cough and snotty nose, she is looking really homely with chicken pox type marks all over her face and neck. We were trying to wean her, but these long nights and terrible coughing fits put her squarely back to nursing during the night and early morning. I've been sleeping in the laz-y-boy with her quite a bit too. Sigh. Poor little thing (and poor mom, too).

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent a quiet time at home yesterday. The kids went on an adventure with Mark in the grove while Sarah and I napped. Then, Anna & I cooked dinner for the family. I made a roasted chicken and chipped potatoes while she made cheese scones. Here she is cutting the scones before baking. Here she is taking the scones off the pan.

Today Anna & Jonah will each make an apple pie to take to Mark's family' Thanksgiving tomorrow.

I think they liked my chicken.