The Snow Fort

The kids and I worked on this awesome snow fort. It took time but it's so cool. Luckily it's under this bush so we only had to do the walls but there is enough room for all the neighborhood kids to play in it. I'm not sure who is enjoying this weather more.....me or the kids!!

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow....

Here are the kids crawling through the snow bank by the street. It was nice that the street department came and cleared the streets so that the kids had these huge snow banks to crawl over and through. This was on the SECOND snow day from school!!

Sledding...

I took all three kids sledding with our neighbors. It was the most fun! The hill was great and FAST! There were different paths to go down. Madeline preferred to stay on the halfway path which was still a good distance. Ryan and Lauren were on the big path. I couldn't believe my little 3 1/2 year old was going down this huge hill!! He loved it and did a great job of staying on the sled....most of the time. Lauren was getting brave and going down on her back and belly and making me a nervous wreck but it was so much fun. The kids wore out before I did!! It was so much fun!!! We WILL go back there again!

Don't Eat The Yellow Snow...

The kids of course had to eat the snow. All kids (and big kids too) love to eat that first snow. Ryan absolutely loves it. He is always eating the snow! Mad said it was ok. Lauren likes it but doesn't eat alot of it. Here all three kids made their own "snow cones". We just love this snow storm!!

Miley the Snow Dog

Miley LOVES the snow. She is so fun to watch. She loves to jump all over the place and eats the snow. She gets so excited when she sees people getting all their snow gear on because she is hoping she'll get to go and play too! It's a riot watching her! She doesn't seem to mind that the snow is almost deeper than her in most areas!

Big Big Snow!!

We had a super snow storm last night! We have over a foot of solid snow. Some of the snow drifts are two feet or more! It's great! The kids have been having a super time playing in it. Ryan has a harder time as he isn't as tall and walking through the snow is really tricky for him but he does it! Of course it was a snow day from school so all the kids were out and having a great time! Here are some pictures to show how deep the snow is in areas!

Playing with our friends in the snow....

We haven't gotten as much snow this year as we usually do by this point. During the first good snow we ran outside and played with the neighbor kids and had so much fun. The kids like to use our driveway as a place to sled down. Works ok as long as there aren't any cars coming!!

FTMA (Future Trash Men of America)

Here is a picture of Ryan's orange trash truck from Santa. We all know that Ryan has been obsessed with trash trucks for over a year now. Buckner genes?? Anyway, Ryan and I sit on the porch rain, snow, sleet, or shine on Wednesdays to watch the 2-3 trash trucks that come to our house. On Christmas Eve (our trash day) there was a knock on the door. There was the trash man in a Santa hat and handed me a gift for Ryan. I have NEVER met anyone who has received a gift from their trash man! We took this picture to put in the thank you card for the trash man. Needless to say it made Ryan's day to get a present from him and made my eyes teary at the kindness shown to my son.

What's a Ryanism??

Ryan has entertained us with many sayings and questions lately. We have named these Ryanisms. He is a super inquisitive boy and his observations stun and entertain us. His latest Ryanism happened this week. I had called and made an appointment for Miley (the dog) to be spayed. I suppose he was overhearing my phone conversations. Later that day we went to McDonald's and ran into Grandma. In a sad yet serious tone he informed her that Miley was broken and we have to take her to the vet to get fixed!! Another time while at the museum he was jumping around and having a good time. He suddenly stopped and got serious. I asked him what was wrong. He claimed someone wet his pants. When I asked how "someone" did that he said he didn't know but while he was laughing someone came and wet his pants. Another time we went out to eat. He was quietly looking at the moon (it was a half moon). He then asked how the moon gets "broken". Yet our all time favorite one deals with God. While explaining about death and how when we die God comes and takes us to heaven Ryan sits and ponders for a moment. Then he asks, "What kind of car does God drive when he comes to get us?".

The Play Goup

It all started almost ten years ago! When our first kids were just babies we met at a Mom's group and started our own little playgroup. Sadly half of the group has moved away. Whenever there are enough in town to get together we usually try to do so. It's been so much fun to have these other Mom's to grow up with. I love you all!! I can't believe our group started with six little babies and if we could ever all get together again there would be sixteen kids! Wow. It was really nice to spend time with some old friends and see all the kids together again. When are you coming again Laura??

Build a Bear (or dog or bunny...)

The kids have been wanting to go to Build a Bear. It's a really fun place but pretty pricey for stuffed animals if you ask me. I told the kids to ask for gift cards or money for Christmas and then they could go. They did and we went. It was neat to get to pick out your animal and stuff it. The kids really enjoyed doing their animals and dressing them up. They are already thinking of doing the same thing with their birthday money. Luckily I could take them one at a time then!!!

Christmas Day continued....

After the gift opening was finished and the traditional homemade donuts were eaten, we headed out to Grandpa and Grandma Speer's. I did even worse with pictures there. I did get one of Ryan with his gifts before opening them. The kids really enjoyed spending time with Uncle Eric and Aunt Kara while they were in town. It's always a special time when they come into town. The kids LOVE seeing them and spending time with them. We only wish they didn't live so far away.

Christmas Morning

Here is the big day. The kids were so super excited about the gift opening that I didn't get that many pics of the big event. Ryan was thrilled to get his orange trash truck and his star wars. Mad loved her barbies and Baby from Santa. Lauren was glad to get a digital camera and some games for the Wii and her DS. Those were the favorites of the gifts.

Cookies for Santa

Here are the kids leaving the cookies and milk for Santa. They seem a little excited don't you think??

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Grandpa and Grandma Buckner's. All the grand kids were there so we took advantage of it and took pics. It was nice to have all the cousins together at one time. It's amazing to see how the family has grown over the years. We are all blessed to be able to get together and spend time with one another. Many families are so spread out and rarely see one another. I'm glad my kids have this opportunity to get to know their extended family. Though it does get to be busy when there are 14 kids opening gifts!! And that's just the kids. There are still nine adults in the mix too!!

The Runaway Toys

The fourth graders put on a play each year called The Runaway Toys. It's really a neat play and the kids work so hard to memorize their parts. Lauren was the dutch doll. She did a really good job though she said she was really nervous. They put it on for the parents and then again for the school. It's something the fourth graders look forward to each year.

The Christmas Picture

It's the dreaded time around our house. The time when Mom gets her camera and the kids have to smile so I can get a picture for our cards. The kids really do NOT like this part but this year I bribed them with milkshakes if they would cooperate. It worked and you wouldn't tell by the pictures that they almost didn't get those milkshakes! Though we weren't the best at sending out cards this year. Sorry. The picture of all three of them was the one in the card.

Kid for Hire!

Ryan LOVES to "woo-woo" (vacuum for the common person). When I told him I was going to clean out the van he was begging to help. Yes, I said begging to help clean the van. He has a good eye for detail and is surprisingly great at cleaning. It's a great help to me too since neither girl seemed to get this clean gene!

Lauren's Half Birthday

Almost forgot to post Lauren's half birthday cake. She is officially nine and a half. Hers is the last half birthday and she isn't the most patient child so she was ever so excited to have her day finally here. It's hard to believe the kids are getting so old!

Ryan the Donkey

Ryan's preschool class put on a Christmas play. Ryan was Mary's donkey. Though he wanted to be a cow instead so it depended on his mood rather he told people he was a donkey or a brown cow. It was a really cute little program. For the ages of the kids they did REALLY well!! It's hard seeing my baby doing such big kid things though!