Christmas 2010

Christmas Day was finally here!  The kids were bouncing off the walls with excitement.  I have to admit, I wasn't into the holidays this year as I would've liked.  But I figured that I just didn't plan far enough in advance.  So next year will be better- I'm sure of it!  Here are some pics from Christmas morning:

Avery having a moment of silence with all her favorite things (puppy, elmo, video, book...).

All his dreams came true!  When Blake asked him "How did you get a chocolate fountain?", he said "I wished for it".

6:30 am ... Blake (our early riser) is the only one really up and ready.

I tried so hard to get one good pic of the kids in front of the tree.

Chad reading a Christmas bedtime story.

Flocked!

On December 24th we found this on our door along with a flock of flamingos. 

These birds have been going around the ward for a few weeks.  There hadn't been any recent attacks so I sort of forgot about them.  But when we drove up that night...there they were!

According to the "flocking rules" we had get rid of them by Dec. 25th or we would have to store them for a year.  We found the perfect neighbor and made a late night drive by.  Bye bye birdies!

Notice how the flockers were too nervous to get close to our house/window.  We weren't even home so it wouldn't have mattered.

Happy Birthday Blake!

Blake is the big 09 today!  Even though we have his party in the summer time on his half birthday, I love having a Christmas baby. Happy Birthday Blake!
 

Smiley Library Character Tree

Our library has this cute Christmas tree full of storybook characters.  If you can identify at least 10 you get to pick a prize.  I was surprised by how many Blake knew and equally surpirsed by how many Colin didn't know (he kept calling Madeline "Madalee").

It has come to my attention this week that I didn't have ONE picture with all three kids from last year  (boys just don't pose like girls do).  I have lots of "couple" shots, but none all together.  So one of my New Year's Resolutions is the take pictures of all the kids together!

G&G Montgomery's Christmas Party

Letter writing to Santa station

You know Blake...he took his time to make sure he didn't forget anything.

Avery and Chad

Pretzel dipping station

Fishing Pond

Tasha and Chase at the Fishing Pond

I had the cutest pic of Chase and Avery, when Colin popped his head in the mix.

Kid Photos

Reunited after Colin went motorcycle riding.  They were both so happy to see each other.

I realized I never posted a pic of the cast!  Yes, this was a part of our lives for 6 weeks...and yes, it is thigh high. 

Long Beach Tour

Four generations of Snowball women (and one little man)

 My family did a Snowball Family Tour with Grandma Snowball over Thanksgiving.  We went around and saw where she lived as a child, teenager, newlywed and first time home owners.  The picture above is the first house they bought and raised had their first three girls there.  Aunt Barbara was a baby when they moved in, but my mom (above) and Aunt Nancy came home to this house.  (note- they did not plan the giant cactus).

This was their first apartment as newlyweds.  Grandma & Grandpa's was the back right door.  There are four apartments that open to the courtyard Colin is standing in front of.  It was across the street from a park and just looked like a little newlywed apartment.  So cute.

I loved seeing my whole Grandma's life in two hours.  She grew up in the same part of town...and it must have felt like a major move to buy a house all the way on the other side of Long Beach.   It was fun hearing her stories and imaging what life was like for her during those years.

I Was Punked

I can't believe it, but this totally happened to me yesterday...

Blake was busy writing the above scheme at the table when the next thing I knew I was hit by a wad of paper.

"Throw paper ball at mom"

"Mom looks away"

"Take Silly Bands"

Happy Thanksgiving

Blake finally discovered whip cream!  After many years of politely declining he finally gave it a try.

Raingutter Regetta

Blake just participated in his first Raingutter Regatta (aka- Pinewood Derby for boats).  He won his first race and was eliminated the second race...but now we know what to do for next year.

Hanging out with the Wolf Den boys

Uniform inspection...this is no joke.

The adoring fans.

All the boats are ready to go.

Award ribbons!

There is a Green Hill Not Far Away

We've had some misty, rainy days here and the hills are green, it's so pretty.  This is for my cool sis-in-law Krystle because not everyone can appreciate a green hill like she can.

Halloween 2010

We didn't trick-or-treat this year because it was on Sunday, but we went to Grandma's and helped pass out candy.  The boys were sad all day that they couldn't go trick-or-treat, but at the end of the day they all had so much fun just passing out candy.

Avery is such a shoe girl these days that we planned her outfit around the shoes.

Yea!  Blake is showing teeth in a smile.  (He usually gives me the same straight smile.)

Goofy goggles from the Colin's class party.

Trunk-or-Treat at the ward party...the boys couldn't believe how much candy they got.   Blake came home and weighed his...3 pounds!

Look how cute Avery and her friends are! Avery, Elsa and Jada.

Colin at the school parade.

Family Day at the Smiley Library

Family Day at the Smiley Library

Lincoln impersonator...he was close to Lincoln's real height 6'2" (plus stovepipe hat)

 

Bugs table from the county museum.

Scorpion

Avery was just happy to leave with a balloon.

This was all Blake cared about- the origami station.