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Monday, December 29, 2008

Gingerbread House Competition

So, Corey and I got a bit competitive with our Gingerbread houses.......then, of course, we both were convinced that ours were the best. Really the only thing we could agree on was that we should let our friends and family decide. So, VOTE on the poll to the right.......

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Gingerbread Houses

The last time we tried to do gingerbread houses, we made them from graham crackers like I did when I was little, but we apparently didn't have the right "glue". The frosting we used wouldn't let the houses stick together and it was super frustrating. So, this year I was proactive and used the glue gun to put them together before hand. Worked GREAT!
Rhys got really into it and even made a pond in the front yard! Such a cutie!
Malik, true to form, made his a masterpiece, he spend a great deal of time on the design and made it just right. Our little artist!
Bet you can't guess which one Jorie did.....
Clue, most of her decorating went right in her mouth!!!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Salt Dough Candle Holders

Malik got a book at school called Craft Ideas For Kids. He and Rhys looked through it at least 50 times then announced that they would be making Salt Dough Christmas Candle Holders for their teachers and Grandma's and Papa's for Christmas. After looking over the ingredient list and making a list on Saturday we headed to the store. Then, yesterday after church, we began our 7 hour project. Mind you it's not a difficult project, my children are just perfectionists! They spent almost 4 hours painting them after they had cooked! Fun project, even Jorie and Dad got into it!
Check out the green paint on Rhys' forehead and red paint on his cheek....When Malik is really consentrating he sticks his tongue out the side of his mouth....

Friday, December 19, 2008

Enloe Update!

Hello all! Just thought I would rejoin the land of blogging and give you all an update from our new little neck of the woods.

The move went without a hitch and we have temporarily moved into a 3 bedroom home that a friend of our is giving us a great deal on. We are currently in the middle of trying to make a decision (which you all know isn;t an easy thing for us to do) about more permanent living arrangements. Hopefully, by February, we will either be breaking ground for a new home or have found one that we love and in the purchase process. For now, our rental is just fine and in a great location.
Malik started into his new 2nd grade class and loves it!!! Initially he was so sad/mad about the move but to his surprise he has fallen right in step and has made some great new friends. I also have been pretty inpressed with this new school, don't be jealous, but there are only 15 students in his class!!! It's a dream!

After hours on the phone trying to find a preschool for Rhys with openings, I finally found one. The only one in the whole stinkin' valley with an opening! In hopes that we might be able to pay Rhys' tuition in January, I will be selling a kidney. Let me know if you are interested. Rhys loves his school! They have movement classes on Mondays, gymnastics on Thursdays, and they get to play in the bounce house once a week. The play yard is like nothing I have ever seen! The have a bear cave, tunnels and hills, a treehouse and most recently (and Rhys' fav), sledding hills and sleds. They have a great time and Rhys always leaves with a smile!

Jorie and I spend a couple of hours on Monday at a play gym called GiminiKids. There are always kids her age to play with and I think the change of scenery is very welcome for Jorie. She misses her brothers while they are gone but is so happy when they get home. She is very chatty and is going through a phase where she asks thousands of questions, not only once but 5-6 times! Cute but kind of annoying. She is getting so big!

Corey is definately in his element! He loves his new job (not to mention the 5 powder days he has had in the last 3 weeks, thanks to 3-4 feet of new snow). This job in this area was made for Corey! He has always been very content with his job but now I see a huge difference in him when he comes home at night, he is so happy! He is getting ready to put the kids in ski school and can't wait for spring so we can all bike and hike the thousands of trails availabe to us.

I am very happy here but more than once a day I miss my old routine and my girlfriends and family. I love being a mom and I love my family. I am happiest when I am with them!

We love you all and hope you all want to take fun and exciting vacations to visit us, we will make it worth your while!!!! Promise!!
Yesterday afternoon it warmed up by about 10 degrees (which brought it just above freezing) and some of the snow on our tin roof began to slide. Although not for long, the temp dropped well below 15 degrees pretty quick. This morning the kids were facinated by this scene in our backyard. The snow was curved and the icesicles curved in toward our house!!! Crazy, but really pretty cool, just thought we'd share!