Time for potty Training????????

Okay, so the other day I was folding laundry on the couch. AnaGrace, my big helper, was right there beside me. She decided to help by trying on the clothes. The first one she got was a pair of her sister's undies. She was determined to put them on...this kept her busy for about 5 minutes. She was so proud of herself. So, I don't know if this is a sign to begin potty training....or a sign that it is a loooong way off. I thought this was very funny. After she was done with the undies, she proceeded to socks. These she kept one all day (over her original socks) until Dani came home and promptly took them off Ana and put them on her own feet. Thankfully, AnaGrace didn't seem to care, maybe she knew after all that they were Dani's

Christmas Tea Party

About a month ago, DaniRae sent Grandma and invtiation to a tea party that Dani was really excited about. She wanted to plan it and everything. I had to really tone it down for her. She was on my case all week to start baking. She wanted scones and raisin sandwiches. Ugh..WE finally settled on snowman cookies (and that is only because Grandma made them), and iced raisin biscuits. She helped me set a nice winter table and we had a Christmas tea next to the fireplace. Maybe there is hope for her to turn into a "lady" (or was that what my Mom was saying about me as she left). Oh, well....Meanwhile, Dan kept Jeremiah and AnaGrace upstairs. They set up the train and the cattle car with horses. AnaGrace really enjoyed seeing the horses....as you can see she also enjoys wearing her hat in the house!!!!

Winter Smores

Usually during the Christmas season, we like to roast marshmallows over my smores over my smores maker. It has sort of become a tradition. The kids really enjoy this activity. So here are some pics.

O Christmas Tree, How lovely are thy branches

This past Saturday, we went to get our tree for Christmas. (I don't know why this is undrlining everything that I write, sorry). Anyway, we had a great time. It was cold, but not quite as bad as last year. And besides, it ought to be illegal to get a Christmas tree when it is warm out. After much deliberating, we finally decided upon a tree...a 7' Frasier Fir. Dan had quite the time trying to cut it down. Miah, of course, was right there trying to help out.

There is something really sweet about this picture of DaniRae. She was underneath the tree watching to make sure the guy were cutting it down right.

Here is my strong husband dragging his tree out of the forest....er, well, tree field. Quite the adventure for all of us, but Dan did take the brunt of the work. He goes to such great lengths for his family to be happy...cutting down trees, decorating the outside of the house, carrying 4 plus boxes of snowmen and other decorations up from the basement. He is a wonderful husband.
AnaGrace is very enamored with the tree and loves to see it "on". She is quick to point out any "kissmass tees" that we see when we are out and about.

More Fall Fun

On Saturday, Dan took a break from studying and went outside with the kids to play. He snapped these great pictures. He also helped rake a big leaf pile for them.

Just this Fall, we have given Jeremiah permission to ride on the road between our mailbox and the neighbors. He really enjoys this and think it is great fun. I think he really feels like "Big Stuff." He is very cute out riding.
And here is our Tucker...actually AnaGrace calls him Tuckerooni....I think its beginning to stick. He is a very cute puppy albeit a little naughty.

Gorgeous Guords

Well, Dan had to work late in Lancaster tonight and then had a meeting. So we decided to make some gorgeous guords. (Yes, I got the idea from Family Fun.....and I heard the collective groan from my extended family. Someday, you will all be calling me for ideas.) We had our church's Thanksgiving Fellowship last Saturday. The centerpieces were guords. Lots of them. Miah asked me if he could have a few to bring home. (Mommy thinks 3 or 4: Kids think as many as they will give us). Well kind "Mr. Mark" gave my kids all of the guords. We are talking 2 grocery bags filled to the brim with them. Thanks, Mr. Mark. Needless to say, we all had fun tonight and it was a great way to kill time between supper and bedtime. Here are our creations. Miah made this one that the kids thought looked like Dan....sorry honey.

This was the tiniest one, so Dani named it AnaGrace.
This is my creation, which the kids said looked like Grandma....sorry Grandma. Anyway, know we only have 2 partially filled grocery bags left.

Trick or Treat

We took the kids trick or treating last night. Not too much, just a few neighbors. There weren't a whole lot of people with their lights on last night, but it was enough to get some candy. Jeremiah wanted to be a "Superhero"....no one in particular, just a super hero. We chuckle because when he was much smaller he used to wear his blanket like a cape and run through the house saying "Superbunny saves the day."
DaniRae wanted to be an ice cream cone. It was cute, but AnaGrace kept picking the sprinkles off which did not make Dani happy. As you can see, though, Dani loved her costume.
And now, youv'e heard of Daffy Duck and Donald Duck.....Introducing....Grumpy Duck. Obviously, AnaGrace was not impressed with dressing up. She really, truly did not enjoy this experience and sat in the van most of the evening


Here we are at Pah-pah's house. He gave AnaGrace goldfish, but of all the nerve, he tried to put it in her bag....OHHH, can you believe it. Ana was not happy about that; apparantly she lives by an unwritten rule that you eat it immediately. Finally Pah-pah opened the goldfish and gave them to AnaGrace right away. She was much happier. (In Pah-pah's defense, we were all kinda flabbergasted at her behavior). So that is when she sat in the car the rest of the evening and ate her goldfish. (After this week with a grumpy sick toddler, the nutrition police are soooo gonna come after me. Her appetite has been very poor this week for anything decent. However, she did put away 3 pieces of pizza tonight----not that its healthy---but I think she is beginning to feel better.)