Post Christmas camping

After our guests took off we headed out on our own adventure.  Knowing this was coming up and wanting a relaxing Christmas I'd been loading the trailer slowly over the past couple of weeks.  It didn't take us long to load up the remaining supplies and head out on the road.   We were headed out on a hike within an hour of arriving at the campground.

We made it to the discovery center to explore and learn about the area.

 

We couldn't have our own fire, but there was a shared fire pit just across the way that we were able to enjoy.

 

We love the closeness of the trailer.  So many opportunities for cuddling!

The kids made swords from sticks found around the site and duct tape.

 

More hikes and exploring; though I spent the hiking times at the trailer with napping little ones.

Mr. K was napping when they left, though we met up with them on their way back.  Miss C did a great job keeping up with everyone!

This time Miss C was napping

 

A cold morning hike with Daddy

Mr. M got sick in the middle of the trip and spend quite a bit of time resting.

Everyone else was out on a hike, we stayed behind to care for Mr. M

We enjoyed many games of skip-bo.

 

On our last night there it snowed!  The kids knew it was snowing and when they were waking up we could hear their sweet excited whispers.  What fun to have a bit of snow to play in before heading home to a new year!

Rabbits!

As if chickens and worms were not enough we just added rabbits to our backyard fun!  Mr. S has been wanting to get rabbits for a couple of years now.  Thanks to a great find on craigslist (stacking cages) and a friend (who's friend raises rabbits) the timing was right to get some.

The oldest four each got to pick one.  They were all beautiful and very cuddly.  These little guys are about 3 weeks old right now and will get quite a bit bigger.

Yes, we know that rabbits tend to multiply like...well, rabbits.  These are meat rabbits and we will be breeding them for that purpose.  The kids are loving on these since they are the mommies and daddies that need to be tame and calm.  This is a fun project for daddy and the boys that we can all enjoy.

 

Worms

I guess getting chickens gave us the push we needed to get some other things going around here.  We've been thinking about a worm composting bin for a while and the boys finally got everything together for one last week.  As soon as they got it all done I ordered worms.  There was much excitement when they arrived.

We dumped most of them into the bin and watched them wiggle down in to munch on our food scraps that were hidden in there.

Everyone got the chance to hold them if they wanted.

 

Miss E threw some in her garden and we took a bunch directly to the chickens who were VERY happy to eat them up.


What will we end up with next?  Just wait and see!

A visit with Uncle D and Aunt M!

Uncle D and Aunt M were in the middle of a move this Christmas season and blessed us with a visit the day after Christmas!  They arrived around bed time and the kids were already in their jammies.  Daddy quickly declared a Jammie Drill and we all headed out!

 

Since the kids were not likely to be going to sleep any time soon, after jacking them up on sugar, we exchanged Christmas gifts and played a bit when we got home.

The marbles were a big hit

Waiting in line for a ride on Uncle D

The next morning we opened gifts from G'ma and Grandad that had been sent along.  The kids had been so excited about the Children's Museum membership and were quite surprised to be getting more gifts!  What fun!

Opps!  Looks like we were too busy helping kids open their gifts and having fun.  No pictures!

 

Next up?  Uncle D and Aunt Molly thought that the best Christmas gift for our kids would be a trip to Chuck E Cheese.  They were right!  We spent a few hours eating, playing games, visiting, turning in tickets, redeeming prizes and all that.  Everyone had a great time.

 

It was a short but sweet visit with Uncle D and Aunt M.  Even Mr K was sad to see them go (he doesn't really take to anyone other than Mama, but he seemed to like them!).

Christmas Day

We enjoyed a nice quiet Christmas day with the kids.  After spending the night sleeping under the Christmas tree the kids got us up at six to open stockings.

The older kids have been asking for these "illegal" shirts for a couple of years

 

Miss C has been wanting Hello Kitty duck tape

We moved on to opening gifts once everyone was all dressed and ready to go and we'd done our morning reading (We've been enjoying reading Tabitha's Travels through this Advent season).

Waiting sweetly and patiently to be given the go-ahead

 

I got some sparkly earrings from Rob

She was THRILLED to receive a pink tutu from Miss J!

 

Funny ears from Miss E

Mr. M got a shaving kit and couldn't wait to use it (he is growing up so fast!).  Later he was found climbing the house making use of his new harness.  Most of us just relaxed and enjoyed the day with some of the books and toys we received.

 

Mr. K loved the Christmas Oreos that Miss E got for him.  It is amazing that at only 1 year old he already knows to pull the cookie appart and lick out the cream filling.  What a mess, but he sure is cute!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas to you from our crazy clan!

Christmas Eve!

We spent today getting some housekeeping, baking and other work done around the house in preparation for Christmas.  This afternoon we made up some of our favorite finger foods.  By dinner time we had the table set up buffet style and the Christmas music was playing.

 

Rob set up some little tables on the floor that all but Mr. K sat at.  We enjoyed a casual dinner of finger foods, sparking cider and egg nog.

(Isn't he a cute little Red Nosed Reindeer?)

After dinner we pulled out some games.  We had a couple going and it was quite the lively time with everyone playing and enjoying the time together.

After clean up we spent some time sining Christmas Carols and the kids all set up for a slumber party in the living room by the tree.  They are all snuggled in and trying to get to sleep (after building their forts) so Mommy and Daddy can come stuff their stockings and put gifts under the tree.

I'm treasuring watching my children together under the glow of the tree, what a beautiful sight!

A little elf

Mr. K discovered the jingle bells we have the other day and regularly brings them to us to help him get them on.  He is such a cute little elf!

The Christmas Tree hat was a gift from a dear friend and I love seeing him running around it in too.  This kid is so funny, he keeps us laughing all day long!

The Hobbit

Yesterday we took the oldest three kids to see The Hobbit.  Each one earned the privilege of going.  They all read the book!  Nearly a year ago we told them we would take whomever read the book to the movie.  Miss E had it read right away.  Mr R finished it in November.  Mr M made it by the skin of his teeth; finishing this week.

After the movie we took them out for dinner and dessert to discuss the book, movie and the differences between them.  It was a great time with the big kids and we were so happy to be able to reward them. It was also a great way to kick off Dad's Christmas break!