Flurries and Chains

Around lunch time today, we noticed some tiny snowflakes starting to fall from the sky.

Joy hurried to the window to watch the little flurries land on the deck.

Before long, those flurries had a lot of friends joining them.  The snowfall soon let up, though, so Phillip and I decided to take a drive and visit some friends.  Of course, a few minutes after we set out the snow returned with a vengeance, and soon Phillip and I had to stop and figure out how to get our heretofore unused snow chains onto our tires.  It was a bonding experience, let me tell you.

I'm happy to report that we made it back to the cabin (and later down the mountain) safely.  In the meantime, Joy was able to collect her very own snowball off the driveway.  I believe it's currently residing in Grandma's freezer.

Ice Cream on a Chilly Day

At the cabin today . . .

. . . Anna found the playing cards . . .

. . . and Papa showed Joy how to tie a hook onto a fishing line.

I took a picture with my little brothers (who are both taller than I am) . . .

. . . then we all went for a walk.  Joy was excited to find a little patch of snow, . . .

. . . but then her face got cold.  Fortunately, she thought of a simple solution to that problem.

Back at the cabin, the kids played pick-up sticks . . .

. . . while Red Grandma and I made ice cream and Ghirardelli brownies . . .

. . . for Somebody's birthday.

One year older and wiser, too/

Happy birthday to you!

Hooray for the Bowling Ramp!

Yesterday afternoon the Hendrickson family packed up our stuff . . .

(OK, we don't have THAT much stuff, though it sure feels that way sometimes) . . .

. . . and headed to my parents' cabin for a few days.  It's always fun to hang with my fam . . .

. . . and get in a little bowling (even though I'm pretty lousy at it).

Daniel earned a respectable score with the help of the ramp . . .

 . . . and Daddy.

Christmas Here and There

Merry Christmas!

Our little family enjoyed a pleasant morning at home unwrapping presents together.

I gave Phillip a Kawasaki motorcycle ornament (the black one on the right) to go with the VFR he was riding last year.  He's pretty sure he'll stick with the Kawasaki for a while, so that should be the extent of our motorcycle ornament collection for at least the next few years (right, honey? ;).

This evening we headed to my grandparents' home for Christmas dinner . . .

. . . because nothing says Christmas like family, food, . . .

. . . and Spongebob.

Christmas Eve Carols

We joined Pink Grandma and Laura for Christmas Eve this evening.

Grandma and the kids played Blink, . . .

. . . a piano duo (er, trio) performed some carols, . . .

. . . then Phillip accompanied while we sang along.

Joy suggested we sing the only carol Daniel currently knows, so he and I sang a duet of "In a Little Stable," the song he learned for his preschool pageant.

After the carols, Joy and Daniel (and a few cardboard friends) enacted the Nativity Story while Grandma narrated.  It all made for a lovely Christmas Eve.

Paint and Francesco

Joy's favorite birthday gifts this year included . . . 

. . . Francesco  Bernoulli . . . 

. . . and a watercolor set.  After grappling with painter's block for a little while, . . .

. . . Joy came up with some ideas for fun things to paint.

I thought she should have attempted a still life entitled "Lion on Mandarins," but she didn't consult me.

Christmas Lights on Temple Hill

We headed to the LA Temple Visitors' Center for family home evening tonight.

The big kids collaborated on a digital drawing . . . 

. . . while Anna made a new little friend, . . . 

. . . then we strolled the grounds together and admired the Christmas lights.

Parts of the grounds looked like a fairy land . . .

. . . and the we were all pretty enchanted.

Celebrating with the Birthday Girl

Joy celebrates her sixth birthday this month.

Grandparents and other extended family gathered to watch Joy blow out the candles on her donuts (she requested them for her birthday dessert instead of a cake), . . .

. . . she opened a few presents on her actual birthday, . . .

. . . then we invited friends over for a party this morning.  We strung cereal necklaces, . . .

. . . played Duck Duck Anything, . . .

. . . smashed a pinata (which began life as a Kleenex box), . . . 

. . . and enjoyed yummy treats for dessert.  Joy wanted to make sure everyone would see something they liked, so she asked me to make cupcakes, brownie bites, and mini pumpkin pies.

In a Little Stable

Daniel's preschool group put on a little Christmas pageant for their families this evening.

They acted out the Nativity story (Daniel was an angel - I forget the logic behind his dark brown costume) . . .

. . . then they sang some Christmas carols (I was in charge of ringing the bell).  Daniel was a little reluctant to join the play, but he loved singing "In a Little Stable."

Holey Wheat Bread, Batman!

Dear Daniel,

I'm glad you like my wheat bread, but if you're hungry for some . . .

. . . please just ask me to cut you a slice.

Love,

Mama

Caution at the Park

The kids and I headed to the park today . . .

. . . and found that someone (not sure if it was an official representative of our fair city or just some safety-minded citizen) had placed large Caution signs on the big tree at the playground.  I wondered what we were supposed to be cautious about.  Not bumping our heads on the branches?  If a person isn't paying enough attention to avoid clunking their head on a branch the width of their thigh, placing a sign on said branch probably won't help.

Perhaps the signs mean "Be cautious whilst climbing this huge tree."   I don't think that will be an issue for Joy for a while, since she can only make it halfway to the first branch.

Anna decided to be extra-cautious on the slide . . .

. . . opting to take the ride in reverse.  Safety first.