January 31

So many things to be thankful for today!

...to celebrate Rich's birthday together as a family
Happy Birthday Papa...may we celebrate many more together!

...to wake up this morning after a full uninterrupted night of sleep!!!
This is the first time in a year or so!  No baby 'calling', no sore leg/back!
Thank you formula bottle, thank you Tylenol 3.

And we send a Happy Birthday to auntie Jackie today too.
Hope you have a wonderful day.

It might be raining outside...but it's a GREAT day!

January 30

Wow!  Do you see what I see?
Three of my kids playing together without fighting!
It seems these days, the saying 'Three is a Crowd'
is very true around here.

And today we are sending birthday wishes
all the way to Alberta Uncle John!

January 29

Bushtit party at the suet feeder.
See? they really DO like homemade suet!

January 28

The kids were busy coloring pictures the other day
when Josie held up a color and said,
"Once Mom drove through a light this color!"
To which Reuben responded,
"Aww, Mom's BAD!  She should have a
'tention (detention) for her motor."

January 27

Brothers are the BEST!!

January 26

Reuben was whispering some reassuring words to Puppy & Co.

before they took the plunge.

January 25

Howdy Ethan!
Ain't you the cutest cowboy we eva' did see?

January 24

On the menu for dinner tonight.
After trying a Mediterranean Chicken Wrap at Red Robin,
I had to try to recreate it.  And I think our wraps are just as good...or better!
Cooked chicken breast, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese,
Greek feta vinaigrette dressing, and Greek spices,
all wrapped up in a spinach tortilla.  So yummy!! 

January 23

a.k.a. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

January 22

Last week it was too cold in the laundry room to give Blake a bath in the sink, so the lucky guy got to try out the big bath.  By the end of the week, he knew exactly where he was headed after supper when his clothes came off and up the stairs we went!  A sink bath will never be good enough again!

January 21

It was so amazing to see the snowdrifts left from this
week's snowstorm.  In places, huge chunks broke off and
were floating down the slough like mini icebergs.

January 20

On Friday, the kids were home from school again because of the weather.  At one point, I needed some (relative) peace and quiet, so I sent the kids to play in the shop.  I'm sure Rich 'enjoyed' every minute!!  Josie was busy for hours making this birdhouse for me.  Within minutes of hanging it outside, the first hungry bird came along to check it out!  She was so happy!

And Uncle Bryan?
A very Happy Big 4-0 to you!!

January 19

Kids never cease to amaze me with their tech knowledge!
I don't know if it was knowledge in the case, or just trial and error.
Last night as I was making supper, Mom called to ask if I knew that Josie was texting her.  Josie had been playing around with my cell phone and somehow managed to send this text to Mom...on her home phone!  I'm glad this was the only text she managed to send out!

January 18

Today was Lani's funeral.
The weather was bitterly cold.
It was snowing and blowing.
I will never be able to experience a real winter
storm again without thinking back on today.

January 17

Dave and Lani
on their wedding day
September 28, 2007

January 16

It's been snowing all day here, with no end in sight.
The school kids were sent home at lunchtime...
much to their delight.  They've been outside for hours,
enjoying the wonderful winter weather.
Kayden and Austin came for a quick visit this morning too.

January 15

January 14

It seemed a bit strange to remember a birthday today
with so much grief and sadness in the family.
But we can't deny it, Reuben is four today...
and the snowfall was a perfect gift for him to wake up to this morning.
Happy Birthday Big Guy!

January 13

Lani Boone
January 8, 1978 - January 13, 2012
Our sister-in-law,
Our Auntie Lani.

January 12

This is becoming a common sight around here.
Josie begs to go to the library and spends hours reading
in her bed at night if we don't notice.

January 11

The kids have had a blast with these play glasses.
Don't they look cute?

January 10

This school desk that I found in the ditch about 5 years ago
has been used so much!  There's always one of the kids sitting in it coloring
or crafting.  After Christmas break when the 2 oldest
went back to school, Reuben has 'claimed' the desk for himself.

January 9

It seems that Grampa doesn't mind getting
a free shower courtesy of Blake!

January 8

Josie is so helpful with keeping Blake happy,
and around suppertime this is especially appreciated.
Here is picked up a book and read the entire thing to her brothers.
So precious!
And you question the boots?  Ever since she got new boots, she wears
them every waking minute that she's at home!

And it's Birthday time again!
Auntie Lani and Jacob share today's birthday wishes!
We hope you had a wonderful day.
And Uncle Les...we remembered it was your birthday on Saturday...
but forgot to mention it here!!

January 7

Before: Take a look at the couch for a minute!
We've been looking for a 'new' couch for a while now.
And finally we found something!!!

Step 1: Removal of the old playroom couch.
Waiting for the muscle men to haul away the trash.
The kids thought it was great - a couch in the middle of the kitchen.

Step 2: The old couch has been claimed!
It was outside for all of 30 seconds before this happened.

Step 3: Our $50 makeover!
I found this couch and chair on Craig's List last night.
Rich went this morning to Abbotsford to pick it up.
They look as if they've never been used!
Best $50 we've ever spent!