SNOW!!!

Yay for snow in December!  For the first two years of our life in Yakima - we didn't see a lot of this white stuff, and now we've had more in one week than we had in two years!  The kids are loving it!  While the kids were banished to school, I took Max out for his first romp in Yakima snow.  We built an Olaf, shoveled the driveway, and threw as many snowballs as we could get our hands on. He loved it!

 
The next day the kids lucked out with a snow day and we created our very own ski hill out of our very steep driveway!  It was so much fun!  We've been out in it every day since and have the start of a very nice snow fort.  I'm so happy to have snow for our Christmas this year and to have a reason for the kids to be outside!

Shawn's 35th Birthday

The old man turned 35!  That's right he is closer to 40 than thirty! And 35 never looked so good!  We had a great night eating out with friends and catching a movie, and then topped it off with a sugary brown sugar cake with carmel sauce!  The kids love this man they call dad - and for good reason.  He is such an amazing father, husband, son, brother, and friend.  I am always amazed at his generosity, patience and sincere goodness.  He really is the best there is.

Two random pics that I loved:

Becoming "Accomplished"

We really enjoy having our children in sports, music, dance, etc. and have always encouraged their participation in these activities…but after having three involved several nights a week, it begins to take its toll!  We are busy, life never slows, and sometimes I wonder if it is really worth it in the end! But seeing these end results, the feeling of accomplishment and character added to - I wouldn't change a thing!

 These pictures of Max vacuuming are some of my favorites - you should have seen the joy he got out of pushing that baby around!  He was determined to get every speck off the floor and he had his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth in determination!  Love this spunky, sweet boy!

Christmas Prep

I love the Christmas season - especially the events that lead up to Christmas day…school programs, church celebrations, candy making, gift giving, you name it I love it!  Our ward put on an AMAZING Night at Bethlehem celebration.  I loved kicking off the month with a focus on the Savior.

 Christmas isn't complete without Grandma Jeanne's candy - or at least my poor attempts at making it.  I will say practice is improving the result, but candy is an art that I am still trying to master!

 The kindergarteners put on a Christmas program and lunch.  Lyv is a great performer and knows every word and action to every song - she doesn't miss a beat.  And she is a lucky girl to have so many of her friends in her class.

 We finally broke down and got a fake pre lit tree!  But I have to say, it is nice to not have to string the lights, and clean up the needle mess.

Lastly the kids had a Jingle Bell run for their mileage club.  Even Max got a little festive for the event.

Pre Thanksgiving Happenings!

Before we left for Idaho to celebrate Thanksgiving Lyv and Sam had some milestones in their running club.  Sam got his 50 mile shirt - a month earlier than he got it last year!  Love this boy and his determination to push it!  

 The day we left for Boise - Lyv and Sam (not Jack - in Jack's words, "Jack doesn't like running!!) participated in the Cottonwood Turkey Trot!  Both did an amazing job.  Took took 5th in her division and got a ribbon!  Sam had a lot of really amazing runners in his group and he got 9th overall!  Both ran like champs!

 A stop in Boise isn't complete without visiting our favorite 95 year old!  We always enjoy spending time with Grant, and the kids really enjoyed hearing his war stories this time around.  He's an amazing man!

Once we made it to St. Anthony - this little chunk stole my heart!  Seriously couldn't get enough of this sweet baby!

This is probably my favorite picture of the entire trip!  Max drinking hot chocolate at Grandma Jeanne's table - just like I used to do at his age!  I'm so so grateful that my children can create these same memories.

 After visiting Julie and Kelly at their house we couldn't resist snapping a picture of the amazing Idaho sunset and the beautiful Rexburg temple!  God is good!

Thanksgiving 201

Of course I'm playing catch up again!  But we're snowed in and going no where so today will be a perfect day to add to the journal that is the blog!  We had a spectacular Thanksgiving week with family!    We spent a lot of time laughing, playing basketball and volleyball, going to movies and eating delicious food.  The highlight was spending the week at Grandma Jeanne's.  Lyv got to sleep in the pink room - my childhood favorite!  I discovered I'm allergic to wool or it's dander and thought I was going crazy one night as I wrapped myself up in a wool blanket to keep warm and felt my chest constrict!  Seriously nuts - I'm half Siddoway for crying out loud!  We held our first annual (hopefully the last) Hill Family Talent Show, for Grandma Jeanne to enjoy.  The kids all displayed their amazing talents, and believe it or not we are a very talented family!  The boys participated in the annual Turkey Bowl and Shawn started to feel the tug and pull of his old age!  We both did - after playing our hearts out on the field and court all week - we were all super sore!  It was a great week and we left with a lot of gratitude in our hearts for our amazing families!  We are so blessed.

 Hill Family Whip and Nae Nae

 Papa Rick playing Santa Claus!