target practice

Well, we entered the world of guns....I guess this was inevitable.  I do have 3 boys and live in the country.  Karsten has built a shooting range/target practice in our back yard - so naturally the boys were hooked!

So for Christmas, Kellen received a bb gun.  It must be a right of passage for young boys.  

Before you all get freaked out - we do extensive gun and safety training with him and he is always supervised.

One day, as soon as Kellen got home from school, he ran into the house and begged me to come out with him so he could shoot the ice on the pond.  His goal was to try and crack the ice.  I didn't have the heart to tell him the ice was too thick for a bb gun - but he had fun trying and so did his brothers.

He actually has good aim and control.

Oh those boys....and their toys.

Snow Days!

Christmas night was full of excitement...not only was it Christmas - we were expected to get 12-14 inches of snow!  And we did! 

The next morning, the boys bundled up and went out to play.  For some reason I didn't get pictures of them sledding....but they had a great time sledding down the windmill hill.  Keagan didn't care too much for the cold so he came in and drank hot chocolate with me.

This was Kade's first time out in the snow.  It really didn't snow last year.  He loved it.

Poor Daddy....we were literally snowed in - for like 5 days.   He shoveled snow for at least 10 hours.  8 hours in one day.  He was sooo sore! 

We could not get out of our driveway and we were eating a mixture of chicken nuggets and a hodge podge of meals. We didn't starve, but I was ready to get out of the house! We had been visiting family for Christmas and drove home Christmas Eve - so of course none of the stores were even open when I could have got groceries.  

I guess if it is going to be cold outside, it might as well snow!

Merry Christmas 2012

The boys (and Karsten and I) had a wonderful Christmas...I love the anticipation of the boys waking up in their home - waiting to see what Santa brought them.  I don't have many pictures because my camera died.  

The boys did the usual tearing through their gifts from us.  Keagan's special gift was the Shake Shake bridge from the Thomas trackmaster stuff - like they don't have enough of that! 

Kellen received a bb gun.  He was soooo excited!

And Kade received a tanker truck.

The boys had no idea that their "santa" gift was hiding somewhere else.  It was so cold that day but we had a little note and scavenger hung that led them outside.

A 4-wheeler! It's still battery operated but it's the highest you can go before the gas models.  The boys LOVED it.  All summer and fall they kept asking for a "grass gator." Their previous gator had bit the dust and this one has enough power for them to go in the grass and get up the windmill hill!

Kade can't touch the pedals, but knows how to hang on in the back.  All 3 of them can ride on it at the same time.  Keagan and Kellen hardly needed any instruction.  They took off and rode it until they couldn't feel their hands.

We hope everyone had a great Christmas!  Now that I'm finally blogging about this (4 months late) I am ready to see some spring weather!

Waiting for Santa 2012

I think Christmas gets better every year...Or maybe it is the kids' current ages.  They all believe in Santa  even though we don't make a big deal out of him.   But they still believe in the magic Christmas brings.  It is definitely a special time of year.  We also introduced Rudy the elf this year, but for some reason he didn't make it into any pictures.  The boys thought the elf was awesome!

Christmas Even we always decorate sugar cookies and lay them out with a glass of milk for Santa

We also make reindeer food and lay it outside for the critters.

 

Me and my boys

Kellen and Keagan listening to the Christmas Story and Kade reading his own golden book Christmas story.  He was repeating what Daddy was saying but in his own version.  

The boys were too excited to sleep...they wanted to sleep under the Christmas tree - and I want to let them one day, but I'm so afraid they will see us sneaking around!

Merry Christmas!!

The Polar Express

Of course we went on the Polar Express this year right before Christmas.  We tried the French Lick, IN railroad this time.  I would say the one in Monticello, IL is a little more charming and quaint.  Either way, the boys had fun and we made memories...that's all that really matters.

I know I'm missing one: He wasn't interested in taking a picture in front of the cool train.

This depot had several tent stations with activities to do: including writing on the giant whiteboard.  They were writing notes to santa.

Their favorite past time....playing trains. You wouldn't know they have a train table at home.

We waited for what seemed like forever to get on the train.  The boys were getting restless and running around exploring and checking out different things at the depot.  

It really is hard for me to get a picture with all 3 of them - and for it to look good...oh well. At least they will know I existed :-) I'm usually the one behind the camera.

Taking it all in

This is what they look forward to...the hot cocoa.  They could care less about Santa!

After all the songs and activities on the train, Santa came and gave them their bell.  Just like the book.  

I really am trying to get caught up - I know no one wants to think about winter and Christmas! I definitely am looking forward to spring!! I (we) need to get out of the house!!