Hiking at the lake

We decided to go for a little hike today around Coeur d'Alene Lake.   It was really cold, but the sun was out for part of the day.  This is a trail we have been wanting to hike since we moved here and we haven't had the opportunity until now.   

It was beautiful!  These photos don't do it justice.  

 I can't wait to have a picnic here in the summer.

 this seems to my MO, taking photos of lone trees...

 can you tell, they're freezing???

 after our hike we went to have some yummy hamburgers at Hudsons

We plan on ringing in the new year tonight with fondue and games!  

See ya next year!

Christmas in photos

Here's some photos from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  

We had fun just enjoying our day together and relaxing.  

 letters to Santa

 coming down the stairs Christmas morn

 Jack and his I-touch

 Lucy got new PJ's

 We need 3 more of these Nerf Guns!  We had many fun nerf wars on Christmas Day!

 Olivia's new puffer vest....this is the face she makes when she doesn't want her photo taken.  HA!

 Mr Big Bucks!

 Christmas morning peppermint hot cocoa

 The gang modeling their new PJ's

We had a great Christmas!

We hope you did too!

Merry Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

we don't have snow, but a thick layer of frost and lots of fog.  

Today is the first day the sun has been out and it's absolutely beautiful!

I took these photos in and around our neighborhood this morning.  

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!!!

This and That

We have been loving our Christmas break!  We have been staying up late watching Christmas movies and sleeping in.  

The shopping, wrapping and mailings are done.  Today we will be baking up a storm. 

Here's just some fun photos taken recently....

 these two are crazy!!!

 Lucy modeling her new hats and raiding my closet....

 an after dinner concert

And last night we drove around town in our jammies with hot cocoa to look at all the lights....

 Jeff and I are still trying to figure out how they did this???  Impressive!

last, but not least....this house is in our neighborhood!  It's crazy lit up....you can see it for miles!  It is over the top!!!

My camera wasn't even able to capture all of it.  

Stay tuned for more photos of our bake-off and some house photos.

1st Happy Meal!!!!

Shortly after we returned home from China we watched the movie Super Size Me.  We were disgusted by it and made a choice to longer support the McDonalds corporation.  We seldom do fast food and when we do, it's either Wendy's or Chic Fil A and sadly....Spokane has NO Chic Fil A.  Bummer!

Lucy had a playdate today with a friend and came home with a Happy Meal box!  

Yes, that's right....Lucy turned 8 in October and today is the FIRST time she has ever had McDonalds!!!

She was too embarrassed to tell her friend and her friend's mother that she had never had McDonalds.  

So, she had a chicken nugget happy meal!  

She says the nuggets were gross, but the fries were good!

Oh man!  

Crazy Elf

It seems Wilson is a crazy Elf on the Shelf.  Every morning we wake up to find Wilson has been up to no good.  

Here he is making snow angels out of our flour...

 here he is in the nativity set holding the baby Jesus...

 here he is sitting amongst Jack's trophys...

 sliding down the bannister...I'm thinking with the garland, it must have been a bumpy ride

 and here he was this morning....taking a marshmallow bath in the bathroom sink!

 I told you, he's CRAZY!!! The kids are loving Wilson and his antics!!!

 And last, but not least....our finished tree!  I LOVE it!!!

Tree Day 2011

If you know me then you know that "tree day" is my absolute favorite day of the year! 

Jeff and started this tradition when Olivia was a baby.  I will NEVER own a fake tree.  

This year was a little different....instead of tromping through the national forest we went to a tree farm.

GASP!!!

Since we are fairly new to this area, we just decided it would be easier.  

We went with our dear friends, the S family.  

I love our tree, it really is beautiful. 

 Our tree day survival pac

 There was this great old truck and it made for an awesome photo prop.  I love the green color mixed with rust.

The S family!

 Ta Da...this is the one!

 I loved the look of the frost on the trees.

Another great "tree day"

until next year.....