Ballerina Girl

Ella is taking ballet class on Saturdays.... and it's so much fun for all of us. For the past year or so, whenever there was mention of ballet or ballerinas she'd look at us and say that she'd be taking a ballet class soon. She was so trusting, knowing that eventually we'd get her signed up. I just wanted to wait to be sure she was going to be old enough to get something out of the class. It's a blast to watch her and she takes it on just like everything else. No fear.

A glimpse

Just a look at some of the stuff that goes on around here.......

PUZZLES!

E & L both LOVE this pop up tent - thanks Maia, Steve & Silas!

and most of the time they play in it together.... pretty nicely

color time - Luke loves to scribble something and show it to
whoever will look and give him some compliments

I think Luke may have picked up the above mentioned behavior
from this one.....:) Just one of many things.

princesses roughing it for a day on the farm

Luke looks so happy as he's being strangled

love this pic

Nothing like navigating the rough waters
of the living room in a laundry baket
with your brother

Snow Fun

We haven't seen nearly as much snow this winter as we have in the past, making it tough to have many opportunities to get out and play. The first time we were able to get both kids out, the snow was really powdery and not good for snowballs or snowmen....much to Ella's dismay. You could say that Luke wasn't a huge fan of the snow. First thing he did was try a little taste, which brought a sour look to his face. Once he realized that he wasn't going to have any success moving around in the stuff, he was done! At least we were able to get out for a couple pictures. Then in February, we got hit with a good wet snowstorm and Ella and I put together a petite snow princess, so we could check that off our to-do list for the winter too!

you know she'd do it!

prepping

I can't believe you guys think this is fun!

snowflake snack

snowman royalty (you've gotta use your imagination a little)

Our Valentines

Little Sweethearts



try not to judge.... yes, my kids' mouths are full of chocolate, but
it's not Valentine's Day without a little chocolate. Am I right?

so excited about their heart shaped box-o-chocolate

....and now New Year's

Storment Family Christmas was celebrated just after New Year's this year. Gabe, Nancy and Jameson headed over for New Year's Eve, which was a lot of fun! We watched the Cougs win a game at the Arena and then hung out at home after putting the kids to bed. Zac & Kristen were celebrating their 2nd Anniversary that night, but we met up with them the next evening at Wild Sage downtown. Grammy Sharon watched the kids so the bigger kids could go out together. Really good food, and it was cool to hang out with my brothers and "sisters" for the night. The kids and Grammy and Papa got in on the fun the next day when we exchanged gifts and had lunch. A nice way to start 2012! (Please note.... I managed to post these pictures in a pretty random order....oops.)

Zac, Seth, Gabe @ Wild Sage

The ladies.... Nancy, Katie & Kristen

ready to par-tay

the boys faceoff

Sweet Jameson ready to ring in the new year

the first toast to 2012 - Nancy & Gabe

a few toasts into 2012



tips from Uncle Gabe on how to toot your horn ;)

love this scrunchy face

getting a little fresh air...cold, but fresh

Luke, Ella and Jameson

Zac & Kristen enjoying gift opening chaos



Luke's new CAT

Christmas Catch Up

Christmas was a big deal this year.....there is no way to skip over it, so here I am posting about December in March. I apologize for being such a slacker. Just before Christmas we flew from Spokane to Denver so we could begin our holiday with the McKinstry side of the family. Seth's brother, Oliver, picked us up (Happy Birthday, by the way Ollie!) at the airport and shuttled us to Loveland so we could have a have a quick visit with Seth's sister, Maia and her family. Maia, Steven and Silas made us a great lunch and the kids had a fun time playing and opening gifts. It was so good to see the Rauers - Silas has gotten so big and visiting just made us want to hang out longer, but we had to hit the road to get to Rapid City....and Grandma and Grandpa. We'll skip over all the travel details - let's just say it was a long day, from flying to driving. We'll also say that Uncle Ollie is a saint to put up with us! We were all so happy to reach Rapid and walk into Tim & Margaret's warm, comfy house!

It was a wonderful Christmas.... we decorated cookies for Santa, went to Christmas Eve service, ate A LOT of yummy food, went ice skating, saw cool Christmas lights, and best of all - spent really nice time with family we don't see often enough. We'll all get together again in May/June to celebrate Tim & Margaret's 40th Anniversary, and that time can't come soon enough! 

COUSINS - Silas, Ella & Luke

Auntie Maia in the middle of it all

Mr. Silas Rauer - love this guy!

The Rauer Family

frosting cookies for Santa

Grandpa and the kids hard at work

Checking out the loot from Santa

Somebody's excited (and looking a little crazed)!

Christmas morning....before the kids woke up

what's in there?

Christmas Dinner

Ollie and me in the kitchen - watch out!

Ollie, Ella & Seth on the ice

Luke hanging out with G & G

my view from the backseat of Oliver's car

dancing in our seats....making the most of a long drive

Denver Zoo Lights