Art Class... "Bob Ross Style"

The kids are getting a "real" art lesson from Dave once a week. We bought a Bob Ross (remember the big-haired, "happy trees" painter from the 60's??) Learn to Paint Kit with a 50% coupon at AC Moore.

Here are their finished Masterpieces... Dave's is on the left, Nathan's in the middle, and Em's on the right. They are AMAZING!! I'm going to need more wall space for this art gallery they are going to create.

SNOW DAY!!

It only took living here nearly 4 years to get our first official SNOW DAY!! Not a dusting or and inch or so...a real snow!!!

That's almost 6 inches...and it's still coming down!

Proncess LOVES it!! She ran around like a wild woman in it (see her ears flapping in the wind and her face full of snow!)

It heard it tastes good too!

Everyone must make a snow angel!!!

Of course a few snowball fights are mandatory!!

"Look it's up to my waist!!"

It's beautiful and fun for a few days..but we are looking forward to a 60 degree weekend!

"Pajama Day"

The weather has turned COLD this week, and keeps getting colder! We woke up this morning and declared today "Pajama Day", where everyone stays in their PJ's all day and we have fun hanging out as a family! I highly recommend "Pajama Day" for every family!

We even did our schoolwork down in the Living Room in our pajamas. Dave let the kids cook hot dogs in the fireplace for lunch...

We played ALOT of games!!!

I made a big pot of chili and cornbread for dinner, perfect for a cold day!!

The day ended with dessert fondue...dipping strawberries, bananas, pineapple, and pretzels in chocolate! (Note to self...add extra time onto tomorrow's walk to make up for a day of sitting around in pajamas and eating things dipped in chocolate!!)

Em declared that we should start a new tradition and every January 15 should be "Pajama Day!" We were joking around that it could last for years and all the kids and grandkids could come home for it every year! Wouldn't that be something?!?!

New Year...

It's hard to believe another New Year is here...even harder to believe Christmas break is over! The decorations are down and packed away, we are back to school (although we face it with renewed refreshment since our year is halfway over), and the days of staying up late and staying our pj's way too long are over.

Nathan's beloved Baltimore Ravens won their first playoff game on Sunday, he even had Princess running around is his old jersey!

"Christmas Memories"

Just wanted to share some of our Christmas memories... We always get dressed up and go to my Mom and Dad's for dinner on Christmas Eve.

I thought it would be fun to play some games this year (thanks for some neat ideas, Kim!). For this game we tore pieces of paper behind our backs in the shape of a Christmas tree. I'm surprised how well everyone did.

We also played "pass the gift", "blind drawing", and one-handed gift wrapping! Dave and I won for speed, Mom and Em won for the prettiest, and Nathan and my Dad, well...

Ready to open some gifts on Christmas morning!

Princess knows her present is in here somewhere!

3 sets of grandparents + 2 kids = waaaayyy too many gifts!!!

I couldn't resist getting one gift for Baby McClard...it was just too true and perfect for boy or girl... yes, this will be one loved baby!!

We end every Christmas day by singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus" and having birthday cake. This year I let the kids make the cake all by themselves. They did a super job!

"Merry Christmas"

For Baby McClard...wherever you are. We Love You and can't wait to meet you!

Dough Ornaments...

We're having a simpler Christmas this year, not because of the economy but because we are saving for a much bigger and better cause!!! I told Dave and the kids that all I really wanted was something they made together. They made our whole family out of salt dough ornaments! Here is how they looked when they came out of the oven, before painting... The finished product... I LOVE them!!! They even made a tiny baby... Merry CHRISTmas Everyone!!!