zeke's cookie party...

Sorry we haven't posted for awhile... busy with getting ready for Christmas!

Zeke had a cookie party the week before Christmas with a few of his friends... but first he decided to take the camera and take a few pics of his own...

Hmmmm...interesting....then friends arrived and the party began!

Mason & Abby playing & singing

Jeremiah spent most of the morning with the safety googles on...good thing too as he was hitting himself in the face with the bat!

Breakfast time...scrambled eggs, ham & fruit

Of course I had some of my beaitiful friends to help me out with this crew!

Donna & Val (& Chris was there later too!)

The cookie decorating begins! Emma & Anna begin ever so precise...

The girls table...Abby looks like she's praying, what a little angel :)

Boys table - Zeke mostly just eating candy!

Oh! Gotta give him some eyes...

and lots of sprinkles for the finished product!

All done! (from L to R) Zeke, Abby, Emma, Anna, Mason, Sam & Jeremiah. We read the Christmas story, sang some songs - Jingle Bells (with some bells), Away in a Manager, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and the ABC song (by request) and did a book gift exchange. Lots of fun was had by all. We will have to make it an annual thing for sure!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a Happy New Year! Many blessings for 2010 - looking forward to a great year!

snow days...

Here are some pics from yesterdays snow day...still home today!

Waffles on the couch

Gingerbread house time!

This kit was awesome!

Front of Ezekiel's House...

and back!

Look at all our snow...we had fun sleding yesterday but today the snow is too deep!

a few of my favorite christmas things...

Happy Snow day! This is the best time of year! Some of my favorites at Christmas time are: going to church Christmas Eve, celebrating Jesus' birthday, spending time with family and lots of SNOW! Here are a few pics from around the house that are also my favorite...

Baby's 1st Christmas Ornament from 1979 (mine!)

Zeke eating 7 layer jello (this one is for Grammy!)

Putting up the Christmas tree and other decor

Some fav ornaments...

S'mores (I have a different one for each year Shiloh & I have been married)

My Dad's ornament that he had on his tree growing up

Our Tree

These 2 are also my favorite!!

Zekey & I had a great day today playing out in the snow, decorating his gingerbread house (mostly just him eating candy!) and reading stories. Tonight we are going to watch Charlie Brown's Christmas and make enchilada's...mmmm

Probably another snow day tomorrow...hope we save some snow for Christmas!

jingle bell craft

So here is my cute little craft that Zeke & I made today:

My friend Erin's blog gave me the idea and she saw Pottery Barn do something similar and charge a whole lotta $$ for it. I got these bells at the dollar store and used a vase i already had. The bells came with 16 in a pack and i bought 2. So I'm trying to decide if I should fill the vase up farther or get some red ones and switch out the blue. Your thoughts?

I have much more red/green decor for Christmas, but blue is kinda fun, plus it does match my winter craft from 2 years ago (my beautiful signs that took soooooo long to make!) Also I could leave it up come January as well.

Just thought i would share what Zekey & I did this morning as he helped me take apart the bells. I am making chex mix in the oven at the moment while Zeke naps. Tonight we are going to see "Behold the Lamb" at Lincoln Berean church. We are bringing Zeke with us (but didn't buy a seat for him) so hopefully all goes well. We are at the very top of the balcony so I'm not too worried, plus I will bring snacks. That is how you keep Menter men/boys happy...just don't forget the snacks :)