Sleigh Ride with the Binders

Sleigh ride in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

Grandpa Doc, Granny, Julie, Josh, Therin, Ashley, Kya, Travis and Sarah

Snow Sculptures

The igloo Ashley and I built.

A spaceship and E.T. made by the master sculptor-Travis.

Christmas at the Cottage

Julie got me these awesome earrings for Christmas in Switzerland (where she lives-one of the few perks to her living there.). It was good to have her and Josh home!!

Kya got a princess outfit and a dollhouse which kept her busy much of the weekend.

Therin got the wooden shield and sword from Aunt Julie and Uncle Josh. He got a crossbow from Granny and Grandpa Doc so he spent a lot of time target shooting-he's ready for carp fishing now. Travis picked up a ton of castle Legos he had as a kid when we celebrated with his family-a lot of time was spent building by Travis, Josh and Therin.

Christmas Eve

The new windows arrive!

Santa came early............today half of the new windows were installed upstairs. They look great but all I can say is I'm glad I wasn't feeling stressed about the holidays (And I'm REALLY glad we didn't offer to host anyone!!)! The upstairs will be somewhat "rearranged" until they're done and then they'll start replacing windows on the main level. Maybe next year Santa will bring some new blinds! =)

Happy Birthday Dad!

I was getting after Kya for hovering over Dad's cake and she said, "I'm not going to eat it, I'm just smiling at it."

Kya's "bear milk" mustache (Doesn't it look fake?).

Snow Fort

I suggested building a snowman late tonight; so I put the kids in their snow gear. Over an hour later, we were still working on this fort. If it's still warm tomorrow, maybe we can turn it into an igloo!! We had a lot of fun, even if tomorrow will be ugly because the kids will be overtired.....

2008 Christmas Tree

Winter Wonderland

We shoveled and went for a walk tonight after dinner. We've probably gotten 4" of snow thus far. It is predicted we may get up to a foot! Maybe Therin's first snow day tomorrow.........

I don't think Grandma Smith will have to worry about a white Christmas this year!

Our Christmas Tree

This is the tree the kids decorated for their room.

Kya, "Let's hold hands."

Therin, "Oh, brother; why do we have to touch!! I'll try to handle it for a few seconds since it's Christmas."

Christmas Cookie Baking

Kya, Grandma and Grandpa Smith, Therin

Can you ever really have enough sprinkles?

We made A LOT of cookies-gingerbread, cutouts, peanut butter mice, fudge puddles, and peanut butter star. Do you think it looks like we'll have enough?

We tried this recipe I found from Taste of Home, Peanut Butter Mice-they turned out great! Definately one we'll do again next year!!

Therin's Spaceship

We've been alien obsessed since E.T.

Here Therin is riding with two of his friends, Anna and Nicholas, as well as two aliens (one of which is E.T.)