Merry Christmas from our Home to Yours

We made it home from Aunt Pat's last night.  Dallas and Reba each wrote a note for Santa, placed some cookies and carrots on a plate, and filled a mug with milk and a cup with water (for the reindeer).

This is what greeted the kiddos this morning when they woke - an empty plate and cups and a letter from the Jolly Guy.

Dallas' note to Santa

For Santa, the milk and the cookies (are for you).  The carrots and the water is for your reindeer. Have a happy new year. Love, Dallas
Santa responded: Merry Christmas! Chip (the Elf that was in Dallas' classroom) says "Hi!" -Mr. C.

 Reba's note to Santa

Santa, Merry Christmas.  We have (cookies) for you. -Reba
Santa responded: Thank you! - Mr. C.

 The stockings were stuffed by the TV with care...

We let the kiddos look through their stockings before we headed to Mass.  The church always looks so lovely decorated for Christmas.

A parishioner was kind enough to offer to take a family picture for us.

When we got home, everyone changed into comfortable clothes, and Dallas and Reba agreed we could open gifts.

Santa brought new batteries for the Gators!

Daddy got the girls matching pink tractors

Another item Reba mentioned more than once that she would like was a combine, I had to twist Daddy's arm to convince him to get her one...

Dallas loved watching Doug and I open presents. I do believe he is learning to love to give.

Santa also brought Dallas and Reba wooden baseball gloves that have Cincinnati Reds on them. The gloves can hold their bat, glove and ball.

Julianne was happy carrying around her new outfit

Daddy also painted a semi truck for Reba

Dallas loves his new lowboy trailer

Until next time...

Now and Then

At the beginning of the school year, St. Wendel hosted a "Meet the Teacher" night, but it was for parents only; therefore, our three kiddos spent some time over with our friends, the Schenk's.  Carla sent me the following picture shortly after dropping the kiddos off...

I thought it was pretty good to get all 5 kiddos on their Gator.  Then, as I have been working on catching up my own blog, I ran across this picture...

Dallas and Ciara riding on our Gator - 3 years to the date earlier!  Things have changed just a little...

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos

Man! It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that Reba was big enough to start riding with Dallas, or that Dallas was learning to drive the Gator!

Until next time...

Mechanic?

I'm thinking about adding mechanic to my list of DIY projects/accomplishments.  I'll let you know soon how that works out.

Why am I playing mechanic in our house?  Oh yea, the kiddos' Gators needed some work :)

In order to assess the problems, I had to remove some parts (i.e. the dump beds and seats).  I'm waiting on the parts I ordered to arrive; therefore, I have not put the Gators back together.  Needless to say, they kiddos think it's pretty hilarious driving around like this...

Dallas' Gator is missing both the seats and dump bed

Reba's is just missing the dump bed

I had to laugh at this scene...both covering their eyes while trying to see the helicopter overhead!

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos - Friends

Ciara and Mattison came over to play last week!  Enjoy the pictures from our afternoon together.

Wordless Wednesday - Garden Helpers

Until next time...

Let the Races Begin!

I have been meaning to post this video for a week or more, but look who has figured out how to drive the gator! (Fair warning: turn down your speakers before viewing. There is an annoying "winding" noise made from the gators in the video)

I can only imagine the races the kiddos will have this spring/summer...especially once little sister figures out there is a fast gear!

Until next time...

Driving Miss Daisy?

I really don't know whose idea this was, but they were both having a grand time

I found this Little Tikes Woody Van on a garage sale last weekend.  They have been having fun driving it around as well.

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos

As I was taking Dallas to preschool yesterday, I passed this house that had a John Deere Gator sitting in the yard with a FREE sign leaning against!  I couldn't believe my eyes!  I quickly turned the truck around to check it out. 

The battery was in it, it was charged, it worked, and the charger was sitting on the floor!  I started to think 'how am I going to get this in the back of the truck' when I noticed the garage door was open.  I went up to the house, rang the door bell, and asked, "Are you seriously just giving that Gator away?"  She said, "Yes, we got it used a few years ago, and my kids are too big for it now. Do you need help loading it?"  I said, "Sure!"  As we walked back out to my truck, she did mention that reverse doesn't work, but both of the forward speeds work.

I'm sure it won't be too long and these two will be having races around the yard!

Until next time...

This and That

Dallas gave Reba some driving lessons the other day...She still has a way to go before she can drive solo

don't you love Dallas' new "cheese" smile?

Little Miss posing

The kiddos found a mud hole to play in one afternoon

Apparently, Dallas couldn't find a chain and lock to secure the tractor with, so he used a whole roll of packing tape!

Notice that the tape goes from the pole to the steering wheel to the back axle...it's not going anywhere!

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos and Flick

*Sorry this posted later than I had planned. I put this together early this morning, and I had a lot of trouble uploading the video.  I have to get used to a slower internet connection again :)

Dallas was so excited to get his Gator back last week.  I think he has ran the battery dead each and every day since.  Reba got on the first day, and then she got scared and wouldn't get back on until yesterday.

We got the swingset up (and staked) last weekend.  We also finally attached the tarps.  The kiddos have been enjoying the swings and slide, and I'm enjoying not having to drive to a park multiple times a day.

Reba doing a little back porch sittin'

And finally, a little flick

Until next time...

Wordless Wednesday

with a few captions

Dallas hooked the strollers together with a bungee cord - he wanted to pull Reba

My kind of girl - feet on the dash and wind in her hair

Off they go - lunch box in hand

Miss Reba was tired after all the driving

Until next time...