Swimming at Dawson Creek

The swimming pool at Dawson Creek is awesome. The kids pool is huge and it has a lazy river in it that the current takes you around. The kids loved it. The water is very warm in the pool and waterslide. We will go back again, especially when the weather is yucky outside.

Another tooth gone

Russell seems to loose teeth as fast as they came when he was 3 months old. Since Mommy and Daddy cannot afford a Thomas train for every tooth, we went the more traditional way last night. He had his tooth under his pillow and in the morning he had a treat. I had to remind him to look under the pillow to see what was there. The 2 top teeth are still solid so he should be good for a while. In the morning we are heading to Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas. The kids are excited to go there to open presents and stay the night. Usually everyone comes to our house so the change is nice. For the kids there is something about going to Grandma's for Christmas that is building excitement. From our family we wish everyone blessings for this season.

Our lovely Chloe

Our daughter Chloe has a creative streak in her. This is how she got dressed today. She loves to dress herself and I only let her about 2 days a week because I like her clothes to match even though we are staying home all day. She found her board shorts from summer that she loves. Her shirt came from Auntie Kimmy. Chloe could not find the other white sock so she comes running out of her room with the black one on and said "this will work Mom"!! Chloe has taught me lots. It is very hard for me to watch her wear clothes that don't match but then I think it is not the end of the world! She also gets like this when it is cold outside. Good thing the extreme cold id to be on the weekend and she knows I get to pick her clothes for church!

Winter fun in the cold

Yesterday Curtis dug the kids a tunnel through the snow bank about 10 feet long. It goes in one side of the bank and out the other. Even though it was really cold out (-28 C with a wind) Curtis was really warm. Chloe was the first to come in after about 10 minutes. Russell lasted about 45 minutes of helping. It took Curtis 2 1/2 hours. Today they went in the tunnel with Ranger and it was warmer in there than out.

Chloe making her gingerbread house with Grandma

Last week it was Chloe's turn to go to Grandma's and make her gingerbread house. She was gone from Wednesday to Sabbath. They built the house over 2 days because she still wanted to go with Grandpa and Uncle Steven to haul grain. Every day while she was there Grandma braided her hair which she loves, so now Mommy needs to learn how. Russell really loves her house and they are already planning what they can build next year. The sliegh and house are sitting on our table and they look and say things about them everyday. At Christmas they can start eating!!

One Tooth Gone!

Russell lost his first tooth yesterday. I think I was more excited than he was. This tooth has been loose for about 2 months. He bit into a rice krispie square on Sunday and the back of the tooth came out. It was just hanging there and I was tired of looking at it. I gave Russell a mirror and he kept wiggling the tooth. Once he could see how much it moved he kept going. Next was some tweezers. I asked him if he wanted me to tie some dental floss around his tooth and he agreed. Before I had the dental floss closed he pulled it out. He said it felt better to pull and he knows that he is in control of the tooth. He did not have to wait until the next morning to get a surprise. I gave him another train for his Thomas set. This is the only train he is getting because we will be broke keeping that up. The next tooth goes under the pillow and he waits till morning and there is no train!!

Fun With Grandma

Grandma wanted to do some gingerbread with each of the kids so last week it was Russell's turn. He chose to build a sliegh. I must say the finished product looked better that I expected. Grandma let him do everything and put whatever candy on it he wanted. Russell has a plan for everything so that is why the candies are in a straight row (so are his tractors at home!!). Chloe is going this week to build a house. These are beautiful memories.

Winter Retreat Dominican Republic

Curtis and I have finalized our plans this week for our vacation to a warm destination. Here are some pictures of where we sill be staying. We have book a room with a kitchen in it so we can do some of our meals. I get tired of eating out. The Dominican is also close to Purto Rico so we plan to take the ferry there and spend a day. We like to see as much as we can because who knows if we will ever get back. There is lots of the world we would like to see so we don't go to the same place twice. It will be 2 years in March since we were in Hawaii and I am in need of a vacation.

Tree Climbing

It has taken until now for Russell and Chloe to figure out that trees were for climbing. They are in there every day. When one gets stuck the other one comes to the house to get me. During the summer things might be a little different when they do not have the protection of their snowsuits to keep from getting scratched.

Ranger with an owie

This is our lovely dog not feeling very well because his pain medicine has worn off. He cut the pad on his foot and I took him to the vet today to get it stiched up. So he is very low key and will be for a few days. This is the second time this year he has been the vet for an injured foot. I think the vet should offer frequent visitor discount or something!!

Russell and Chloe's Singing Debut

Russell and Chloe sang a Jesus medley at church yesterday. This video was taken just with my camera so it is not good. We have the real version on our other video camera. I think I was more nervous than they were. I was sacred they were going to freeze up and I would be singing a solo!! They are ready to sing another song with Auntie Kimmy in December.

Curtis and I are trying to get the kids use to being upfront in church and to not be scared. We told the kids that nothing will happen and nobody will through things at you.

Winter Fun

Yes, Chloe is the one with the blue toque and looks like a boy. She is our Tom Boy!!

Russell trying to make the snow pile bigger.

Chloe just watching Russell make the snow pile bigger!!

We had a nice dump of snow on Friday night, enough that we drug the bottom of the car on the way to church. Curtis had the frame for the blade already mounted on the quad and was waiting for snow to have a chance to plow. Well today was the day. The kids spent an hour and half chasing the quad, riding on it, and getting covered in snow from the plow. Needless to say the kids and dog are very tired and have been sleeping since 6:30 pm. I am happy to see the snow because now Russell and Chloe have new things to play with (the slide is twice as fast in the winter).

A Grandparents Love

Russell and Chloe look up to their Grandparents lots and think they are very cool. I hope it stays that way. Sabbath seems to be a good day to take pictures because we all seem to look our best and they definalty want to have picture with Grandma and Grandpa.

Church Cuties

Grandpa and Russell like to match for church.
Ashley (Pastor's daughter), Briana (my niece) and Chloe dressed alike for church, accidentially!

Russell wanting in on the action too.

Russell cleaning up after supper!!

Russell has been wanting to clean up after the meals (which I'm happy for). With it being a little colder outside, Ranger likes to come in more often. So the dishes take a stop by Ranger before they hit the dishwasher. Don't worry everyone, I have a sanitary cycle on the dishwasher!!

Ashley Brummund's 3rd Birthday Party

The Pastor of our church, their youngest daughter turned 3
Thursday. The kids had
a blast playing with the
toys and trying to open
the pinate. Pastor Shawn's arm was getting really sore by the time the candy came out.

The noise makeres are always a hit!!

Ashley is showing the kids how it is done.