Packing Up

Things have been just a little crazy around here, but that doesn't mean that Kidd still didn't have any fun!  

They found him one morning with his face in a picture frame.

He made sugar angels...

 Went fishing...

 And tonight he was playing on the Fire Kindle (as Caleb calls it) again.

 He left them this note……I'm pretty sure he tried to type it out in red and green ink, but Santa's color ink cartridge was out.

I think these crazy kids will be happy to have movies to watch on the plane.  

(Caleb cannot do cross-eyed with his eyes.  No matter how hard he tries, he just can't do it.  About two days ago, he realized that he can make his right eye go out though, so he thinks that's pretty cool.  I think it's gross and I'm afraid it's going to stick!)

The packers should be here Tuesday and the movers, on Wednesday.  We're praying things go smoothly and that the kids transition well.  We are looking forward to seeing family in Indiana this weekend.  Happy packing!

Movie Time

Last night Kidd got into the movies and pulled out all of the Christmas ones!

 The kids chose to watch The Polar Express first thing after breakfast.

Saying Our Goodbyes

This afternoon, we began saying our goodbyes.  

First stop was Fort Ebey.  

There have been so many great hikes and camping trips, picnics and quick beach trips here.  This will always remain one of our most favorite places.

 Goodbye Olympic Mountains.

You will always be my favorite.

 Next on the list was Fort Casey.

 Fort Casey Lighthouse.

Goodbye Washington State Ferry and Port Townsend.

 Goodbye Mt. Baker and Cascade Mountains.  

Goodbye Mount Rainier.

You will always be Shawn's favorite.

(from his plane last week)

As we were getting into the car, I told Amelia to say goodbye Fort Ebey.  She wouldn't do it.  Then, I told Caleb to say it, but he refused also.  Shawn said he wouldn't do it either.  I guess we'll just have to leave without actually saying goodbye.

Bedtime story told by Caleb

I started taking a hike, but there was a raccoon in the way.  There were five raccoons in the way.  I told them to move, but they wouldn't, so I went back to my car.  Then I started walking again and this time there was a peregrine falcon in the way and it was pecking around on the ground.  So, I went back to the car again.  Then I tried again and this time there was a baby deer in the way.  So, I went back to the car and took a rest, for FIVE hours.  Then there was a baby moose in front of my car.  (I asked where the baby's moose's mom was and he said out looking for food and he knew that because he looked at his schedule).  Then he went down another path that had a bridge.  (Shawn asked him what kind of bridge it was).  It was a bridge made of macaroni and cheese and there were rocks all around it and if he wasn't careful, he would fall and break his head.  Then he went back to his car and it was gone!  Then he looked down and there it was.  It was tiny.  So, he picked it up and put it in his hand and carried it home.

I think that only a kid who loves nature could make up a story like that, so thank you Washington!

To end this very long post, Amelia ended story time with………There was a baby moose and he fell down the hill into the water and a daddy shark ate him.

Letters to Santa

Kidd just vegged out in front of the Kindle last night and made a "popcorn mess", as Caleb called it.

 Tonight, before bed, Caleb and Amelia wrote their letters to Santa.   

We were lucky enough to talk to him at Walmart on Sunday (only Amelia - Caleb is still afraid).  Yes, I know, that sounds crazy.  But, Santa was actually at Walmart and asked her if she'd been a good girl and what she wanted for Christmas.  

 She told him then and "wrote" the same thing tonight….a book.

 I helped Caleb by writing what he wants out first and then he copied it.

Off they go to the North Pole!

(At bedtime, Caleb prayed, "Jesus, help that Santa knows who the letters are from and that he will know what Bitty's scribbles say".)

Kidd's Back!

Kidd made his way back to our house last night!

Caleb came in almost immediately after he went downstairs this morning and told us that "Kidd is down there and he wrote a note and there's sprinkles and the cutters you use for peanut butter & jelly sandwiches!"  :o)

 So, after church we rolled out the dough (that Kidd prepared for us during the night) and had ourselves comes delicious cookies!

(P.S.  Kidd obviously forgot that he spells his name with 2 d's:o)

Thanksgiving 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 Caleb helped me make mini pecan pies and they both helped me peel potatoes.  Such good helpers!

 We went to The Plot's for Thanksgiving dinner.  

The kids were waiting patiently….while eating chips and salsa.

 Our delicious turkey.

 Shawn telling Joe how to make the gravy:o)

 Carving the turkey.

 Funny faces!

 Emma, Joe, Sophie, Liz and our family.

 The day after Thanksgiving we typically put up our Christmas tree and watch Christmas movies.  This year we just went and painted ornaments…since our movers will be here ONE week from Monday!!

 Then we went to lunch.

 And lastly, we went to see Frozen.  

After that we came home to rest on the couch and eat leftovers.

Christmas Surprise

Our Christmases tend to be unconventional.  Each year, we go home at different times and Santa typically arrives early so we don't have to lug presents from one state to the next and back again.  This year is even more difficult, now that we're moving clear across the county during the holidays.  We decided to give them both one of their presents early, so they could enjoy them now, and the packers could pack it up and move it for us.  

 We told Caleb to stay up in his room until we were all finished and then Shawn blindfolded him to take him downstairs.

 Amelia was still pretty asleep from her nap, so we just told her to keep her eyes closed.

 By then end of it, the tents were pushed together, to make one giant tent and Caleb had started putting more blankets up to make it darker.  There were snacks and blankets and stuffed animals and babies all crammed in there.  I'm hoping they look back one day, when they're old, and say, "Those tents you and dad made us, were awesome!"  But for the time being, I think I'm over sewing projects.

 Merry Christmas…..early!