Rainy Morning

Snow Day!

I got a phone call at 5:20 AM that the school district was closed.  We got oodles of powdery, blowing snow that's still falling at 3:15 pm.  Everyone (except poor Amanda!) is stuck at home today.  Best to make the most of it!

Phineas and Ferb in jammies, Jack is finding out that school is cancelled.
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Sam probably enjoyed the extra hour and a half of sleeping without realizing it.  He's still catching up sleep from last weekend.
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Fluffy pancakes!
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Claymation Christmas shorts.
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The boys join me in baking gingerbread cupcakes.
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It's an aggressive activity for them.  "My turn, my turn!" and lots of snatching away tools.  I spend most of the time pre-measuring ingredients away from them, mediating the turn taking, and acting as referee when someone makes a foul move. But all is forgotten when it's time to lick the bowl.
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Now it's quiet time and I'm taking a break.  Trying not to feel guilty while I do this:
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while Ben does this- for the third time today!  He's my hero. 
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A Convalescent Christmas

Last weekend I was able to help/distract my mom while she recovers from knee replacement surgery.  Sam came along while Ben and Jack stayed in Arvada for work and school.  We had a grand time with all grandparents in Grand Junction (hey! what a perfect name for the town now that they all live there).

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Who knew walkers make perfect fort infrastructure?

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We had the pleasure of playing with Martha too, who came down from Utah. 

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Sam is a very poor sleeper.  Crying all night, overtired during the day.  Here he just couldn't muster any longer.

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"Ride with Gammah!"

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Orthopedic stools and benches also make great obstacle courses.

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Thank you for letting us crash!  Mom is doing really well and walking around much more than I expected by now.  I hope she is all healed in time for their next big trip (Italy, I hear).

The Christmas ramp-up

Our ward went all out for the Chistmas party last night and it was really fun!  The kids met Santa, did some crafts, then watched a play of the Grinch, had a ham dinner, then music and dessert.

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All of our normal activities are tinged with Christmas joy too: shopping trips, library trips, school projects, special bakery treats, and play-dates. 


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