Sticks!

What does Lincoln need to be happy?  A stick...

I think he could play for hours with just a stick.

Donner Memorial

About 5 minutes from the cabin in Truckee is the Donner Memorial.  Since several of us had never been, we decided to head on over.

There were lots of little artifacts to look at and a movie about the Donner party.  The kids seemed to like it for the most part.

After the movie we headed outside to look at the memorial and go on a short hike/walk to the place where one of the cabins stood. I think Payton and Lincoln were a little tired or something because it took a little convincing to get them going.  Fortunately, they had numbered markers marking the trail.  Payton loves counting and we turned looking for the next marker into a game.  Even Lincoln joined in on the fun.



We Found Snow!

Last year when we went up to Truckee for Christmas, we drove up in a snow storm.  This year there was hardly any snow to be found at all. 

We did manage to find a few patches of snow here and there and Payton and Lincoln were right in the middle of them.  On this particular adventure they insisted on making snow balls to take back to the cabin. 

I am so glad the weather was pleasant because they love being outside exploring.

Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights

We decided to go to Gilroy Gardens to see the Holiday Lights the day after Christmas.  Despite the freezing temperatures the kids had A LOT of fun.

Payton and Lincoln love the rides there and were excited to go on EVERYTHING.  There were lots of smiles and lots of laughing.  However, it was a relief when the kids finally agreed to go find food.  Hot Chocolate anyone?

We tried to stay long enough to see the lazer light show but it was just too cold.  We ended up leaving about 20 minutes before the show started.  Ha!  Ha!  We are such wimps.  But seriously, the car thermometer said it was like 38 degrees outside.  Burr!

Cookie Decorating

Every year the Ahlgren family gets together and decorates Christmas cookies.  They are so creative.  And are always finding clever ways to decorate those cookies.  This year was Lincoln's first year giving it a try.  He loved it!  Decorate a cookie with lots and lots of frosting then eat.  :o)  So cute!

Payton decorated at least 5 cookies before deciding she wanted to eat one.  And then another and another...

Payton goes Ice Skating

We went to see Disney on Ice and ever since Payton has been begging to go ice skating.  You would think that growing up in the Midwest would have afforded me opportunities to go ice skating but that was not the case.  I think I have been once and I definitely do not have the skill to help/teach someone else to do it.  Fortunately, Dave has been several times and was able to take Payton out for a spin.

We went to Christmas in the Park and decided to let her try out ice skating.  There was a long line and no convincing her out of it.  After about a half an hour of waiting in line she and Dave hit the ice.  She went around once and decided she didn't like it.  LOL  Cried the whole way around.  They got of the ice for a few minutes and somehow Dave convinced her to try again.  This time she had a big smile on her face.  Yay!  I am so glad she ended up having fun. 

When they came of the ice Lincoln went running up to Dave asking, "My turn?  My turn?"  It was so cute!  Unfortunately, by then the line was three times as long as it had been when Payton went up.  There will always be next year.  :o)

Camping

Payton has been asking and asking if we will take her camping.  I enjoy being outdoors but in close proximity for running water and flushing toilets.  :o)  I keep telling her that her daddy and grandpa would LOVE to take her...when it is warmer.  LOL

Anyway, today when she was asking about camping I asked her what she thought about camping in the Family Room.  She thought that sounded very exciting. So we spent the day reading books, playing with toys, and watching movies in a tent.  Awesome!  I am so glad they had fun.

Grandma's House

 My mom wanted to have the girls over for a sleepover.  They watched movies, ate snacks, went for a twilight walk, and kept my mom up till all hours of the night.  Ha!  Ha!

The next day my mom wanted to do a little craft with the kids and since they didn't have a chance to finish the craft at our ward Christmas party we had one all ready to go.

They had a great time!  Thanks grandma!

Christmas Outfits

Walked into Costco and this little red dress was sticking out on the rack.  So cute!  It was even Payton's size!  It must be meant to be and in the cart it went.  Ha!  Ha!

I was fortunate enough to find an adorable little outfit for Lincoln too.  Costco is awesome!  :o)



Our Little Reindeer!

At preschool today Payton learned/talked about reindeer and this was the craft they did.  So cute!

So cute that we had to come home and make a set for Lincoln because he wanted some too.  :o)

It is begining to look a lot like Christmas.

The Christmas decorating has begun!  I love Christmas.  I love all the lights, the trees, the nativities, the music.  :o)

Each year we put up a little Christmas trees in the kids room and let them decorate them with whatever ornaments they want.  They love it!

Cookies

I gave the kids a couple of cookies for a snack.  I looked up a few minutes later and this is what I looked up to...

Ha!  Ha!

Happiness

One of the trees outside of Payton's preschool had dropped a bunch of bright yellow leaves.  So pretty!  As soon as the kids saw all the leaves they couldn't contain themselves.  Within minutes all those leaves on the ground were airborn.

I tried to get some pictures.  I love the expression on Lincoln's face.  He was having so much fun.

Paintballing

Paintballing.  I have never done it but it is definately entertaining to watch.  Steven, Rich, Rob, Ralph, and Ashley decided to head out to the meadow for a round.  I have to admit that I like it when they play in the trees right behind the house better because we can watch everything from the deck.  We are close enough to see everything and have very little chance of being hit.  :o)

We weren't close enough to see everything as it was happeing but there was evendence of head shots being made.  So glad I wasn't playing.  Ha!  Ha!

Trying to get pictures of the kids...

Michelle wanted to get some pictures of all the cousins together.  Ha! Ha!

After a bit of crying and Grace falling out of the sled these are some of the keepers.

Hike to the Meadow

We quickly found that the best way to keep the kids from climbing the walls was to get them outside to run and play.  There is a great meadow behind the cabin that we walk to every time we go to the cabin.  It isn't so far that the kids can't make it but far enough for them to burn all their energy.  Ha!  Ha!

We were at a point in the day that the kiddos were getting restless so we decided it was the perfect time to head to the meadow.

The kids were so cute.  Throwing snowballs at grandma and grandpa.  Playing baseball with sticks and snowballs.  Climbing hills.

At one point Ethan climbed this little hill and said he was the king. Then Payton climbed up and said she was the queen.  Then Lincoln climbed up and Payton told him the he could be the prince to which he responded, "No, I'm the king!!!!"  Ha!  Ha!  They are so funny.

Thanksgiving

I love food!  :o)  Michelle and everyone else that contributed to Thanksgiving dinner did an awesome job.  Yummy!

Before dinner and during a break in the cooking we went out to take family pictures.  They turned out pretty good.  I especially like the silly pictures.  Ha! Ha!

Gingerbread House

We are in Trukee!  Yay!

Jen brought up a Gingerbread house for the kids to put together (or eat).  Ha!  Ha!

Payton and Ethan did pretty well at just using the candies to decorate.  Lincoln looked at them like they were crazy, like he couldn't figure out how they didn't know that candy is meant to be eaten not put on a little house.  Grace went straight to the source of the candy. 

Kids are so much fun!