Mitten- Prayers are Answered

I'm not sure about everyone else, but it's hard for me to get in all the things that I'm "supposed" to with my little family.  I've been trying extra hard to get family home evening in every week, but we often do it on either Sunday or Tuesday nights since I have those days off.  It is so hard to come up with something to engage everyone from the 32 year old in our house on down to the almost 2 year old (jury is still out on which one is harder... lol).  I think it's paying off, though, because Brandt is starting to ask for family night many nights out of the week and becoming more willing to participate.  Last night we talked about prayers and Brandt was able to tell his own story about prayers being answered.  The other night he couldn't find Mitten, his little stuffed kitty from Arctic Circle.  It was a seemingly insignificant thing and one would think that it would suffice to just go to bed and look again the next day, but not for Buddy.  Once he gets something on his mind, there is no changing it.  Finally, he agreed to kneel down with me and say a prayer of help.  Within minutes we found Mitten in a quite unlikely place and he was so happy.  We then knelt in another prayer of thanks.  Such a simple thing, but one that I hope he'll remember since it actually meant something to him.  I'm thankful for a Heavenly Father who answers prayers, especially those of a little boy, and daily helps me in my efforts to teach him about making good choices.

Kids and Baby Calves 1/12

We love living close to my mom and dad's and helping out with the cows.  A family favorite is the new baby calves and the fact that most of my dad's cows are gentle enough to let us right in with them and even pet them at times.

This is "blackie"-the pet bottle-fed calf from last year and another calf.  I love the rest of these pictures and the smiles on Brandt and Kylie's faces that are evidence of their love for the farm and the animals.

Fun times!  Reminds me of my childhood and my grandparents...  Oh, how I miss them and those days, but wouldn't trade them for my kids.

Sleigh riding 1/12

My kids love the snow-just like their dad.  Unfortunately, there isn't much of it this winter, so they've resorted to sleigh riding on the grass/icy snow.

They enjoy it anyway. :)

Watching out for sister

Guess what mom?!?  Buddy thought I was hungry, so he gave me pudding!

Please, please don't be mad at him; I really did enjoy it.  Besides, it could have been much worse...

It could have been chocolate like he got for himself!

I love it when Brandt watches out for his sister, even if it does mean big messes sometimes.  Hopefully he will continue to be her protector and good example as they get older.

Christmas Day 2011

Since Christmas was on a Sunday this year, I made the kids get out of bed early so we would have time to open presents and still make it to church.  That was no easy task and it took them a bit to be ok with being up already.

Too tired to be excited yet

Starting to wake up a little; buddy's always happy for art supplies

Yay!  A purse of my very own so I can stop trying to take over mommy's

Our favorite!  How the Grinch Stole Christmas!  We've only watched it about 500 times this month already, maybe we can make it 1,ooo!

Scooby-dooby-doo! A game based on my best imaginary friend!

And jammies too!

Brandt's so proud of his re-gifted play phone to his sister that he wrapped himself and put under the tree 2 wks before Christmas; she loved it of course!

"Look!  It's just what I asked Santa for!!!"

Papa Lloyd and grandma granny enjoying the show like every year

My own toilet cleaner!  Now I don't have to use Brandt's!

Brandt loved his gift from his sister, so all was forgiven for Bryce and Kylie way exceeding the set amount to spend...

Hmmmm, Santa maybe should have brought a snow shovel for Kylie, too

Enjoying the afternoon after we got home from church...

Let the commercial-free show (Grinch) begin!
Christmas Day ended with a trip to Liberty to Grandma Hemmert's to visit with all the cousins there.  All in all, a great day and we were sad when it was over!  For me (and the kids too, I hope) this was the best Christmas because I took the couple weeks prior to it off of work and so we were able to spend a lot more time together than usual.  To me, that's what the holidays are all about-spending time with those we love.

Christmas Eve at Thompson's 2011

Christmas Eve night was spent at the Thompson's with Bryce's parents and all his siblings and their families.  Brandt and Kylie loved playing with all the cousins.  One of the highlights was the art projects that grandma Shellie had for them.

Brandt was too hard at work to ever look up for a picture, but Kylie is never too busy for a pose or two.

Christmas Eve at the Pugmire's 2011

As expected this year, Christmas was different and difficult without any grandparents for the first time.  We tried to make the best of it, though, and ended up having a great time.  We started out the day at my mom and dad's where we had our traditional breakfast and then opened presents.  We then moved on to activities for everyone-games and making a gingerbread house for the kids, and shooting clay pigeons for the adults who enjoy that.

  

               Kylie is getting the funnest little personality these days and makes everyone smile.

 

And she loves posing and saying cheese for pictures.

Brandt, Rylie, and Amanda Jean had fun playing Don't Eat Pete

 

All the kids, including the "big kids" (AKA the parents) had fun entertaining everyone with Snowball Races.

 

All of my parents' grandkids- Mckenzie, Brandt, Amanda Jean, Rylie, and Kylie.

 

Brandt-armed and ready to spray the snow with colored water, one of his favorite activities for the day.