Insanity, Snow, and Pictures.... lots of Pictures!

We had a crazy busy week. I had so many things going on that I was a little stressed. Thus the lack of blogging. I had 5 events to make treats for, 2 dental appointments that were almost an hours drive away, a kiddie shrink appointment that I had to find babysitting during (and it was a waste of my time!), and too many events I needed to do something about. Whew!

We did something neat for FHE this week. The local Methodist Church does a living Nativity and we decided to go this year. It was really great. You went in groups and they walked you to each scene and told the story as you went along. At the end there were animals for the kids to pet and then you could go inside for hot cocoa and cookies. It was so fantastic!

It was also a really really cold night. I had told the kids to wear their jackets, but Joshua insisted he was fine in this. He was also grumpy that we had to wait in line for a bit till it was our turn. (It was totally worth the cold and the wait!)

This is the shaggiest donkey I've ever seen. He was part of the Living Nativity and was very sweet.

The people in it were very gracious and were willing to ham it up for this shot with Delaney, who wasn't as sure she wanted to be there.

Check this out- a pygmy cow! The kids loved the petting part so much they had to be lured inside with the promise of cookies at the end. It was a wonderful experience and I am so glad we went.

Marian got to make a "gingerbread house" at school. She was very proud of it and wanted a picture. Then the kids demolished it!

Wednesday night there was a baptism and Joshua had scouts. I had to make cookies for Joshua's event. I actually made cookies to take to both events, but they were so darn good, we ate the ones that were for the baptism! So I made dip for the baptism and I was sad that there were no leftovers. Anyway, Joshua had earned his Bobcat and I juggled being there for that, and going to the baptism. Hence, the skirt. Amazing how everyone in this shot has their eyes closed.

Tuesday and Thursday were spent driving nearly an hour (each way) to the special Pediatric Dentist. She has cavities in all 4 back teeth. The first visit was for him to look and say, yep, we need to fill those. The next was for them to say, hmmm, you're right, we will have to sedate her. They were going to fill all 4 on Thursday, but only got one done. I had said I thought they'd need to sedate her on Tuesday but they didn't believe me. So we get to go back again in January. Ug. On the plus side, Callie had a good experience and shouldn't have any trouble going back again.

Dan needed a food item to take to work on Friday. I made Gingerbread cookie dough, but alas, it was too much work to get it from dough to cookie in time for his work party. So he took crackers and delicious Harry & David dip. And the kids helped me roll out and decorate the cookies Friday afternoon.

In the interest of expediency, I frosted and let the girls dump on the decorations. They came out decent looking and very tasty. We needed them for a Cookie Exchange Party today, and the Ward Christmas Party tonight!

And they waited till we were done before pouring the sprinkles in their mouths.

And now, another abrupt change of topic.....

This is what we woke up to today! they are calling it a blizzard. It is now nearly 2pm, and its been snowing all day.

8:30am, Callie was the first one dressed and out in the snow.

11am, Marian looked like the Abominable Snowman! She was having a very good time playing and had only poked her head once in to get this hat.

Her hair was frozen in a halo around her face.

Dan was fantastic and shoveled the walk and porch, and cleared the snow off the van. I'll tell you that right now you can't even tell he did it. It won't stop snowing!

Delaney was a big helper too. She and Callie went out, came back in for an hour and then went back out for another 30 minutes. then they were done. The older 2 went out and stayed out. No pix of Joshua because he ran off with his friend to sled at the park.

We did still have our Cookie Party. That's because it was held by a neighbor and we were still covered with snow by the time we had walked the short distance to their house. We had a good (and yummy!) time and the children were thrilled to play with their toys.

Joshua came late and was so encrusted with snow that his sleeves were ice-covered and he dumped handfuls of snow out of his boots!

Delaney did pretty well. She did like the breakables, so I had to keep close watch on her.

Callie discovered the ponies and was in heaven! When it was over, I had to drag them home. They did not want to leave. But it was nap time for Delaney and I knew Rylee was going to be hungry. The snow had covered the trail we'd broken when we walked over, and we were covered with snow when we got home again.

Yep, still snowing! This is what it looks like right now, out the front window. Jsoha and Marian are back out in it and having a marvelous time! Our Church Activity was cancelled, leaving us with lots of cookies. And Church tomorrow has been cancelled as well. We're getting a White Christmas this year.... wait, we get one every year, hee hee hee!