Polar Express Fun!

We met Abi and Josh in Hood River for a day of fun on the Polar Express.  They both loved it so much! It was so fun to watch their reactions throughout the entire ride.  Hallie has been terrified of Santa and after seeing him twice already this year, she told me before we went that she was going to sit on Santa's lap.  When Santa came onto our train car, she sat on my lap, I asked her is she was going to sit on his lap, she told me "no, I'll just sit on yours." Well when Santa came to sit down next to us, Micah hopped right on over and told him he wanted the camping set for Christmas. When he was done I set Hallie onto Santa's lap, she timidly told him that she wanted a barbie princess cowgirl with a horse.  She returned to my lap gave me the nervous laugh and told me, "see I told you I'd sit on his lap!"  Micah thought it was great when Hobo Joe came by and touched his nose, but was very concerned when we had to turn around because of Caribou on the tracks, he thought we were going back to the station.  I'm so glad we went this year, Micah is more into the Polar Express now than he has ever been and of course it was fun as always to see Abi and Josh!

The kids and I stopped at Cousin's in the Dalles and had a fun dinner on our way home. We had a great time especially since the restaurant was filled with toy trains, tractors and even a model train at the entry way. It was such a fun adventure for us all!

Merry Christmas!

My Father-in-law can sure rock it! 

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Dear Dad, Love Micah

Dear Dad,

Love daddy and mommy.  I love colors in daddy's eye.  I love daddy.  Cause he's so funny.  We wrestle, we go fishing, but mom doesn't come sometimes or Hallie.  Dad takes me fishing.  (What else do you love about daddy?) That's all mom.  I have a cold, and I cough a lot.  What do you eat? And that's all.

Love you,

I love

micahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Dear Dad, Love Hallie

Dear Dad,

In my way I can be good and he can come back.  I knew love I like your body and you be good to eat tomorrow.  I love your way.  I know you and your star and you can go to sleep and have breakfast.  I love you and your life. I love getting hugs and tickles.  Getting stinged and better.  I love you and I can go potty! Why do you love me? I love my sparkly dress and you love my sparkly dress. I love daddy if you is mine.  I knew love, you are my sun.  I need love if you are my way and my dudes.  I need love you are mine.  I love you, you are mine you are mars. 

Love you,

Hallie

We've got a thinker!

This little boy is always thinking.  It is great when he asks questions because I love catching a small glimpse of what his little mind is thinking.  Today at Costco with grandma he asked, "why does Santa not bring the Shark Ship?" While we were in Spokane a couple weeks ago, they saw a commercial advertising this toy.

He told me after seeing that commercial that he wanted Santa to bring him the Shark Ship.  While it looks like a pretty cool toy, we have already picked out his present and for some reason it just seemed to "specific." I generally like to buy toys that provide more room for creative play.  So I told him that Santa doesn't make Shark Ships and would bring him something else for Christmas.  Fast forward a couple weeks and now he wants to know WHY Santa doesn't bring shark ships! This boy does not forget things! He has such a great memory, but ugh! I thought we were passed the shark ship, but he went on and on about what he would do with the shark ship. Oh well, he'll live and I'm sure he'll love the planned gift just as much.

Papa Bruce

Hallie and Micah both have been asking a ton of questions about Papa Bruce in the last week.  They want to know why his legs don't work, why he doesn't walk, why his fingers are like that (2 bent at the top knuckle and missing half on 2 fingers), why his arm doesn't work, etc.  I've decided that explaining a disability and disease to a 4 year old is difficult. It's hard to explain it in a way that satisfies their curiosity and makes sense to inquisitive minds. I think an understanding will come with time and I will continue to answer their questions in a way that I hope makes sense to them. 

But I'm glad that I can continue to share things that he used to do and that they understand how great papa is.  So I will keep telling them stories about camping and wrestling with papa, that he drove semi-trucks and was a firefighter, that he liked to hike and that he used to walk.  And I hope that as they grow up they will enjoy stories of papa just as I do and I will continue to let papa turn on movies for the kids as often as he would like and I will make sure he has a good supply of m&m's so he can continue to sneak them treats even if they haven't finished their dinner because papa is fun and I want them to know him as such. 

Daily Tidbits...

I'll be posting more frequently with some tidbits from the kiddos for Ty while he is away, so enjoy the extra postings. :)

Micah asked yesterday how Santa gets inside a house.  I told him that Santa goes down the chimney.  A little while later he asked how Santa fits in the chimney, I explained that sometimes if he won't fit he comes in the front door.  A few hours later he asked again, thankfully grandma Jodi was quick on her feet and told him after a few more questions that it is magic.  He replied with an, "oh" and went on with his business. I think that has satisfied this little boys inquisitive mind for now, I hope!

They are absolutely loving being close to Madison and Rylee is growing on them as long as she doesn't steal their toys. :) They ask all the time when they are going to go see Madison, it's so cute.

We bought bunk beds for the kids today and set them up.  They were so excited and thankfully the fight over the top wasn't bad at all.  We will switch every week.  Micah is starting us out today and we will switch next weekend.  Thankfully Hallie didn't put up a fight and was more then happy to sleep on the trundle.  I'll be taking over the bottom bunk with my memory foam and all. I think I may even make a fort tonight and cuddle up and read. :)

Hallie

This girl is a serious goof ball.  I think it is virtually impossible to get a serious smile from her.  You say "smile" and she hears "stick your tongue out and squint your eyes."   She was having fun posing and being a goof at the same time, Denielle definitely had her work cut out for her, but we had lots of laughs at the strange poses Hallie would strike.  She's a definite crack up! :)

Micah

An old friend from High School was running an awesome hat and tutu session special I couldn't resist.  So while we were in Prosser visiting I had their pictures done.  It was so hot that day and I totally failed as a mom and had no water! Yikes! Denielle was great and let us take a pit stop during the session for some water.  Here are some of the shots of Micah. It was pure bliss for him on the tracks, he loved every minute!

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