The 1st Annual Snow Ball in Downieville

The 1st Annual Snow Ball was a huge success last weekend in Downieville! Everyone had to keep reminding me that it was a "formal fundraiser" and not the prom the whole night. The funny thing was I had actually attended prom with several of the boys who were at the event that night. Heck, our wedding reception was in that same room, lots of memories in the Community Hall! We all had a blast getting dressed up and no matter what everyone says... I was truly the Prom Queen of the Snow Ball, 2009!!

My boyfriend and I at the prom.
My girls and I, all beautiful in black- Brooke, Isis, Heather & I
My preggo Brookie! (can you see the start of her tiny baby-belly??)

Leslie, Trisha and the Prom Queen

Erick & Leslie Jackson

Michelle & Brooke- showing off their 13-week bellies together!

Michelle & John Sweeney- so, uh, happy??

Lovebirds at the dance- Heather & Troy

Dancin with Melissa & Kristi

I love my little Holly!

The Biggest Block City Yet!

James worked for a very long time on this block city, which used every single one of the small blocks we have. He planned all the roads and buildings and had fun driving cars on the roads and parking them under the buildings. Such a creative guy!

A Funny Friday Night

Kristin came up to hang out on a Friday night recently with Charli. No dads, just us & the three kiddos. They had a silly time playing dress up and watching a movie while we visited.

Meet the Class of 2022

Thursday night we attended kindergarten orientation at Paradise Elementary School! I was feeling very emotional about the fact that my first baby is going to kindergraten next year, but after attending the meeting, I am now really excited! It's strange, because I've handed all these forms to parents numberous times and I know many of the staff members and have been to P.E.S. a ton, but it's all different sitting in the seat as a parent of an incoming student! James is registered and is #1 on the list of kindergartners for next year (there are a few perks to teaching in the district...). We are very hopeful that James & Charli will be in the same class, but we know they will at least be on the same schedule so I can take them to school together each morning and Kristin can pick them up after school. We are so excited to see James & Charli grow and learn as kindergratners at Paradise Elementary School!

Some Recent Art & More Block Buildings

Dr. Seuss was born March 2, 1904- happy almost-birthday! Kristin made these Cat-in-the-Hat feet with the kids at day care recently. James' foot is the big one shown first and Owen's is below

This dinosaur picture James drew is hanging in my craft room. Aren't these just the cutest dinos you've ever seen?It is a big, long picture, so I had to take two shots to get it all.

James has been drawing these bright, very detailed pictures lately. He calls them "A Wonderland" and each one has an elaborate story that goes with it. This is our family in our house with a deer (Elliot, from Open Season) outside and a gingerbreadman cloud in the sky.

Always the little architect, James has been a bit of an engineer lately too. His most recent block buildings have been pretty impressive as far as the planning he puts into them. Each building below took many tries before he could build the whole thing without it collapsing. We can't believe he comes up wtih these difficult designs and is able to make them stay up without falling!

Family Date Night: White-Trash Style

Bowling and McDonalds- a perfect family date night for a cold rainy night! Yeah, it's a little (ok, a lot) white trash, but we had a blast! Owen now has a new favorite sport. I have never seen someone get so excited about knocking one pin over. We're going to have to take this boy bowling more often!
Our little "kingpins"

Finishing the evening off with Happy Meals at McDonals was a treat for the boys. We rarely take them to fast food, but they loved every minute of it!

McNugget Love

The View From My Craft Spot

When we bought this house, one of the biggest selling-points for me were the window seats in the two smaller bedrooms. This was "way back" before we had kids, and even then I pictured scenes like this of our children sitting on and using the window seats. The seats are still one of my favorite features of our house, and this is why...
This morning Jason took the boys outside to play, so I thought I'd steal a few minutes to do some scrapbooking. I had my curtains open so I could watch the snow flying while I scrapped. When I looked out the window from my scrapbooking spot, this is what I saw:

I can't imagine a better view!