gingerbread houses, 12-15-09

so we "tried" to make gingerbread houses at our playgroup on tuesday.
we used milk cartons, graham crackers, extra sticky frosting & of course, LOTS of candy!
biggest tip for next year: "glue" the graham cracker on the milk cartons the night before.


getting ready to put the roof on...



busy builder...




pondering which move to make next...


the kids had a blast. the moms were covered in frosting. a good time had by all.


later on the z's came over to play...
here's the gang before we headed out to go sledding-

from left to right, the amount of the time they made it without wanting to go in:
back row: 13 minutes, 4 hours, 6.5 minutes
front row: 15 minutes, 12 minutes

blizzard in iowa..
last week (dec. 8-10) we were hit by a little snow.
the kids were so excited!
we got out the first two days...but now it has turned REALLY cold.

here's phillip pulling our two kids...



snow much fun!!!



phillip teaching the kids how to eat snow.
great, now they are eating it off their gloves, boots, floor (yuck!)...



snow bunny!

introducing for the first time to the blog....
baby j. #3

on november 30th phillip and i were able to see our little miracle.
ultrasounds will always amaze me.
everything looked good and measured right on schedule.
we are so thankful.






dear baby, we cannot wait to meet you in april. we are so excited to find out if you are a boy or a girl. right now evan thinks you are a "baby brother," because he already has a sister. anabel just labels you as "MY baby." as you can tell, she is anxious to meet you too! hold tight, little one. keep growing bigger and stronger!

newhouse christmas, 2009
dubuque, iowa


denny johnson family (missing a few very important girls!)



growing up my mom's side of the family ALWAYS had pinatas for the kids.
my grandparents wintered in texas and would bring one back.
now, my aunt and uncle winter down south and brought a pinata back for the 3rd generation to enjoy!
cousin haley taking a swing at it!


my mom and i made these "super hero" capes for all of my cousins' kids. they loved them.
evan is just getting into super heros. we think he was acting in character all day!



super evan was not afraid to sit on santa's lap.



super anabel was a little apprehensive!



the hotel we stayed at had a water park and the kids LOVED it!



the big waterslides were a hit...




even for the youngest!

a hunting we will go...




anabel likes this one!




still hunting for the perfect one!





we found the winner!
(yes, it's as big as it looks!)




oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree...

give thanks...


we had a wonderful thanksgiving with family. we have so much to be thankful for.

phelps youth pavillion

we had lots of fun visiting the phelps youth pavillion in waterloo with our friends abigail and madelyn.
every third thursday is dollar day.
i'm sure we'll be back again!

farmer's market...


making burritos...



putting on a show?!?!?...



driving the bus...




doing chores...