A new season

One week ago we told Peter that if he could save up $100 we would split the purchase of an Ipod Touch. After lots of conversations with others and between Philip and I, we realized that it was just time. Our precious is growing up and before we know it he'll be in middle school. Although he's still 10 and to me it is still very young, I realize that if he's going to make it in the real world he needs to know how to navigate the electronic world.

I am not ready for video games to invade our family time. I'm not ready for my 3 year old to be exposed to the concept of not waiting patiently but being given a game to play to pass the time in the Doctor's office. However, I must admit that the more I learn about this device the cooler it sounds! I hope that I get a turn using it. Meanwhile, Peter had far more money in savings that we realized. Combine with that and Christmas money and a few odd jobs, it took him less than a week to save up. However, the wait for the Ipod to arrive was arduous for him. When we saw the FedEx truck pass our house, he was sure that his package was on his truck. So he waited outside for a long while to no avail! However, the postal service brought the package to our mailbox this afternoon.

Donations

So I just discovered that I had yet to post some photos from December. I have been getting together weekly with two other families as we have formed a Co-op. Our kids have learned together and played together beautifully. Near the end of last semester, we challenged our kids to see if combine they can find 50 toys that we could donate to a local charity.

 After we delivered the toys to the Christian Help Center, we were going Christmas caroling at a local nursing home.  The kids were signing Christmas cards to give out to the residents.

 It was really amazing to see the kids come together and give their things.  I expected them to see toys that their friends were donating and wanting to take them home.  However, it never happened.

 The kids collected 127 items!

Snow Day

We had our first snow day 2013.  We had the perfect amount of snow to pull out the sleds and strap on all our snow gear.  The kids were outside by 7:30am to enjoy the white stuff.  We hardly stopped until 12:30 for a much belated breakfast.

After enjoying our small hill in the front yard, I remembered that 2 years ago I purchased plastic sleds that had never been used.  I dusted them off from the top of my closet and they were christened!  After we had had enough sledding, snowman building and hot chocolate, we headed to the woods behind the church.  We took a lovely walk in the woods and ended up finding a beaver's dam!  It was a great day.

Belated Russian Christmas

It was a tradition growing up for my Mom's side of the family to gather for Russian esChristmas. We exchange gifts, eat yummy Russian treats and enjoy time together. I have many fond memories of this time. It's been a long time since, my mom has made Halupki (Stuffed Cabbage). With a full day ahead of us, it seemed the perfect time to introduce my kiddos to this long standing tradition!

We had a good time making Halupki and everyone enjoyed the finished product. Maybe next year we can add Borscht and Kolaches to the menu.

Peter Skiing - 2013

Ruff Ridge

After a day of rest, our ski legs were ready for some hiking. We tried out a fairly new trail for us this year. We were introduced to this trail last year but didn't explore it completely.

It was a beautiful day to be on the mountain!

After skiing

It's hard to top a day or two of skiing but somebody has to try.  We spent Wednesday giving our legs a bit of a break and heading to a few of our favorite Boone shops.  We started at Goodwill.  I think I spent the best money I've spent in a while there.  Emma and Ryan both scored watches for $1 each.  Ryan has never been so interested in the time than he has since he got this watch.  He has just about mastered being able to read the time correctly.  Nathan scored a $2.00 ambulance that he has carried everywhere and continuously says thanks for buying this for him.  Peter bought himself a $0.50 stuffed animal!  We rounded off our purchases with a puzzle, Outburst Jr., clipboards and a few shirts for Philip.  I really do enjoy shopping at Goodwill.

Though it's hard to top those bargains, we did make our traditional stop at Mast General to buy lollipops and admire all the cool (and very expensive) outdoors equipment.  We had lunch at a really amazing restaurant.  F.A.R.M. Cafe is a new restaurant in Boone that is a non-profit organization whose mission is to Feed All Regardless of Means.  So there was a suggested price for lunch with the option of volunteering to pay off your meal or to eat without cost.  We had a wonderful made - from scratch and fresh from local farms meal. 

 After a nice day in town, we settled in to work on puzzles and play games and eat left overs!

The crew

The crew arrived Sunday evening as we prepared to hit the slopes first thing Monday morning. Before hitting the slopes, we needed to hit the hot tub - a favorite activity of all the kids.

After skiing for about four hours, everyone was ready for some lunch.  Our kids only get Pepsi's twice a year.  Once on the ski trip and once after their camping trip!  It's definitely a prized treat.  Even Nathan is chugging one down.  I have to admit the sugar and caffeine helped keep us all going until we closed the slopes down at 4:30.

We gave out honorary awards this year. Peter received: Most improved control. Emma received: Most improved speed.

Nathan had a fantastic time on the slopes.  He received " Rookie of the Year" award.  On our last trip up the mountain, Nathan feel asleep on the slopes.  Philip skied with him the entire way down the mountain between his legs.  About half way down, Nathan fell asleep again!  Needless to say, he was one tired little fellow.

Ryan won this year's "Most Improved" award. After spending a good amount of time with his Papa on the bunny slope, he moved on to Easy street. It took about three runs down the green slope and then it clicked. After that, you couldn't stop him. Ethan shared in the "Rookie of the Year" award. He did a super job going down the slopes.

Ryan received "Most improved of the year". 

Papa and Nathan share a little down time as the big kids hit the big slopes for a little while.  It's hard to believe that Bob was able to ski with all 6 of his grandkids.  He did a great job coaching Ryan this year and trying to keep up with the older three. 

Caleb had a terrific time hitting the slopes.  His award for the season is "Most likely attempt all the jumps".

We all survived a full day of skiing!  It was a beautiful day to enjoy God's creation.

Skiing - 2013

More Holiday fun

Our Christmas holiday continued throughout the week as we were able to catch up with some of Philip's family! His mom and dad come up to Roxboro to spend a long weekend with us. We had a wonderful time with them. This is the first time in a LONG time that they have come and Philip hasn't put Bob to work at some project over at the church. Although, he wasn't working at the church, we didn't let any grass grow under his feet. Bob came to Roxboro prepared to help Peter build a tool bench.

Peter's new tool bench is a perfect place for him to store his new tools.

Ryan and PaPa built this great wooden box.  We are still discussing what will become of this box -  perhaps a bird feeder, perhaps a flower box or of course a place to put dog food!

The boys got to have lots of hands on experience with hammering, screwing, and measuring.

Nathan did a lot of watching but his plastic tool weren't too far from the work site.

Philip worked hard as well putting together this awesome tool organizer and fixing his kayak!
When we weren't building things or working on projects, there were multiple card games, Settler's of Catan games, yummy dinners to be eaten, cookies to be made and much more to be had! We grabbed a babysitter and went to see "Lincoln".  Philip was even able to take his dad and the kids to see Duke play basketball! It was Bob's first time at Cameron Indoor Stadium! We had a LOT of fun. 

Christmas morning

This has been our third year that we have exchanged names amongst the 6 of us. It has continued to be a blessing in so many ways. This year, I have enjoyed seeing how each of the kids have been very thoughtful as they considered, pondered, shopped and purchased gifts for their person.

Emma and Peter decided on their own to use their allowance to buy extra gifts.  They each bought gifts for everyone in our family.

Peter was a happy camper to receive a skim board, a head lamp and a compass carabiner.

Peter choose a dolphin charm to give to her sister because he knew that she really loved dolphins.

Ryan picked out this horse trailer for Nathan.  He knew that Nathan would enjoy it because he liked it and Nathan likes what he likes!

My mom remembered that I regretted not purchasing this purse on Black Friday.

 Emma painted this picture for Philip!

My dad scored himself a new NC State shirt!

After opening gifts and eating monkey bread, we headed to Roxboro nursing center tospread some Christmas love with those there. We were joined with friends back at home for a wonderful lunch and time together. It was a fun day to spend together with family and friends remembering that God was born in the flesh for our salvation.

Christmas Eve

There was a break in the rain on Christmas Eve and I sent the kids outdoors for some much needed fresh air and activity!

My heart was warmed when I joined my babies and they were happily playing together
and helping each other.