Tricky Little Leprechauns

Lauren's first official school project was to build a leprechaun trap.  I think she had a well-developed plan!

 A trail of gold leads the leprechauns into the little house to a large pot. 

 A friendly note welcomes the little guys.  Surely the writer means them no harm!

A trip wire at the door causes them to fall into the house.  Ever concerned for the safety of others, Lauren made a soft landing for the little guys.  After all, "They might break a bone."  After falling, the leprechauns become stuck to the tape covering the floor.

Unfortunately, the trap did not capture any leprechauns.  Instead, the house was covered with green footprints, and only the wrappers were left in the pot.  Happy St. Patrick's day everyone! 

Bran and I just returned from a great little getaway to Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia.  It was my second ski trip, and I have the bruises to prove it.  Lucky for me, I have a patient partner and good teacher.

The view from our balcony.

Breathtaking.

The pro.

Trying hard to look like a pro.

So happy for some time away.

Princess Sami - Heehaw!

Holiday Fun

We had a wonderful and relaxing Christmas this year.  The girls were really into the festivities...the food, the lights, and the big man for sure.  Check out some of the things we did.

The girls were loving this little dog and its music. They put on a great show at the Glasgow's house.

Posing in front of the tree on Christmas Eve.   Sami adores her red cowboy boots from Aunt Robin!

Grandpa also sent binoculars for the girls to check out the wildlife at the lake.

Christmas afternoon, we went to my parents' house.  We did our traditional pickle ornament hunt, but this time we had a new, tinier pickle.  The hunt took FOREVER!

Tiffany finally found it.

Dad was jealous.

In the end, everyone won.  We all got "Greek Power" t-shirts...a story that goes way back.

Brandon clearly loved his.

The sweet cousins posing before diving into the presents.

Notice the change in wardrobe.  A princess dress for everyone.

And a karaoke machine too!

When the girls got home Christmas night, there was a brand new cottage from Mommy and Daddy waiting for them.  It was filled with tons of dress up clothes from Grandpa and Marijo. 

Little Tinkerbell and Daddy played in the cottage.

Lauren concentrated on the accessories.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is the Lebanon Horse Parade.  Each year, we bundle up the kids, make hot chocolate, and shiver with our friends, Jeff and Amy, as we watch the horse-drawn carriages.   

Sami and Brandon cuddle during the parade.

Lauren and her buddy Luke

Samantha and Sidney

The girls visited with Santa during a special breakfast at my school.  They also made ornaments and played games.  It was a great morning. 

Sami was a little uncertain about sitting on Santa's lap, but it didn't take her long to warm up to him.

Lauren had no fear.  She could have spent the whole morning talking to him.

It looks as though we may be in for a tough winter.  We've already had a snow day this December.  Not that I'm complaining!  Of course, I may feel differently if the days have to be made up in June. 

Lauren made a snow globe on her day off.

 Sami has been playing Christmas carols on her harmonica...well, sort of.  She sure loves it.

This is a classic Sami fashion statement.  She always wears her headband across her forehead.  If we place it on top of her head, she "fixes" it.

Here they are, proudly posing in front of our tree.  Only a few years ago, Brandon and I reminisced about our own childhood memories with every ornament we added.  Now our tree is covered with homemade ornaments by our own children.  I like the change. 

Our Little Artist

Last week, Lauren had an art show at her school.  She made this mermaid with her hand and fingerprints. She was so proud to see it on display.  We were too! 

Trick or Treat!

Halloween was highly anticipated in our house this year.  Lauren was asking about it for weeks, and Sami was game for anything that involved the word candy.  

Anyone who spends time with Lauren knows that she is always covered in marker or paint.  How appropriate that she would choose to be an artist for Halloween.  Here we are, splattering her artist shirt (and sometimes the deck). 

  The completed outfit...

Lauren the artist and Sami the ladybug.

Midway through trick or treating, Sami decided she needed a break.  She plopped down next to the sidewalk for a rest. 

 Lauren discovered the joy of giant pixie sticks.

This is Papa and Sami, trying to stay warm.  We didn't pay too much attention to how much candy she had eaten.  Minutes after this, she guzzled water, ran around, then threw up in her car seat.  Now THAT'S a good Halloween.