Happy Birthday, Birthday Girl!

DC turned 6 in November.

Gingerbread Houses

While serving my mission in Arizona, I was introduced to this spectacular family tradition that I noted: One day I want to do this with my own family. I am a huge proponent for creating and maintaining family traditions. Last year right after Christmas I bought Gingerbread house kits and stored them away. On Thanksgiving Day, I brought them out and this is the result. A whole mess of fun!

Painting

I am grateful for creative children who enjoy art projects and creating things with their hands. I am very hands on myself and it is fun to share that with my children. Buying a simple paint set and pad has been a great investment of time and resources. And it never gets old!

Loving the kids

"My future is so bright, I gotta wear shades!"


Playmates Forever!

Playground fun on our trip to Rhode Island.

Going to Get the Mail

Question: What do you wear when you walk to the mailbox in search of your mail?
Answer: We wear fun hats!

Our Girls

This is Lilly after EVERY meal.


This is a happy Daryl Cinnamon after another successful "Hair Day". I am starting to get the hang of this Mom thing. I have designated Thursday as "Hair Day". During the day we wash and braid hair while watching a movie. It's fun and there are virtually no tears. LOVE IT!

Castle in the Clouds

click on the above picture to see the castle with the landscape








The children and I went to New Hampshire and visited this beautiful estate built high up on the side of the hill/mountain. I loved the architectural aspects of the home. The children did a fantastic job of walking through the museum-like estate home. The scenic view was the best part. It was so peaceful and absolutely beautiful!

Here is a little blurb from their website:
"Tom and Olive Plant’s mountaintop estate "Lucknow", was built in 1913-1914 high in the Ossipee Mountain Range with a breathtaking vista of Lake Winnipesaukee and the hills and mountains beyond. Known since the 1960s as the Castle in the Clouds, the house is an unusual example of Arts and Crafts architecture in New England, expressing that aesthetic movement’s philosophy of living in harmony with nature. Designed by the architectural firm of J. Williams Beal & Sons of Boston, the house not only exhibits skilled hand craftsmanship in every aspect of its interior and exterior, but also features a number of technological innovations of the early 20th Century."