Hiking trip - Texas style

One thing the big boys liked when we were stationed here 10 years ago was going hiking in the Wichita Mountain.  No different now, the younger ones enjoy it too.  So, when the boys were home for Christmas break from college a trip to the mountains was called for.

And the token Texas cattle shot.

Christmas

Christmas time and in Texas.  With our base house space is limited and throwing in a Christmas tree made it even more tight.  We used our skinny tree and decided to do it much more simpler than normal.  To give us something to do, Sophie and I created a tree paper chain garland out of all our Christmas scrapbook paper.

The college boys came home for two weeks.  The little ones were so excited to see them.  I don't know if the big brothers realize how much Sophie and Jack miss them and how hard it is on them to be so far from them.  It was very hard for them to go from living in the same house with them to living across the country and only seeing them at Christmas time.
Here Jon is doing what any teen does best...sleeping.

Jack and Sophie waiting at the top of the stairs until they can come down on Christmas morning..they are eager - although tired- to see what Santa left.

Toy time.

The college boys are not so good in the morning haha

Jon finding out what his friends were up to during break.

Josh's turn to do the teen thing- sleep.

Here's to Christmas 2013 !!!

Gymnastics...

It is time for our first gymnastics expo. She is hoping to make it out of classes and onto the mini team.  She has worked so hard and is excited to get on that mini team.

First we stretch out.  Yes she is one limber little gymnast.

Next time to line up to march out with her level mates.  Notice her favorite coach- Coach Payton.  He rocks.

Marching...

It is the beam test.

Trampoline test.

Bar test.

Love this move...

She did it.  She tested out of school and made mini team.

 All the girls with their trophies and their invitations to mini team.

She is so happy and I am so proud of her.  She has worked so hard.

Way to go my girl..you did it.

Snow. In Texas?

What the heck?  Snow in Texas? 
The kids are so excite.  It is snow and ice and we seem to be the only family with sleds..haha
Now if only Texas had hills

Jack trying to slide down the small tiny hill on his saucer scooter.

Sophie took a try on the long sled.  Problem is the hill - if you can call it that- did not have enough incline.

Didn't matter - they had a blast anyway.

Plan B- pull each other.

My awesome sledders.

I adore these rosy cheeked little kiddos.  They are the only thing making this move bearable.
Aren't they just cute?

Making advent calendars- with help

We do advent calendars.  Usually those cheap cardboard ones from World Market.  You know the ones?  The ones that you open the tiny door to a piece of chocolate. 
This year to help break the utter boredom that is called being stationed at a terrible place, Sophie and I decided to make some.

First we started with two cardboard frame type things that held 24 drawers.  We painted the outsides.

Next we addressed the drawer fronts by cutting and gluing on different scrap book papers to the fronts.

Yes, the girl gets excited when she is allowed to play with sharp objects..haha

Lots of gluing and scraps everywhere.  I never said it was a non-messy project did I?

Next came the stamping part.  We had to stamp the 24 dates on each drawer.

The finished project.

I think my little helper did an amazing job.  Now it is my job to fill with surprises.