Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Happy New Years 2010

New Years Eve 2009:
So after playing in the magical, holiday snow all day--
and eating Bulgolgi for dinner
(again, I forgot to take photos of the feast!)

It was time to celebrate the new year--
but, how do we say good-bye to 2009
and "Hello 2010"

With a new tradition~~
(suggested by Morgan)
DRESS-UP
and since we have 11 costume boxes
it was Perfect--
see what you think:

The Magnificient Maxfields
(and Rogers)

a family that plays together--
stays together....

Mighty Michael and his fair maidens~~

Best-dressed (?) Steven and the divine Ms. Meredith

Senor Jacob and damsel-in-distress Morgan

The BEAUTIES

and the BEASTS

what can I say.....

It was the hit of the holidays~~
even though we weren't expecting to put on a show~~
(thanks for stopping by Neva and Walter and
capturing it for posterity!!)


Now, after all that fun~~ more nourishment was needed~~
the girls had been "eyeing" this chocolate house
all weekend--
with promises of a New Year's Eve feast--


patience

and now, at last...
wait--
"grandpa, what are you doing!!"
"you can't cut it with scissors"
silly grandpa!!

And now,
let the wild rumpus start.....

Horns and streamers


Stay awake great-grandma Rhonda--
you too, Uncle Reuel!!


Diane will keep him awake!!
(so fun to have more family come by!)
oh, the noise~~
the wonderful noise!!

games and junk food...
and look it's only 8 pm
(remember we have little ones who
can't tell time~~ so new year's is NOW)

Take the poppers and noise makers outside~~
they were LOUD!

Riley thought the horns were loud enough!

Sleepy-eyed beauty....

Morgan and Jacob
celebrating their 3 year anniversary too!!


Michael loves Jessica

Steven and Meredith
making music together

Another year~~

still in love!!

that better be sparkling cider, princess Morgan!!

And let's not forget another thing to celebrate~~
Since Steven & Meredith are leaving at 4 am--
we must, we must
celebrate his 25th Birthday
(twelve days early)

and it's a good thing he excels at math--
(it's hard to keep all those number candles in the house)
23 + 2 =25

Happy Family
~~Happy 2010~~

Monday, January 11, 2010

Snow, Snow, Magical Christmas Snow

When beautiful, intelligent Riley arrived for Christmas at Grandma's
She told me that she was ready to go sledding on Christmas day--
she had new sledding pants and boots--
Unfortunately it was 40 degrees with blue skies--
while trying to explain the weather dilemma,
she just answered
"Oh Grandma, it has to snow. . .
it's Christmas."

So we watched the skies and tried to distract with cookie frosting,
nativity plays, Claymation Christmas movies...
(see previous post)
and still NO snow--
Christmas morning came and went--
NO SNOW--

Then New Year's approached...
and guess what,
so did the heavy gray clouds--
and the day before New Years Eve--
we got a frosting of snow--
Riley's good daddy and uncle Steven--
got creative--
got out the 4-wheeler
and scraped all the snow from the driveway and grass-
into ONE sledding hill for Riley--

Here's Steven, making it smooth--
It was well worth the effort--
listen to the laughter:



this girl loves it!!

Of course the boys had to get in on the fun--
here's Riley with Uncle Steven

Michael trying out the tube--

Steven and Meredith on the quad--
(Meredith was fighting a cold--
but still took part in the fun!)

Sisters---
Emma--no nap--
did not appreciate the snow as much as Riley!

But she did have some fun!!

even if we had to "force" her to enjoy!!
(see Jessica's blog and video!!)
here she is taking a ride with Michael--

Riley loves to try EVERYTHING--
"by myself" !

Inside, after hot chocolate--
Emma's favorite ride--
her pony!!

and cuddling with Aunt Morgan's doll and
the blanket from grandma--

New Year's Eve day--
visiting the great-grandparents..
testing out their firetruck

the girls loved it!!

Mom and Bob with some of their Grands and Greats!

Then back to play in the falling snow
creating a winter wonderland--

and Riley turned to me and said
"See grandma, it did snow--
just AFTER Christmas"

oh me of little faith!!

Here's Jacob taking the quad for a spin. . .

pulling Morgan

Did she actually drive it...or just pose?
I'll never tell!!

Boys, Boys, Boys--
tube didn't go fast enough--
"lets put a tarp around it!"
of course!!

I got Morgan to try the hill...



by telling her that I'd sled too...
here's the proof!!

and besides....
this grandma isn't THAT old yet!!


Who needs a sled--
knee boards and boogie boards
work just as well!!

Jacob, missing the California surf--
tried the boogie board-surfing technique!!

Ron convincing me that he wouldn't go fast...
just fast enough!!

See Grandma,
it ALWAYS snows for Christmas!!


magical, magical, magical.....