December

December brought more snow. I found some cheap kids ski's on Craigslist and the kids had fun taking turns with them. Erik and I were invited to his company's 60th anniversary/Christmas party in Ketchikan and were able to ditch the kids with Nana for our first ever getaway. The party also coincided with my birthday, so I just pretended the party was for me :-) We clean up pretty nice! Aunty Hoho and Joel bought the kids a gingerbread house. I only had one condition, they had to help build it!! I volunteered in Payton's preschool class right before Christmas break. Madge thought it was the best thing ever as she got to come along and be a preschooler just like her brother! Christmas break brought bunny sitting! My sweet friend Janalynn, who is a teacher, has a classroom rabbit and knew my kids had been begging for one for Christmas, so we compromised and she let us keep Italics (we called her bun-bun) for the two weeks over break. I think Italics had a great time. She got over her shyness real fast and made herself right at home. I love the picture of Payton trying to protect his apple from the curious bunny!

November

November was an unusually snowy month. Our first real snow came before Halloween. Needless to say, the kids were excited to get outside and play in the white stuff! Living in a cul-de-sac has its advantages. When the grader comes by it takes all the snow and piles it up in the middle making one pretty cool snow mountain that provides hours of entertainment!! Madelyn also FINALLY got her hair trimmed. Nothing drastic, just a quick snip to even it all up. I was promised it would make her hair grow faster too ;-)

October

October was a very busy, very fun month! We started by heading to Seattle for 3 days to visit family and friends. The kids really enjoyed being able to experience things that Juneau doesn't have to offer! Fun exhibit at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

The kids both LOVED getting to ride Jewel, Aunt Sue's horse.

We were so lucky to be able to meet up some a couple of friends and spend some time with them at the zoo!

After a fun filled 3 days in Seattle we continued on to Missoula to visit Erik's family. Missoula has a great kids museum.

The water table is always a huge hit!

Payton went up to hunting camp with Erik. Maddie got to go along to drop him off. She enjoyed packing around the pellet gun.

Every year the pumpkin fairy comes to Grammie's house. The grandkids (plus a few extras!) get to run around searching for treasures!

My little pirates ready to go trick or treating!