A bunch of random snow day pictures:

We had a couple of days of snow this past week! Not even enough snow to cover the tops of the blades of grass but enough to play with. Since we don't see much around here, everyone rushed to get ready and go out and play. Hats and coats and gloves and boots were rooted out of the closet depths. Some were harder to track down than others. The dryer ran all day the first day, drying dripping mittens and such for the next shift of play. The second morning of snow I went out with my camera and propped it up for a long-overdo whole-family shot. Just one day past the one-year anniversary of the Boys' arrival at our home!

The whole family. Ivy chose to lick her teeth at the last minute so there is one smile missing but a pretty good picture over all. I should have taken more shots but it was cold and there was a sliding hill waiting...

Silly boys.
Misha and Daddy

The first day was wetter snow and the kids made the World's Ugliest Snowman.

Max, with the World's Ugliest Snowman's head.

Max, with the World's Nicest Ukrainian head.

Arms for the WUSM.

Oops! How did that get in here? Evan wasn't at our house that day...

Daddy and his little Sweet Girl.

Charming, disarming...

A glimpse of two of the sledding party. Hannah is wearing my boots because she didn't have any except her rain boots which Max was wearing. She said they weren't really all that big on her. Not surprising since she is quickly outgrowing all her own shoes...

The lovely Annette.

Whoa! Annette! Hello! This extreme close up will help some of you recognize her better. Annette is still working on the concept of personal space. :-)
In her defense, this time it was my camera's fault.

Catching snow. Good thing I forgot to bring in those spray paint can lids.
Think of all the fun he would have missed.

Well, I guess he could've used his tongue like Ivy. :-P

Now the snow is gone and yesterday the kids played outside, some of them wearing short sleeves! I love Tennessee weather!

The Day, in reverse.

We finished up our day at my mom and dad's house. The kids all love to go to Grandma's house, of course, and how much more fun when they know there will be presents!
We had a delicious dinner and then feasted further on leftover Christmas cookies. Mmmmm!
Before we left, the kids had time to play with their toys and gifts while I made the scalloped potatoes for later. Hannah got this wipe-board and, as you can see, makeup!
Annette loves My Little Ponies. Here she is brushing her pony's hair--looks like she should be spending more time on her own!
Christmas Eve's presentation of The Nativity. Directed by Hannah.
There! Pictures for all of you who have asked! I have more over at our adoption blog,
www.lovedalready.com

Happy New Year!

Tell me...

...What was your favorite gift, and why?

Cookies, and Bread, and Baking, Oh My!

We tried out making candy cane cookies this year. I let all the kids take turns rolling ropes of red and white dough for the canes.
They look better than they taste. But it was fun to make them!
I spent Saturday icing cookies and baking. Our class Christmas party was that evening and I felt responsible to offset our large family by taking plenty of food! I made my Grandmother's molasses bread recipe into rolls and they were very popular. I love that bread because it is so soft and slightly sweet. Mmmm...I whipped up some frosting for the kids and gave them each some cookies to decorate. Misha and Annette both enjoy piling the frosting high (my kind of kids!) and loading on the sprinkles!

I iced the gingerbread people myself since I know no one else can manage the piping bag and it is my favorite Christmas chore--even though it's messy. Ahhh...
All ready.

Now for this:

I am:

...so full!!!

Our Sunday school class Christmas party was tonight and the cookies called my name! Ugh! They still are begging for my attention. Yes, surprise, surprise--I overdid it on the sweets! I wish I had time to go for a looooonnnnggg walk!

But alas, I shall sleep it off--or, more accurately: I shall sleep it on.
Good night.

Something my brothers and sister will appreciate...

...Like Father Like Son-in-Law?

Hannah gave Steve this big mug for his birthday; he bragged that he could fit two ice cube trays of ice into it! I just groaned and got the camera.

Thanksgiving! ammended to include captions

Beth said it in her comment but this is how Kramer spent his weekend.

And this is how Simon's gun( and, though not pictured, also at least one light saber) spent it's weekend; safely held in Max's hand. I forget to watch him on this kind of thing. I noticed it at the orphanage too. All the kids would get a toy and then hang onto it whether they switched to another activity or not. Max is watching TV but oh, how he loved that gun! Once I noticed what he was doing I explained to him that he would have to choose, play with the toy or watch TV- but not both at the same time--I could see that was a difficult decision for him to make!

Hannah in her annual pilgrim getup. I wore this outfit when I was little.

Happily waiting for the food.

Little Jude and Lincoln. I am guessing those are Beth's toes in the backround. I mention that because I find it interesting that the two of us somehow inherited this trait that when we sit, we curl our toes under rather than tippi-toe style. We never noticed that we both did that until recently.

Beth's boy Jude with Grandpa.

Lynn, looking lovely and alluring. Nice necklace, Lynn!

This is becoming an annual picture of these two.

time for a walk

I took all the kids for a walk up the street before the big day ( Thanksgiving) . On the way back down the hill, they found some "treasures" and brought them home.
this silly boy wanted this leaf to be a hat for our pumpkin.
It was very important.
The pumpkin loved it.

Getting ready for Thanksgiving...

This little sweetie would rather help me bake than watch movies with her brothers and sisters.

She made the cherry pie. Daddy's favorite! We forgot to take "after" photos.

Extra pie crust: "cookies" and peanut butter and jelly stuffed pieces of dough. I think next time I'll leave out the peanut butter!

Cousin Fun

Our little nephew Simon has been visiting at Grandma's house quite a bit lately because my brother Nathan has been doing work for them there. Vitali has enjoyed having his little cousin to play with!

The coziest holiday of the year...

I am getting ready to bake tomorrow. Family is coming. The kids are excited. We have so much to be thankful for--I just love this time of year!

Remember Who deserves our thanks!

I hope you will all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Look what Annette found in the basement next to the toybox:

...A black widow.

Posting a picture with no words makes me think of my friend Rachel, whose pictures blow mine away. 'Course, now it's not a picture with no words...

You say "Obamanation"

... I say "Abomination".

Either way, It's not good.

Anybody else willing to admit to being bummed at this election, even though it is not the "spiritually correct" reaction?

...or maybe it is.