We took the kids roller skating for the first time this afternoon.
At first they weren't too sure about the whole thing and they all agreed that ice skating is easier than roller skating.
Once they got the hang of it, they were all smiles!
Caleb was so brave and participated in all the games.
He even competed in a race with boys his age!
I wish I had pictures of him, but our camera battery died. :(
Our family has been taking ice skating lessons through the Parks and Recreation Department
and we're lovin' it!
I took the kids and a little friend for a practice run today.
We skate in the outdoor rink in downtown Spokane where the 1974 World's Fair was held.
Here are a couple of short video clips.
Gracie was taking a break on the bench, so I didn't get her on video today.
The boys tested for their high blue belts last night and did a great job! We've been told that this will probably be their hardest test (not including the black belt test).
We're so proud of them!
Gracie took this picture of Phil. :)
Gracie's been working on a latch hook rug, and she's doing such a great job!
She's a fast learner, that Gracie Girl!
The other day, Lily played "missionary" and made a Bible store in the living room.
When you've been to the airport alone with kids as many times as I have,
you learn quickly where and where not to hang out
while waiting for delayed flights.
The kids and I found a great spot with elevators, stairs, bathrooms, water fountains, arrival/departure monitors, a security camera and closed circuit monitor to make "movies" of our own and, most importantly, lots of room to run around unawares.
Becky and the girls' flight was delayed
and we just weren't ready to say goodbye
so we had races.
Here's Phil photographing himself and the kids on the closed circuit monitor.
So sad to say goodbye :(
We drove out to Coeur d' Alene, Idaho one night (a 30 minute drive)
to take a ferry cruise to the North Pole!
The lights were beautiful, out on Lake Coeur d' Alene.
It was a bit chilly, so we took breaks to sit inside and warm up.
One of these breaks included hot chocolate,
frosted Christmas tree cookies and watching A Charlie Brown Christmas.
When we arrived at the North Pole, we saw Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Santa read the names off of this year's Nice List
and our kids were glad to hear their names read.
One of the things I love about Spokane is the snow.
By the time Morgan, Lindsay and Becky arrived,
most of the snow from a previous snow storm had melted and what was left was frozen solid.
Of course that doesn't stop Phil from building awesome snow features in our backyard!
Here's a sled hill he started building from the snow on our neighbor's front lawn.
Yes, we have a nice neighbor who gives us his snow.
The kids didn't want to use the sleds.
They decided to use their snowsuits, instead.
Lily had trouble, as you can see.
A sled might work better for her.
There...that's much better!
Another snow storm passed through and left nice, clean, fluffy white snow!
Right before leaving for the airport, the kids modeled
the hats that Cousin Britnie knit them for Christmas.
We found Gracie's that evening after Becky and the girls had gone home.
With Becky and the girls arriving Christmas night, we opened more gifts the next morning.
Our kids were happy to have two Christmas mornings this year!
They're always so, so happy to be together, these cousins.
So many pictures to share, but I'll start with the airport.
We met Becky, Morgan and Lindsay at the airport on Christmas night.
I'll never forget how happy it is in an airport on Christmas night
with no flights going out, only coming in--lots and lots of happy people and cute kids!
It was like being in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
We had the pleasure of visiting Chris and his sweet family in the bay area on our way back up to Lake County.
A highlight of our visit was a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory!
Lily and Kiah held hands most of the day
Visiting Grandma Silva in Alameda
The kids roamed "the maze" behind Grandma's house--where I used to play as a girl.
Lily stopped to enjoy these purple flower petals.
Here's what was waiting for us back in Spokane!
