Hiking Fun!

We had an amazing time on Saturday hiking with the kiddos! We were fortunate to be able to drop Emily off with my mom so that we could have the afternoon to hike with Jacob and Megan! We started out at Devil's Ice Box but the cave was closed and the kids were disappointed so we decided to try another cave at Three Creeks.

We had an amazing time going down the wrong path and finding our way along the huge hill and creeks. We didn't end up finding the cave but we have a better idea where to go next time! (The map was located at the head of a trail...we assumed it was the main trail...3 hours later it definitely wasn't the main one!) The kids were rock stars and went with the flow the whole time. Both hiked the entire time and are asking when we can go back! And Megan was certain she could smell the cave!

Enjoying time together looking over the frozen creek at Devil''s Ice Box!

Close up of the three of us!

Another group shot!

Michael and Megan exploring the frozen creek!

Everyone had fun balancing on the tree!

Michael posing with the kids mid-way down the hill!

I like this shot with the rocks in the air! We had fun throwing all kinds of rocks and sticks trying to break the ice!

Look at all the rocks on top of the creek!

We navigated all over the place going where we probably weren't supposed to go!

Games, Movies and Fun!

Emily wasn't happy with something we said so she started pouting...super cute!

Megan's cousin Jessi came over to stay the night and all of the girls had fun with popcorn and a movie! Emily was right in the middle of all the fun!

Emily loves all things Jacob so of course she wanted to dress up as batman. Then Jacob and I had a disagreement about the existence of bat girl. He still doesn't believe me!

And here comes Just Dance! The kids are all loving our new wii games Just Dance 3 and Just Dance Disney. Emily gets in on the action too! Megan wasn't too sure but has embraced it and loves to play. Jacob gives up after a little bit but really loves holding the wii remote! I love it because it's fun exercise for everyone!

Emily is a puzzle master! She needs a little help but loves to take apart 4-6 pieces of a puzzle and put them together again. She also likes to put the pieces together if we hand her the one that connects with the piece she has down. We are in trouble with this one!

More puzzle determination! And let me tell you we have puzzles everywhere now!

Emily absolutely loves popcorn (or co-corn as she calls it). She enjoys everything about it, watching it pop, eating it, carrying around her big cup, and I think saying the word! Just tonight I mentioned watching a movie this weekend and she started loudly repeating co-corn over and over, then pouted a little when she realized we weren't going to pop popcorn tonight!

This picture was taken after the long day hiking! They were loving the popcorn and Beethoven movie!

Random Christmas break pics!

Emily getting a special ride in Daddy's basket of winter clothes!

All three poodle dogs snuggle up to stay warm!

Love this picture! Jacob must have finally given up the fight but he landed in a hilarious position! It took us forever to wake him up to go outside to play in the snow!

Dad and Susie with Megan and Jacob. We are horrible about snapping pictures but I'm glad we at least got this one!

All three kiddos were playing cooperatively so I snapped the picture as evidence to remind myself that it really does happen!

Puzzle mania!

Yea! Megan completed all three puzzles that go together to make a bigger puzzle!

Snow fun!!!!

We had a great snow during Christmas break with Dad and Susie here! The kids enjoyed sledding and we are looking forward to sledding the next snow too!

Our sled run started out with the little hill you see...then as the snow was packed down the sled run continued across our yard and then down the neighbors big hill! Here are Jacob and Michael enjoying a ride!

Shoney absolutely loves the snow! She was hilarious when she'd lose her ball in the snow, sniff it out and find it, then get a mouth/nose full of snow getting the ball!

Megan turned into a sledding queen! She went from wanting to go down on our lap to going down a little bit to steering and making the whole sled run as far as she could before putting her feet down (to avoid the creek!)

Emily also enjoyed sledding! The first day she went down the little hill with no problems...the second day we didn't realize how slick the snow had gotten, pushed her down the little hill like before but this time she kept going and going...heading straight for the wood pile but somehow turned her sled perfectly to avoid it and stop!

Shoney got into the action too! Jon, Laura and another friend with her children came over to sled and we had a blast!

My crazy dad enjoyed trying all kinds of sleds (barrel, swimming pool, rocking horse, and more!). This is the before picture of the barrel!

This is the after picture! Unfortunately for the barrel it gave out and landed dad in the snow! Unfortunately the rocking horse picture/video didn't take because that one was hilarious as well!

Christmas Continued!

Mom and the kids at the Patterson Christmas celebration! We all had a great time and I loved hanging out with family!

Megan loves Emily's ladybug present! They've enjoyed pulling each other around on the floors!

Emily let Pop-Pop walk her back to the house after playing in the yard! Cute picture!

Uncle Jon and aunt Laura came over to play games and the kids talked him into setting up the mario kart race track!

I'm in your seat and don't I look cute!

Cute together time! The kids enjoyed exploring the creek and old snow shown behind the pair!

Emily definitely got the hang of opening presents and loved it!

This one cracks me up! The boys wanted to drink beer but it was super cold outside so their solution was to find a pair of gloves...well apparently only one pair could be found at the time so they figured out how to share!

Why is it the kids love to climb into their toys? Emily thought she was hot to trot climbing into her babys' bed!

I love this picture! Each kiddo has a unique expression of wonder on their face! Thanks again for the popcorn maker...it has had extensive use!

Emily was digging for a present! Great grandma is in the background!

Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning was magical! The kids are at a special age and we loved every minute of Christmas!

Emily didn't need any help ripping through her presents. She kept up with the other two with no problems!

Jacob showing off his 10 pack of super heros!

Ahhh, the before picture! This is what the kids woke up to Christmas morning! 

After opening the presents under the tree they remembered to look over at the stockings!

A castle!

Where is Megan? I can barely find her among her crazy mess of presents and wrapping paper!

Another action shot!

Megan declared this the "best Christmas ever!" She loved getting two leopard geckos delivered by Santa even after he told her at a Christmas function that they were hard to come by!

The kids are loving the game "Hisss."

Another cute Megan picture!