I love posting with pictures but this time it's just a story. Last Friday, because of school being cancelled before Christmas vacation, the school did their holiday parties and this Polar Express celebration. It was a 'wear your pj's to school' day. Sydney was all excited but Paden was a little apprehensive. I made sure that all was ready for the next morning so that the morning routine would be smooth. I got Paden's pjs out and showed him and told him what was to happen. He then told me that 'one time I wore my shirt backwards to school and the other kids didn't'. Poor boy. In his own way he told me that he didn't want to wear his pjs because he wasn't sure that others would and didn't want to be the only one. He did wear his pjs and went to school and when I checked on him before school was out he was having a great time. Kids say the darnest things!

Happy 7th Birthday Paden!

We let Paden open a birthday present early, well, just a few hours before his party. He was so excited to get Lego Batman!

We envited lots of kids to come to Paden's party but the weather was a bit of a challenge.

We had lots of fun playing pin the nose on Rudalph and decorating sugar cookies. I made cupcakes into ornaments (very cute). Overall, it was a good party dispite the weather.

White Christmas, indeed!

Sunday night December 14th
The snow started Sunday night. Lots was predicted and school was delayed 2 hrs on Monday.

Wednesday December 17th
School was delayed 2 hrs Mon, Tues, & Wed. The city of The Dalles doesn't plow all the streets, just a few of the main ones. Watch the accumulation on the well.


Thursday December 18th
School was cancelled and Sydney played in the snow all day.


Friday December 19th
School was again canelled. Christmas vacation was to begin early. Again, Sydney played all day in the snow. We have a great hill behind our house, in the cherry orchard. I will post pictures of the sledding activities later.


Saturday December 20th
Church was delayed 2 hrs and it was only sacrament. It snowed off and on for the last few days. It's predicted 4 more inches tonight (Dec 23). We will have a white Christmas after all. Sydney has had fun in the snow. She has learned how to snowboard down our hill and wants a snowboard. Too bad all the stores that carry one (an inexpensive one) are sold out. Maybe next year. Good thing the boys here are willing to share.

So, one night at the dinner table, Eldon started singing a song. We have heard this song by the other kids. But we didn't know that there was a 'chorus'. We were all laughing hard as Eldon sings it so well. Hope you enjoy!

Halloween!

Jedi Knights

The boys wanted to be Jedi knights for Halloween. So, I made them jedi costumes, capes and all. I think that they look really cute. Eldon has been wearing his for the last couple of days. I'm sure that the bottom of his cape is filthy.
Sydney was Hermione Granger. She even went to bed with curlers and braids. She went out to the yard and found a wand. A friend and I took our kids to the downtown trick or treat where the shops on the main streets hand out candy. Kids got a lot of loot. We then grabbed something to each then went to the church Halloween party with games. Afterwards, we went to the neighborhood near our house and did more trick or treating. I thought that with Halloween on Friday people would be out later but by 9pm the streets were looking pretty bare. So, we called it a night and went home to count our stash. The kids had fun and have be wired on candy for days now. It's almost gone!

Paden

I recently found this picture of Paden. Isn't it precious! This is my son! Calm and cautious. Eldon would be trying to get into the water but not Paden. He has to test it out, see what it does. He is calm and quiet and a really good boy!
My dad did a tax return for a lady who takes pictures. In return for the work done, this lady said that she would take pictures. My kids were just candid as they weren't to get theirs done at this time. There turned out to be some good ones. I especially like this one of Paden (of course, that's why I am posting it!)

Hurray!!!
'Wal-Mart filed an application Friday with The Dalles planning office for a 149,000 square foot Wal-Mart Supercenter store in The Dalles.' This was on the front page of The Dalles Chronicle today Monday October 20th. For those of you who have heard my complaints about The Dalles, having this Walmart Superstore would be such a great benefit. Hopefully, it would drive local food prices down and give some compitition the the other stores here. I would love for a Target to come in. Then I would be happy. Portland is close enough that I could do clothing shopping whenever I was there. Having this Walmart would also help out economy here. The added jobs are a great thing also.