A White Christmas?

This morning I headed out the door in a sweater and capri's - I knew it might be a little chilly, but still, this was not unusual "winter wear" for where I live. I was surprised to see a light snow falling, drifting gently from the clouds and immediately melting on the ground. It was the second time in a few days we had had these fine, tiny snowflakes. I didn't bother changing to go run my errands, I was sure that by the time I was done the snow would be gone and the sun would be warming the air.

By the time I was done and heading back to pick the twins up from preschool the snow was beginning to stick to the ground. Tim and Tab were ecstatic. Tim was dying to make a snowball. I told him to wait and see if the snow would build up on the grass, because if he tried to make one from the snow on the dirt it would be muddy. He stared out the window all afternoon. He wore his coat and had his gloves ready. He waited anxiously for some big kids to get home from school so they would play with him outside. (Tabs doesn't care much for the cold, much like her mother.) At last at four o'clock he coaxed three of his older siblings outside. There was enough snow on the ground to make this guy. We usually get and inch or snow here every year, but it is so little that it seems magical every time. Usually we get our snowfall in January. In the seven years we have lived here we have NEVER had snow BEFORE Christmas. Dare we hope to have our first "White Christmas" ever?

It is about time I updated on what has been going on this month! I have been very busy working on Halloween costumes. Three of the kids requested new ones this year, the other three are using costumes we already have. I have been in a sewing frenzy, trying to get the costumes done in time for the kids to wear to the ward party last Friday. Here are the results:

Charity as the Disney Fairy Rani
Gracie as a pioneer girl.
Tim as Peter Pan, without the green pants, I'm still working on those.

I'll post pictures of all the kids in their costumes after Halloween.
The ward party was our annual chili, salsa, and cookie cook-off, as well as carnival for the kids. Here Dad is helping Tab and Tim decorate cookies.
Speaking of decorating cookies, we also did our traditional Halloween cookie decorating at home.
Tim loves to help make the frosting.
Charity can't resist the treats!
Jeremy prefers his cookies frosting free.
The aftermath:
We ate a bunch of cookies, but also delivered plates to friends in the neighborhood.
Tonight Dad and Charity are off to the Daddy Daughter Halloween party for Activity Days. Of course they had to dress up.
George borrowed some threads from a Harley riding friend of ours, and a, um, bike from another friend to complete the look.
Last but not least on my list of things to do in October is to pull out the winter gear. It is a little cool in the mornings when the kids leave for school.
Tim loves his new out fittings.

Dirty Business

There is something about boys and dirt that are inseparable. Now that the weather has cooled off enough for the kids to be outdoors for more than a few minutes without incurring heat stroke, Tim has taken up residence in his favorite place. The sand box.
He is usually joined by one or more of his siblings, which is no problem as George built it big enough for all six kids to dig around in if they so choose.
Tim loves the tractors. Here he and Tabs have a whole parade of them going to the work site.
Often when the bigger kids are out there they will carve out lakes and rivers and fill them with water. They like to watch the water erode their castles and bridges, and have even been known to bury the hose inside a "volcano" and then turn it on and watch it erupt!

Just Plain Silly

Jacob grabbed the camera the other day. I had to post a couple of his photos, just to prove we don't take ourselves too seriously around here.

Gracie

Tabitha and Dad

Porkin' Out

That's right. It is officially pig week at our house. Somehow, without really planning it, we are eating the other white meat everyday. Ham is one of the foods that everyone in my family will eat. If I buy a big enough one I can get about three meals out of it. Usually I'll cook the ham and then freeze the leftovers to use later. Not this week.

When I went shopping for this week's food I had planned on buying some chicken that was on sale to break up the monotony of ham leftovers. When I got to the store they were down to the last two packages of chicken and they didn't look that fresh, so I skipped. But the big fat pork chops that were on sale looked great!

So here is our menu for the week:

Monday: Ham and Cheesy Potatoes
Tuesday: Breaded Pork Chops
Wednesday: Homemade Split Pea Soup made with the ham bone and leftover ham.
Thursday (tonight): Farmer's Casserole (Shredded hash browns, eggs, cheese, onions, and of course, ham)
Friday: Per Jeremy's request - Waffles and Bacon.

Perhaps we will pigs in a blanket (with pork hot dogs of course) on Saturday, just to round off the week. It's just like Thanksgiving, only with pork instead of turkey.

A New Talent

Four of my children take piano lessons. Two have sung in choirs. One has instruction on violin and xylophone. Four have had instruction on conga drums in school. But I never imagined one of my children would be musically talented this way. Welcome to Musical Gargling.

Another Answer to the Missing Sock Mystery. . .

It looks like the dryer is not the only place socks disappear. They also hitch hike. For instance, this one caught a free ride over three state lines and sliped through a washer and dryer at our expense. Apparently he was in a bad relationship because he left his significant other behind. I would be happy to return him to his home (if he will go willingly). If anyone wishes to claim this sock, or simply has it in their heart to provide a loving home for this freeloader, please contact me via my blog comments. Otherwise he may pair up with one of our lonely stockings whose partner has run out on them (not very committed creatures, are they?), or find a new purpose in life as a dust rag or puppet.