Christmas Roundup

We spent Christmas Eve day down at the farm sledding and snowmobiling. It was my first (as well as the kids') white Christmas and we made full use of it.

The guys would give kids rides back to the top of the hill, and as you can see it's always safety first w/ the spangler's.

Uncle Michael made a "ramp" for the boys to sled over. I actually went down w/ my niece and we accidentally went right over it. The baby didn't seem to mind.

The boys said they were "surviving".

The siblings.

We spent the evening w/ Den's parents and siblings and all the kids.

Christmas Pj's on Christmas Eve at home.

Christmas morning, reading the account of Christ's birth.

We stayed home all day, which was wonderful.

That night we went to his Aunt Lois'. J and den's cousin Bill.

The following Sunday we got together w/ Den's mom's side. Here are the girls w/ their dolls in matching dresses, from mom mom.

Den and uncle Dave looking spiffy.

IT's A.......

Christmas Past

Don't be jealous about my feathered look.

Love looking back, and I look forward to making new memories with my own kids(and better hair choices).

Much Love and Merry Christmas!

December Happenings

Besides getting ready for Christmas there have been a few other goings ons...


Like E losing her first tooth! May I say finally? She has had her bottom new teeth in for so long and we have just been waiting for the baby teeth to fall out. She was quite excited and we talked about putting it under her pillow and the tooth fairy. She asked if she was real. I decided to be consistent (since we've nixed the reality of santa, though thanks to her teacher she refuses to believe that he's not real) and say that the tooth fairy was just something fun we pretend. This would have been enough for her brother. However she then wanted to know who took her tooth in exchange for the money. I told her it was a secret. I wanted to keep some fun mystery going. Alas she would not let it go. Finally (and this is an hour later when I'm tucking her in) I tell her that perhaps I'm the tooth fairy. Her response, "no you're not." I can't win. BUT, at 4am I wake up to this face looking at mine, "mommy, i found money."



Last Friday was gingerbread house day in her school. She was mostly concerned with eating it rather than the design element. (there was also singing, see below for video)



It was my niece Ella's birthday celebration on Sunday and I made her this box. I love it. My E does not because it's black. She did approve of the jewelry that I put in it as did the birthday girl.


V became quite adept at saying the word "cake" with a smile, over and over.

Our first big snow!

They were so excited.

They love coming in for the hot chocolate.

It's not my favorite thing, but I can't deny it's beauty.

Today we had cousin's over. J was in a happy place.

We made ornaments. (thanks peggy!)

And tonight we celebrated the main man Dennis in our house. Happy Birthday love!

Just For Fun

Now that we are on final countdown.....

Christmas Play

Yes. These are two of the cutest sheep you've ever seen. This little guy next to E was very proud and would ask "did I sing awesome?" He did. E did too. All the kids did such a great job this morning. I was glowing. I meant to take more pics after it was over but forgot and let them get out of their costumes. Ah well. Scroll down for a couple videos. One of J's solo and the other is from yesterday's dress rehersal.

It's that time of year! Our tree has been up a couple of weeks and we are in Christmas mode.

J had his first cello concert last Wed. night. He was in the first number, and he was front and center on stage. You'll see the picture of him standing next to the teacher, and there couldn't have been a better place for him. We could tell that he was loving it. There are two videos to capture it, but only a couple people are obligated to watch and they know who they are. :)

He was most happy about his cousin Ethan coming. The rest of us were chopped liver.

We had play practice today. Hope to get some more pics tomorrow! Again, J is center stage, movin' and groovin', and E is 2 to the right from him.

Today we let J set up his train that grandpa got him a couple years ago. We put it up the years we stay here for Christmas.

Also spent the afternoon decorating cookies, with help of course. Most of these we will give away as neighbor gifts. I need to make other treats first.

Post T Day

It seems like Thanksgiving was forever ago, but really only a week has past . Here are some captured moments from our festivites.


E's class at school had a "feast" of cereal.


V had a snack there too.


Waiting for everyone else to get to mom mom's house. We were the first ones there.


Annual cheeseball turkey. (yes, it's my own creation)


Forcing her into a pic w/ me.


yum


Some of our favorite people made these pilgrim hats out of marshmallows and cookies. Huge hit w/ the kids.