Sledding into the new year

With our 3rd snow fall in the past week, we have been blessed with more of the white stuff this week than we had all of last winter in Columbus.  This afternoon the kids took advantage of the snow...and dad coming home early from work to build them a sledding hill off the deck. 

Cheese!

Before we had even finished unpacking the van today from our trip to North Carolina for the weekend (future blog post) Cassidy had immediately come in to the house and pulled her second loose tooth in less than two weeks.  So while she missed Christmas by a week...all she wants for New Year's is her two front teeth!

Missing our mischievous Elf

With the joy of Christmas day and all that it brings, it also saw the departure of our elf for the year.  The kids loved looking for him every morning to see where he landed upon his nightly return from reporting to the North Pole.  Our new house proved to have many interesting places for him to "Hang Out" as well as some places to get into some mischief.  He also left us with green milk for the 2nd year in a row.  The kids still wonder if he is putting our green M and Ms into the milk to turn it green.  Another one of Elfie's mysteries.

 

Season's Setting

While decorating for the season is always enjoyable, it was especially thrilling to decorate in our new house this year. 

  

Sons

While visiting my friend's house last week, Carter enjoyed playing with the three boys.  Carter loved playing rough with the boys.  This shot is of my son on the shoulders of my Godson. 

One Score...

and no years ago, I graduated from The Ohio State University.  It is hard to believe it has been 20 years.  While this week has the unique date of 12-12-12 signifying completion in the discipline of numerology,  twenty years ago this week signified an even greater completion for me as I received my hard-earned degree.

BS

Local lights

Since moving to our new house we have been able to take advantage of our convenient location by walking to many events and we recently did so by walking to our local tree lighting ceremony. We not only saw the tree, but were able to go through an old caboose, a one room school house, and 120 year old church and log cabin as well as enjoy hot chocolate and cookies.  It was a neat event....so close to home.

Sitting up high in the Caboose

Not sure if this is Dasher or Dancer

 

Buckeyes Basketball

This past weekend we were able to take the kids to their first Ohio State men's basketball game thanks to some tickets from a friend.   The kids liked not only watching the game, but also liked the music and videos and cheerleaders and of course...Brutus!
They also loved riding on the bus from the parking lot.  And we all loved that the Buckeyes won the game!  GO BUCKS!

Seeing Santa

Yesterday was our annual Chinese group's Holiday Party with a special visit by the Big Man himself.  Carter and Cassidy were excited to see him and give their "wish lists" to him.  Carter told Santa what he wanted, while Cassidy made sure she not only told him, but gave him her list as well.  When asked if they were good this year, Cassidy said, "yes" and Carter replied, "I don't know."  Santa then asked them both if they ever fought and Cassidy said, "yes", to which he replied that he was glad that she was honest.  See Santa is always a great experience!

After talking with him Cassidy went back to give him a coloring sheet she did of him.  She had our friendly elf, "Theresa" help us get back to give him the sheet. 

Buckeyes

Our little Buckeyes were planting buckeye nuts to see if we get our own buckeye tree eventually.  Hopefully it will work.  We all know how Nuts we all are for our Buckeyes!

Handy "Little" Man

Last week Carter wanted to help Dad and Grandpa with a little plumbing as we replaced 3 faucets.  His stature and small hands proved helpful in reaching some of the bolts as he got into his work.

Out of this world birthday

Cassidy wanted her birthday party to be Star Wars themed...following her dressing as Princess Leia for Halloween.  After getting the space themed cake from our favorite bakery, we added a few details to make it a truly "out of this world" Star Wars cake. 

The cake was delivered by Darth Daddy

Cass is ready to do some baking of her own

Super Seventh

Today is Cassidy's 7th birthday and we started the day with cinnamon rolls with a candle.  We ended the day eating at one of her favorite restaurants and then home to open some presents.  She loved the presents and getting to talk to many of her relatives who called to wish her a happy birthday.  It is hard to believe she is 7 years old.