In Virginia

We made a LOT of spritz cookies.  The kids hung in there decorating.....

Claire and Brody were playing fabric doll dress up.

Claire & Brody had their own cameras and took a LOT of pics.  A lot of selfies!  Cute one!

More new photographer shots!  This one of the adults.

It snowed in Virginia!  The kids had so much fun playing in it together!  Wet & sloppy!

Puzzles seem to be a new fascination for all the kids.

Cool shot of Brody by the Big Roanoke Star!

Cool shot of Claire by the Big Roanoke Star!

Maverick gets in on the action, let's get comfy!

Omi reads Christmas books to the kids before bedtime.

Tray after tray after tray of spritz!

Great thinkers...

Great readers...

 Papa measured the kids.  I don't think we noted the results, though!

Trip to Virginia to Visit the Park Family

Papa, Omi and Claire headed to Virginia on November 25.  We drove all day and got there at bedtime.
Claire was a real trooper on the drive, talked our ears off, snacked and did projects.  Not much napping!

The boys were SO happy to see her.  They had a wonderful vacation together.

Bethanie and Maverick search for the perfect real Christmas tree.

This is "the one".  We hauled it home on the top of the car.

Maverick helped Papa put together the tree stand.

We got to watch Brody practice and play hockey. 

 

 Unbelievable strength and stamina.  He loves it.  Daddy is a coach, so gets to be on the ice with him.

 

 Omi & Papa with hockey Brody.  We will repost when he's famous.  Claire & her hockey buddy.

Papa helped with the gingerbread house.

Omi helped too.  It turned out to be a real beauty!

 The Park Family Christmas card, 2014.  Maverick 2 1/2, Broden 4 3/4.

In December

Mara loves projects.  Especially tiny stickers.  And taking the paper backing to the garbage.

Let's be honest.  Max and Mara fall a lot and get hurt.  We have three ice packs on constant alert in our freezers.  Thought I'd post one of Max's recent spills off the chair.  Two teeth broke the skin on his lip.  I actually think taking the photo to send his parents made him feel better!

Mara, future rock star.

Mara talked Papa into helping with the large ornament project.  I'm kind of obsessed lately with making things from paper plates.

Our Advent (getting ready for Christmas)

Max and Mara are all dressed up in their aprons, ready to bake!

Cutting out gingerbread men.  Max loves eating gingerbread men!

Decorating gingerbread men.  Mara enjoys eating their eyes and buttons off.

All dressed up in holiday colors.

Expert spritz decorators!

Claire got in on the Almond Caramel Delight before school one morning.