Update on Coop

I think Coop would agree that the last month has been quite fabulous for him!
He has learned new techniques for fixing his hair...peanut butter. Also, the other day he came in the kitchen showing me that he was brushing his hair, which was a wet. I thought, "how nice he is fixing his hair with water." Hum...what water?? Yes, I go in the bathroom to find the toilet open with his blanket dripping in potty water and him smiling next to me with WET HAIR!
Last Saturday we joined our friends, the Coxes for a fun afternoon of sledding. Cooper loved the fast rides with his daddy.
This is Coop's best friend, outside of his family. Abbey-Kate and Cooper are only three weeks apart and got to know each other really well this summer when Abbey lived with us. They can't get enough of each other and are so cute when they interact.
We took the kids bowling recently. Cooper not only loved rolling the heavy ball but also loved all the arcade machines.My brother, Matt and his wife Jessica gave the kids are really fun Christmas gift this year--a karaoke machine. Even Coop has enjoyed his spot in the world of stardom. Christmas Eve the kids had five minutes to find a makeshift custom for their assigned part in the Luke II story. Cooper didn't really relish his time as baby Jesus.
Most Friday nights we either have Family Game Night or Family Pizza/Movie Night. This last week was game night. Cooper loves being part of the game no matter how hard we try to make it difficult for him to be part of the game--know what I mean?
Several months ago a family from church gave us their piano. The kids have really enjoyed learning some songs. Cooper and Nate love to have full custody of the piano while the other kids are gone at school.

A Breath of Heaven

This is a gorgeous rendition of Amy Grant's song "Breath of Heaven" put to a short video made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was excited to find this; it was prepared by Kerrianne Burch.

Drug Problems

Vote for best kid's nativity

Last week wrapped up our big Nativity and Christmas Musical event that I was involved in. Since I have been thinking "nativity" for several months now I have been keeping my eyes out for good kids sets; ones that they can play with and you don't have to get all nervous.

Two years ago my mom gave the kids the Little People Nativity Set (runs about $25). I would HIGHLY recommend adding it to your collection. The one below is the deluxe version--we don't have that one. Ours did not come with the lighted star, palm tree, donkey pulling the cart, or the hay troff but it has everything else.

This year I ran into a GREAT set at Target (it was just in the toys section with the other Playmobil stuff). It is the Playmobil Nativity Set (runs about $17). Last night we opened the box and read the book that comes with it. It takes you through the nativity story and has you put together the pieces (ie. the robe for Joseph, the turban for the wiseman, the saddle for the donkey, etc...). The kids seem to have LOVED each minute putting it together. I was laying on the couch while Birch reading the book and I ended up following asleep, opps. So it was a great evening for everyone : )

• Celebrate the Christmas season with this Nativity Set
• Includes the 3 Wise Kings

See Features and Additional Info for more details.

• You may return this item to any Target store.
• Catalog # : 10563664 ASIN: B000P3K3FO DPCI: 242-05-1205
• Item can be gift wrapped.
• Imported

• Holiday Shipping Info
• Shipping & Delivery Information
• Estimated Ship Dimensions : 13.75 inches length x 9.75 inches width x 3 inches height
• Estimated Ship weight: 1.00 pound

Anyway, so those are my recommendations. I think for kids under two the Little People set is ideal because it doesn't have any small pieces. But for anyone older kids the Playmobil set is awesome. It has lots of pieces to put together and play with. Merry Christmas!

Sledding Fun

As I am sitting her downing a bag of Costco Sugar Snap Peas reading others blogs I was thinking that maybe I should post a couple of more pictures of the kids from last weekend. Our snow is pretty much all gone now and replaced with mud; certainly not as fun to play in. Birch has been busy with dress rehearsals and now actually preforming for the Nativity Exhibit and Christmas program. We haven't gotten to see him yet but I am planning on taking the kids to see the matinée performance tomorrow morning. Tonight the kids and I will lay low and watch a new Christmas movie that I got today.

So here are some fun pictures from last weekend:Alex
Nate-the true sledding die-hard!
Nate-I know this isn't a great shot but I wanted to share the jump that the boys made. Nate loved getting air.Alex taking Coop on his first sled ride.
Tyler
Cute Coop (note: since mommy hides inside during the cold weather this was Coop's first time experiencing the snow. He loved having Daddy home so he could experience what it was like.)

Just can't keep this to myself

I just got a call from my little brother Seth announcing that Thomas Thales Sherry was born this morning. I'm so excited for them!!!!! I'm not sure Tommy T. could be any cuter. Check out that fuzzy black hair--LOVE IT!! I can't wait to hold him. Doesn't Caroline look terrific after a loooooong grueling labor?!!! They are going to be such wonderful parents.

Tommy T. was 7 pounds 13 oz and 20" long

Winter Wonderland

The kids have been begging to decorate for Christmas since we put away our Halloween decorations. Sunday and Monday evening we pulled out the Christmas music and enjoyed the evenings decorating.

This picture isn't that great but I thought it was cute to show how all the kids relish this time of year.Following my parent's tradition we give our kids an ornament every year. This year (actually I always buy them at the previous year's clearance sale) I knew we were going to go to New Hampshire. These ornaments were just perfect to remember our family fun that we had at Rockywold-Deephaven Camps. When Alysee opened hers she yelled "Oh yeah, a life jacket for my Barbie!"
Coop loves taking the ornaments on and off of the tree. Sounds like a normal eighteen month old.
Yesterday we woke up to six inches of snow. The kids were up at 5 am begging to go sledding. By the time school started (it was delayed two hours) they had already put in about three hours of sledding and making this great snowman.
I ventured out ONCE to take this picture. I am a Hawaii girl--not a snow girl. Birch will have to be the one to get the shots of the kids sledding.
Snow AngelsIf you look closely at Alex's mouth you can see what he wants for Christmas this year--his TWO FRONT TEETH (plus a couple on the bottom too).