Candy Candy Candy!!

Tis the season to eat CANDY!!!!

And we wouldn't want to dishonor any of these important traditions.....

Colin at pre-school making a "gingerbread" candy house.

The parents got to come in and spend and hour helping their child build and decorate their houses. Someone had the brilliant idea to use an empty milk carton as the frame for the house. All we had to do was apply frosting to the sides and stick our graham crackers on. What an easy way for the little kids to create a sturdy structure.

Our finished project!

Kelley and the kids with their Candy Train.

It is a Starker family tradition to make these trains for the holidays. This year both kids got to help with the construction and decortaing of Kelley's train. We have both masterpieces on display in our kitchen at the moment. If that isn't enough to make you crave sugar I don't know what is!! That's what New Year's resolutions are for- right?!

The kids have been elfed!!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1573001458

Storybook Land and a visit with Santa

Our annual trip to Storybook Land to see Santa and "tell him what we want so that he can bring the right stuff on Christmas Day". Colin remembers the drill from last year and Janessa is in disbelief that Santa is not at the North Pole and she will really get to see him.

Janessa looking at the Cinderella story display.

Colin liked jumping on the X to make the Grinch leap into the air.

Looking at the model train with Grandpa Ron.

Colin's turn to sit on Santa's lap. He asked for a Star Wars dart blaster gun that transforms into a light saber, a black Jeep, and a pink Jeep for his sister Janessa. He got double bonus points for asking for something for his sister during his turn with Santa!

We kept coaching Janessa while we waited in line about what to say to Santa when it was her turn. When the moment arrived all she wanted was the candy cane! She would not say another word but at the same time she did not cry or scream about being left on Santa's lap.

All five of us!! Bundled for the cold and enjoying being together.

Janessa's gets an A+ for bike safety

We are just getting back from our christmas tree hunt and on her way thru the garage Janessa spots her bike helmet and pads. Which she then insists on wearing immediately. Never mind that its maybe 40 degrees outside and her bike is locked in the shed and she can barely reach the pedals.... I am busy feeding Eliana so she enlists her brothers help in getting her gear on. They were so serious about their mission that we had to snap a few pictures. It's a rare moment these days that they can see eye to eye and work together to accomplish anything other than giving me gray hairs!!

Did you know that elbow pads should be worn on your forearm or wrist?

Strike a pose.

Then chin strap is too tight...

How much do you want to bet that when bike riding weather is back she will refuse to put on any of her safety gear so that she can ride her big bike?!?!?!?

Decorating the Christmas tree

The kids were so excited after getting the tree that they wanted to decorate it right away. Needless to say, I didn't have the ornaments ready and things like meals and naps took too much time to complete so we had to wait one whole day before the tree could be decorated- you would have thought that the end of the world had come to the Smith's house!

Finally, I am ready to hand out the ornaments and the battles ensue. She got a bigger one then me, I wanted to hang that one up.... not exactly the Christmas spirit.

After a lengthy conversation we were able to peacefully decorate the tree. I let them place all of the ornaments wherever they chose so only the bottom few feet of the tree were dressed. When no one was looking I spread a few out- just couldn't quite let it be.

Colin & Janessa

Very proud of themselves!

I found these silver jingle bells at the Dollar Tree and Colin decided to make them into his own Christmas tree. Then insisted that I take a picture of his magnificent creation!!

Papa's idea of fun with jingle bells. Brand new shiny eyeballs!!

Christmas tree hunting

Colin & Papa cutting down the tree.

Janessa holding the "golden ticket".

Looking at the wedge of tree trunk from our tree. Very exciting!!

Mommy and the girls all bundled up waiting for the wagon to come back.

A collection of pictures from Eliana's first week

Happy Birthday Eliana!

A tired but happy Mommy & Papa

All bundled up- it's her absolute favorite way to be!

Kaden came to visit at the hospital

Grandma Vicki and the girls

Janessa holding baby sissy

Colin and Eliana

He took a copy of this photo to school so he could show everyone there that his sister had come. He was soooo proud!

Great Grandma Betty comes for a visit

We have had many other visitors thru the week, I just haven't had the energy to chase down the camera! So far Eliana is the ideal baby- sleeps all the time, eats great and only cries when she needs a diaper change. We'll see how long it lasts!!

Eliana Rose has arrived!

We are the proud parents of another baby girl. Eliana was born on Dec 3rd at 3:41pm. She weighed 7lbs. 6oz and was 19" long. She has a headfull of blonde hair and is absolutely perfect! Stay tuned for pictures.....

A tea party for two

Janessa has had this tea set since she was born. Lately all she wants to do at Grandma Trisha's house is play with the set that is over there. Finally I came across our set and we decided to have our own party since the boys had left us to go hunting.

The dilema arises when you have to come up with some food to fit on those tiny plates. We settled on a regular bowl with animal crackers and a package of Smarties that would fit in the sugar bowl and onto the plates. A baby spoon was used to stir our tea and we were all set to have a wonderful party.

After a little practice she learned to hold the lid on the teapot when pouring.

It's hard to stir the actual teapot but it was attempted many times.

"Here's your tea Mommy"

"Absolutely delicious Janessa. Thank you!"

Happy Turkey Day

This year was spent at Great Grandma Purvis' house. We got the kids ready in their party clothes and were off to visit with the family.

Janessa & Colin

Dressed to impress but still impossible to get a great picture of both of them!

Janessa cuddled up with Auntie Kelley and Uncle Michael.

She spent most of the afternoon ordering her uncle to meet her every whim- not that he protested much!

Colin played a couple of intense games of "Go Fish".

Janessa all stuffed from her feast. Crashed out on GG's bed while the rest of kept feeding our faces and visiting. We had a great time seeing everyone and are truly thankful for our all of our many blessings!

A pre-school Thanksgiving Feast

Colin's pre-school put on a Thanksgiving feast and the kids got to choose to be an indian or a pilgrim. At first the decision was a tough one for Colin. Finally at the mention of the indians shooting bow and arrows he was sold. They made their own headbands and a necklace out of pasta and beans, which he refused to wear. The families were invited to come early and witness the feast and some special songs and poems the kids had memorized.

Not a willing model to say the least!

Sharing his feast with his sissy.

The sun is out!

Janessa spotted the sun and in a very excited voice asked to talk a walk outside! We seized the moment and got our warm gear on. Just a quick loop thru the park and back home. Not minutes after we were enjoying our hot chocolate and the rain came down.

Aquarium Adventure

For Colin's birthday our friends Heather and Kaden gave him the choice of adventures. He could choose to go to the Aquarium, the Zoo, or the Children's Museum. He chose the Oregon Coast Aquarium. We finally found a day to go and it happened to be a very wet and windy day at the coast. We braved gusting winds, a downed tree, and car sickness to go on our adventure. It was worth all of it in the end. We had a great time!!

The mighty warriors suited up for sideways rain and blustery wind.

Inside the lobby waiting for the adventure to begin.

Kaden and Janessa climbing on the back of a wooden walrus.

Colin's first ride on the back of his favorite aquatic animal.

Measuring up to a life size painting of a Japanese King Crab. The sign said they live for 100 years and can grow up to 13 feet. How would you like to meet one of them face to face. YIKES!

Janessa is a small fry compared to this big crab.

Climbing on a coral reef where the crabs would be at home.

Doing the crab dance.

At the tide pool exhibit. We were looking at a small purple shelled crab that one of the staff members was holding.

Kaden was brave and got to hold it in his hand for a minute.

Colin liked touching the star fish. I think his favorite one was a orange and black striped sun star that had 10 legs. Beaver colors- of course!

This big star fish was on the glass so we got to see up close it's sticky feet.

In the halibut flats tunnel there were two divers cleaning the glass.

Look closely behind Heather's shoulder and you can see his reflective patches.

Kaden was sleeping with the fishes!

Wow- big shark teeth!

Overall we had a fun day. Top it off with lunch at Mo's and who could ask for more!!