Family Photos

Christmas 2008

We have had a great December. It has been so nice having Chad home with us, I am trying not to get use to it, but it is sure easy to do! I have been spoiled with laundry and chores done and dinner on the table when I get home. I am so very lucky to have such a wonderful man!

We have had all kinds of fun. We have been doing family movie nights and also playing lots of board games with the girls. Talk about good quality time and everyone enjoys themselves. What more could you ask for?

We have had a relaxing and wonderful holiday season thus far. Earlier this week we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. We made a stop at the "Disney House" (a friends house, her dad who dresses like Santa every year and hands out goodies to the children). So the girls saw Santa (his helper) and took their picture with Jasmine and Airel. It was very cute.

Christmas Eve was great. We were lucky enough to spend it with our very good friends the Ashton's. Crystal made a delicious Mexican dinner of flautas, shredded beef, rice and all the condiments to go along with it. Yum! We exchanged gifts and headed home to wait for Santa. When we got home we quickly sprinkled our Magic Reindeer Food (made of oats and glitter) outside so Santa would be sure to see our house then hurried to bed.

Christmas day was SO much fun. It was so relaxing we took our time opening all the gifts and played in between. Riley is quite the expert at tearing throught the gifts very quickly and Madeline was more interested in the chocolate she found in her stocking than her gifts! Santa was very good to us and we are thankful for all who had us in their thoughts!

Today has been just as good. Relaxing and full of lots of new things to play with. I have so many photos to post so I hope you all enjoy!

I am a slacker ...

So I have been slacking. I know it sounds cliche, but we have been keeping rather busy at the Hamel house. Thanksgiving was nice and relaxing. We managed to stay in our p.j.'s all day long. We showered mid-day and just put on a clean pair! Dinner was delicious, we had a traditional feast with all the fixing's. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans and a pumpkin pie that Riley made in pre-school. It was fabulous. Friday we made a turkey with chipoltle chilis and spices with black beans and sopa (Spanish rice), and of course Sunday we had turkey soup .... the girls loved it!

It was nice having Chad home for the week and we hung out and got some spring...well ok not spring cleaning done but winter cleaning if you will. Closets, toy box etc.... Thursday we picked Madeline up from school and went past Idaho City to pick out a Christmas tree. Again, we had a great time. The girls had fun playing in a couple inches of snow! We also ran into a Forest Ranger who told us to be carfeul because he saw some wolf tracks. Cool! Lots of wildlife here in ID. We have our tree and tonight we will decorate it followed by family movie night, Kung-Fu Panda and popcorn!

Today we had a great day at the zoo Claw's and Paws followed by some time at the park. I have a funny video clip to add if I can figure out how. But for now I will post some photos. Better hurry time to decorate!

Riley is a comedian

Ok real quick since I am not feeling all so great ..... This past Sunday I decided to have a little get together for some of my friends at our clubhouse. There were 10 of us ladies who each brought a craft to work on and a snack to share. Needless to say we had a great time. So anyhow, I wake up Monday morning with no voice (laryngitis and a cough). Riley wants to know what happened to my voice and asks if one of my friends from the party took it. I chuckle and tell her no, in which she replies "Well then maybe you should quit talking to your friends so much!" Gotta love her.

Riley and Madline News

Well we have had a couple of exciting things happen this week. For starters on Wednesday Madeline started sleeping in her "big girl bed". Which is a twin that we bought a week ago. There were no issues what so ever! She was very very excited about being able to have a bed like her big sis Riley, and was excited to climb in come bed time. She told me numerous times that "Daddy made it", which in a way I guess he did, he brought it up stairs and put the bedding on. Thanks Chad!

Thursday I had to take Riley to the Dr. for her 5 year well visit and shots. The doctor said she was a very bright and healthy girl. She weighs 34 lbs. and is 40 inches tall. They also tested her hearing and vision which she passed with flying colors.

Riley took a digger on her bike and bumped her head (she was NOT wearing her helmet) which she claims is to small. I think a ploy to get me to buy the Disney Princess one she wanted (it worked). So needless to say she ended up with a large bump on her head. I took a photo but TRUST ME, it looks worse in the picture so no worries!

Lastly, Chad and I watched my friends three children last night. They are super easy going good kids so it is no chore. Here are a couple of photos to prove it! Conner is a teddy bear and Sadie is just a happy baby. Thanks Crystal for sharing her with me.

Monday ....

I thought I should check in....it has already been a week since I have written. I am still playing with this trying to figure out how to maneuver the pictures, etc. We have been doing well. Friday Riley had a field trip to the Meridian Fire Station. We were there about 15 minutes before they received a call and had to go out. Hopefully we will get to go back again, it was interesting. Riley and Madeline had a Birthday party on Saturday at an indoor play gym called Rafiki. It was very cute, and they had lots to do there. Of course the girls had a blast. Dad took off to run errands and I chatted with the other moms. Other than that our weekend was pretty uneventful. Today we painted and read books, Riley rode her bike and took a digger. So now it is time for the girls to watch a movie and I need to cook dinner!

Happy Anniversary

So the blog is still looking pretty plain. I am going over my friend's house on Tuesday and I will see if she can help me out! On to the news .... The four of us went to Disney on Ice last night and had a great time. The girls had their eyes glued to the characters the entire time. Madeline especially got a kick out of the Princesses shouting at each of them that they did a good job! Very cute. Riley was super excited to watch the fireworks they had at the end of the show and asked a bunch of questions about the staging and production side of things. Chad and I also enjoyed ourselves. Nothing like seeing your children so happy. Today is our 3 year anniversary, it has gone by so quickly. I feel very lucky to have found myself such a wonderful man. Thank you Chad for making my world a special place. I love you!

Chad said it was only a matter of time ....

So I have be inspired by all of our family and friends who have created blogs! I thought it would be especially nice for my in laws (Mike and Denise) to be able to keep track of our day to day activities. I may be getting myself in over my head but hey ... it should be fun! Chad has promised to help me keep this updated, now if only Riley knew how to type! This will be a work in progress since I have NO idea what I am doing ....

Thank you all for giving me such a wonderful Birthday and thinking of me! I love you!