"Mom! Why do you insist on making me FAT to go outside? I can barely move. Do you think this is funny?"   -Addi

Come out and play with me!

Today we got it right and played outside before lunch, and then the kids were worn out and ready to eat and relax.

We made a snow slide and Kaden was having a wonderful time, that is until he put his head in a snow bank. 

Then it was Game Over!

He was ready to go inside after that.

Kaden ate lunch and went straight to bed and Addi enjoyed playing with this cool new projector. 

Baby It's Cold Outside

We woke up to ten inches of new snow. I rolled out of bed and hustled outside to dig out the car so Tony would make it to work on time. After an hour of shoveling, and after I lost a visual on Kaden I decided to head back inside to entertain the kids.

Kaden was running through the house like a mad man, so it was time for an activity. 

Lego time!

Big sister joins in the fun.

 Addi took a break from playing to get to "work" on her fashion line :o)

Kaden lost interest after his sister abandoned the legos, and finds a truck.

Oh no, here comes a meltdown! 

Time for another activity! We need a bigger play room for our Little People collection.

Kaden discovered his new favorite show, Kipper the Dog. 

And he couldn't stop laughing through the whole show.

So this is our snow day, so far! After lunch I think we shall venture out in the snow and see if we can't wear them out and help encourage a nice long winters nap this afternoon! I know I need one. 

Tony's Mom and her husband Henry came for a visit on Christmas. We were all excited to see them. They came bearing gifts and spoiled all of us. 

Addi got 6 Disney Princess dolls, and Grandma asked her to name all of them. Addi easily named off the first five, but when she got to Mulan she said, "And I don't know her name, but I do know she is VERY special!"

They got Kaden a talking Buzz, and Woody with his horse Bullseye, and Addi and Kaden haven't put them down since they got them. 

The next day we went to lunch at the Casino that is down the road from our house. They have the coolest Sports Bar around with the very best set up for football. Tony was in heaven.

 It was such a nice visit! 

They had to head back home a couple hours before dinner so I had to post some pics of what they missed! Love you guys and thanks for the visit! 

My French Bread

Mmmmmmmmmmm

King Crab legs, parmesan chicken, fettuccine alfredo with sauted veggies and prawns. 

We had to call this cute boy over to help us eat it all! He brought his parents and we had a great night. 

Happy Birthday Jesus!

On Christmas Eve we had a birthday party for Jesus. Addi is old enough now to look forward to this tradition. This year we made my Mom's chocolate chip cupcakes and her amazing frosting to accompany them. One bite of those cupcakes brought me straight back to my childhood.  Tradition is my favorite part of Christmas. Tony and I have taken traditions from both our families, and started new traditions of our own. Both Tony and I opened one present on Christmas Eve as a child, however in Tony's family they would leave their present in a special spot in the living room, and in that spot is where Santa would leave that particular child's gift. I thought about this for a minute, then asked "What if your present was pajamas? And you wore them to bed? How would he know where to leave your stuff?" and Tony replied, "Well if it was pajamas, then there would be a knife or a 9mm or something of the likes to go with it, and you left that in your place." :o) Sounds about right for a Shaffer boy. 

Addi is a cupcake making machine

Reading the Christmas Story

Opening one present on Christmas Eve

Addi drew Santa a picture that told the story of baby Jesus, then asked me to write this note. She even thought to put the reindeer snacks in a "to go" bag. :o)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

These are the presents they picked out for each other. They did a good job. 

Addi said, "See Mom, I'd say I was PRETTY GOOD this year!"

Kaden was a good boy too. 

Tony and Kaden playing trucks and enjoying the fireplace.