Christmas, Christmas time is here!

 Boy are we ready for Christmas! The kids are counting down the days and I am just trying to squeeze as much fun into each day. We are baking, singing, reading Christmas stories, watching Christmas movies, baking some more, playing in the snow, doing Christmas crafts and baking even more. I took the kids to see Santa and get their pictures taken, we took them downtown to see all the pretty trees and decorations and they saw Santa again, we went to the Community Tree Lighting and saw Santa once again, and tomorrow we are taking the kids out to eat and to Toys R Us to shop for each other. It is tradition. The kids each received an email from Santa confirming they are on the "good list" and spirits are high. It is snowing more today and so beautiful outside and in. I love this time of year.

 Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

I'm Back!

I have neglected my blog for 5 months. We went on a two week vacation home to Idaho in August. I took hundreds of pictures, all of which were amazing and special, and needed to be shared here. I just kept putting it off and putting it off because it was such a big job. Then new amazing and special things happened, and more and more, and I got further behind. I put it so far out of my mind and got out of the habit of posting. Even now, as I look around my house, there are a MILLION other things that need done. Kids that want my attention. I feel like I am seldom "caught up" in my life as a Mom, always a long list of things to do. But I realize the importance of this blog to keep in contact with friends and family and preserve some of our crazy family history for future reference.

Things in the Shaffer home are great. We are busy, busy, busy with our little First grader Addi. It is amazing the amount of knowledge this little six year old absorbs in a day. I am just in awe, watching her do math, read, and recite strange and unusual facts shes picked up. She has a social life of her own now, keeping MY schedule full taking her to camps and practice and games and school functions and play dates and parties.

~ First Grade School Pics~

Addi had the chance to attend a Cheerleading Camp at the High School this fall, and she loved every minute of it. She really shined and enjoyed performing at the High School Homecoming Game. 

Soccer season was the highlight of the fall. It was so much fun, both for her playing and for us watching it all.

Addi is her name, DEFENSE is her game. :o)

Addi and I had a Mother~Daughter date to go see the Gonzaga Women's Soccer team play. She is a big little Zags fan and we had so much fun that day. After the game she was surprised to find out she got to practice with the team. She was so excited to meet them! 

 Addi and Spike!

 Little girl, BIG goals. 

Afterwards, I took Addi to get a team poster for her room. There was a large crowd gathered around a number of players from the Men's Basketball team. Around here, those guys are super star celebrities. They were signing autographs for everyone and taking pictures. Addi marches past them, not even noticing them, meanwhile I'm wanting to get some autographs myself! The girl at the counter asks her, "Do you want a Men, or Women's poster honey?" Addi looks confused then blurts out, "Whooa whoa WHOA! Are you telling me there are MEN GONZAGAS? I never knew that!" The men players heard her and everyone busted up laughing. They told her it was a very humbling experience. :o)

Tony took Addi to the Daddy~Daughter ball in October. It was her first dance and they had a wonderful evening dancing the night away. When they got home they were excited to show Kaden and I the new moves they learned. 

 Daddy's little girl!

 Addi went to a week long basketball camp at the high school at the end of November. She worked so hard that week! On Friday night the kids performed at halftime at the Cardinals basketball game. After they showed off all their moves, they each dribbled down and took a shot. Addi made her basket and the crowd cheered for her and she was SO PROUD of herself. It was a great moment. She is ready to start her basketball season the first of January. 

She lost her front tooth a couple days ago. The other front tooth is loose too, and I am hoping it comes out before Christmas so I can get the experience of hearing her sing, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!"

And then there is Kaden. Our handsome and sweet three year old. He is still staying home with Mommy during the days. We manage to stay busy and make the very most of our days home together. He loves exploring the little town we live in. When it is nice he likes to ride his bike to the lake and throw rocks.

He loves to paint!

He loves to bake! There is not a baking project in this house that our little boy doesn't try to get in on. 

He loves BLOCKS! 

He loves messes!

He loves puddles!

He loves Garfield. I love watching the old Garfield episodes from my childhood with him. 

He loves playing video games with his big sister!

He loves his Daddy!

Kaden started golfing this year. It just may be the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life!

Halloween was the best ever! We took the kids to a carnival at a local church near our house. It was above and beyond anything we expected, and they didn't charge people for anything. We spent the night playing fun games, eating delicious food, watching the kids on the bounce houses, and taking a hay ride around town. It was so much fun.

The kids were Dorothy and the Lion from the Wizard of Oz. Addi made the perfect Dorothy! Kaden was the Lion at the end of the movie, when he was courageous, not cowardly! 

Addi's First Grade class

Dorthy and the Lion!

Thanksgiving was amazing. We celebrated at home, with my Parents and my cousin's family. We ate a traditional dinner and I had the best weekend enjoying all the family time. 

 Our latest family pictures!