woo-hoo...new camera

I got a new camera this week, along with new software...so, hopefully I will be able to blog more often! Pictures and updates to come! :)

gotta get in gear...

It's been so easy lately just to down load pictures to Face Book and comment there...I forget...(or maybe I'm just being lazy) somehow I manage to go months and months before putting pictures on here. I don't blog about my little people or the fur kids...but then I think, I wasn't great at scrapbooking either. For such a talkative person, I can't figure out what to put to paper or in the virutal world. I love working with my hands, I love to create....and yet, with this I struggle. So, kudos to all you mommies that brighten my day with your beautiful blogs. I have nothing new to report or share. We are blessed enough right now to be living the same ole' same ole'. Hopefully soon I will be doing cakes again, and maybe that will help tap into my creative brain...and then, maybe just maybe I will have some pictures to share. Until then....

I always seem to be playing catchup...

we added a new fur kid to the family...Newman! He's a 4lb. little hunk of attitude, who captured our hearts. We love cuddling with him, like a warm bag of beans when he is sleeping...and he showed the Wonderdog who's the boss. He is a good addition to the family, keeping us all busy.

We had a wonderful Christmas (as you can see on FB...I'd put pics on here of Christmas and New Year's day but am having some download problems). I can't believe Christmas break is almost over. We got so many things accomplished during the break, got to spend some quality time together as a family, and we actually got some much needed rest. I can't think of a better way to end the year. Even though 2009 had it's share of up's and down's, it was filled with blessings durning all those times. I look forward to the great rollercoaster of 2010...the Nichols Crew never has a dull moment....I've come to appreciate that. I pray the New Year brings blessings and joy to all! Hopefully I'll be able to get more pictures on here soon!

another crafty day...

I had fun recycling Jenna's jeans today. Both pairs had holes in the knees. The first one is just a plain ruffle from some scrap material. The second is more tulle scraps from my tutu makin' days. I think both turned out pretty cute.

We like her multi-colored tights with this one...makes it funky. We even threw together a piece of the leg and scrap ribbons into a little purse.

This weekend I hope to make some korker hair ribbons. Then, maybe by next weekend we'll have enough Caprisun's consumed I can recycle those into a little purse. Hmmmm...gotta think what we are gonna make next!

Just in case you didn't see my tutu's...here's a couple of my favorites. I think next time though I will make them a little less poofy!

little hands...

We had a fun Sunday afternoon...building a gingerbread house kit!

I think Jenna may have eaten more candies than she actually put on the house!

I think they did a really good job decorating!

Yea! All done!

We made Jenna's class some tiny snowmen...

and for the boys, we made each of their teachers a bigger snowman!

We even made our own bags to wrap them up!

We did a few more crafts. Micheal's has some cute foam ones. We loved this little snowglobe.

This is also for Jenna's class, it was her homework this week. I laid down the hot glue, she put on the glitter and other cute stuff.

and Jacob enjoyed making a glitter picture.

yum, cookies...

We thought it would be fun to make cookies today...

Kinda like playing with playdough. Josh and Jenna did a great job rolling the dough into balls...

then, mashing the dough with a sugar dipped cup...

and finally...making little faces!

We like all the little happy faces...

hard work sure tastes fun!!!

cool weather fun...

Yippeee....I finished Jenna's Christmas Stocking!

We went to see the Runaway Snowman with Parents as Teachers on Friday. I love going to the Children's Theater. Added bonus, our friend Gabby thought ahead and brought goldfish crackers!

They had such cute props, perfect for picture taking

We really enjoy the company of our friends!

Grandma sent Jenna a new outfit! She loves all the Disney Princess'

Growing Cooks and making snowmen...

Usually on Wednesdays we go to Discovery Lab in the morning. But today (this happens once a month) P.A.T. has a Growing Cooks class.

The kids get to measure out all their ingredients.

Then they take everything back to their table and mix things up. Today we are making Apple Cinnamon Chex Mix! It smells yummy!

After they get finished with their creation, the kids get to clean up their dishes and help prep for the next class.

Then we get to listen to a story and eat our yummy treat. She did a great job...it was yummy! We can't wait to make more at home for her brothers!

After Growing Cooks, we spent the morning with our friends making snowmen. Here's our finished art work! We think they turned out pretty cute! I can't wait for the glue to dry so we can hang them up on the front door.
~Everybody worked hard...Jennas favorite is the glitter~

~ Lexi liked the buttons and the snow~

~Drew just liked working on all of it~

food, family, and fun...

Daddy was having some relaxing quiet time before bed...

That is until the whole gang followed him...

Then wrestle Mania broke out!

Josh and Jenna are enjoying a Fun with Food Playdo set...Josh was being a "cooker".

We all are enjoying this lovely Spring, oops I mean December weather...

not sure if she's trying to take flight, or just having fun running...either way it's pretty cute in a tutu!

Josh was just doing some posin'

Don't you just love getting new coats??? I have to wonder though...what would a three year old need with a cell phone pocket and an i-pod pocket???

Not a clue what's goin' on here?

Again...not sure what he's thinkin'...he's one creative and silly kid!

She is such a silly goofball!

Her brothers are so proud....turning into a gameboy junkie already!

She loves playing dress-up!

Jenna and I like to take walks in the morning after the boys go to school...her favorite is Color Park (it's Riggs in Haysville. She calls it that because all the equipment is different colors!)

We haven't gotten together for Thanksgiving in a few years. It was so nice getting together. I think in all the excitement I missed out on getting more pictures. That's okay, there is always Christmas.

All the Gameboys!

Little Davynn enjoying some sweet potatoes...mmmmm, my favorite too!

Canaan!

I can't believe this fella is getting so big!

One of our family traditions is putting up our Christmas trees the day after Thanksgiving. Hopefully next weekend we'll get the outdoor decorations finished!

This is our kid tree downstairs. They have so many ornaments now, it keeps them busy, and they don't mess with my ornaments upstairs! :)

We had such fun...drinking hot chocolate, listening to Christmas music and working together...it looks so pretty. We love turning the lights off and enjoying the glow from the tree.

Our helpers...they sure come in handy!

not his favorite job...but it's the only one...he's just happy he doesn't have to help me with my picky decorating!

I didn't put out was much stuff this year. I'm happy with my few snow people and Aaron has gotten me started with the Willow Tree Nativity...

The stockings are another tradition that I carried on after my grandma. She hand-stitched ones for my sisters and I when we were little. Aaron's was my first (I think it's ugly, but he loves it and won't let me fix/change it!) Then I made one for the boys!

This is Jenna's stocking...this is day two! I can't wait to get it finished!













Day one....