Christmas Trains

At my new school this year, they do a fundraiser for sixth grade camp by putting together kits to make candy Christmas trains. They are only $5 and come with all the candy, frosting, board, and directions. I only bought two kits and decided to do it while Audrie was napping because the idea of candy that you can't eat... well she is two and I didn't think she would understand that idea. Abbie and James had a blast and are really starting to like some of the benefits of my new school. Although they are still holding out for the carnival in the spring... hope we have one. Anyways, it might become a family traditions, maybe Audrie can join in next year.

Abbie's train.

Abbie and her train.

James' train.

James and his train.

Bellevue Botanical Gardens

This is becoming one of our favorite family traditions. We drive up to Bellevue for dinner and then go to the gardens to look at the lights. The kids love the adventure of finding all the hidden/or not so hidden animals. They even had a new part this year, the waterfall. Didn't get many pictures because the battery was dying again. But at least got the family shot. If you noticed the beard in the tree cutting pictures and again here (two weeks later), he is still sporting a beard. In the 18 years I have known my husband, he has not grown facial hair, he must be going through a phase. I don't mind it so much, it looks good on him.

Jim and kids in front of the grapes.

Mom and kids in front of vegetable garden.

Christmas Concert

We love that our kids go to a small community school that still does a holiday/Christmas concert and sing Christmas songs. It was fun to watch James and Abbie with both their classes singing songs. They did such a great job. No shyness or anything. They made us all very proud. Grandma Willa and Grandpa Jim were also able to join us, so nice of them to make the long drive out. We even went to ice cream after.

James waiting for Mr. Prindle the music teacher to give the cue to sing.

Abbie showing her excitement before the first song.

Kids together before the concert.

My darling kids!

Christmas Tree Cutting

We went to one of our favorite tree farms in our area this year to cut down our own tree. Audrie was very interested in what Daddy was doing. We got a great one this year that was tall and thin to fit right into our little nook. We love Nobles even though they can be a little pricey, they always look the best to us.

Audrie checking out what is going on.

My loves!

Kiddos!

Christmas Tea

Willa invited us to a Christmas tea at her church. Since Abbie is now six, she is able to join the "big" girls and go with us. Unfortunately, I only got these shots of the event because my camera battery died, so I didn't get any of the actual event. Willa did a wonderful job hosting and setting up our table. We were able to be with both Jim's sisters and Willa's sister, Mary. The event was lovely! A nice message, and carolers that sang a song (at our table) especially for Abbie, All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, (actually she is missing four teeth all together, but you all know the song). Abbie felt so wonderful being included and drank 3 cups of tea (with only two bathroom visits). She told me she can't wait until Audrie is six and can come with us. We are hoping to make this a Roddy family tradition. Thanks Grandma/Mom for allowing us to share in this day, we had a blast!

My beautiful girl!

All dolled up!

Holiday Magic Strings Concert

James is involved in a program at school called Magic Strings. He plays the violin as a part of his regular school day and music and the arts are integrated throughout all subject areas. It is a very unique, one of a kind program. He has progressed tremendously since the first year. We are proud of his hard work and dedication to his violin. They do a concert every winter and spring with individual recitals in the spring as well. They also have an end of the year all school assembly. I love being a part of a small town because they still play Christmas songs as a part of the holiday concert. It is very refreshing.

Close up on our concentrated violionist!

The whole program 2nd-5th graders.

Snow in November!

Our first snow of the year and we got 9 inches! This is just in the beginning... our kids didn't want to go out when it got much colder and the snow wasn't very sticky so snowballs and snowman were not happening. Audrie thought it was pretty funny! We loved watching her explore.

Ready to throw snow!

Posing for mom's sake

Her crinkly nose smile, just like her big sister's...

Our growing boy.

Many missing teeth Abbie! 4 and counting....

Ice Cream treat at Toby's!

We have a favorite ice cream shop in Enumclaw called Sweet Neccessities. It sells the most delicious ice cream, gormet chocolates, teas, and northwest eats! However, we don't call it Sweet Necessities, we call it Toby's, because the owner, who is a wonderful man, we have come to know and he knows our family, even my mom, who can't come to town without going to the shop. Our kids know it only as Toby's as well. In fact, a couple weeks before Audrie's birthday, she starting pointing to his shop as well drove by saying "Toby's, ceem." Ceem is her word for ice cream. So we decided that when it was her birthday we would take her there for a birthday treat since it was just our family. If you are ever in town, we will take you to his shop, it can't be beat!

Ice cream cone with two candles, her face was priceless.

Waiting to blow out the candles.

Enjoying her delcious treat!

Mom making her stop for a picture, I got half a smile!

One of Audrie's birthday gifts

My cousin Bonnie, who is also a blogger, posted a picture of a tree stump tent like thing on her blog a few weeks ago that she saw at a children's museum in Bellingham. I thought it looked like the perfect gift for Audrie for her second birthday. I had no idea where I would find one, but thought I would look for something similar if I had to. We got lucky and they had an even cuter one at Target for only $25. I thought it would be a perfect gift for our little peanut who loved playing in a tent this summer and also needed her own space sometimes. Well, the own space didn't work out. She begged for brother and sister to join her in the tent, the minute daddy set it up. They brought in blankets and pillows and books and had their own little reading time. It was so adorable. They have been playing in it ever since. They love make believe and Audrie loves just having them be in her own space.

Brother reading to the girls.

Picture from the outside. Don't know where we are going to store it, but they are loving playing in it.

Audrie's Second Birthday

November 19th was Audrie's second birthday. She is a school teacher's daughter and so unfortunately, her birthday falls close to Thanksgiving and report cards and conferences. So I was sharing my woes with our wonderful childcare provider, Natalie, about third child syndrome and how she was kinda left out and we don't have friends her age to share the party with. Natalie suggested we throw a party at childcare on Friday (her actual birthday). Natalie, Tyler, and Blake (her wonderful boys), decorated the house with the decoration I provided. She sent out invites and talked to Audrie about it. (She was say birfday, for days every time we went to Natalie's house). The house looked great and Audrie was so thrilled. Natalie really made her day special. We are so blessed to have her in our lives. I kept James and Abbie home from school that day so they can attend (it was a half day).

She was so excited about the "light" (candle).

Variety of cupcakes I made. Wasn't too creative this year because of lack of time and energy on my half.

The one she picked out.

Some more designer cupcakes by B.

Love this excited face upon opening her present from Natalie with Roycey dogs on it.

More excited faces!

Here is the kids at breakfast around the decorated area for our sweet girl.

Thank you Natalie for making my sweet girl have a fabulous and memorable day! We love you to pieces! You are so special to our family!

She picked out her outfit. She loves wearing tights right now, so a dress was in order. This dress was a hand-me-down from Abbie that she wore in her auntie Mary's wedding. Audrie loves how poofy it is. It is also a dress that Aunt Georgia made, Jim's dear aunt that passed away this year. She was such a talented seamstress. I am sure she would have loved to see Audrie in this dress. We love her and miss her dearly!

As we were leaving the house, I had to take one more picture because she is wearing her rubber boats with her fancy dress. She got the boots that morning as a gift from her brother and sister. She is so that kinda girl that would wear boots with dresses.

One more cute smile! We love you Audrie Faith!

Today is the day you came into our lives!

November 19th, 2008 at 4:00 pm, you came into this world. With much anticipation and excitement we welcomed you, not knowing what the future would hold. You have kept us on our toes with smiles and laughs and the joy that you bring. Happy Birthday, dear one!

I have this little angel.

For me she left her wings.
She has no idea how much happiness she truly brings.

She brightens up my days with her smiles and her laughs.

She helps me to remember all the blessings that I have.

Her face, it is so perfect, she's sweet and soft and pure.

Sometimes she can be willful and sometimes she is demure.

She tries her very hardest to please and do what's right.

She gives the greatest hugs from morning until night.

Every person that has known her sees this light within her soul

I know that in this whole great world, she has a special role.

She's says the sweetest "thank you" that you will ever know

This light in her shines brighter as my angel grows.

I know that God must love me, He showed me with His Grace

I knew just how completely when I saw my angel's face.

And in that very moment when she came into my world,

I knew that she was so much more than just my baby girl.

We love you with all our hearts, my dear sweet Audrie Faith.

Happy Birthday!

Your sister beaming when she held you for the first time.

Brother enjoying his time as well.

Just minutes old and already wide eyed and ready to explore your world.

You are our delight!.

Trick or Treating!

The joy of living in a small town, is that downtown closes down on Halloween evening and opens up for little ones in costume to trick or treat the stores. We have done this the last two years and the kids love it. The funeral home downtown Enumclaw hands out full size candy bars, it is kinda weird walking in though..:) Again, my precious Audrie was not in the mood for pictures. And she is not wearing part of her costume (the antennas) because as she says right now "like it" with a disgusted face and crinkled nose (which really means don't like it). It is pretty cute when she does it though. Abbie picked out the girls' costumes this year because she wanted to make Audrie. I thought I had the cutest little ladies of them all! James put together his costume rather easily since Jim and James are totally into fishing. We had a great time downtown and Audrie got the hang of things and was loving all the candy she got.

She does smile.....

James the fisherman

Trying to get a shot of all three kids, at least Audrie has her antennas on here...

Abbie and James.... Audrie wouldn't get in this one.

Halloween Ghoustly Dinner and Snacks!

Last year, I decided to be creative since Halloween was on a Saturday and put together a Halloween themed dinner that the kids could help with. I found some great recipes on Family Fun. So this year of course the kids requested more fun dinner, luckily Family Fun came through again and I was able to be a "cool mom" and have some fun new ideas. The kids were able to make the dinner with me. They really enjoy cooking in the kitchen. I love spending this time with them. Here are our ghoulish concoctions

This is ghoulish punch.

(Lemon Lime koolaid, lemon lime soda, and peeled grapes (for eye balls)

Ghostly potatoes and monster toes.
(Potatoes with sour cream and scallions and cocktail wieners with crescent rolls and ketchup polish)

Witches fingers, monster fangs, and eyeballs

( string cheese with cream cheese/green pepper "nail", pea pod, cream cheese, slivered almonds, and red pepper (tongue), and carrot, cream cheese, and olives)

Carving Pumpkins

Carving pumpkins on Saturday with the kids. They had so much fun. They both drew their pictures on the pumpkin and Jim carved it out.

Daddy messing with them to get them to look in their pumpkins.

Finished product.

Scooping out the inners!

Poor Audrie didn't get to participate in the fun, she was napping. Maybe next year. She loved the outcome though, daddy was very creative with hers.