Gummistiefel und Strumpfhose?

Margaret missed the memo that baggy cargo pants are "in".

The Peppermint Parade

Margaret and Elena sing on stage for the Peppermint Parade!

Home Improvements

When the McCreas offered to buy us new couch covers OR ski gear for Christmas, we knew we had to take decisive action! We had, um, already purchased the ski gear...I mean, there was snow outside and we couldn't even wait ONE DAY...waiting until Christmas was simply a waste of decent snow! But the beige couches with beige carpet and beige walls also could not remain one minute longer! We were BEIGED OUT. So I sent Sean to Walmart to get some fabric die.

Five loads later, some black die, some very sore arms...and WA-LA! We have purple-ish grey couches! I am pleased! They have that "hand-died" look...not bad for 25$!

The other new additions: Fireplaces. We are coming to terms with the winter here and learning to love it. All it takes is some ski gear and fireplaces to come home to.

Grandpa will be a happy man. One, because we have fireplaces to heat up the house. Two, because that means it will be so hot I'll be breaking out my bikini.

SNOW !!!!!!!!!

We have been DUMPED UPON...so much snow we can't make it to the slopes! I wonder if we will make it to the airport tomorrow...SNOW!!!!!!

Margaret and William on the Topic of Marriage

Margaret: ( stares pensively at her plastic Disney princess statement ring) Mama! Mama! I got married yesterday.
DrHF: Again, honey?
Margaret: Yes!
DrHF: To whom?
Margaret: I got married to Eric!
DrHF: Figures. They probably allow that in Wyoming. Congratulations.
Margaret: I tricked you! I tricked you!
DrHF: yep.
Margaret: ( twisting her ring on her finger) Actually, I don't want to get married.
DrHF: Okay.
Margaret: I don't want to get married because my ring is too tight.
DrHF: Yes, it certainly feels that way sometimes.
Margaret: Do I have to get married?
DrHF: No, you only get married if you want to. Some people get married and some people don't. Uncle Matt likes not being married. I like being married to Dada. Uncle Mike is getting married to Karen soon.
William: ( shaking his head in despair) UNCLE MIKE! Married? Karen? I am a shame of you! I am a shame of you! I am a shame of you!
DrHF: Why are you ashamed of Uncle Mike?
William: Because!
DrHF: Because why?
William: ( rolling his eyes) Because marriage is DORKISH.

PJ Dance Party to Alvin and the Chipmunks (OMG, LOL)

Get a laugh or a groan watching us get down in the kitchen to Alvin and the Chipmunk's version of Bad Day by Miley Cyrus (the kids like it, what's a girl to do?). Unfortunately, William has learned to use the camera - so I only got a video of him if he could take a video of me...

O Christmas Tree

Eric!

Margaret's advice to her brother:

After one of the ickiest combinations of dinner noises yet experienced at household McCrea-

"William! We're supposed to say "Excuse me!" after our burping contest!"

William, age 7 1/2 years

Shopping and Quilting with Beeba

Presenting Dada with a pieced quilt that William and Margaret made for his birthday with Beeba's help. Sorry it is crumpled in this picture - it has a rodeo theme surrounded by nine-patches. At least we did get a birthday shot of Sean! I wish I had a picture of them all working together at the sewing machine, but this happened when I was at work.

Margaret at the local quilt shop.

Which fabric shall I choose?

I just stole and took a bite out of an apple from the break room at the quilt shop! Watch my mother offer to pay for it!

Shopping is fun!

What shall I destroy?

Thanksgiving Day

Uncle Matt cuts the turkey.

And we finally assemble at the table.

We're very excited, but some of us end up eating mainly pickles and ketchup.

Grandma Verdie's 24 hour salad is a big success.

TERRIBLE ERROR!!!! Thanksgiving Day was Sean's 37th birthday...and he ended up taking the pictures so he didn't even make the blog post. BAD WIFE. I gave him the coolest Osprey brand winter pack complete with places to attach your snowshoes and avi-poles and a hydration system designed not to freeze! Happy Birthday, Sean. We love you!

To monopolize their time!

Sean made a brilliant purchase - a Monopoly game! Then he played monopoly with the children for hours and hours and hours on end while I cooked. I think I got the better end of the deal this time!

Raclette Party!

Beeba gave us a raclette maker as a re-entry present to the US of A. I found a shop downtown that sometimes has raclette, sometimes has other suitable cheeses...and we welcomed Beeba with a taste. Next time, we'll make sure we have the right cheese. But this one tasted great!

Laramie Snow Tires

What I am Thankful For

Margaret:

I'm thankful for...
fruit
family
a fridge
boots
friends
ice cream
Thanksgiving
Halloween
Christmas
flowers
pumpkins
hopping
Elena
Mom
Eric
Jokes
William ( William added this one to her list)
William ( added it twice)

William:
I am thankful for
animals
and a home
and books
and
food.
my
self
and
a
bed
and
santaclaus
and
presents ( underlined)
and
Eric
and the WOROLD
I am
thankful
for

Gymnastics

William and Margaret have started taking gymnastics lessons this month.

It is totally fun, of course.

These are pictures of us enjoying a friend's birthday party at the gymnastics center.

My personal favorite is the trampoline, but as much as I patiently waited my turn, I always felt I should let a four year old go before me...so I never got on! Next time.

The favorite of most is the foam pit! You can jump off a tall platform into the foam pit. Beware! It's hard to get out again!

My boys in the foam pit. Need one of these in the basement...

This Kid

This third child thing is complicated,

but it's like dessert to have a third. We are enjoying him so much.

Preparing to curl turkies.

For me, the hard part of turkey curling was getting the family out the door with all of their winter clothing.

Beeba is Here!

Turkey Curling

We arrived at the ice arena and met our opponents.

Then we met our curling "stones", each team got four frozen Butterballs, taped to metal plates.

Team photo!

Eric helped us practice and then went to Beeba during the game.

It wasn't that hard to walk on the ice in tennis shoes. William liked to slide around. I felt it helped my "moonwalk". The music was all 80's all the time, so that's why I was moonwalking.

Practice round.

William does his first throw. He's all serious.

Here we are waiting with our brooms to sweep the turkey to the target!

Here she comes again!

Now, it's my turn.

It's not as easy as it looks on the Olympics!

Can you believe WE WON? Sean's pretty good! He carried the team.

But we forfeited anyway - had to get to a birthday party. No time to win the city championship today. But watch out next year!!! This was the best fundraiser ever.