Red and Green - another blessed year!

The crazy McDaniels' side :)

We have certainly had an amazing Christmas and break so far this year :) The weather has been wonderful and we've enjoyed being home to spend time together. Of course this time of year, the memories I have as a child growing up and traveling to Iowa each year stand out in my mind (and make me miss those loved ones that are gone that much more), I pray and hope that my children are already creating memories to last them a lifetime :)

Note from Grandpa Pete

As I browsed through my Christmas cards from last year, I came across this one. It made me smile and remember a wonderful man. Merry Christmas in Heaven, Grandpa! Love and miss you something terrible good. :)

Christmas cookies and cuddles

It's very rare that this little man sits still - glad we could capture at least one photo :)

Payton and cousin Olivia caroling :)

Dress-up at Grandma Rhonda's house.

And of course the annual Christmas cookie bake off :)

Happy Holidays!

Happy 7 years!

Here's to 70 more! Love you, Russell Curt McDaniels! :)

Early St. Nick

21 more days until Christmas Day!

We celebrated St. Nicholas early today, as tomorrow is Monday and we are in such a rush to get out on time anyway (you know the drill). Payton woke up around 8:00 and came upon the gifts under the tree, exclaiming, "Who left those for me?" Even in her loud excitement, Kale (and daddy) still managed to sleep in until 10:00!!! His excitement in opening his gifts wasn't necessarily for the gift, rather the tearing of the paper to get to the gift!

This afternoon we decorated the Christmas tree, took a nap (well, some of us) and enjoyed a lazy Sunday before the busyness of the week soon begins.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Payton displaying her excitement for having found the perfect tree!

Daddy cutting down the tree!

Payton really wanted this tree.....any guesses why? :)

The annual hunt for the perfect Christmas tree was quite successful last weekend at the Fulk Family Christmas Tree Farm! The wind was a bit undesirable again this year, so we opted to leave Mr. I-get-into-everything aka Kale at my parents house. Payton helped us on our hunt, along with Aunt Megan. She also enjoyed some hot chocolate and a little candy "can" (as she calls it) from her uncle Brian. The weather was nice enough to allow Russ to hang the outdoor lights and for us (the kids and I) to meet up with aunt Brooke and Olivia to take some Christmas pictures (previous post). Needless to say, we are ready and waiting for the white stuff to hit the ground!

Preview

Excited to say that we got some amazing pictures of the little ones today! It was no easy feat, but it is done!!! Cheers!

Dull moments???

None here - hence the lack of posting this month so far:( However, I am grateful for the many blessings and the lack of dull moments in our lives - we are so very lucky and thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pinning is Winning

So, I have to admit that I have been sucked into the world of Pinterest! It is SO incredible that I recommend at least checking it out! It has already helped me with so many projects for my students at school, crafts for me and my kids at home and some great DIY ideas for Christmas gifts this year!! As if I needed something to fill my time (or lack there of)!!! Happy pinning everyone!

Happy Halloween!

Our princess and our devil - enough said! Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

This and that

Boddicker Family Fall 2011
Payton wanted a cat pumpkin :)

Our little painter - :)

I love fall :) Today and tomorrow are supposed to be beautiful here in KC. Too bad I am at home with a sick little girl today (these pictures were NOT taken today). She has an appointment at 11:45 so we are lounging until then. She was up all night complaining of a ear ache and she has a nasty cough/congestion. Hopefully they'll get it taken care of! Wednesday's weather then is predicted to be cold and rainy - perfect for a class field trip to the pumpkin patch, right? Well, that's where I'll be!! I'm just praying that the weather is nice on Halloween so we can venture around the neighborhood without freezing!!

Have a good week everyone!

Wordless Wednesday (thanks again Katie)

Pumpkins Etc.

Love fall; love my kids!! :)

Wild Angels

Artists in Action

Little Big Moments

Kale touching a dandelion and watching it's parts fly away in the wind. He was amazed!

As I started to skim through the October issue of Parents magazine (which keeps prompting me to "order now and save on the next 2 years" - I figure if I wait long enough it might be free??:)), I stopped to read the Editor's letter. I stopped to read it because there was the cutest picture of her two sons taking a bath - in the sink - one on each side of the sink. She writes about an article in the issue that talks about the well-worn phrase "kids grow up so fast" and how this picture was taken of her boys' "final double bath" as they were soon too big to fit in their respective sides of the kitchen sink. She goes on, "there are so many powerful little milestones that sneak up on you and often you don't realize you have encountered one until it is taking your breath away." At the end she encourages all to "pull out your camera now, before the moments pass." Well, if only I had my camera with me at each moment my breath is taken away. I did catch a few of Kale this afternoon while Payton was napping at grandpa and grandma McD's during her regular Wednesday visit. And tonight as I put her to bed, I took a mental snapshot of her beauty and innocence while reading her book and asking me to stay "and count to three on your forehead mommy." There certainly are tons of little, big moments that slip by so fast sometimes we don't even know we're missing them.

Weekend update

Before going to dance class! She loves it (and the mirrors that surround her!)
Payton and cousin Kaelyn walking down the hill to Applefest - we didn't stay long as there was such a large crowd.


"I don't want to ride. This horse stinks!"

Kaelyn was just happy to take a break from walking for a bit!

We had great weather and a great weekend! Saturday we enjoyed watching cousin Wade play flag football, some Minsky's pizza and dinner with some PHS friends. Sunday the girls and guys were separate; girls enjoyed the Applefest (for a bit) while the boys cheered on the Chiefs! A good weekend for all! :)