Day 23 Another Snow day

My kids do not like the snow! I have only been out with them a few times and they hate being out there, it is cold and not fun they say. We have'nt even made a snowman yet! We did go sledding on some small hills by our house though. I am not going to make them go when I am cold myself. It appears that it will be around awhile so we will not rush out to enjoy it quite yet. I hope though that we do get afew more pictures in, as it is just such a beautiful backdrop!! Today we will be making peppermint milkshakes and making popcorn balls! I am looking forward to another day of cuddling inside and admiring the snow from the windows!

Day 22

Count down is getting closer! I can not believe how fast time is flying....
So today the boys and I got some time with Jason on his day off. We cleaned up the house from our days of laziness and sickness, so it was nice to have all the extra hands (that actually helped too!) so we got the job done in good amount of time. Since Jason drives the subaru to work and he was home we were able to get out of the house. We went up to the YMCA for some intense workout time as well as pool time with the kids. Afterwards we went to the mall to do some quick errands and then to Applebees for their evening happy hour. Our kids love going there and the prices can't be beat! It was a fun time all together!!

Day 21

We were going to have our big Magin family gathering today with all of Jason's relatives and then in the evening get together with my family for my dad's birthday but we were snowed in and sick! Most of the morning was spent sleeping in. About noon the boys and I decided it was time to shake it off and spend some time in the snow. Jason slept most of the day so we just let him be, since he has been queezy as well. We took off for a walk in this winter wonderland. Once we got out there the rain came down and we got wet quick so we took covering at the Empire's Palace in town. The boys enjoy their prawn dishes and it gave us a break. Once we were done the snow was coming down and the night had fallen. So with sleds in hand and tummys full we took the long walk back home. I of course used our natural lighting to the best of my abilities and got some good shots of us enjoying this cold but beautiful snowy weather.

Day 20 Stomach Flu

Our house has officially recieved an early Christmas Present of the Stomach Flu! I think 80% of my friends have also recieved this unwanted gift so I was not suprised when it hit us. It comes so suddenly with no warning at all. Friday night I was getting the boys to bed when Mattie sat up and said I have to go to the bathroom! As he raced down the hall I could hear a sound that was both familiar and unwanted. Jayden went to bed while Mattie cleaned his stomach out, then Jayden got up once Mattie was down and did the same. This morning when we awoke Jason and I were both feeling queezy and the entire family had no appeteite left. We decided to postpone our Magin Family Christmas gathering with this onset of sickness and the impending winter blizzard.
What a fond way to spend day number 20 as we count down to Christmas!!

baby its cold outside-Day 19

Snow is everywhere. I have decided that we will be having a white Christmas this year!! We spent the day making gingerbread houses (Party with Mrs. Brewer's class was canceled due to the weather). The boys were disappointed but quickly got over it by the time they saw all the candy! They are able to create their own creations this year with minimal help from Mommy. Which is both nice and sad.... I made my own creation as well! We had a good time sledding with the neighbor kids, decorating sugar cookies and watching christmas movies....

Day 16

SNOW DAY! School was canceled and so we headed over to the Knopik's for some fun! Kree was awesome on the spontanious invite and we were able to make sugar cookies and sip on hot drinks while the kids sled on the snow covered hills. We were glad to find snow since the main part of Orting was pretty much snowless! Great to also have such good friends to spend a winter afternoon with as well.

on the 13th day of Christmas we went to the library. We got some Christmas craft, cook and story books to enjoy for the holidays. The boys got a Dr. Suess book with a recipie for a wreath made with cornflakes and then we decorated it with red and green m&ms. Afterwards we went to the Millers, where it ended the night with the first snow!! What a fun and memorable way to spend your 13th day before Christmas!! Love this new tradition of the 25 days of the Bekkens

12th Day of Christmas

Today was donate toys from our toy room to the needy. We packed everything up in a paperbag and took it to the Goodwill Pickup spot in town. I am not sure if that qualifies for the needy but it will have to work with my busy schedule. My sister Holly came up to visit us and we ended up having fun making Christmas cookies with the boys before heading off to do some shopping at Gottschalks in Lakewood. We then rushed back so I could go to my YMCA Christmas party and the boys went with the Millers to see the Kung Fu Panda movie at their school. We all had a great 12th day of Christmas. What a busy week of parties!! I am not complaining though, cause I am a party girl!! =)

Day 2

Day 2-
We worked on our second day of Christmas link...making christmas cards. I worked on addressing cards and got 25 done so far! Jayden made a special snowflake card for Mrs. Brewer while Matti made one or Teacher Tracy and two for AWANA leaders!

Holiday Links

Friends if you are looking for something fun and easy to keep you organized this Christmas Season just keep reading. I stole a great idea from a girlfriend of mine (thanks Renae!). We all know how to make red and green construction paper links for the christmas tree. Well here is the twist, make 25 of them and write events on each one. Every day tear off the link and do the activity. Kids enjoy the countdown and mommy likes a fun calendar of ideas!

1. Make the link!

2. Create special Christmas cards for teachers

3. Give christmas cards to AWANA Leaders

4. Christmas Movie and popcorn

5. Iceskating in Seattle with Friends

6. MOPS Orting Parade

7. Christmas Performance at Sumner Pres. Church

8. Get in Pjs, get some cocoa and drive around neighborhood to look at christmas lights

9. All MOPS playdate

10. Gather loose change around house and go see the bell ringer!

11. Give gifts/cards to Cascade Christian Friends

12. Donate toys from house to needy families

13. Go to library and get Christmas books to read

14. Christmas Play at Reunion Church

15. Make coffee filter snowflakes

16. Wear red or green

17. Make christmas cookies for the Neighbors with Aunt Megan

18. Scrooge the Musical

19. Gingerbread house making party with friends from Mrs. Brewer's Class

20. Make peppermint milkshakes

21. Magin Family get together Brunch and Papa's Birthday party

22. Visit Grandma Kitty in Seattle

23. Make Popcorn balls with sugar sprinkles

24. Special Christmas eve candle light service at Bethany

25. Christmas Day!! (Read Luke 2:1-20)

Hope these ideas inspire your family to join in the festivities of this wonderful holiday season!!