Wednesday, January 30, 2013

forcing tulips

My brother gave me some tulips he bought this Fall.  My dad delivered them one day, the kids and I planted most of them.  We had about 15-20 left in the garage we never planted.  Since they have been through some cold winter already, I thought we could try to force them indoors.  I hope it works, it would be nice to have a little Spring even in "pots"
 
 Emily painting her pot
 Dallas painting his pot
 Planting time

The kids took the last couple of pictures.  Now to wait...

Monday, January 28, 2013

Friday night gym lights!

Emily is playing basketball on Friday nights in the Upward league.
 
Dallas was entertaining himself during the first game by using the camera.
 
 A picture of Noelle
 I think I took this one
 Noelle and I reading a book
 daddy
 Emily running out of the "smoke tunnel, along with some awesome jock jams"
 Dribbling
 Running
 
Cheering on her teammates

baby it's cold outside

We have been trying to keep ourselves occupied inside while it is super cold outside.
 
 Emily made a zoo full of animals.  Animals made out of hearts!  Most of the animals live on grass, but some needed to live in the water (the blue paper), and some near the water (like the red crabs and the blue heart seals).
 Emily also made a boat.  It is Grandpa Jim's boat.  The sail is made from saran wrap so it didn't photograph well.  You can see Gpa in the purple putting out the fishing line.
 Noelle has been keeping busy in her shades!
 Dallas built a couple of roads on the floor, and added some bridges to go with.
 Thanks goodness we ordered a new printer, this box has occupied the kiddos for hours.  Emily has been reading.  She has finished a Ramona book, Superfudge, four American girl books, and the 24 library books we got last week.
Minnie Mouse is also getting in on the action.  

Sunday, January 20, 2013

some Christmas hits

Christmas was a big hit around here.  Emily and Dallas really got into the opening of presents, playing santa, and were pretty good about giving out thank yous!  I thought I would review the really big hits for other parents.  It is always nice to know what was a great purchase!


Duplo Creative Cakes
This has been played with everyday since she opened it.  And played with by all the kids.  I have gotten to eat lots of yummy treats.  Noelle also recieved a Duplo Cinderella castle building set that is also seeing a lot of play time.

These blocks have also been a big hit.  They are foam and made by Imaginarium.  We didn't need another set of block, but these are getting a lot of play time, and have been used with our regular wooden blocks which also get playtime several times a week.


ThinkFun Zingo
Zingo is a gift we got as a family.  Noelle can almost handle playing it with us.  It has been a fun family game, that holds Dallas attention and is still fun for Emily.

Barbie Fashionista Ultimate Closet
Emily was beyond thrilled to receive the Barbie Ultimate Closet.  This was the one gift she really wanted.  She has organized all of her barbie clothes.  She is so type A sometimes!
Barbie Design and Dress Studio Doll
The Barbie Designer kit was a really fun gift for Emily too.  She is saving up some money for some replacement dresses.  This kit came with a couple of stencils, tracing paper, templates, markers and stickers to help you design your own dresses for barbie to wear.

Dallas has really liked his drifter semi (dad picked out)
I couldn't find the exact model, but it is similar to this.  The Semi drifts with or without the trailer.  It works really well on our concrete basement floors.
R/C Monster Drift Racing Rigs Color: White
LEGO Cars Agent Mater 5817
This duplo mater that shoots at targets have been fun.  Dallas also opened up a duplo version of Lighting.  Noelle and Dallas have been building and playing well together with the legos.  Mater often goes and picks up Prince Charming to take him to the castle.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Meeting Drew

 Chelsey and baby (he was still unnamed in this picture)
 Dallas checking out cousin Drew
 Uncle Greg is the best
 Watching Emily made me want to have a million babies, or one .more.  I took about 20 pictures of her holding Drew.  It was so adorable
 Also seeing your husband hold a new baby makes my ovaries stir.
This picture shows when reality hit.  Emily and I trying to hold Drew.  Noelle climbing aboard, wanting a turn, whining about it.  She is completely unaware of where her feet are when she is climbing, so constant vigilance is needed.  Dallas was done being in the room.  I think he was trying to pull the hospital curtain down on us.  A 6,4,2 and newborn would be hard work.

Christmas pj's

One of our traditions is opening up special Christmas pajamas on Christmas eve.  This year I attempted to make them (since I always like them to have a homemade gift).  Next year I will start earlier, and take my friends advice and do pj pants and t-shirts.
No one but Emily wanted to cooperate for a picture, so I have pieced some together so you can see my poor sewing skills.
 Noelle -tunic top and pants
 Emily - nightgown
 group shot?
Dallas - pj pants, red shirt from Walmart, I added a D in the flannel to the shirt


ps - remind me never to sew with "shirtings" material again.  at least not until I have a serger or I have more time.  It frays so much.  But it was soooo soft!

the new truck

Rob flew to Scotts Bluff, NE on New Years Day to pick up this beauty.  He has a small hang up getting there, but it was a blessing because he got to spend the evening in Denver with the Weldon's.

 Big Red
 Robert looks good driving the big red truck
and the bonus, you can get three kids car seats in the back seat.  The truck actually seats six if you want to get cozy in the front seat :)


-It will be a sad day in the Kibbe household tomorrow.  Rob listed the little green truck on craigslist Sunday. He had is sold within 2 hours of listing it.  He is soooo good at selling cars!  He has had this truck since before we were married.  He bought it when he moved to MN.  Rob and Dallas really love the Tacoma, so it will be bittersweet.  I am guessing it will be blog worthy, so look for more on an ode to the little green truck.

Ice Skating

So we did this over break...
 Emily found a friend at the rink.  It was Macey's third time skating and she was such an encouragement to Emily.  Also, they are super cute together, they almost have the exact same hue of hair color.
 The pre-picture.  Notice everyone is still happy here.
 Trying it
 This is how Noelle felt after a once around.  
We snagged a walker? Emily used this for two laps and then she had it down.  So proud of her.

-You'll notice there are no pictures of Dallas.  He wasn't a huge fan.  He was mostly in a mood to throw fits and I think Rob put it best "I was mostly trying to keep the blades of his skates from cutting off my manhood."

Santa Express

We rode the Santa Express on Dallas Birthday.  It was really fun and an activity we wanted to do as a family  during the holiday season.  We drove to the Boone Scenic Valley Railway and boarded the train.  The train goes out several miles then starts to slow and you start to notice Christmas lights in the forest.  Then you see 9 reindeer and a sign for the North Pole.  Finally the train stops and Santa climbs aboard.  Santa comes by to hand out jingle bells (think Polar Express) and gives hugs.  All along the 1.5 hour ride we are singing carols, drinking hot cocoa (my kids favorite part), eating Christmas cookies, telling funny Christmas jokes, and telling the emcee what you want for Christmas.  Each car had a BSVR volunteer and they kept everything fun.  

 Sitting on the stairs of the train car we boarded
 Santa coming our way

 Family picture
Looking out the window, sipping hot chocolate