Snow Days!

Yesterday we awoke to a beautiful site, snow!

A good time was had by all, big and little alike :)



No sound seems to come through but I assure you no children were harmed during the filming :) Daddy was making them laugh and he was smiling at the end as well :)

There were snow angels to be made:

Ready for the drop:


Today the snow stuck around so the boys enjoyed their new toy. Daddy bought this from a co-worker and didn't even tell Mom about it. I think he knew mom would not be as thrilled as he was. It screams danger and broken limbs but I hold my breath and pray on each outing :)
Christmas is the absolute best time of the year. Not only did we receive the best gift ever (Jesus) but each year I get the joy of having an entire week with my children with no agenda, no deadlines, just pure family bliss.

Fun on the farm: The best family vacation

This summer we stayed at a working farm in Pennsylvania. It was absolutely amazing! They stay booked and it is difficult to get time there in the summer as many families have been coming there for years. We were very blessed when they had a late cancellation. They have had families tell them that the children enjoy the farm more than Disney. In many ways I can see why. It is hard to put into words the magic of the farm. The atmosphere is relaxed and it is a lot of fun meeting other families and making memories with them. The kids have already asked when we can go back. The farm is run by a very sweet couple who love children. They serve a huge breakfast every morning that is made from scratch and is honestly one of the best breakfast meals I have ever had! Here is our farm adventure in pictures:



This is the cow barn. They have so many cattle that there usually is a pregnant cow and guests can see a cow giving birth:




Each morning after breakfast, the farmer would bring out the miniature horse named Cookie for the kids to ride. Cookie's best friend is a goat named Oreo who follows him everywhere!





Also after breakfast the kids could ride this cute train:


The farmer also took them for rides on his 4 wheeler and in a small wagon/cart he had made. Boys and things to ride go very well together :)



All the families sit together for breakfast. It is a great time of fellowship and the food is AMAZING!



If you get up early (which usually happens with our boys) the kids can get a chance to feed a baby calf who is just weeks old, they are so cute





The boys loved milking a cow, they did that at least a couple times each







This was their milking parlor, much more high tech than what I grew up with. The kids loved watching the big glass "jars" fill with milk:



Another favorite was getting eggs from the henhouse. There was one chicken who would try to protect her eggs and she would peck you. I called her "vicious chicken" which Jim thought was funny. I admit, I was scared of a chicken. On the last day I conquered my fears and took her eggs. She didn't peck hard so it didn't really hurt. The boys were so amazed that I did it but it also gave them the courage to try once I assured them the pecking did not hurt!





They had a very cute playhouse just outside the house where everyone stayed. This is a huge hit with kids:







Right next to the kids playhouse, was a little house for all the kitties :)





There were scooters and bicycles to ride and they rode around the farm:



There was also a hayride down the country roads which also went in 2 covered bridges(which I absolutely love). The scenery was georgeous. We even stopped at a yard sale along the way where I bought a beautiful painting of a Pennsylvania country farmhouse.




This was a huge Amish farm:


Inside one of the covered bridges:


There were corn fields as far as the eye could see:



There was also a smaller barn that housed the baby cows who were a little older than the ones the boys fed with a bottle:



An incredible time was had by all. I hope we get the opportunity to stay there again. I'd love to have cousins go with us, I know all the kids would have a blast!

Generations

This past summer the kids got to meet their great grandma. Tristan had met her when he was younger, but doesn't remember. The trip to NY was long, but well worth it. I snapped these pictures with my cell phone when the boys and I were spending some time with Grandma. She is in her 80s but so spry. I admire her greatly. She is a very independent woman. When I looked at her I could see my mother's face. That was hard in many ways but most of all to realize what could have been had mom stayed here to experience life. I am thankful to at least have Grandma left, she is the only tie to my childhood besides my sister. She reminds me so much of my mother and in some ways pieces and parts of me. That is the beauty of the generations, they allow you to see not only where you've been but in some ways where you may be going. I only hope that I am as healthy and able as she is when I reach her age. For a grandma that only had 2 granddaughters, she is sure getting her share of boys with our gang!











When I think of my grandma I think of brightly colored shirts--always with pockets to hold lots of things for us when we were little---bright lipstick, cookies in the cookie drawer, and a laugh that could always make you smile. She worked outside the home when it was not common for a woman to do so. Yet I never saw my grandma drive a car. Someone always drove grandma whether it was grandpa or my own folks. I hope that the trip this Summer gave my boys some memories of her that they can cherish. I also hope that we can make the trip again. There are many stories to still be told and many photos to still take.

Mud, Tractors, and Baseball: Does that say Boys or what?

The past month was so full of life-changing events for the Davis Family. First, Collin started Kindergarten. I cannot believe he is going to school. Yes, I did cry that first day, I could have 20 children and would cry for each of them at this milestone! Here he is getting on the bus that first morning:



We were excited that he has a teacher who has a lot of experience. The more experience the better when it comes to Collin :) He has done surprisingly well his first month, though. I have been so glad that he has been on good behavior a majority of the time.

Shortly after school started my new kindergartener celebrated his 6th birthday. We celebrated at the bowling alley with his friends and family. Collin really enjoyed himself. After our trip to the farm this summer (that I will post about soon) it was no suprise that he wanted a tractor theme. Here are some photos of his special day:






The twins also started part-time preschool. I attempted to take a picture of their first day, but as you can see by this succession of photos, it seems impossible to get a photo with both of them looking. Hats off to any photographer that can capture them both smiling and looking at the camera AT THE SAME TIME :)






This fall Tristan and Collin have played Fall baseball. I love Fall baseball as the weather is usually a little cooler, the atmosphere a little more relaxed, and of course because I get to see my little guys in action. I believe Tristan has found his "niche", he has started to be in the catcher position and he really seems to fit the part. I love to watch how serious he is. I plan to get a video this next week and try to post for you to see him in action. This still photo doesn't give you the full effect, but isn't he so cute in this stance?



The boys also went "mudding" with their dad after taking Grandma to the airport. Here is what they looked like when they were through. Needless to say, some of that mud DID NOT come out of their clothing. Perhaps next time I can wrap them in plastic wrap??





Finally, I'll end this post with a picture of my cuties. Jenn at church bought these for them and I think they look rather cute, don't you?