Snow Fun

Today we decided we had to get outside and away from the electronic devices to exercise and get some fresh air. Plus there is FINALLY enough snow to play in. So we bundled up and headed outside to sled and build a snowman. It was Carson's first experience in the snow and I think he really liked it aside from the wind making him gasp for air at times. I'm sure there will be many more opportunities to play in the snow this winter, but it was nice to get out there today while the sun was shining!


Carson's first time in the snow


Tasting it


Camden and Lauren sledding


Daddy sledding with Carson


Lauren trying to snowboard


Camden trying to snowboard


All three kids with the snowman

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Tkach family! But first and foremost Happy Birthday to Jesus! We are so blessed this year with our family of five. We are thankful for our family, friends, and good health. Our hearts are saddened as we think of those who are celebrating this Christmas without a loved one for the first time. Many prayers have been said for those who are close to our hearts. May time ease your pain and provide you greater understanding. They are celebrating with Jesus this year and how wonderful is that?

We went to Christmas Eve service at Central United Methodist with Grandma and Grandpa Tkach. They do a children's service where the kids can dress up and take part in the story of Jesus's birth. Camden was a donkey and Lauren was an angel. They did a wonderful job! After church we celebrated Christmas with grandma and grandpa at our house. The kids got lots of nice gifts from them which made them even more excited for Santa to come. They slept well and surprisingly did not get us up too early this morning. Santa brought them sleeping bags for when they "campout" in the living room with Daddy and a craft table for them to make all their wonderful creations. Camden got a Leapster Explorer and Lauren got her LeapPad (which Santa wasn't sure she was going to have in time for Christmas). It was so much fun watching the kids light up with all the excitement and they were surprised how Santa knew just what to get them!!


Camden far left. Lauren far right


Camden the donkey and Lauren the angel


Our family on Christmas Eve


Carson opening his first Christmas present


Playing with the air hockey game
from Grandma and Grandpa Tkach


Presents ready under the tree


Opening their stockings Christmas morning


Their craft table from Santa


New robes


Lauren with her LeapPad


Camden with his Leapster Explorer


Carson playing with his toys

Visiting Santa

We went to the Mall to visit Santa Claus today. We got lucky and walked right up and didn't have to wait in line. Lauren and Camden both sat on Santa's lap and told him what they wanted for Christmas. It's funny the things they came up with are not what they have been talking about. Lauren wants a scarf and Camden wants an airplane. Guess Santa will have to work on those! We got a group photo with him too. Carson wasn't too sure about him, but luckily mom was holding him. I think the kids were pretty good this year and just might be getting some presents on Christmas morning.


With Santa


Sibling love


Merry Christmas!

Preschool Holiday Program

Camden's class put together a Christmas program full of songs and poems. The songs included Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. They also did some finger plays which we super cute! We enjoyed a story and some cookies. There was a surprise visit from Santa Claus too! It was fun to watch the kids really get into singing and performing.

NCF Christmas Party 2011

This was Trevor's first year putting on the Christmas party for the Cherry Festival. The theme of the night was "Roast and Toast Tim Hinkley" (the outgoing executive director). Trevor dressed up to look like Tim, even spray painting his hair gray and wearing silly eyebrows, mustache, and glasses. Luckily, Tim was a good sport and took all the harassing very well. The party was downtown at Ecco which was a nice venue for a large group. Good food, good friends and good times.

Tim in the hot seat

Being roasted by Mary Marois

Having some good laughs

Trevor, Mike, Mandy and Grant

Allison and Adam Beers

Mr. (interim) ED and his wife

Christmas Tree

We put up the Christmas tree last weekend. The older kids had so much fun helping mom decorate the tree. Camden was in charge of putting the softer ornaments at the bottom since Carson is so mobile. Sure enough, the tree wasn't up for more than 15 minutes and Carson was rolling under it and taking down the ornaments. He loves to look at the lights and play with the tree. We make sure he is safe so he can enjoy it. We like to have the tree lights on and all the rest of the lights off at night for some time to enjoy the tree while we can. It's fun to put up the Christmas decorations, but I'm not looking forward to taking it all down.

Hanging the ornaments

Dad putting the star on top

Camden and Lauren with the finished product

Carson's first Christmas tree

Playing with the ornaments