Holiday Happenings

We have some fun family holiday traditions.

New this year, we went to North Idaho to see that bald eagles. They come every December for the Kokanee Salmon run. This is a bad photo, but the eagle is to the left of the flag pole, about center photo. You can see a white dot for the head and brown body.

Manito conservatory Xmas lights are a blast.

This year we met up with a good family friend and his son (in the blue coat).

We went to the Hutton Settlement to get our Xmas tree. The settlement is a safe place for children to live when they can't live with parents or relatives.It's a beautiful facility, and reminds me a bit of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter stories. They do some neat stuff with the kiddos, including kids managing their Xmas tree farm. Anyway, while the kids were looking at trees, I got a neat photo of geese eating grain in a wheat field.

We invite neighbor kids over for a gingerbread house destruction party. Fun, fun, fun.

Matt is center, we other third grade buddies.

Kyra is in the red shirt, with our neighborhood twins.

Kyra is a master ice skater now. We have a family seasons pass to the outdoor ice rink in downtown. We have a blast skating there!

Missoula Fun

Matt's hockey team played in a tournament in Missoula Mt in early December. We had a blast! Even out playing in negative 6 degrees F! It was when that cold front hit most of the western US.

The town is nestled in a broad river valley surrounded by mountains.

Matt is center photo, red.

Matt and his defensive line mate, Kiya, are  an amazing team. Matt has the stick in the air.

Matt is center red jersey.

Monkey in the House

Kyra has taken to climbing - here's a series of photos of her climbing the door jam.

First you jump up on the door jam. 

Then quickly inch your way up.

And up.

Up past the light switches.

That's as far as I can go today. Darn, I wanted to make it to the top.

Holmes Hero

Matt was selected by his teacher to be Holmes Hero for Nov. because - he has such enthusiasm for learning! He is always willing to share his ideas and works well with others.
Matthew is also a kind and respectful young man. We are proud to have him as a member of our class!

Fashon Diva

Kyra got to model for a friend who makes childrens clothes by reusing old adult sweaters. She makes pants, hats, mittens, etc. Kyra had a blast.

Skating fool

Kyra decided it was time to learn how to ice skate and then learn to play hockey. She starting learn to skate class this week. She had a great time and was absolutely exhausted after it was over.

Also, we went to see Disney on Ice - she dressed up in her little mermaid outfit from Grammy  & Grampy. It's always a fun time to go to an arena full of little princesses!

National Xmas Tree is from Eastern WA

This years national Xmas tree is from the Colville National Forest - just a few hours north of here. On it's was to DC, its making stops for people to check it out. It came to the opera house this week. Traveling with the tree is Smokey Bear!

He gave Kyra a big hug!

That's one happy girl.

Checking out the Xmas tree. Most of it was covered in tarps, except the bottom area, where they had is visible through plexiglass windows.

Halloween 2013

It's always a fun time of year!

Kyra is a vampire without the teeth - they hurt her mouth. Matt is a ninja (same as last year.) This is on our way to Monster Math Night at Holmes Elem.

The real deal - nice warm evening. Kyra snow white and Matt a night..

All City XC Meet

Lots of kids having fun at the all city meet. To qualify, you either have to come in the top ten in a regional meet, or meet a specific time. Matt did both.

You know, you always start out a XC meet with playing on the swings! Why else would I come to a meet?

Third grade boys start line - 50-70 kiddos.

Matts in the neon green.

Finishers shoot, we think he passed several kids on  in the last few yards to the finish line. He came in 20th.

Preschool field trip

Every fall, the preschoolers go on a field trip to a local farm. This year it was up at Green Bluff. Fun stuff up there.

Learning about how apples grow.

Learning about how apple cider is made.

Finally, we get to eat an apple.

Class photo!

Gymnastics in Oct.

Kyra thought she'd like to get back into gymnastics at the Y. She sure has fun.

Backwards roll

Into a handstand.

Hula-hoop fool....

Even around the neck