Patrick took me on a surprise dinner date for my birthday. We ate at a yummy restaurant in our little town that we have wanted to try for a year, called Sugar Beet. I loved surprises especially ones revolving around tasty food that doesn't get produced in my own kitchen. Chili lime tempura shrimp, ginger ahi tuna with tempura yams, super duper yummy! 
We zoomed cars around Abe's new road rug, colored wooden cars and had a race, decorated cookies and ate cookies. But I think the kids liked watching Cars best of all. I sure liked how still they were for this part of the party!!
Afton was excited to take a self portrait of the newest hole in her smile. I think I uploaded over 30 of them! Afton is quickly realizing that losing teeth is more profitable than doing chores. And she's pretty motivated to save for a two wheel scooter like the big kids at school!
One of my little dreams came true on my birthday. Afton and Abel secretly made me loads of birthday cards. Each time a new one was produced, the kids would find me in the house and sing Happy Birthday and give me big hugs. Better than any present for sure!!
Abel was spoiled rotten by his parents, sister and nana on his birthday. I think he is going through chocolate withdraw now. He loves his new big boy scooter, his road rug and new toys that go.
One of the positive things about not having any direct sunlight on our yard during the winter months, is the snow sticks around until it's warm enough to play in. The kiddos are having a blast playing in the snow in their t-shirts, without runny noses!
Me and my sinus infection have decided to let Afton play hookey today. Too snowy and too cold and never any snow days around here. So we are making our own. While we lounge in jammies, watch too much TV and eat chocolaty chocolate cookies, we'll dream about spring coming again.
The boxes the chairs were delivered in were the best boxes ever. I was so sad to have to knock them down and recycle them the same day (and by I of course I mean Patrick while I watched...being hugely pregnant pays off at times). But the kiddies did enjoy several hours of house box play time. Oh for the day when I have a basement!
Meet our new dining room chairs. I'm so in love with them. And think they look mighty nice with my paint color.
Patrick ended up working most of the weekend, which means the kids got lots of time with their toys. Afton and Abel love their dress ups, in fact last weekend Patrick built them a dress-up station in their room, and in this shot Afton was a magic fairy and Abel was a not so nice fairy trying to stop her magic. It's so funny to hear Afton cast spells that are realistic and still magical; "Clouds in the sky, go by!" or she'll flick her wand and say "Mom now your shirt is a darker green then before."
Afton has been spending lots of time on her art since Santa delivered the easel. She loves to practice writing in cursive, making self portraits, and this weekend drew all her favorite fruits and vegetables.
Abel got a nice belly shot of me today. I feel much bigger than I look! I'm definitely running out of things to wear though. These tees from Target (not maternity even) have been the best!
Patrick is back home! And we're ready to do a little celebrating with out own family this week and with the whole Maravilla clan up in the Rocky Mountains next week. Merry Christmas!
