New Toys...

And our kids would rather play with bins we already had....oh well!

Who Loves Licorice?!?

Holiday Program

Maeli's Pre-school had their "Holiday Program" on Thursday. It was right before they got out for the day, so Jeremy was able to come on his lunch break. They all marched in, and up onto the stage in a semi-organized manner.
Maeli was so not happy...we later found out that she was mad because she didn't want to wear the hat. This was her expression through pretty much the entire 20 minutes of singing.

Although part way through she got up and left...I guess she'd had enough, but her teach, Miss Jean, talked her into sitting back down without the hat.

Jeremy was surprised to see how little she is compared to the rest of the kids.


Afterwards they had refreshments the kids had helped make, and Maeli got to give up her ornament that she made for us with "lots and lots of sparkly glitters"

And Tucker found some of the other siblings and made himself at home with the chalk board.

Sleepy Kids

Pretty self explanatory, right?

Ooooh la la

Tucker found my mascara!

My Amazing Husband

So my super cute husband asked me out on a date tonight--full service in that he called to get us a babysitter and everything, I had to do nothing but agree to go. He took me to an Indian Cultural Celebration Extravaganza. Lots of music, and dancing, and food. It was really fun, but what I found to be amazing is how much Jeremy loves learning about other cultures--which I already knew. But while I spent the entire evening trying to remember how to pronounce the name of the people sitting with us, by the end of the 3 hour program, Jeremy could tell the difference between the songs sung in Hindi and those in other Indian dialects. I enjoyed myself, a lot. But he was in total heaven! Absorbing everything around him, and asking questions and remembering names of little towns in India and which God is in charge of what, and where the best Indian restaurants are in Spokane. I am so impressed with his love of all people. He teaches me so much, and makes me want to be a better person. I'm so glad that he pushes me to try new things and on occasion even pops my little comfort bubble so that we, together, can explore the unknown. Of course, he has an ear for language, and a stomach for exotic cuisine, whereas I have neither. But I'm grateful that he wants me to be part of that side of him.
We've known each other for 12 years, and I'm still amazed by how sweet and kind he is. I sometimes forget how lucky I am to have him as my partner in this life, and the next. A good friend of mine lost her husband this week in a tragic accident at his work...the fragility of life is suddenly very real and scary to me. I cannot imagine my life without Jeremy. He is my best friend, my confidant, the best Father I could have ever hoped for for my children. The one who lets me cry on his shoulder for no reason at all, and makes me laugh at myself for being "such a girl." I take him for granted so often, relief when he walks in the door so the kids will bug him for a while, snuggling when I'm cold, sharing ice cream while we watch CSI, even having someone to put that one necklace on me that I can never get clasped. I am overwhelmed by the grief that my friend must be feeling, imagining the conversations she'll have to have with her kids as they get older, coming home every night and knowing that her husband won't ever be there. The only comfort I find, is in my knowledge that Families Can Be Together Forever. That no matter what happens here on Earth, no matter how short our time together is, that as long as we are faithful to the commandments and covenants that we've made with our Heavenly Father--then we can spend eternity as a family. I pray that the Zorb Family will be comforted in this time of heart break. I pray for Janine, Mattie, and Tristan--May the spirit of peace wrap his arms around you and hold on for as long as you need him to. In the weeks, months, and years ahead, may you know that there is a plan for each of us. A plan that leads to happiness beyond measure, where we can be reunited with loved ones we lost here on Earth, as well as those we knew before we came here. Know that God loves you, he knows the pain you are enduring every moment and if you let him, he will do all that he can to fill your lives with His love, and the love of those around you. The McLains love you too! If there is anything we can do to ease your suffering, please don't think twice about asking, we are here for you.

Christmas at the McLains!

Maeli and Dad went to pick out the tree!


Maeli was excited about all the ornaments, I was surprised how many she remembered from last year.

Tucker was really into putting stuff on the tree, but he had a hard time with the branches and actually getting ornaments to stay on the tree...easily frustrated. Riker just thought that was a pretty exciting new thing to watch.

Ta Da!

Snow!

Well, like most of the pacific Northwest, we have snow! Jeremy was so excited to get to play in the snow with the kids. He came home on his lunch break, and they all headed out. He gave Maeli a lesson in snowballs, which she though was so awesome, especially when he nailed me while I was trying to take a picture of Tucker-Nice.
This is the picture I took about 1 second before getting nailed by said snow ball. Tucker was very concerned about the carrot for the snowman.
Working on the snowman
Trying to recruit help for the snowman
Jumping on the snowman.

Brother and Sister

Awe--don't ever tell Maeli that snow bibs come in anything other than black--we already had to go for pink boots and she is mad as all get out that her coat isn't pink...somethings have to be passed down to brothers and we can't make everyone where pink, can we?

Tucker wasn't completely trusting of this sudden "sweet sister" act.

And I just thought this is the cutest picture...so sweet!

Tucker's Chores

Alright, if you want to go out and play, there are a few things you need to do first:
1-Shovel the porch

2-Finish the fence-Dad can help with the tall parts

Tea Party for the Princesses

Maeli and her "best friend" Ali spent a good 45 minutes getting dressed up and then informed me that the "Princesses" needed a tea party with, "real water, chocolate chips, marshmallows, and some yummy other stuff." I did my best to comply. They played tea party for another hour or so...best bowl of chocolate chips I've ever contributed to anything.

Dad's idea of a bed-time snack?

Garlic Shrimp!

too cute not to post

Jeremy and I weren't really sure what the rules are about posting "nakey" pictures, but we figured tushes are probably okay, especially when they're this cute! And I love that they are totally glued to the Wizard of Oz. For the record, I had just gotten everyone out of the tub and went to grab jammies, when I came out, this is what I found...its not like we let our kids run around naked all the time, I promise!

Operation: Organization

Its beginning to come together! A few more days and Jeremy will be ready to do some projects...I already have his first one assigned to him...a special Christmas project for the kids. It'll be cute, I'll blog all about it when its done!

A Trip To the Fire Station!

Our friend Levi just turned 3, to celebrate, he invited everyone for a tour at the fire station. Whoa, was it just about the coolest thing ever? We think so!
I appreciated the fire man getting in full gear and explaining to the kids that this is what "the good guys" look like, so they don't need to be scared, and if they're ever in a fire, come right to him!
Tucker was so excited to see so many helmets and boots in one place!
Maeli had just seen the Fire Truck and Ambulance at pre-school, so she had no problem explaining to the EMT how things worked....at least we know she pays attention at school.
Jeremy decided that he would come along and help with the kids...hmmm, I think he, too, was a little excited about the firemen!

Reaping what we sew

Harvest at the McLain's House:
Dad chucks corn into the grass and Tucker husks it, and put it in the box--thus making Tucker a chucked corn husker boxer boy

Maeli's job is to find the red tomatoes and bring the to mom--a ripe tomato picker sister

Mom and Dad turn this, into Salsa--mama mixin' salsa and daddy picks perfect peppers to add a little pizzaz

And we got lots of corn this year!

Cookies!

For some Family Fun this week we decided to frost Pumpkin Sugar Cookies. Jeremy's not a huge fan of sugar cookies, so I used a recipe that is more like cakey-cookies, but really...its all about the frosting anyway, right?





And poor Riker really wanted his own cookie, how can you say no to that face?

Finally--A First Hair Cut

Jeremy and I noticed that most of the time Maeli looks like an orphan, so we thought it was time to get her hair cut. She was super excited until we actually got to the place, then she got nervous. It took her about 5 minutes to warm up to Tonya "the lady" and then she would not stop talking. Everything in the hair place distracted her, and she had her head as far into her shoulders as she could get it most of the time, but she didn't freak out, or cry, so I thought it went pretty well. Maeli agreed when they brought her a sticker, candy, and a balloon. It looks pretty darn cute!

Maeli's Prince

Maeli's Halloween costume arrived in the mail right before lunch time, she was so excited that she had to put in on right a way. As I was getting lunch ready, I caught her pouting in the corner. "what's the matter maeli?" Big Sigh..."I'm waiting for my Prince to come." "Who's your prince?" "Daddy is my best prince ever" So I had to call Jeremy and let him know that a very special princess was waiting for her prince and he better hurry so that she could eat lunch. Jeremy took his lunch break and came home, the second he walked in the door Maeli asked me to put on the "princess music" aka Beauty and the Beast so she could dance with her prince. She was beaming the whole time! I was a picture in my head of the not so far off future when they'll be dancing at her wedding... I hope she still thinks her Dad is the best prince ever, or at least in the top two!