Bareback Riding

After playing in the snow we went and visited with Gma Aileen and Sadie got to go bareback riding for the first time.

 Even though Gma was leading the horse she was still very excited.  Have I mentioned this girl LOVES horses?

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow: Part II

 On the way down the mountain we found a little spot we could "sled" and make snow angels.

 Sadie trying to make a snow angel.  The snow had a frozen crust so she couldn't really make a good angel.

 So on to the next adventure...

Sledding on Alyssa's snowboard.

Here is Sadie following Alyssa up the small hill.

3-2-1 blast off!!

"WHOA"  haha.  She was laughing the whole time. 

 Sadie thought better than to go down again without someone.

Who else better to volunteer than Alyssa?!

 Then Daddy got into the action.

Secretly I just think he wanted to push her down the hill.  haha.

 She enjoyed it until the end.  No one caught her so she went straight into a bush.  Although she thought this was hysterical and was one of the highlights of the trip.

"Daddy pushed me into a bush"

 She then went exploring on her own.  Up a hill and she made her own path down with her bum.

Snowballs were fun for all involved as well.

Here is Steve getting ready for another round with Alyssa. 

 Aunt Karina taking it all in at a semi-safe distance.

Because really is there any safe place when snowballs are concerned?  I think not!  Unless you have a camera and are pregnant with twins.  I actually became home base.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow: Part I

While in Etna it didn't actually snow but there was enough on the mountain for us to go play in.

 When I say there was enough snow, I mean barely enough snow.  Alyssa and Sadie made a miniature snowman.  Sadie has been talking about making a snowman for ages.  So who were we to deny her, her first snowman?!

 I absolutely love this picture.  It reminds me of the little boy in "Christmas Story"

 Sadie and her Snowman

Alyssa, Sadie and their work of art! 

Great Grandma Johnson Turns 100

Great Grandma Marie Johnson turned 100 on November 5th, 2011.  We had a great turn out at the party that was thrown in her honor. 

Great Grandma and her children 

Great Grandma with Grand-daughter Joanna and her daughters. 

 Aunt Annetta's family.  A five generation photo.

 Our family

 Sadie, Grandma and I (and the twins of course)

Jojo and I 

Grandma Valeda's family with Grandma Johnson 

 My Mom, Grandma and Aunt Jeneva.

My mom and Aunt Jeneva grew up together as sisters.  Great Grandma Johnson and Grandma Valeda were pregnant at the same time.  Mom and Jeneva are three months a part.

Veteran's Parade - Etna California

The first weekend of November we got to go up to Etna.  While we were there the City of Etna had their annual Veteran's Day Parade.

We ended up parking overlooking the place where Steve and I had gotten married 17 1/2 years ago.  It is still just as beautiful now as it was then.

 Then we found a good spot along Main street and settled in for the parade.  Sadie was very excited.  It was her first parade.

 They even had an exhibit for the women who are serving or have served in the military.  Here is a poster with Steve's sister Karina (and my friend Melanie).



Halloween

The Wednesday before Halloween was our Church's Trunk or Treat.  I didn't get any pictures of that.  I know shocking!  Sadie had a great time though.

On Halloween we dressed up and went down the street to our friends house.  Sadie was Cinderella and Nina was Snow White while Susie was the Poisoned Apple.

Even Nina's Grandma Beth got into the Halloween Spirit and dressed up as Dobby from Harry Potter.  Nina was too scared but Sadie LOVES Grandma Beth so she braved getting a picture.

The funniest thing about the night was Sadie.  After every stop she'd yell "look mom I got candy"  and yes I mean EVERY door.  haha.

I love these girls.  They were so funny coaching eachother at the door.  "ok that's enough knocking Sadie"  "remember to say trick or treat Nina".  They make every outing an adventure that is for sure!

PreSchool Heads to the Pumpkin Patch

We started Sadie in a co-op preschool this year.  There are 6 kids and the parents switch off on having the preschool at their house each week. 

In October we decided to have a field trip to the pumpkin patch.  The kids really enjoyed themselves.

Here they are studying the pond that is fenced.  Personally I think they were trying to figure out how to get on the other side of the fence. 

Here they were studying the bottoms of the pumpkins.  Another favorite were the bumps on the outside of the pumpkins.  They reminded me of warts.

Here they are getting ready for a little class about pumpkins.

After the class we took the kids through the corn maze.  Afterward Sadie told Steve that it was kind of scary because she couldn't find her way out.  "All it was was tall corn Daddy"