Fun in a box

Last week we got a new dishwasher as the week before ours stopped working.  Yes, I washed all dishes by hand for a week, and it really wasn't so bad, but I was glad to get a new dishwasher and the kids were ecstatic for the huge box to play in.  Well, after the dishwasher was almost installed, Scott took the plastic off the front and realized the side of it was smashed in a little.  He ended up taking it back last night and getting a whole new unit and reinstalling it.  Good times.  Fabulous for the kids, since they pretty much trashed the first box within a few hours.  This morning they had a whole new box that daddy had made into a house.  Hopefully they're a little more careful with it so the fun can last.

The original box, with a little window to look out of.  Callum got a kick out of it.

Three kids in a box--great way to contain them, but very noisy.

Decorating their new "house" with crayons.

Back to work after lunch time.  They've got a ways to go with the coloring.  I'm sure it will be beautiful when they are done.

A girl and her outfits

This girl loves to be comfy, but lately she's been adding in a little style with her stretch pants and comfy tops...a princess skirt and/or dress.

Marketa can be found playing outside or going to the store in these cute clothes.  Just throw on a coat and tennis shoes and she's good to go. 

Around the house it is princess dresses all the way.  Even an extra skirt underneath to add some style.

Lately her hat has been added to the ensemble and sometimes a fleece jacket.

That's my girl.  I'm sure someday she'll ask me why I let her out of the house in these outfits.  I'll just remind her of how strong willed she is.

We've been a bit busy, as always, but mostly the reason for not blogging lately is because I've been lazy and haven't felt like it.  Here's what we've been up to.

Fighting fires

Brunch with family.

Love a house full of kids.

3 generations of DeGroote men--hanging out with Grandpa Denny.

Uncle Teeda going for favorite status here, pulling out the iPhone to watch a movie.

Reading books.

Reading our Bibles.

Being stinkers.

Laying around talking.

Dressing up--yes, that is a skirt around her neck, using it as a cape.

Cutting and coloring snowflakes for daddy to hang up at work.

Just a little bit of what we've been up to.  Hopefully I'll get better about taking pictures and posting them.

Chocolate cake

Last week we celebrated Grandma Bonnie's birthday.  The boys insisted that she likes chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.  Keta said she wanted a princess on her cake.  Who am I to argue.  I made the Best Chocolate Sheet Cake.  Ever.  So good!  It's one I've made many times before and will definitely be making it again.

The mooch

I think Callum may have the best nose in the house.  If Scott or I are eating something, he is sure to find us and start begging.  Doesn't take much for us to oblige.  Just can't resist those big brown eyes.  If he is finished with his meal and happens to get cleaned up while someone is still eating, he will usually go over for a bite.  This time, he made his way onto Scott's lap to help him eat some english muffin.  What do you do when a sweet little boy comes over and says please?

Snowy weekend

On Saturday, the boys woke up from nap and saw plenty of snow.  They went downstairs and told dad it was time to get out there and get some work done.  So, they suited up and went out to scoop some snow.  They also threw some snowballs and built a snowman.  We went out Sunday afternoon too.  Grandma Bonnie came over to build more snowmen.  It was too cold, so the snow wouldn't stick.  Instead we went sledding down the small hill in our back yard and threw snowballs.

Beckett working on the patio.

Maddox taking care of the driveway.

Marketa just looking cute.