I ended a crazy week by hosting my annual neighborhood cookie swap, which never ceases to the be the most chaotic event of the season. My favorite part of the party is the group photo, which only happens after a group of parents corral the kids and somehow convince to stay together long enough for a photo.
The kids are now older, so most of them spent the afternoon outside playing on Josh and Molly's new playset. The party came to an abrupt end, however, when the boys found the hose on the side of the house and turned it on (Josh has owned up to this). Someone (again, Josh is the likely culprit), hosed down a few kids in the 40-degree weather. The kids thought it was hilarious; the moms not so much. The party continued to erode when Josh came into change his wet clothes and ran through the house in his underwear, followed by Molly dumping a huge container of beads (used for the party craft) onto the carpet.
A good time was had by all.
We just got back from a very quick trip to Nantahala, N.C., to visit Shelley and her family, who were spending a week with Shelley's extended family in the mountains. They graciously allowed us to cram into the cabin with them and add to the chaos.
We took the kids on a hike yesterday in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Josh walked Zoe, the Cullums' lab, and amazingly there was no complaining this time. I'm afraid we're going to have to get our own dog soon!
Molly, Josh and Alex before the hike
Josh, who loves to be in charge, became sort of a nature guide on our hike, stopping to loudly point out things like "green leaves" and a "big rock." Maggie was very tolerant of his continuous stream of pointing out the obvious, only occasionally turning around to roll her eyes. 
We had a picnic after our hike, and then our outing abruptly ended when Josh walked over to the creek to throw some rocks and fell in. The next thing I knew, he was walking around in his underwear and shirt. We quickly loaded the cars up and left!
We had a major first at the cabin when Josh and Molly decided they wanted to sleep on the same pull-out couch. It was cute when they fell asleep curled up together, but unfortunately that happened hours after we turned out the lights and it meant they were right there to wake each other up at 6:15 the next morning.
Josh's latest past-time is writing notes and labels and taping them around the house. Today he labeled our tables and bathrooms, and he posted this sign on our coat closet. The writing on the blue tape reads "no running in the hose," and the rest means to say, "Parties are really important." So for all of you who like to have a good time, Josh gives you his hearty endorsement--as long as you walk. More work will ensue in 2010 on his spelling and apostrophe usage.
The goggles left over from last summer were a big hit. Molly wore hers with the big pink snowsuit on our second trip to the sledding hill; unfortunately we were too cold to take our gloves off to get the camera out for that one.
The kids opened stockings on Christmas morning at Missy and Tyler's. We were joined by Tyler's family and some of their Danish relatives. 
Slinkies are always a hit
Josh and Molly now have two sets of twin cousins; Rhys (left) and Avery are 3 months old
Here are Molly and Ethan playing at a Christmas/birthday party on Sunday
