My Little Elf

 (Due to the extremely cold weather Orion has chapped CHEEKS and CHIN)

But He's still stinkin CUTE :)

What a little "tease".....  

I actually asked him to smile and this is what he did :)

Finally!!!! Our First Snow has Arrived :)

My boys were so glad to see the snow when they woke up this morning!!!!  Orion pointed at my truck and said uh oh!!!!  He wasn't sure what to think.  Then when Justus and I returned from swim lessons this morning (roads were terrible... I slid at least once)  a little bit of snow was left on the rug in front of the door and he got all excited and started playing with it.

While Orion is taking his nap Justus and Matthias took advantage of the first snow of the season.  As you can see from the very blurry cell phone picture below had so much fun.  (don't you dislike when someone leaves your camera on and runs down your battery?)   If only Matthias would have kept his gloves on!!!!!

One of my "Snow Angels" 

Justus Is 6!!!!

With my back hurting and not being able to sit for long periods of time, I haven't gotten a chance to post about our "BIG" 6 year old boy.  So because my back is feeling a little bit better today I am going to take avantage and post before it starts hurting again.


Justus turned 6 years old on November 12........ and because David and Joe were hunting we celebrated with dominoes (extremely greasy PIZZA).  And he even got to have Kaleb over for dinner and cake :)  Kaleb and he have become good friends and they really enjoy play dates together.  Lego is a big hit for both of them and tormenting their big brothers :)

Then we had a surprise visit from our good friends the Phelps'.  This is the 4 older ones tuned into the T.V. watching "How To Train Your Dragon".  One of our favorites. Rachel made the boys the cutest capes for their birthday.  They have been running around the house with them ever since.  It's been fun watching their imaginations take off because of their capes.  (Thanks Rachel)

On Saturday after the return of the not so successful hunters (they had a good time anyway) we celebrated as a family.  Our tradition is when it's your birthday you get to choose what you would like for dinner.  Justus choose corn-dogs and chips.  And because my back was still hurting (and still is)  my dear mom (Jeannie) made the cake/cupcakes for Justus.  It turned out so well and Justus loved it!!!!!!  Everything done and Over he had an excellent BIRTHDAY and We are blessed because of our 6 year old "BIG" little boy :)

 It's so hard to blow out 6 candles........

 He's getting to smart..... I was unsuccessful in smearing frosting on his nose this year :)

 I'm THANKFUL that God has blessed us with such an amazing little boy.

3 Cowboys, an Alien, and that Hobo again.......

Well it's hard to believe that it's almost been a week since we celebrated our annual harvest party and I'm just now posting our pictures.  I guess I could blame it on my busy schedule, however it really comes down to just plain not turning the computer on.  So at any rate here goes and enjoy the pictures of our 3 Cowboys, an Alien and our scary Hobo. 

 "the hand"  I just thought this was a funny picture :)

 Matthais trying his luck and the balloon dart game...... 

careful the darts fly back at ya!!

 Handsome Cowboy looking for his damsel (not till he's at least 30)

 Orion loved the pumpkin toss.... especially when he got to
hit whoever was behind it in the nose :)

 Doughnut on a string..... don't use your hands Justus.  

I overheard it said that Justus 

was the most entertaining to watch. :)

 I did it...... with a little help from Dad & Mom :)

Not sure if I like this!!!!

I acutally dressed up this year, however I didn't take a picture of me and my boys. 

Oh well, it was a fun evening anyway.  

What did you do to celebrate your "harvest" season?

Attic Room Progress #2

Here are some updated pictures of the rooms upstairs :)  Things are moving along slow but steady, I am so proud of David for the hard work he has been doing for his family.  He is a good provider, leader, and all around great guy.  I married up!!!!   Next is carpet..... Yeah!!!  Then the boys can move into their "new" room. 

  Katie's Room......

  Luke and Joe's Room........  The red wall was so hard to paint.  Don't look to close cause it's not perfect :/

 Door in the gathering/play room

 And Orion just cause he's cute....... oh and such a good helper :)

Who is this Hobo Anyway????

So with the harvest party this Friday we are working hard on getting the boys ready :)  It's gonna be a fun day!!!  We are looking forward to it.

The box is HIS home :)  at least thats what the Hobo said when Justus tried to take it away :)

What do you do to celebrate this day?

Wind Storm

Wind storm in Juneau.....  

So what do you do when you have a wind storm?

Well you do what the Paden family does, 

well most of them that is.  You get your

rain gear on and head out to go wind sailing. 

"Joe all decked out in his home made rain coat"

flag on in my flower pot blowing in the wind

neighbors trailer that is a little closer to the tree now

 when your all done getting blown away 

you come home looking like Jusuts

The NOAA weather service describes 

our wind storm that is going on outside this way:

JUNEAU BOROUGH AND NORTHERN ADMIRALTY ISLAND- 

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 

1 AM AKDT WEDNESDAY...

A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 

1 AM AKDT WEDNESDAY.

* WIND: SUSTAINED WINDS TO 30 MPH WITH

GUSTS OF 65 MPH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WARNING MEANS THAT HIGH WINDS ARE ALREADY 

OCCURRING OR IMMINENT. 

THESE WINDS COULD POSE A THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY.

PEOPLE ARE URGED TO SECURE LOOSE 

OBJECTS THAT COULD BE BLOWN
AROUND OR DAMAGED BY THE WIND.

BE SURE TO PROTECT BOATS AND AIRCRAFT.

THESE WINDS COULD CAUSE BRANCHES TO FALL 

ONTO POWER LINES. BE PREPARED IN CASE THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER. 

I am reminded of how powerful our God is by all this mighty wind outside.  With just a word the storm could be calmed and the only thing that would remind us of the storm outside is the branches that have blown off the trees.  Or maybe the trees that have fallen.  Sometimes when the storms of life come (and they always do)  return to God who will calm the storm for you.  Lean on Him who loves you more than you think.... He sent His son for you!!!! And when the storm passes you will have gotten your heart right with Him.  His plans are Good and He is in control.....