Christmas re-cap

I wasn't really planning on doing a Christmas post, but if I ever actually get my blog published (which was the main reason for me blogging in the first place) then I would probably regret not doing it. So here in as few words and pictures as possible....our Christmas festivities.

On the 21rst we went to Don and Karen's and spent time with the Great Grandma's of the family. We had chili and Grandma Landoni's spaghetti (you haven't had spaghetti until you've had Grandma Landoni's spaghetti...nothing on earth like it!) The kids all got to open a present. It was a great way to kick of the week!!!

Christmas eve we spent with my family. My mom just got a new house...and it was finished in time for her to have the celebration there. (Phew, dodged a bullet with that one.) Her house is beautiful and perfect for large get-togethers. The food was delish, the kids especially loved the hot-dogs.;) It was great to have them back this year. Last year they were away on their mission...and it just wasn't the same. So, here's to more get-togethers at your house Mom!!!

Christmas morning my kids were up at 3:45, I REPEAT 3:45!!! I told them that everything would go back if they did not GET BACK TO BED! So they tried again at about 7:45...that I can handle. The kids took turns opening presents and this year they had a name draw (a tradition that has been in my family for as long as I can remember.) It is a fun way to teach them to think of their siblings. This seemed to be especially challenging when shopping with Easton. He had Graycie's name and I suggested that he get her Martian Matter (something that they both had wanted.) He drug his feet about it for a while, but I finally convinced him that it would make him feel so good to give her something that she really wanted. What a good sport, ey? Don and Karen came over as they finished up opening presents. All in all it was a smooth, relaxing, enjoyable day.

The day after Christmas is usually spent with Steve's parents. This year it was the day after that. Our Christmas lasts for almost a full week. I absolutely love it this way. You get to savor the season. Karen once again went all out and the kids couldn't have been more excited. When it is time to open presents, Karen shoots off her gun and shouts, "GO!!!"...seriously. Okay, okay she doesn't shoot a gun, but she does shout, GO! And they're off! I wish I had a video, not only to capture the sheer excitement of it, but the sound...oh, the sound. I have never heard paper tearing so loud in my life. It was a blast and the kids literally played with their stuff for the rest of the day.

This Christmas was splendidly wonderful. I absolutely love everything about the season and hope to pass that love and excitement on to my kids. I remember so vividly the excitement of Christmas Eve and not being able to sleep as a kid. Now, that excitement I feel has shifted from me...to my kids. The excitement is the same, but I enjoy it more now as it is not focused on me. I will always be a big kid when it comes to Christmas...well, I suppose that is true for most things. ;)

DISCLAIMER: There was no way to possibly capture the amount of food, gifts and fun had by all in words or pictures. I realize I left out several details and that there were a lot of people that weren't photographed. My apologies, oh and also...bite me.

Feeling the love...

Although lately I have been feeling that I could easily lose my mind at any given moment, I have to stop and think about all the good things in my life that I am thankful for. There are of course the obvious; Steve, the kids, a home, a working vehicle...yadda yadda yadda. But I have to try a little harder at times to find the good in other things, or situations.

Like say...this morning, for instance; Scene: Me laying in bed, trying desperately to squeeze in a few more moments of relaxation. Enter Trenton, "Mom, Tyson's doing a really naughty thing." Me,"What is he doing?" Trenton, "he has the hot cocoa behind the couch dumping it out and eating it, and the dogs are eating it too." I run out of bed, pull the couch away from the wall to find Tyson, two dogs and a Costco sized tub of hot cocoa all over my floor, couch, and wall. Not to mention, caked on the culprit and his accomplices. Of course I was mad and dealt with the situation as I saw fit, but as some time passed and some simmering took place, I was able to find many good things from this little mishap. First, I am thankful for my Dyson...a better vacuum I could never have. I am thankful for my hardwood floor...wet hot cocoa does not come out of carpet which the hardwood used to be. (I know this from experience.) I am thankful for leather couches...oh, how I LOVE leather couches. Those babies have already paid for themselves. I am thankful for tattle talers, whom I depend on on a daily basis. So you see, a little change of perspective can change...everything.

Have you ever....

Have you ever changed your clocks to make your kids believe that it was their bedtime???

...............I have.

Ugly tree...no more.

Kimmie came over to watch the kids for us while me, Steve, and Easton went hunting...well, they hunted, and I took pictures. (Look for the upcoming post.) When we came back we found Kimmie, Graycie, Trenton, and Tyson making paper decorations for our tree! They had already hung some on the tree, and I thought, sheesh what a spectacular idea! It looked soooo cute, I had to join in. So we spent the next hour or so making decorations for our ugly old tree. I have to say, I couldn't have imagined a more beautiful tree. We owe it all to cousin Kimmie. Such a simple but wonderful idea. I absolutely LOVE my tree now. So thank you to you Kimberly...you freakin rock!

Graycie's Christmas tree, and a bear...I think.

Kimmie's Santa Claus

Tyson's sticker ornament

Uh, this one Trenton made. He said it was of Kimmie, and her Dad was the slug at the top. (???)
The ornament in the back is my tribute to the Costco ornaments I wanted.

Kimmie's Kung Fu Panda.

My ugly Chirstmas tree...

(My ugly tree.)

Pretty much, I hate it. It's fake and undecorated. I decided to use my fake tree this year because I wanted to buy this set of ornaments at Costco that Rachael got. It would have been about the same price as buying a real tree. So I thought, I will buy ornaments this year, put them on my fake tree and then put them on a real tree next year. Good enough plan, right? Wrong. So I get my fake tree up and head to Costco the first chance I get to purchase the ornaments I had fallen in love with, (and yes, I LOVE these ornaments...and no, this does not mean I LOVE my family any less, seriously...see this post.) Only problem...they're sold out. Imagine my disappointment as I stood there in the middle of the aisle at Costco thinking...my fake tree is SOOOO ugly. (stomp stomp.) These ornaments were my only hope. That hope is now shattered and I am stuck with a fake, ugly, undecorated tree. *Sigh* What am I going to do about it, you ask? Absolutely nothing. So if you happen to come to my house for some random reason, please, for the love of Paul...don't state the obvious.

(Rachael's stupid tree.)

We rearranged our house recently and I am really enjoying it. Aside from my ugly tree, I actually like the rest of my decorations this year. Since my surface area is extremely limited, most of my Christmas decorations are hung. I am not posting these pictures because I think my decorations are outstanding, simply for journaling purposes.

About the Holiday Dance

Karen had sent Rachael an email with her and Don doing a disco routine...my kids and I thought it was so freaking hilarious we had to join in on the fun. My friend sent me an elf yourself last year...and I have to say they have improved their dances tremendously.

...and the list goes on.

Yet another thing that needs to be fixed around here. I swear, one thing after the other. The hole in the boys bedroom wall that mysteriously keeps getting bigger and bigger. I lied, there is no mystery...his name is Tyson. He has now made the hole big enough for matchbox cars to fit in. How do I know this you ask? Please. The tub won't drain, the thermostat doesn't show the temperature, and the lock on our front doorknob doesn't unlock, once locked. Oh, the list goes on. I don't know if these things have always been so obvious, or if its just now that we are all stuck in the house all day that these things are screaming at me. Much like the four children that live here. Once the weather gets cold, my kids get crazy...to put it mildly. I think the house, along with its residents are in much need of some tending to. Know the feeling?

During my Break...

We spent Thanksgiving at the Reid's house this year. They are not "technically" related, but they are family to me. They have an amazing place in Green Bluff...just past Spokane, the kids love it there. So while Denise and I prepared Thanksgiving dinner, (comedy) Steve, John, and Makenzie took the kids to the high school where John works to let them burn off some energy in the gym. Once Denise and I had gotten everything ready to go in the oven, we had some down time, so I grabbed my handy dandy camera case and walked around their yard to find some cool pictures. (I don't know if yard is the right word for their unbelievable land...more like park.) Here are some of my favorites; (I should probably state that dinner turned out fantastic ;)

I know this one was not taken in their yard as mentioned before, but whatevs.

Halloween was...

Preschool parties. Trunk or Treating. Harry Potter, Unknown Phantoms, Sidekicks and Power Rangers. Eskimos and Boxers. Family and treats, candy for weeks, er....days. ;)

P.S. Couldn't be happier it's over. ;)

Loving me some.....

Freckles!

(..and the fact that he has been giving me so many hugs and kisses lately.)