2013 Christmas Day

Christmas Day I think Ben and I were up before the kids.  We told them they couldn't wake us up until after 7, but we were awake and just waiting for them in our room by then :)  They all had to wake up Miss O because she was in "sleep in" mode, and that just doesn't work on Christmas morning at our house because everyone has to go down together.

Stockings are always the first thing the kids open.  Uncle Mike made the kids these super cute chocolate sleighs for their stockings this year.

And everyone got headlamps in their stockings this year :)

Then after stockings we do presents one person/gift at a time.  Miss A had asked for a pocket knife and was happy with this present.  

The kids exchange names for gifts for each other, and Miss E had Miss O this year and got her a pillow pet which she was very excited about.

Mr J was super excited about his markers.

We got the girls these matching scarves--super cute!

And then Miss O got a new bike

And so did Mr J--his first "big kid" bike, but sadly they couldn't ride them on Christmas Day because it was way too icy out.

We actually had a white Christmas this year which is rare for us.  We all got these BYU shirts and before we went to my parents' for Christmas lunch we got a picture outside on our white Christmas.

It was as wonderful day to be with family and enjoy the time together.  We are very blessed and thankful for all we have!!!

Daily December 17--week 50

Continuing my daily December posting, for today here are some pictures of what we have been up to this past week. . .

kids singing at church party

These crazy people who like to jump on the trampoline when it is super cold out--love Mr J's socks.

Miss O reading our nightly Christmas story

I got these beautiful flowers this week--they just made my day!!!  Thanks C & L!  We love you!

Miss O helping to fill Christmas food boxes for the needy at Church.

The kids making Ukrainian Pzanky eggs with my mom.  She does cool things like that.

The kids' awesome eggs they made.  We have little hooks for the tops so they can attach them and hang them on the Christmas tree.

Thanks for visiting and hope the Christmas season is going well for you and yours!!

2012 Blue Jeans Week 1

Welcome 2012!  Our first week was a good one.  Our weather was divine!  I will take sunny and 65 in January anytime :)  Here is what we have been up to. . .

Sunday:  Not exactly sure what we're are going for here.  I took a nap after church and these 3 had fun with Dad, his suit coats, ties, and the camera.  I just saw the evidence after :)

Monday:  First Monday night in a new year we always make our goals sheets.  Each of us chooses goals for the new year in different areas--physical, mental, spiritual, temporal.  Everyone was working on their 2012 goal sheets at Family Night.

Tuesday:  The dreaded day that we put all the Christmas stuff away.  Lots of stuff and a big mess.  Nice when everything is clean and back to normal :)

Wednesday:  The kids were playing 'old fashioned' school today after school.  Love their hats.

Thursday:  I was working at the school today and got to snap a picture of Miss E working.  It was fun to be at their school for the day.

Friday:  This has been on our family room coffee table all week.   Our Harry Potter Lego village.  We love HP and Legos, so this has been extra fun.

Saturday:  We got the kids' pictures hung today.  They are so beautiful.  I am so glad we got them done. 

Happy New Year to all of you and hope you have a great week!

Organized Christmas countdown starts today!

Okay, I am such a fan of Organized Christmas!  It is a free website that has several different countdown to Christmas/get ready for Christmas plans.  The one that I love and have been doing for about 5 years (big thanks to my friend Cathy!) is the 6 weeks Countdown to Christmas Plan.  It starts today and has you do little things every day and has themes for each week so by December 3rd you will be ready for Christmas--cards out, gifts bought and wrapped, meals planned, etc .  Yes, I am a Christmas geek, one of those people that thinks about Christmas all year, buys gifts all year, and gets sooo excited about it all year :)  but I truly love this site--it helps me keep myself in check, get things planned and organized so Christmas at my house is much more calm than chaotic so everyone can enjoy it--because it is supposed to be enjoyed, right?  By everyone, not just the kids!! :)  Check it out!  Join me on the Countdown to Christmas plan!

The Beard makes all the difference

Santa is just awesome. We love him at our house, but let me tell you the beard makes all the difference! We have a town square, and during the month of December they bring in a cute little red, white, and green house onto the square. It is Santa's house, and Santa is there every Thursday night in December. You can come visit him in his house, then they have free hot chocolate, cookies, and free kid train and trolley rides. It is fun, but Miss O was not very impressed with Santa's beard. We got out of the Santa house, and one of her school friends was waiting in line to see Mr. C. Miss O whispered to him "His beard is fake!" Obviously. . .

Miss O with Santa in the Santa house and his fake beard.
Then we went to the Library's special Christmas storyhour. They had carolers and then Santa was in the back room. Let me tell you this Santa was awesome! Can you see the difference?

Mr J and Mr C

Miss E and Mr C

Miss O and Mr C. He told her she could pull on his beard to see if it was real. She did, not too hard, and she was so impressed! We saw Nana right after and Miss O was so excited to tell her we saw the Real Santa with a real beard! Let me tell you the beard makes all the difference!

Even Miss A loved him! Who wouldn't with that Beard? Gotta Love Santa--he is so sweet!