Christmas morning..

I love Christmas morning when it doesn't come too early. This year was, thankfully, one of those mornings. I had a hard time sleeping, so about 4 am, after Santa delivered presents, I got up and made 7 layer dip, and few other things in preparation for our Christmas feast. I think I was just too excited for the kids to get up and open their presents that I was wide awake. So I decided to read to try to settle down. So about 5:30 I went back to bed. The kids were so great not to wake up until about 8am. Years past they have been up much earlier. In our house, Santa usually brings 3 gifts, since that was what the wisemen brought Jesus, 3 gifts. Well, Santa left 1 gift for each of the kids, except Brynlee. After they finished opening all of their gifts from mom and dad, and others I asked Craig if he liked his gift (he got an airhog zero gravity remote control car, which by the way is super cool) that Santa brought him. He said very sweetly yes, but he really wanted a DS. Kylee replied that we should be thankful for what we received and that Christmas is not about getting gifts. She got a piano keyboard, and Ainslee the Sharpay barbie that she REALLY wanted. Brynlee got a bike, a baby, and a horse. The ONLY thing Craig asked for and REALLY, REALLY wanted was a DS. Well, Santa knew this, so he thought he would make it a little more fun. We were cleaning up the wrapping paper, and I asked who threw the piece of paper that I saw in the tree. Ainslee reached for it and realized it was a note from Santa. Santa thanked them for the yummy cookies and milk, the carrots for the reindeer, and told the older three that since they had been good this year, he and the elves hid a little extra something for them. He left them a little clue and Kylee, Craig, and Ainslee found their other two Santa gifts. Surprise! A DS for each of them and 2 games. Go figure! Santa's the man! They were SOOO excited! Once those were discovered, my house was quiet as a mouse! I think Santa knew that those needed to be opened last, or they would have never opened their other gifts, or at least Craig might not have. He didn't even touch his stash until about 8pm. It was a struggle just to get him to look up from his DS. Santa also brought a guitar hero for all and Brynlee rocked it! Lisa, Bill, and James came up to spend some time with us and we just played (some of us played nonstop)and ate ALL day. A very merry day. The annual stash photos:

Snow?

So, I was at the point where I was close to being ready for Christmas. We finished the Nutcracker on Wednesday and that was enough craziness in itself. So I figured that I would finish what I needed to finish on Thursday while the kids were in school. My last chance to get things finished WITHOUT children. Friday would be out, not only because it is a short day, but the last day before Christmas break (the parties, programs, etc.) So back to Thursday, actually Wednesday night. It had been snowing through the evening. The last performance ends and backstage all the girls are squealing because they are all getting texted that school is cancelled for Thursday because of the snow. (No, not because we have just a few inches, but our buses aren't equipped to drive in the snow) We leave the venue and snow everywhere! It's 10:00 at night and we see people out building snowmen and having snowball fights. We get home and there was a message from Craig's teacher confirming what we had heard. Crazy! No school, because of snow! The kids were so excited! So, when it snows, what do you do? You make snow angels,



have a snowball fight,



and build a snowhorse! At least my children did. Yes, they have been in snow before. Kylee tried to show Craig how to get the snow into ball form for a snowman, but he was content with his mound of snow that eventually was mountable! I have to admit, waking up to snow was fun! I am just glad it's not everyday. The kids, they loved it! But maybe next time we'll be more prepared! We live in hoodies and might have a pair of mittens! Snow boots? What are those? We didn't stay out too long. In fact, after about 30 minutes in the snow Craig was nowhere to be found. Well, we did find him, taking a nice hot bath! Silly boy!

Happy Birthday Friend!

I just wanted to wish one of my closest friends, Steph, a very Happy Birthday! If you know her, you know what an amazing friend she is to have! She is so sweet, kind, and thoughtful. She is so beautiful inside and out! She is a BLAST to be around! We always have so much fun when we get together (which is not often enough since we live in two different states) She is an incredible mother, wife, and sister. I am so lucky that she is in my circle of friends! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Steph! Love Ya!

Ainslee FINALLY lost her top tooth!!

After much wiggling last night and a little bit of blood and discomfort, Ainslee's top tooth came out this morning! She is so excited to have the tooth fairy visit tonight!

My little candy hunters..

This year I wanted the kids to be the characters from Monsters, Inc. Mainly, because I thought Brynlee would make the perfect Boo. Well, after looking everywhere online and watching items on ebay, I determined that I wouldn't be able to get a Sully costume or a Boo costume for under $100. And that is for a pre-owned one! Well, then I considered making Boo's costume, but Sully, I just didn't think it would be as cute. So after all this hunting for my 4 little monster's costumes, we had to go to plan B. At this point, I thought my dream of a theme was dead. Well, after much negotiation and a little bit of a bribe with Craig, all my kids agreed to be pirates. Halloween came and went, and I didn't have to sew! My little pirates hunted for candy and all is well!

I think I need my hearing checked...

So I was telling Paul the story of scaring Craig last night (my previous post), and Craig was sitting right there to correct me that he said that he thought I was "gone" not "God" which would make more sense, although not as funny. (I did think what I thought he had said was so random.) I don't know if I was just laughing too hard from scaring him or if my hearing is just going.

I scared his guts out!

Tonight after I tucked the oldest 3 in, Brynlee was in Craig's room trying to snuggle with him. I called out her name to get her out of there and then hid in the kitchen behind the counter where she couldn't see me. So then the "mommy where are you?" started. Then Brynlee again, "Where Mommy, Craig", enlisting her big brother's help. They checked everywhere but the kitchen. Then I hear Kylee, "Check to see if she is behind the couch." At this point I could see them, but they couldn't see me. I actually thought Craig got a glimpse of me, so I jumped out and yelled, "BOO!" (It is Halloween almost) Oh my!!! Brynlee laughed, but Craig, it startled him so much tears came to his eyes. So I told him I was so sorry and that I didn't mean to scare him that bad. I asked him, "Who did you think I was?"(Thinking he would say a monster, or a bad guy, or the boogy man") His response, "I thought you were God!" I laughed sooooo hard. I asked him why he was so scared, Brynlee was laughing. He said, "When you jumped out it scared me bad! And I only thought you were God for a moment" The things they say....

Kylee's Baptism

What a special day! My precious little Kylee was baptized and I am so proud of her and the decision she has made. What an absolute sweet spirit she brings to our family! This was such a perfect day with our family and closest friends. The spirit and outpouring of love for Kylee was SO strong, and I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for my little family knowing that we are eternally bound!

The happiest place on earth!

Paul's vacation from work was this week, so we decided to take the kids out of school and go to Disneyland. What a fun week. It was the best time to go. The weather was beautiful, and the park wasn't crowded. We hardly waited to ride any rides and walked on to most, especially the good ones. The little girls and I met some of the princesses while Paul, Kylee, and Craig rode some of the bigger rides. Kylee was finally tall enough to ride Maliboomer, the only ride she couldn't ride last time. Craig was finally able to ride Screamin' (after we stuffed his shoes to make him 1/4 inch taller to meet the height requirement.) He was devastated last time when he was too short. I wasn't about to see his heart break again! It totally worked! We swam at the hotel in the evening and just had fun being together! I'll post pictures later...

Score! Four for four!

All four kids had dental check-ups and cleanings today. I made the the appointments to take them all at the same time thinking that I would just get them all done in one shot. Then I thought "What was I thinking, taking them all at the same time!?" I wasn't worried about Kylee and Craig sitting in the chair and not fussing. I was very concerned about the other two. Ainslee fussed for just a moment, then she was fine. Brynlee cried a little bit, but did amazing. So not only did they (and me) survive the trip to the dentist, but all four had NO CAVITIES! That was my favorite part. Theirs would be their goody bag with new toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, etc, and the trip to the prize box. Score!

What a weekend!

What a weekend! It worked out that Connor's baptism and Kaylee's blessing were the same weekend so that we were able to attend both and make one trip out of town! Saturday I was able to have some one on one time with Carlee and that beautiful little Kaylee while I took her blessing pictures. Then in the early evening, Connor and his cousin, Riley were both baptized. We were able to visit with them for awhile at Steph's afterwards. Here family is so gracious. I enjoyed visiting with Steph and all of her sisters and sister-in-laws. They are all so sweet. My kids love her kids and had so much fun playing with Connor and Kenna and their cousins. What a cute family! Then on Sunday we went to Kaylee's blessing. Chris gave her such a sweet blessing. He and Carlee are the cutest parents ever. After the blessing we were able to spend some time with their family, probably one of the things I miss the most since we moved. It was a good weekend.

Update....

Yesterday Kylee auditoned for the Nutcracker. She had so much fun last year that she wanted to do it again(she was a Mother Hubbard child). This year was a little different auditioning because there were soooo many girls auditioning. We talked about the possibility of her not making it, and she didn't care, but she really wanted to at least try. They audition in groups of height. In her group, she could have possibly been a mother hubbard child or a party girl. (She really wanted to be a party girl this year.) There were close to 70 girls auditioning in that group. I believe there are 9 party girls and 8 mother hubbard children . Not that I don't think that Kylee is capable, but the possibility? She's one of the younger ones. Well, we looked online today and she (drum roll, please) is a PARTY GIRL!!!
I am so proud of her! And she is ecstatic!!

Catching up is hard to do...

I know it has been at least a month since I have blogged. I really have had good intentions to be more consistent and more often, but time just escapes me these days. It seems the more I get done, the more I get behind. I used to be really good at time management (or so I thought). I guess lately I have just had a little more on my plate than I can chew! Although we did make it through the first couple weeks of school, I concede - I cannot do it all! I try my best, but sometimes it's just not good enough. Awww, if only we didn't need at least a couple hours of sleep a day! Even though I've tried that too -it's not working. I know I shouldn't complain, but today I am just plain tired. I was up all night working(best time to work without interruption) and gone all day just working and getting stuff done. Maybe tomorrow I'll get some sleep, and I won't feel so grumpy! In the meantime, here's what's been going on in our little life:

We survived the first week of school - yippy!- a normal daily routine! Brynlee is the one having a hard time adjusting to her playmates being gone!

Ainslee started kindergarten (Can you believe that?) She loves, loves it and her teacher, too. The first day of school they only went for a little treasure hunt just to get them used to their classroom and centers, etc. Her first full day was actually the 2nd day of school.

Craig is the big 1st grader now who gets to go to school ALL day and have lunch at school! Two of his best "friends that are girls"(Addie & Emma) are in his class. Stud muffin!

Brynlee started her "rina" dance class and is sooooo cute in her leotard! (with her little belly)

Kylee started 3rd grade and is taking jazz along with ballet this semester (instead of musical theater) and auditioned for the Nutcracker today. (We find out tomorrow if she makes it)

My how time does fly! I hate that 3 of my 4 kids are in school. They grow up way too fast! But they were excited to go back!

Five Years Already?

It's absolutely amazing to me that Ainslee is 5 years old today! In just a blink of an eye she went from this sweet adorable baby to this smart beautiful little young lady who is about to start kindergarten. I wish time wouldn't go by SO fast! We love her so much! Happy birthday, Sweetheart!

Introducing....

sweet little baby Kaylee Lynne!

Can I just say GORGEOUS!

She is the most precious doll baby! What an angel! She is yummy! We absolutely LOVE her! And Kylee and Ainslee couldn't have been more excited! It seemed like forever before we got to Carlee's from when we left this morning. Kylee would not stop asking me when we were leaving and kept complaining about how long it would be until we left, until we got there, why we had to stop for gas, why I had to put on make-up. "I just want to see Carlee and hold baby Kaylee" If she had it her way, we would have just woken up this morning and left in our jammies to get to see that baby faster. We got to visit with Carlee for awhile and take a few photos. She is absolutely beautiful. I was excited to see them both. Kylee said to me on the way back home from our visit today, "I wish we could just take baby Kaylee home with us. I miss her already." They could hardly wait to get there today and hold that little bundle of beauty! And that they did. I had to fight to get a turn! Congratulations Carlee and Chris! We are thrilled our little Kaylee is here!