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!