How we stole Christmas...

Ok, so I wish I had gotten actual pictures of this event, but I slacked off. However, I must share a funny highlight to our holidays.

Wade and I have some friends that we have known for about 5 years and we love them a lot. Years ago they came over one night for crepes and ice cream. Emily brought the ice cream and I made crepes and hot fudge. After we were finished, they offered us to keep the rest of the ice cream in the bucket, which we declined. They insisted, and so on, and so on. We were all laughing when they walked out the door with the ice cream bucket. Later that night, we found it back on our front porch. We snuck it back to their house and hung it from one of their flower basket hangers until they later discovered it. This cat and mouse game went back and forth for a while until the bucket became quite disgusting. Someone finally forfeited and threw it away, but we had many good laughs over that dumb ice cream.

Well, it's been quite a while since we have played a good prank- which for some reason I love with a passion! So, a few days before Christmas, we went over and stole all of their Christmas decorations off their porch and front yard and brought them home and put them up all over our house and yard. We wondered how long it would take them to figure out it was us. So, when Emily called and told me how someone had swiped their Christmas stuff, I played dumb.
"Who on earth would do that?"
I began to feel a little badly and wondered what to do. Luckily, the next day they drove by here and found their stuff sitting in our yard and laughed hysterically. In that moment, it was worth it.
The problem is revenge. Uh-oh...

The Nutcracker

Sommer was in the Nutracker with her dance school this Christmas. They did such a beautiful job!

She was excited that she got to wear makeup- and lots of it! She danced the part of one of the mice that assist the mouse king in scaring Clara. They were so cute!


She was in 3 performances friday-saturday.

Although we couldn't get any photographs during the recital, here is a picture of her on stage.

She got flowers from her dad closing night. He picked these because he said they had reminded him of fire. He had been fighting a fire that day so I guess it was heavy on his mind. :) Sommer loved them and that's all that matters!

I am so thankful that Sommer got to be part of such a beautiful production this year and really learn and appreciate the story of the Nutcracker. She got a Nutcracker book for Christmas with pictures from the New York ballet that also tells the story. She says it was her favorite gift! It was a great experience that I hope she will participate in continually while she is growing up!

Had Ourselves a Merry Little Christmas!

It came and went, much too quickly. Most good things in life seem to do that. But it was wonderful. We spent more time at home this year, which was so peaceful and fun to just watch my kids play! The simplicity of this year was a welcomed change. Although I do hope that next year I can decorate, bake, and craft a little more, I think we were no worse for the wear.

I also must mention how blessed I feel. So many people came to my aid and helped me stress a little less. Taking my kids to lessons, cleaning my house, bringing me lunch, a shoulder to cry on (on one frustrated day), and even a few gifts for my kids to lessen my shopping need. I felt so undeserving, but very loved. I feel so humbled!

Braydon got some good reads for Christmas. (So did I~yay!) I am so proud of how much he loves to read! He's a good boy!

Our kitty particularly loved the Christmas tree ornanments.

Sommer got some special Nutcracker books and memorabillia to celebrate her first time to play a part in the ballet. I will post more pictures of that soon. It was so beautiful and special! And she also got some more little pet shops. She is so easy to shop for!

When Chase opened a globe from Santa, He yelled, "THE WORLD??? I LOVE LEARNING ABOUT THE WORLD!"

He spends hours studying maps. He can show us where animals are from all over the world. And he can even show me where my friend, Charis is from (South Africa). He thinks it is soooo cool that she is from Africa where the coolest animals are from. He is always asking me about her adventures growing up there. (We are going to have to let him call you on a day you aren't too busy, Charis, K?)

Livvy has been saying for a month, "San Caus bring Ivvy a baby doll". And that he did. A couple. It was a good thing too, since we have a few that need to be retired! At least they have been loved by the sweetest little baby girl. She has been telling me all the time now, "I wuv Ooo Mommy." Ah, my heart melts. I wish I could have a few more of her! :)

Indeed, we had ourselves a Merry Little Christmas!

My photo uploader is super slow today, so you get to be spared my usual overloaded posts.

We wish you a Merry Christmas

Photoshop is addicting. Obviously...

And I love looking at pictures of my kids. They make me happy!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas cards 2009

I have sick babies, so we are pretty much quarantined. This Christmas season has been very different for me. With my injured back and now illness in the house, I haven't gotten into as much hustle and bustle this season. So, I don't know if I will get a chance to print and mail cards, but I did make some on the computer tonight as I sit on the couch with Chase sleeping on my arm. Livvy is sleeping right here too. The pictures were taken earlier in the year, but I love them still. And although Livvy has changed the most, they are the 2009 version of my babes.

Thanks to all of you who have sent us cards and kept in touch. I love them! If I get the chance, I will mail out our cards too. Plus, hopefully get some shopping done. I can't believe how quickly Christmas has come this year, but I love it all the same. I love just being with my family. It is also so great having great friends and many blessings especially when there are trials. I'm so grateful for the service and kindness I have recieved lately while I've been down. Thank you!

I hope you all are having a very merry Christmas season!

P.S.- Which card should I print??? None of them took much time. Maybe next year I can have a whole family picture and put more time and love into our Christmas cards. And if I get them mailed, that would be awesome too!

A very capable boy

It is such a wonderful feeling to see your children work hard and accomplish great things. My little Braydon is sooo smart and sweet. He helps me out so much! It was by divine design that he was born first! He is so wise, methodical, and mature. (well, most of the time). Here he is building an inversion table for me. He has always been so great at following instructions and constructing things. I just love him so much! I feel soooo much pride over this son of mine! I'm truly grateful for him!

And if this isn't natural talent, then I don't know what is. The photo below was a snowball that Braydon threw at the front window. Doesn't it look just like a poodle? No joke!

While Mommy Rests...

I recieved an MRI last week and while trying to follow my Dr.'s strict orders to "take it easy" to heal my herniated disc (or as I like to call it- Inferno-ated disc), this is what my baby has been doing. Please be aware that this happened in a matter of minutes, therefore "resting" is out of the question. My floors were also decorated at the same time. Wow! Isn't she festive?

This is how I interpret LOTS OF REST- Lie in bed all night long with no comfortable position to be found. It’s also helpful to have little one massage your back by kicking you as hard as they can. Eventually sleep on the very edge of the bed, hoping that if you fall off, maybe you will hit your head, be knocked unconscious and therefore, have a respite from the pain.

And here is how she dresses herself. I actually think this part is dang cute. especially her "shirt" skirt.

I know every mom deals with these things too. I just have an abundance of mishaps to deal with these days it seems. I must be feeling a bit emotional because last night, Wade and I were watching "Cheers" and Diane got stuck in a heating vent and I started crying and didn't stop for about an hour. Am I pathetic or what?

But, regardless of what I am feeling, there is no place I'd rather be. I love my family- messes and all.

Please pray for me that I won't need surgery! I'm trying to avoid it if possible.