Another Birthday...

Another year down and another Happy Birthday to me!! This is my palindrome year as my age forward and backward is still the same age of 33. Let's hope it is a good year.

Christmas Chaos

We spent several days celebrating the Christmas season this year. Jeff was able to take a few days off which made it really fun for the kids. We were able to get in a few movies and time with Grandma and Papa which the kids loved. We started the fun festivities with Christmas Eve pre- gift opening from relatives. They loved seeing what got sent to them in the mail and got excited with each gift they opened.

After that little preview we headed over to Ken and MarGene's for the 2nd day in a row for our little family Christmas day. Ken made his yummy fried chicken and homemade ranch by request and we all enjoyed. The kids had fun being helpers in passing out the presents and this year Ken and MarGene helped the kids each buy us a present. I have to say my children cannot keep a secret and wanted to tell us what they bought. Andrew handed me my gift and said "here mama that a candle." We all got a good laugh. Never tell those two anything you want to be a secret.

After a fun filled day with Grandma and Papa we headed home to get ready for Santa to visit. The kids were super hyper and couldn't wait. We got them all dressed in their new Christmas pajamas and got them off to bed.

Megan was the first to wake at 7:30am. We heard her come out of her room to check out if Santa really came. She then scurried back to her room and waited till Andrew woke up. I don't know about you but that must show what patience she has to see the loot yet wait. At 8am we finally decided it was time to wake up Andrew and get the party started.

All I can say is tornado for what happened next. The kids went through their gifts in lightening speed and if felt like it was over before it even began. I have finally begun to realize that I need to go to Christmas spending anonymous as I always buy way to much. Every year I tell myself to cut back and every year we end up with more than we should. I've gotten some good advise from friends and family for next year so lets see if I can stick to it.

We did try and give the kids a little story about the true meaning of Christmas and what happened in the little manger on that special day. Megan is really starting to get it and feel the spirit but Andrew is still in the weeds. We'll keep working on that and try to not forget what Christmas is really about.

I've since tried cleaning up but it seems like a never ending pile of toys and garbage. I've already taken down the tree and hope to be able to get the rest sorted out to bring in the new year all nice and settled.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Here is looking to 2010 and what new and fun things are in store of us.

Winter Break and already bored

We have barely made it two days of winter break and my kids are already bored. They have spent a bunch of time playing with their sleeping bags and inventing new things. There newest invention is sleeping bag surfing. They take their sleeping bags and stuff them with pillows and blankets then use them as slippery bags to slide down the 10 steps of stairs we have. They can spend hours at the stairs going up and down giggling. Then of course one of them gets irritated at the other and the game goes down hill. They usually need a break to regroup but find their way back to the stairs for another round. I'm starting to get worried for the stairs.

Our Next Photographer??

So one day I noticed my camera was missing from it's storage spot. Andrew has an obsession with cameras so it was the first place I looked and of course found it right away. Andrew had smuggled it into his room to practice his mad skills with a camera.

He took something like 30 or more pictures of his room and self. I got the best laugh at looking at what he took. Not sure he really knew what he was doing but it was sure funny to see the results. I guess it runs in the genes :}

Winter Concert

It is that time for Megan's 2nd Grade concert at school. This year it was a Winter Concert where they had 5 songs to perform.

Megan got a special part in one of the songs to play the glockenspiel. It has been great fun listening to Megan try to pronounce her instrument. She was super cute and had a ton of fun. She loves being in the spot light and enjoys every minute of performing with confidence. It is cute to see how much she grows each year.

Happy Birthday Daddy

I'd like to wish my Rebel of a Dad a big Happy Birthday. He says he doesn't have them anymore but as long as I'm around I'm gonna count 'em. I hope you go out and do something fun and exciting.

Puttin' Up the Ol' Tree

We finally got around to getting the tree put up. The kids were so excited they couldn't even wait to get started. They loved decorating the tree. I'd set out a few ornaments and they'd each come over to pick the one they liked the best out of the bunch.

They did a really good job of taking turns and just enjoying the fun. The hardest part was waiting for me to get the ornaments out of their boxes for them to choose from. Megan even decided to add some of her own decorations by making some cute little paper snow flakes to add. Now the biggest challenge is getting them to leave the poor tree alone. Everyday they go over and play with the ornaments. We've gotten a few broken and some I need to get some new hangers for but all in all there is just something about the Christmas tree that they just love.