Christmas Day One

Our two days of Christmas are over and wow were they fun, but tiring.  I still haven't had time for that nap I was planning.  Yesterday was all about Dan's family.  We had lunch with Dan's close 50 member family (I'm not exaggerating folks) at Joan and Larry's church.  They've added ping pong tables to their rec area so the kids had something to entertain them.  They had so much fun chasing the ball back and forth.  I'm not sure any balls were actually returned.  We had too much food and then got to listen to how Nana and her siblings grew up and their farm.  It sounds like the family didn't have much as far as material things, but they were rich in love and fun. 

In the evening, we headed to Dan's parents house to eat left overs from lunch (plus Larry's famous fried chicken) and to open presents.

 When we mentioned presents, the kids got a little crazy, so I told them the child who was the stillest and quietest would get to open the first present.  Caden won.

Jaelyn finally got her Easy Bake Oven.  She's been eyeing them for a while.  I always wanted one growing up, but never got one.  I'm the permanent cook in my house now so cooking with a light bulb has lost some of it's appeal.

Grandmother did got with all of her presents.  I HUNTED for "Yoda's" light saber after Caden put it on his list.  She found it for him without any troubles and got all the credit :p.

Jaelyn with Granddaddy and Grandmother

I've recently posted prayer requests for Dan's Nana.  This is her with Caden, who she thinks is the most perfect little boy in the whole wide world.  The spot on her rib is cancer.  She received her pic line last week and will start her chemotherapy on the 28th.  Will you please keep her in your prayers?



Great Start to Our Day

I heard the whispering start about 5:30 this morning.  It took just a few minutes before I heard tiptoes down the hallway.  Instead of looking for presents, the kids went to their little cookie table.  I heard Jaelyn loudly say "Hey, Santa didn't take my picture or the Santa I made him."  She was very put out.  She came to tell me he left a note but she couldn't read it.  I asked if he left presents and eyes got big.  They'd forgotten all about the presents.  The kids ran back into the living room and turned on the light.  Squeals of delight erupted.  Santa did good.  Jaelyn and Allie got new dolls and Caden got a huge Yoda stuffed animal.

The kids were made to eat breakfast and wait around while the grown ups took showers and got pretty for pictures :).

Better watch out for Caden Fett.  He's armed and dangerous.

 Jaelyn and her new doll, Elizabeth.

Allie ripping into a package and discovering a custom made doll bed.

 Baba and Grandpa out did themselves.  Our dolls will be sleeping in style.  The beds also stack into bunks.

We are off to a good start.  Next up for the day is Dan's huge family lunch.  Nana is one of 9 and all the siblings, spouses, children, great grandchildren and anyone even remotely related get together every year.  It's a mad house with up to 100 people some years.  After the craziness, I'm taking a nap.  I would love to say the kids are going to take a nap too, but that hasn't happened in years so I think they'll have some down time with a movie.  After we've recharged, we'll head to Dan's parent's house for dinner with his immediate family and more present opening!  Oh the excitement!

How to Put Up a Christmas Tree: Step by Step Instructions

Step 1 - Unroll it

Step 2 - Plug it in

Step 3 - Hold it up

Step 4 - Stand back and enjoy

Ta Da...a Christmas tree that is ready to go at a moments notice

 

And that folks, is how we do it!

Merry Christmas from us and Bob, our blow up tree!

PS  I'll be back after Christmas to show you how to take it down :p.

Grandmother's Projects

Grandmother Joanie loves her projects. My kids loves to do projects. It's the perfect combination. First up was magnet painting and then beaded animal zipper pulls. Next, Grandmother pulled out a loom and taught Jaelyn how to weave pot holders. We've tried before at home unsuccessfully; so it was nice to see her succeed. I'm sure every little girl has memories of weaving potholders as a child. I remember one Christmas when everyone in my family, including the men, got potholders as gifts.The kids loves to "play" Grandmother's piano. Allie wanted to really learn so Grandmother got out one of her book and gave Allie a little lesson. She can now play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Allie is the most musically inclined of our children.Our final project was peanut butter bird feeders. I had to stay away from this project so Granddaddy stepped in to lend a helping hand. Every tree in Grandmother's backyard is sporting a new bird feeder. Now all we need are the birds!

So Mad at Allie...Sneaky Strikes Again

Allie is the sneaky one in our family. I shouldn't have been surprised to discovered torn Christmas wrapping paper in the basement trash can this morning. I was irate. I have spent days and days out trying to get my shopping done...looking for the perfect presents for the kids. I've spent the last 2 nights hunched over wrapping paper trying to get everything wrapped. I'm trying to make everything nice and special and I should have seen this coming, but for some reason I didn't. Allie took 4 presents out from under the tree (hers, Caden's, Jaelyn's, and Granddaddy's birthday present), snuck down to the basement, opened them, disposed of the paper and then hid the presents. She initially lied to me when I found the paper, but quickly fessed up and showed me where she'd stashed the presents. Allie is losing her present. I bought the kids all a new movie for the drive to Florida, and I really wanted her to have the movie I bought her for the long ride. I can't return it because I opened it so I wouldn't be having to peel off security tape in the midst of packing a car. I'm going to make her give her present to someone else with an explanation of why she's giving it away. Anyone want a copy of Ella Enchanted?

Then, after the time out and severe talking to, Jaelyn and Caden asked her to tell them what their presents where after I told them not to and she did. Arghhh...2 more surprises ruined. Everyone ended up in time out this morning and we missed the bus as a result.

I want Christmas to be magical for the kids and full of surprises. The surprise is on me I guess. Maybe I should just box up all the present in preparation for our trip and let the tree be bare underneath!

Thanksgiving at Medievel Times

Last Thanksgiving was absolutely horrible. I cried all day long. This year, we wanted to do something fun and different. We don't have family close by and the kids could care less about green bean casserole and dressing. We decided to go to Medieval Times since it was so much fun 2 years ago. This year was even better. We had a great time cheering for our Red Knight who saved the Prince and became the Champion. The food was wonderful. Allie especially loved the soup and chicken. We snuck in chicken nuggets from McDonalds for Jaelyn and Caden. That made them happy, along with the garlic bread and dessert.

Dan and the girls with the falconer, Anna and Amadeus.
Allie looking very unhappy in the gallows.

Jaelyn and Allie with the Prince and Princess.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I'm not sure what's gotten into me, but on Wednesday, I decided to decorate. Dan and the kids helped me pull out our tree and ornaments. It was nice to have help for a change.

Zac claimed our fall wreath. We put it under the tree for him so maybe he won't eat on the tree. I've found him curled up on it many days.

Allie with Bob, the blow up Christmas Tree. This is the tree my Mom mailed to us in Germany before we got our household shipment. My friend, Annie, called him Bob and the name stuck. Jaelyn has loved these snowmen since she was very little. She's always exicted to get them out every year. Dan and I aren't as excited as the songs have gotten a little annoying...especially when they turn on all 3 snowmen at the same time.

This is my Boyd Bear Nativity. This is the first year I've put it out in many years. I'm hoping little fingers and cat paws will leave it alone.

Putting together the Christmas tree.Zoe under the Christmas tree.The kids helped me put together the Elves that my Grandma Mac made when I was little.

Our fun blinky noses still work. Thank you, Baba.