Christmas

Blogging about Christmas in March, classic.

On Christmas Eve, we had our friends Devony & Aaron over for some smoked brisket. No pictures of everyone though.
Our Christmas tree...sigh.  I was a total Scrooge this year and didn't really want to decorate for Christmas.  I was so tired of unloading boxes and I didn't want to see another box.  We had a totally lame fake tree, and Audrey kept saying how it didn't even feel like Christmas, yadda yadda yadda.  So Dave stepped in and saved the day.  The Monday before Christmas, as in six days before, he took the kids and got them a real Christmas tree.  And then the kids decorated it themselves.  And they couldn't have been happier. That is why there are decorations only on the bottom half of the tree. And I'm not sure why these pictures are fuzzy, or why Joshua is wearing his Halloween costume for that matter.

 

Christmas Eve.

 

Christmas morning. We follow the tradition of my family where we all stand on the steps and then run down once the camera/video camera is all set up.

Thank you hug.

Austin's favorite part.

Austin wasn't so sure how he felt about Joshua's remote control car.

But he loved it from this view!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Through Instagram

Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning.

Austin's first Christmas.  He loved the paper the most.

Going to Church.  I liked Christmas being on a Sunday.

Putting together toys and playing. Great day!

Baby Ty

My one and only brother, and his fabulous wife, Carrie, had their first baby boy on December 19th. We love this little Ty!

Good News Day - Take Two

When Jayme and I were in college, we decided to have a "Good News Day". We stayed up late making muffins, (and self tanning, but really just turning green) and the next day we drove around campus (in my awesome PT Cruiser) and offered people a ride to school, gave them a muffin, told them it was "Good News Day" and sent them on their merry way. It makes me laugh just thinking about what awesome dork we were/are.
Jayme and I now live about 30 minutes away, so on December 8th we decided to have "Good News Day - Take Two".
Just out of the shower for me, darling for Jayme.

Last time, we were both kidless.  This time, we were lucky enough to have four sweet little boys join us (both of our daughters were in school).

We went to Starbucks and got hot chocolates and then delivered them to the Salvation Army bell ringers.  Too bad the day before it was freezing, and this day was much warmer.  Oh well, hot chocolate is good any time, right?

This bell ringer pulled out his trombone and played, per Joshua's request, "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town."

Then we headed over to the carwash to deliver more hot chocolate.

Then we picked up Audrey from school, and Austin puked everywhere.  We had promised the kids we could go deliver donuts to the fire station, so trooper Jayme took the kids by herself while I scrubbed barf off of Austin and all over his car seat-not so good news.

Looking forward to Good News Day - Take Three!

Audrey's Journal

Audrey and I were cleaning her room back in December and we found her journal. These were her entries from December 2010. Posted with permission, of course.

I love my life.

I am going to go see the nutcracker today with my mom today

December 18 (2010)

I love my life

I went to go see my Dad at school yesterday with my family

Audrey's right (?)

I love my life

because tomorrow Tatum and Seth are coming to our house

I love my life because my mom makes yummy food!

heart, 

Audrey!

(personal fav)

I love how optimistic and happy she is.  I hope she will always continue to be this way. 

Not So Shirley Temple

I sponge roll Audrey's hair (so nostalgic for me), and I love the result. The curls are a little too tight for Audrey's liking when we first take them out, so she bounces around the house to loosen up the curls.
12.9.2011

D and Grande Come to Visit

My parents came to visit the first week of December. It was really fun to have them come!
Even though this picture is all crazy like, I love it.

My parents gave us a new Christmas tradition, Elf on the Shelf, whom we lovingly named Squiggles. (?) Thanks Grande for the suggestion! It stuck.

My Dad is the best book reader.

We visited Santa (at the movie theater- classy, I know)

Kisses.

Audrey's favorite thing to do is make and give quizzes to people.  D's turn to take a quiz.  Being a teacher is in Audrey's blood.

Cars

My boys love playing with their cars. They line them up, hide them, and Austin tries to eat them. I love these boys. I never thought I would be a "boy mom". Turns out I was wrong.
11.2011

Alli and Jay's Wedding

Dave's sister, Alli, married Jay last November. He is a great guy and we are so happy for them! The wedding was on a beach in Monterey-beuatiful! Congratulations Alli and Jay!

Happy Veterans Day!

I was super impressed with Audrey's school and all they did for Veterans Day. They had all the kids wear red, white or blue, and they had a veteran come and speak to the class. They wrote thank you cards to the veterans and Audrey really learned a lot.

Food

At the beginning of November, Joshua must have going through a growth spurt, because he was hungry all the time. Which is funny, because now he hardly ever wants to eat.
Sneaking snacks, and making a big mess.

Eating bites right our of the sharp cheddar cheese block, and then trying to cut some off.

Dumping all of Austin's puffs on the floor and then both of my boys had a hay day eating them. Gross.

And I just love this picture of Audrey feeding Austin.