Christmas, Vampires and Rock Band

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas! Christmas Eve we went to church and got home around 11:30 p.m. and the kids hurried to put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer before heading off to bed.

Of course the kids were up early and anxious to begin opening their presents. After the gifts were passed out everyone took a turn opening a present so we could all share in the excitement. Before Christmas, each of the kids went to the bank and took out some of their money (from their 4-H projects) and bought everyone in the family something special. I really think they were more excited to watch the other person open up the gift they picked out for them than the ones for them. As for some of the favorites: I think Maci's favorite gift was the Diamond Barbie Castle playset (it's actually taller than she is) and her white Care Bear and Furreal Pig. Kelsi really loved the Bible that her "Gumma" gave her - it has her name engraved on it so she was feeling pretty special. As far as Daniel, well he loved absolutely everything...I really don't think he could choose just one gift over another as being his favorite. My mom came over that evening and we shared a wonderful ham dinner together and just hung out.

The day after Christmas Kelsi and I went to see the movie Twilight. I had just finished the book two nights before and could not wait to see the movie. Let me tell you.....it was WELL worth the wait. It is not the type of book or movie that I thought I would ever enjoy - but I am into the second book and look forward to reading it every night. I admit....I am in love with a vampire! :-)

We spent last night playing "Rock Band" together as a family- it was a blast! The thing I love about Christmas break is that we can actually just hang out and spend time being together without us going in 500 different directions. No practices, no games, no meetings, no work, no appointments....no NOTHING! You just gotta love those types of breaks!

My brother and his two kids came over yesterday from the west side and we had a great visit together. I wish we lived closer because we always have fun together and the kids really have a blast playing.

Well back to work for me tomorrow and the kids are off another week before heading back to school. The snow has started to melt today and the sun is shining...sure makes me wish for an early Spring.

Warm wishes to you on Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve and the kids are beyond excited for morning to come.

Maci was watching the Norad Santa Tracker earlier today and we watched him go by the Great Wall of China! It's amazing how technology has changed things....I remember as a kid we would go around and visit my parents friends on Christmas Eve and on the way home I would look out the back window of our car, up at the dark sky and wonder where Santa was and how much longer it would take him to get to our house. I can honestly say it just seems like yesterday that I was waiting for Santa and feeling my stomach full of butterflies in it in anticipation of what was to come. I am so blessed to have three of my own children who will have their own memories of getting ready for the "big night" when Santa arrives.

For now, I can finally take a deep breath and relax..the shopping is done, gifts are wrapped and the cameras are charged. Before bed tonight, the kids will be getting out the cookies and milk to leave for Santa and of course carrots for the reindeer. And when I finally settle into bed tonight, I will still get butterflies in my stomach, but for a totally different reason than when I was a child....it's now the excitement and anticipation I have for my kids running into our bedroom in the wee hours of the morning telling us that Santa had arrived and to hurry up so we can open presents. I don't think that magical feeling ever goes away no matter what stage of life you are in.

Merry Christmas everyone - and may you all have safe travels if you are going anywhere. Since it's been very cold the past couple of weeks and we're still getting snow...I thought I'd post a picture to bring some warm thoughts your way. :-)

Busy, Busy, Busy

I love to decorate!

Today my Dad had surgery and when I talked to him on the phone this afternoon, he was in recovery and seemed to be doing alright. He had a stint put in an artery...well, they ended up putting two into that one artery because one was not long enough. Thank God he is fine and hopefully he will be home tomorrow and on the road to a quick recovery. I really wish I could have been there with him...that's the only hard part living on the other side of the mountains - especially in the winter. We had snow falling most of the afternoon and evening tonight making it seem a little more like Christmas. It's still really cold and for some reason, I've been having visions of being somewhere on a warm beach (you can always dream, right)?

Kelsi had a home bowling match last night and they beat Sunnyside. She ended up getting high score for both games! She is having so much fun and it's a great group of kids who are on the team. Go Bulldogs!

This past Friday night, Saturday and Sunday were spent at Daniels AAU Santa Hoop Classic basketball tournament. Their team got 3rd place overall. They ended up going 4-1 and played great together! So, another $58.00 down the drain for a sweatshirt from the tournament. I told him that "this" one will have to last him until college....boy do they know how to get you at those events because of course you have to have all the "fun" things on the sweatshirt (numbers, names, etc.). Oh well...they're only young once, right?

To say the least, Maci is getting really excited for Christmas. It was so much fun to watch her help decorate the tree last weekend. Eventually after she ran out of room to put ornaments where she could reach, she went to get out a little step-ladder that we use in our pantry so she could reach those higher places. All I could envision was her falling into the tree . But everything came out great and the tree looks beautiful! My favorite part of decorating is putting the angel on top. Our angel was given to me by my mom. The angel was her and my dad's when they got married so it's very special to me. When lighted, her lace skirt lights up and reflects off the ceiling and walls. Boy - if that angel could talk....... :-)

Here we go......

Look at my earrings!

I finally decided to dive into the world of blogging in order to keep family and friends up to date on "Our Family Circus". To say the least, we lead a very busy life and are constantly going in all directions...so this is probably the easiest way to let people know what's going on.

With Christmas two weeks away I'm trying to get our Christmas letter and photos out in the mail by Saturday (well...that is my goal anyway). It's been kind of hard to get in to the Christmas spirit this year because we have not had one flake of snow here "yet"....however from what I've heard,that is about to change tomorrow. They say we could be in for quite a winter storm beginning tomorrow night on into Saturday.

Tomorrow Daniel begins the three day "Santa Hoop" basketball tournament. Lucky for us, it's in town so we don't have to travel. :-)

Kelsi has a bowling match today in Yakima. She's been doing so well - it's hard to believe she had only bowled a few times in her life before she joined the high school team. Last week she got a 178 in one of her games - along with a "turkey".

Little Maci is still beaming from getting her ears pierced a couple of nights ago. She chose "pink" for her earrings of course and they are so cute on her! I can't wait to be able to buy other earrings for her when she can start changing them.