Merry Christmas 2009!

Whew! We made it through Christmas '09! My surviving was always questionable, but I didn't realize just how into it Mason would be this year. He almost didn't make it! I guess 3 is the magic number when it comes to Christmas anticipation. He was barely containable for weeks leading up to the big day. He was even singing his heart out "Here comes Santa Claus" over and over (the only words he knew) at the ward Christmas party in order to get Santa to arrive. "Am I singing loud enough mommy?" Unfortunately our camera is awful so we didn't get any good pictures of the kids with Santa this year. Something I am sure will be held against us as the kids get older. Here is the obligatory painting cookies picture. Drew was more into the artistry of it this time, Darcy was excited to be able to sit on the counter and get her hands sticky, and Mason was once again all about eating them, who cares what they look like!

I had plans to make goody plates and distribute them around the neighborhood but after this first batch I felt like my back would break so I bagged the idea. Maybe next year I will be in a better place mentally and physically and can get in to the spirit a little more.

For the last 2 years we have acted out the Nativity scene with our "Little People" sets. I figure the kids get more out of the story this way than by trying to get them to act it out at this age. Paul read the scriptures for us while we had angels dive-bombing the shepherds, but I think the kids got the gist of the story.

I'm not sure what Mason is doing to Darcy here. I think he is just so darn excited to see if Santa would really deliver his "Transformer bad guy" that he just grabbed Darcy and squeezed! I love the look on her face. I have a feeling this will turn into one of my favorite Christmas pictures in the years to come.

Here is Drew making some pottery on her "clay spinner." This is all she asked Santa for this year. I love that she is all about the contained craft projects and not massive toys all over the place. This wheel spins at one speed, S-L-O-W, so she isn't going to create any masterpieces but she has had a good time with it so I guess that's what counts. We also have an island covered with Bendaroo creations which have been a big hit too.

My sweet, loving Darcy received her very own doll from Santa. She hugs and kisses anything she can get her hands on so Santa made a good call when he got her a doll. Hopefully she will be as good to her new baby sister as she is to the doll. Darcy had a fun Christmas and liked to tear the wrapping paper off the gifts.

Paul got an OSU Snuggie! Someone had to get one, right? Paul was the lucky recipient! I got a new set of hand tools which is exactly what I wanted! It is hidden under my bed so I know exactly where to go when I need a screw driver or pliers. I no longer have to get mired down in the abyss we call a garage, searching for tools!

And here is Mason with his pride and joy. This baby took Paul an hour to transform the first time so we try not to do it too often. Mason loves it and I think he had a great Christmas and it was all he hoped it would be. At least, I haven't heard any complaints!

We spent the rest of Christmas day with Paul's family. We did some visiting, some eating, and some present unwrapping before heading for home. It was a lot of hours in the car for one day but right now there is no place like home for me, and especially no place like my own bed! I am thankful Paul is understanding of that right now. We took the tree and decorations down on the 27th and now as soon as we get through my least favorite of all holidays (except for the football games) I can focus totally on my sweet baby due to arrive in 5 weeks!

Happy 7th Anniversary!

Happy anniversary to me! I cannot believe its been 7 years, but I guess I just need to look around at my 3 and 7/9 children to give me the reality check I need! These have been great years and I wouldn't change them for anything. Well, maybe throw in a few more hours of sleep here and there, but on the whole I have been incredibly blessed with a loving, honest, Priesthood holding husband, and healthy, happy, fun kids. Who could really ask for anything more? I love you Paul, thanks for choosing me!

Random Update

Thanksgiving this year was spent with my side of the family at my parents' house. There were 33 of us all squeezed together but it worked out fine. This picture is just a smattering of those in attendance. I didn't get a picture of the table with what I called the stinky boys (those ages 8-18) but you can see there were plenty of us there. Drew was a great helper in my kitchen and practically made the pumpkin rolls by herself.




Grandpa's buttermilk pancakes the morning after Thanksgiving was the feast for my kids. They can't get enough of these and I don't blame them. My kids don't really appreciate all the turkey, potatoes, and pies for some reason. I, on the other hand, love a cold turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce the day after Thanksgiving. YUM!

We waited a week longer than ususal to get our Christmas tree this year. I wasn't sure how Darcy would react to it and I didn't want to battle with her for an extra 7 days. Thankfully she doesn't have much interest in it. She puts her hands behind her back and strolls around the tree, poking her nose in an ornament every once in a while, but she has kept her hands off for the most part. The tree this year is only 8 feet tall, scrawny by our usual standards but still a nice tree.













This is our attempt at a family picture for the Christmas card. As you can see it didn't turn out very well. Kids were out of control, my hormones were out of control, and the camera was out of batteries! This whole process ended in me screaming at everyone and slamming the door to my bedroom, where I hid for a good hour to get myself back together. This being 7+ months pregnant during the holidays is extremely tough. I just wish we could pass them by this year and focus on the impending addition to our family instead. Usually by this time I would have my hospital bag packed, the baby's bed set up, blankets washed and folded, diapers all in a neat little pile, etc. But this time I haven't done any of that. I am afraid January 2nd I will wake up and realize I only have a couple weeks to get my house in order and I know I will be freaking out. Hopefully Paul and the kids can stand living with me for the next 7 weeks!