Christmas

I have so much to document for Christmas.  I was really going to stay on top of my blogging this month but SOME promises were made to be broken. OOPS.  This month started out so busy.  I think the first week we had something every night on top of battling the stomach bug. YUCK! 

With hopes that the tree would be up the first week there just wasn't time so we finally got it up and decorated the second week.  The kids were really hoping for a REAL tree with our traditional decor but that wasn't looking likely.  So I pulled out the wonderful pre lit tree, my favorite, and my Twelve Timbers ornaments.  After a few moans from the kids they eventually warmed up to the idea.

                          

With Christmas sneaking up on us, it was now time to see Santa.  Cam offered to come home at lunch and watch Shane so I could take the three older kids but I could not let his first Christmas go by without a pic with Santa.  So we braved the storm and wrapped Shane up and took him out of the blanket long enough to snap a picture.

Christmas came, ready or not, and we got a lot of fun things.  I recall the kids saying several times. "This is the best Christmas so far"  Words I love to hear.

               

                          The reaction of getting a Wii.

                     Shane got a Bumbo. (First time sitting in it)

                                

                    Some of the other fun stuff the kids got.

We had a wonderful Christmas and we hope you all had a great one too.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

What have you done?

What Have You Done?
To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done. It's kind of fun!!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis(with a piece of paper between it and my hand)
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors    

35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business(started selling Scentsy)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury(called for duty but never went to court)
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument

Gardner Christmas

Every year we get together for the Gardner Christmas party.  This party is always one I look forward to.  The food is always wonderful and the gift exchange is always exciting. This year it was at Suzi's house in Annabella.

                            

                                         

The kids on the ride over to Grandmas

After stuffing our faces with lil smokies, tortilla wraps, chips and dip and of course all the goodies,  chocolate butterscotch rice krispies, Polly's caramel chocolate bars, candied corn pops, caramel popcorn, etc.

                   

Christian keeping his eye on the treats.

The kids and most of the adults went on a hay ride and did some caroling around the neighborhood. (My pics of the hayride didn't turn out so well.) Those of us that stayed behind made hot cocoa so when they returned from their frosty ride there was something warm.   After the hot cocoa the kids where playing so well that the adults did our gift exchange.  Everyone always brings something that they would like so sometimes you end up with your own gift. So much fun.  The kids were starting to get restless so it was time for them to open their gifts.  After that everyone started to head out for the night.  It was a perfect way to get me in the holiday spirit.

Stockton's 5!

                 

I can't believe that he is 5.  Where has the time gone?  Stockton is such a joy in our house.  He keeps us laughing until we can laugh no more.  He is easy to buy for because he is all boy.  If it is a weapon of any kind he is thrilled.   This year he got a nerf dart gun, pixos, which I am still picking up several a day from the floor, and a Cabelas sweatshirt.  He is so much like his father it makes me laugh. 

                       

We Love you Stockton.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!