Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Christmas with You+Me+Kiddos=Family

Grandma's Christmas Tree...all aglow

I hope I am not the only one...but I am so happy that Christmas is over. Now, I do enjoy the decorations, Christmas music, candycanes, wrapping paper everywhere, but the long lines, and the hustle and bustle...I know it's part of Christmas, but spoken by Jed and his mom, "I'm not punching no time clock". I think this is why I LOVE Thanksgiving more. It's just yummy food, time spent with family, and memories. No running around to make sure that each and every person has the exact number of presents, similar presents, etc.

My kids found 1 or 2 gifts and those are the gifts that they have stuck with.

Dakota loves his Legos (especially the Lego guys) and his DS. Lily loves her Strawberry Shortcake remote control car, her blocks, and her Leapfrog Scribble and Write.

I am starting to enjoy our new printer. Finally a printer that works and works without skipping every other line. So exciting!! I can print off my own Disney Movie Rewards Coupons and I can print off directions instead of handwriting everything. Woohoo!

Our Christmas tree is down...all decorations put away. Now, we are on to planning Jed's birthday party. He is a New Years baby. So, as usual, we head out to his aunt and uncle's house on New Year's Eve and get ready for an evening of fun. We eat, play Wii games or other card games (UNO attack and Nerts), enjoy sparklers and some small fireworks, and ring in the new year all together with family. It is my 2nd favorite holiday after Thanksgiving.

But to tide you all over til you get to see the fun pictures from New Year's Eve, here some pictures from Christmas for us and then Christmas morning at grandma's house.

Dakota..getting his stocking down all by himself

Lily wanting her stocking down

Dakota with his Lego Guys...Army guys from Toy Story

My 3 loves...Enjoying our Christmas morning.
See what Kota's wearing? He wore those pjs all day and on to Grandma's house for Christmas Eve...and there he only changed into other pjs because they were Lego Star Wars.

Christmas Eve at Grandma's house...the girls (Lily and Lexi, cousins) sitting with their buddies

Santa left his tracks and let the reindeers in for their snack as well..they left a few droppings as well

Lily, Lexi, and Kota showing off what Santa brought them... Leapfrog Scribble and Write

Lily playing some tunes on her record player

Lily...on the way to Christmas #3...at Boo's. sporting her new "cowgirl" boots from Grandma

Kota with the cousins

Lily asking Jerilyn to open her blocks

Lily with her blocks

Kota opening up a gift

lots of turkeys crossing the road...they must have know that today was their holiday as well. Christmas, the holiday where most people eat Ham.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas goodies

Dakota opening his present at Aunt Marg's



Christmas is almost here.

Tradition will have us at Grandma's house on Christmas Eve..and we wake up on Christmas morning there as well. It's a fun time for us all to sleepover and Santa visits Grandma's house.

Since that is tradition, we will be having our Christmas morning...in a few short hours. I am hoping the kids sleep til at least 7 am. But we told them that Santa confirmed he will stop by our house tonight since he knows we won't be here on Christmas Eve. Of course, Dakota wanted to open presents tonight, but he still went on to bed. He is excited to see what Santa brought him.


The presents are all wrapped...batteries were purchased for the toys that need them. Stockings are stuffed...and soon it will off to bed for Mommy and Daddy.

I did get a chance to make some chocolate dipped pretzels! they taste so yummy and look quite pretty...if I do say so myself. What do you think?



Wednesday, December 22, 2010

(future) Way Back When-esday: Lunar Eclipse


Yes! I was one those crazy people who stayed up late, sitting outside, to see the lunar eclipse. I was only able to see the 1st part of it all because then the wispy clouds turned into super thick clouds.

But I did have my camera with me...so here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
EnJoy.





as I stated above...the clouds were super thick here..but there was a break in the clouds and I was able to catch the glowing moon.

This will be a fabulous post for Way Back When....in the near future.
But if want to read/check out some stories and fabulous photos visit Cheryl's blog at Twinfatuation for Way Back When-esday.

Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Makes My Monday: Memory Making festivities



All aboard! All aboard!

Well, ya coming?
Where?
To the North Pole, of course! This is the Polar Express!!

~from the Polar Express

Kota waiting to board

Daddy and Lily

And we stepped right on with tickets in hand. I think--no, I KNOW!--this was the best Christmas activity yet. All comfy in our pajamas, we boarded the Polar Express and headed off to the North Pole. Lily sat by the window holding her ticket...matter of fact, she held onto that ticket almost the entire train ride. The rocking back and forth of the train could have put me to sleep, but once the music started...It was a train car full of magic. Too see the light of Christmas in the kids' eyes, it brought a smile to my face. The waiters/waitresses came out with the yummy Christmas treats and the hot chocolate (no, they did not dance like on the movie...but they did share a few moves)

This waiter was awesome...he is the one I sang with :)

The conductor came through to punch our tickets.
And then the story (The Polar Express) was read.

Lily...she looked like she was such a big girl on the train



Dakota and Daddy checking out the North Pole

Just as the story came to an end...We arrived at the North Pole-a Beautiful city of lights. Santa was waving from his house and the elves were flipping around in the front yard. Then, we started singing Christmas songs.
Christmas spirit is singing loud for all to hear (from Buddy, the Elf)
Then, you heard a gasp and followed by shrill excitement...

Dakota was SOOOO excited

SANTA was here!! HE WAS ON THE TRAIN!! IN OUR CAR!!!

Getting his gift from Santa

Daddy and Kota with Santa

Santa, Lily, and Katie

And each and everyone who "believed" received a bell!

This bell is a wonderful symbol of the spirit of Christmas - as am I. Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.
~by Santa Claus

The kids and I

Such a wonderful time...I sang with the waiter...my part was
♫♪ Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow ♪♫

You know you truly had a fabulous time when your cheeks hurt from smiling so much and her belly from laughing so much.

Thanks to Grandma for this special Christmas treat!


~linking up with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Makes My Monday~

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Warming Trend


we had what the meteorologist consider a "warming trend". It happened over about 2 days and we are now experiencing the cold front. I enjoy the cooler weather during the holidays because it makes it FEEL like Christmas. With cold temps, I can image a white Christmas...though we don't usually have them. Snow hits us usually a month before the 1st day of Spring..if we get lucky that year.



But the warming trend gave great excuse to go to the park and ride bikes. Lily constantly asks to "Go to park and play bikes?" and Tuesday, I said "Yes!" She had so much fun. It is funny to watch her...she will park her tricycle near the picnic table where I sit and then run off to play on the rock wall and slide...if anyone, and I mean ANYONE, ventures near her trike, she is off and running to climb on it and ride off telling that person, "NO, MY BIKE!" I try to get her to share, but that is the one thing she does not SHARE with ANYONE. You can consider yourself lucky to ride on her bike...haha

Dakota having fun on his bike

True little Texans...riding off into the Sunset...Happy Trails!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Pictures with Santa


I know you don't believe me, but I really am trying to stay on top of the blog. Keeping posts new and current..but sometimes time slips away, and sleep wins.

This past weekend, the kids and I along with Grandma and Alexis (kids' cousin) had breakfast with Santa. It was fun. The kids even sat on Santa's lap. I got a picture of Lily with Santa and then Dakota and Alexis with Santa. I am hoping to get one of just Dakota and Santa soon.



I have never taken my kids to get pictures with Santa..so this is the 1st year ever. And the kids did great. Lily clung to Grandma's neck, but did good once she was set on Santa's lap. Dakota did great as well..and even told Santa that he wanted some Lego's for Christmas. Dakota's likes seem to change each week as to what he wants Santa to bring him for Christmas...but the Lego like seems to be winning. Thankfully, I think Santa has that taken care of. ♥


This week, Dakota will be having his 1st school Christmas party...he is excited..and even more excited for Friday...It's Pajama Day!! he missed the last Pajama Day (Halloween party) because we had to go to a funeral...so he has been looking forward to this day for awhile. Saturday, we have plans to ride The Polar Express. The kids are extremely excited, as am I. I think we have watched The Polar Express more than I can count...and we listen to the soundtrack on the way to school most days. Exciting plans...and Christmas is almost here!

Lily with some bells during one of her redecorating sessions

The Christmas tree is up..and Lily has redecorated it what seems like a gazillion times. She actually sneaked a few bells off the tree today and carried them around on our errands. At least I knew where she was at all times...thanks to the jingle bells in her pocket.
We have yet to put up our outside Christmas lights...With it getting dark before Jed gets home, it's not really in the plans to do. Maybe Saturday morning we can get them...Hey! one week before Christmas is still before Christmas!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Is "the force" with you?




I saw this on CNN today... 'The Force' is with you, Katie

It's about a little girl who was being bullied because of her love for Star Wars. This story stuck out for me because we are a family of Star Wars fans. All right, I admit...I'm not really a fan, but I tolerate it for the sake of my family. My husband, Jed, who is calmly referred to as Jedi, has always LOVED Star Wars. Dakota is an avid fan. Last year, Santa brought him his 1st light saber. He has shirts with Star Wars, toys, and now he wants the Legos. He plays the Lego Star Wars games. Daddy is Anakin and Kota is Obi One Kenobi...I know...Daddy is the younger one and Kota is the older one, but that is there characters.


So, this post is more....Let people be who they want to be without making fun of them. It could be your child that someone makes fun of one day. For all the "Katie's" out there...You Rock!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Ornaments

My kids think that the jingle bells on the tree need their friends. Our tree used to have 1 jingle bell to a branch spread throughout the tree...now, the Christmas tree is holding clusters of jingle bells...Thanks to my little redecorating elves.

I was taking some pictures of the ornaments last night..and I can't decide which shot of Dakota's "D" that I like more...the clear shot or this one:

the glowing shot...helps share the essence of the tree with lights included