Christmas 2008

We had a perfect Christmas this year. On Christmas Eve the kids and I baked cookies and pies and then the whole family went to church. Oh, before church we took our annual family photo while we were all dressed.

After church we went to Outback Steakhouse which was surprisingly crowded. There were other kids in the waiting area so the kids were entertained until we were seated. After we ate we went home and sprinkled the reindeer food over the front lawn. Then we read, "Twas The Night Before Christmas" and put the kids to bed. Every year we try to cut back on gifts but it doesn’t ever seem to work. Jason and I had fun playing Santa and getting everything ready for the next morning. The kids didn’t wake up until 8 am which surprised us. I know when I was a kid I was the 1st one up usually around 6 am. The excitement on their faces was priceless. They told us about hearing the reindeer outside and Santa on the roof. They had fun opening presents and Jake even had a present that was stuck in the fireplace. Taylor got her Woody, Buzz, & Bulls-eye dolls and Makayla got her Barbie and The Diamond Castle dolls. Jake got a lego Star Wars ship which took him and Jason all day to build but they had fun. We had our annual cinnamon bun breakfast and the kids went back to playing with their gifts. It was very relaxing, we stayed in pajamas all day, and had a great turkeydinner. Then we ended the night by watching “Elf”.

Exercising, Peeing, and Our New Addition

Today when I got my exercise clothes on, so did Taylor. Her idea of exercise clothes was a little bit different than what I wear though (ok, I always wear my faux mink shawl). Then as always, after I finish the treadmill, the girls need a turn on it. When Makayla was running, Milo jumped on and ran with her. I wish I could have caught that on tape but unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me.

We’re working on potty training with Makayla. She does #1 just fine. If she doesn’t see me, she asks Taylor for help so I had to make Taylor a helper chart for stickers just like Makayla’s potty chart. She’s still refusing to do #2 in the pot which is starting to become frustrating. I guess I should start reading the message boards on this topic. Taylor was so easy so I thought Makayla would be the same. Her Dora Snow Princess Panties are waiting for her.

On another note, we have a new addition to the house. He’s an elf that will surprise us every morning in a different place in the house (thanks J. from Jersey). The kids have been bugging me about how Santa can always see them so now the elf is Santa’s eyes and reports back to the North Pole every night and returns in a different part of the house in the morning. Hopefully they’re not scared of it and they start being on their best behavior. Tonight we read the book about the elf and I told them that if we all wished hard the elf would appear in the morning and to think of a name for him. So our new friend's name will be Scooter.

Holiday Pictures

Our Month In A Nutshell

Wow, it's been almost a month since I've last written. Things have been busy around here. We've had visitors and have just been busy with Christmas things. We had a great Thanksgiving with the family in Randleman. The day after the kids and I decorated the tree and the house. I thought they had outgrew the breaking the ornament thing but Makayla was on a role. My poor ice skating ring no longer has lights. Oh well, the Hallmarks stay put in the box for another year. Their favorite decoration is our Santa that pulls his pants down and the reindeer that sings Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer. This week we also took our Christmas card picture (me taking 500 pictures and cutting and pasting the best faces together). Thursday we went to Portrait Innovations and had holiday pictures taken that I was really happy with. Today we headed to the Christmas Bazaar at the girls preschool. Santa was going to be there so I thought I would get a picture of the kids with Santa. Before we left Taylor packed a shoebox with things around her room to give to Santa for his gift. I thought that was so sweet and thoughtful. The girls were scared at first (Makayla has never sat on his lap) but she was the 1st one to hop on this time. I got some cute pictures. Taylor wants Woody, Buzz, & Bullseye dolls from Toy Story, Makayla wants the Barbie and The Diamond Castle dolls, and Jake wants everything Star Wars. I can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning. They are alwasys so excited. Well I have lots of pictures from the past couple of weeks and I'll post them when I get a chance. Happy Holidays everyone!