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!

Over The River and Through The Woods

Last night Jake slept over my parents NC house so today being Family day we headed over to Randleman for some fun and dinner and to fetch Jake. Before we got there they discovered a place with walking trails not too far from their house so Jake anxiously waited for us to arrive so they could take us there. So all of us plus E and P and their dogs headed over to this park. We started walking on the trail which is alongside a river. The kids were excited because there were plenty of ducks to feed but first Jake and my mom wanted to show us something they found in the woods. We kept walking deeper into the woods where we got to see what they found, deer legs. No body, just legs. The rest of us wondered how and why they went so far into the woods to find the legs. My dad said, "When we start finding body parts, it's time to go home." We headed back and planned to feed some ducks on the way to the cars. The ducks didn't seem very hungry so we decided to climb across the rocks in the river. This started off fine until the dogs jumped into the river and onto the rocks and the rocks became slippery. We carefully climbed from rock to rock. Then a bird crapped on me. This should have been good luck but it was just the start of our bad luck. As we hoisted kids from rock to rock we tried to avoid the wet dogs as it was quite chilly today. Next thing we know Makayla falls into the river. I pull her out but not quick enough b/c she is soaked and crying. Poor kid, I couldn't stop laughing mostly from shock. It was all in slow motion. People passing us were just looking at us weird. I know they were thinking, "Stupid Northerners!" We did have a good time though and the kids did ask to go back again. That's all that counts.

Going To The Chapel And We're Gonna Get Married

9 years ago at this time we were newlyweds, dancing the night away at Portabella's. Where does time go? I wouldn't trade my wedding day for anything (although I could have done without Jason's broken finger). We had such a great time. 3 kids later and we're still having fun.

Jake says he'll never get married and that he will live with mom forever. Taylor has different plans, she says she is going to marry Jake (I told her we moved south but not that far south). Makayla wants to marry Dylan across the street who is 10 years old.

So much has happened in 9 years. We had kids, we moved, started a new business. Before we know it the kids will be grown up. As Ferris Bueller said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."

Locks of Love

OK. I finally did it. I chopped 14 inches of hair off my head.