christmas overload

Meeting with the Big Guy. And *adding* to their lists....

My new tree skirt. Last year's clearance.

And my festive black, red and green wrapping. I love it!

Our newest ornament. Courtesy our Home and Visiting Teachers!

At Grandpa Dave's. Playing with the dog's toy. All the kids' favorite - a rubber chicken.

Disobeying and sliding down the stair wall.

And it didn't take long to find the colorings.

Christmas Morning.

Look what Santa brought!

A Barbie Horse (and Barbie clothes).

A Barbie Horse (and Princess and the Frog toys...she asked for the actual movie-even Santa isn't that good;).

Candy!!!

Let 'er rip!

New shirts! I needed these!

This is boring. Can I just eat my candy now?

But wait! What is this?? A new trike??

Ah, that's better.

Grandpa's creative wrapping. And Marryn's creative unwrapping.

And a kiss for the Princess. Or would that be for the Frog....

Finally, double digit weather. Time for some sledding.

{I still bust up laughing when I look at these!}

But what a good sport (surprisingly). She hopped on again.

Some fast sledding with Dad.

Grandpa showing them how to make and throw snowballs.

Making snow angels (and of course she picked out a spot right next to the mailbox post...).

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Okay, so does anyone else have problems with Blogger and how it annoying the spacing of words and pictures can be??? I've been working on this post waaaaayyyy longer than I should be and it's still not how I want it!!! Grrrrr!!!

our christmas card

So, I'm barely getting around to getting our Christmas, or um, for this year, Holiday Cards, out. And by barely-they'll go out tomorrow.

I wanted to keep them really simple-no letter, just a picture and our blog address (let them come see for themselves how we are;). But I was struggling to get a good picture of the kids together. So last night, I set them up, in poor lighting and uncoordinated clothes (or jammies for Christian), and completely bribed them. I finally got a decent shot, loaded it up to the holiday card template I picked out (for free!), added our name and blog site and sent out for 1 hour prints. I was so excited! I didn't really think I'd get around to sending them out this year.

So today, our busy last day before we leave for WY, I ran into Costco to pick them up before the girls' dentist appointments.

Yes, they chopped off half of our blog address.

But, what could I really do? (Maybe if I hadn't waited until the absolutely last moment...)

So for those who don't follow my blog, there is a little sticker on the back with a fully readable blog address:). And for those who do follow us and are reading this, I tried. Next year, maybe, something better...

a little gratitude

I know, a little late, but really, is it ever late to express a little gratitude?

I am grateful that although our trip was delayed a day, we were able to drive to Arizona to visit my family over the Thanksgiving week. (And on that topic, I'm also grateful that my oh-so-not-mechanical husband and I were-with the phone assistance of his dad-able to jump start our car and that after battery tests, were in the clear with a perfectly fine battery. ???)

I am grateful that after 14 hours in the car, at least someone was at my parents house to greet us. And at a house we had never even been to.

I am grateful to my not-so-little brother Garrett and his fine entertaining skills while we waited yet almost another day for my parents to finally arrive.

{I love Uncle Garrett's horse rides}

{I love my Uncle Garrett and even though I haven't seen him for 2 years, I can't stop talking his ear off}

{How come I didn't get to go outside????}

I am grateful for the full day we all spent together, totally relaxing doing nothing, before heading to Mesa.
I am grateful for my aunt and uncle for putting us up for a couple days. On top of just welcoming a brand new little baby girl the week before and hosting our family's Thanksgiving dinner.

{Kim and Steve with baby number 4, sweet Maycee}

I am grateful for all the wonderful food prepared. Especially those extremely hot HOT homemade stuffed jalapenos.

{My mom, the non-cook, getting sucked into some intense food preparation-hence the gloves and masks}

I am grateful for my little cousins that entertained my kiddos the entire trip. And for my uncle for bonding over a can of whipped cream with Reganne.

{Digging dirt in their Thanksgiving best-Hanging out in the Playroom-Four girls in a tub}

I am grateful to Kim for lending me some short sleeved tops to wear in the near 80* weather. (My Thanksgiving sweater was just not going to cut it.)

I am grateful to April and Camry for helping to clean up the cherry Dr. Pepper that sprayed everywhere when Christian threw an unopened can on the floor.

{What the heck??? Why does everyone else seem to be enjoying these???}

I am grateful that we decided to come home one day early-yes, only a little grateful...:( -and that our car's DVD player decided to turn back on when the screen suddenly went blank after only a few hours on the road.

***

And, I am so very grateful for my own sweet little family.