The Cows

For some reason, beyond my comprehension, my city girls are in LOVE with these cows. My girls who squeal in fear at the sight of nearly any animal, and at 4 and 6 years old still demand to be held when in the presence of a dog can't get enough of the cows. Whatever the weather, they are always up for a trip to the farm to feed the cows and have a ride in the back of the truck.

As you can see they are giddy with excitement as they spend some time getting in touch with their inner cowgirl.

Christmas in Missouri

It's amazing how much you take for granted spending holidays with your family, until you think you may not be able to. We were supposed to head home Christmas day, and due to the Oklahoma blizzard, there was no way we were going to make it out. I have to admit I was a little bummed. We had a great time with our own little family, but I've never not been with everyone all together at least once during the season, and with everyone's extended family plans, I was beginning to think they were going to have Christmas without us. By Saturday afternoon, the roads seemed to be a little better, so we decided to go for it. We made it without too much of a delay, and I don't think I've ever been happier to be home for Christmas!
We started out with Christmas at Grandma Del's. It was great to see everyone, and the girls all had a great time playing together. They are always so excited to see each other.

Then we headed to Grammy Tammy and Papas for some more Christmas fun. Everyone was ready to slip into their pj's, and they all conveniently had matching ones! They had a great time tearing into more presents, but most of all, enjoying the time we all got to spend together.

Sunday morning, we were all exhausted from a very busy and late night, but we managed to get a few pics before church, and even one with all four grandchildren looking at the camera with Grammy Tammy and Papa.

I hope if you traveled for the holidays or had family traveling to you that everyone made it safely to their destination.

P.S. Please excuse the excess number of picture collages. I just have too many photos to post, and I didn't want to upload them individually.

Santa Claus Came to Town

We had a great Christmas morning, and the girls had a swell time playing with their new toys. They will get a little extra time to hang around due to the recent blizzard that is keeping us at home today rather than taking our scheduled trip to Missouri. I did a horrible job photgraphing the morning because for one it was 6:00AM, and for another, Lincoln wasn't on his best behavior. You'll notice he's not in any of the pics, it's not because I'm a horrible mother that forgot she had a third child. He was a little fussy, and before the festivities were over, he headed back to bed. I'll have to post some of him with his presents a little later.

From Our Family To Yours...

You may or may not have received this card in the mail this year due to my complete incompetence to adequately send out cards to all our family and friends in a timely manner. I may not have had your address in time, I may have forgotten the stamp, it may still be in my drawer with your name on it b/c it somehow it slipped through the cracks. Please know that it wasn't intentional, and that we wish you all the Merriest of Christmases. I hope your holidays are filled with love and laughter and many memories with the ones you love.

We're having a lovely Christmas Eve so far this year, and hope that the weather doesn't get any worse so we can travel to Missouri tomorrow. We had pizza for dinner again this year, and then opened a few presents. The girls exchanged the ones they bought for each other, Kevin and I exchanged gifts, and then we gave the girls their gifts from us. They are beyond excited, and have been off the walls all day long. We don't want to leave Lincoln out of the action, but I'm not sure he's super thrilled about Christmas this year.

The Gumball Machine was a hit, I think they liked it!

Opening another one of their family gifts.

Spending a few minutes enduring the snow storm that headed our way.

Sitting out cookies and milk out for Santa, and a few mini carrots for the reindeer. Skylar has been ready for bed since 6:00PM. She keeps saying if we don't get to bed Santa won't ever come. She also made sure the living room was all cleaned up from our present opening hiatus so Santa wouldn't think he'd already been there.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

The last few days and weeks have been rather busy for us as I am sure they have been for you as well. Most of the time, I'm so caught up in the craziness of everything going on that I don't take time to enjoy all of the wonderful things about this time of year. This year has seemed a little more hectic than usual, but now that the season begins to wind down, and I feel I can begin to relax, I'm becoming more appreciative of all joys this season brings. We've been able to enjoy a few of our favorite holiday activities over the last few days, and are all ecstatic that Lincoln is here to join us this year! We went to see the Rhema lights after church this evening. The weather was beautiful, and the kids loved meandering around taking in the beauty of all the lights.

This is a collage of yet another brief photo session in front of the Christmas tree which has become nearly mandatory each time we get dressed throughout the holiday season.

We've also been doing a little bit of our traditional holiday baking, one of my favorite things to do with the girls every year.

A Whole Lot of Christmas

The family before church this morning, I couldn't love them more.

Lincoln's solo shot documenting the near 3 month mark. Is that even possible? He's a big, happy boy, and I don't believe any child is perfect, but he is about as good of a baby as I could ask for. He sleeps through the night, only fusses when he's hungry or tired, and loves to giggle, coo, and snuggle.

Gavin, Skylar and Londyn enjoying a little hot cocoa after dinner.

Best buds Lincoln and Brody practicing their serious look. The boys are exactly 1 month apart, and their other best friend will arrive tomorrow around 8:00AM.

Skylar at her Christmas performance. I have several photos, but they all pretty much look the same. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend Londyn's party because my class was making gingerbread houses that day. Kevin went, but I had the camera. I will be so glad when we are all in the same building next year.

Kendra and I on our tacky Christmas day at school. We tied for first. I love that, try as I might, the only contest I can win is one for being tacky. Go figure! It's shocking what a person will do for a couple of bucks. I borrowed April's sweater from my party last weekend. (Thanks April). Funny thing is, one of the teachers told me she actually owns this sweater!

And then I added skinny jeans onto my unflattering figure, these fabulous Christmas toe socks, and the peep toe, leopard print heels.

December 18, 2009

It's 4:00 am and I am awake because this day is going to be crazy, and I'm a bit anxious. I just thought you'd like for me to share my random early morning thoughts with you.

It's the last day of school before Christmas Break. As a teacher, that's one of the best days of the year. I'm very excited!

Our faculty has decided that today is tacky sweater/Christmas ensemble day. As if teachers haven't been wearing tacky sweaters everyday since Thanksgiving.

However, I plan to look atrocious. There's money involved.

Kevin has a meeting this morning which means I am responsible for getting three kids to three locations on time, all while dressed atrociously.

I'm supposed to take cupcakes to Londyn's party. I 'm not going to the party. She can't be at school before 8:30, I have to be at work at 8:30. (she generally rides a bus from daycare to school, but I don't anticipate they are willing to transport cupcakes.) I've still not quite got this one figured out.

I need to wrap a book for Skylar to take for a gift exchange and send her to school with juice boxes.

I need to wrap and distribute gifts to all of the kids' teachers as well as all of the people I work with.

Before dropping the kids off, I have to purchase 2 more gift cards because I miscalculated the number of teachers and helpers that I needed to buy for.

My main concern of the morning is that I may not be able to make my morning drink stop at QT because I will have all the kids with me, and I may be a little embarrassed to go in public in my tacky attire.

The good news is, if I can make it until 4:00PM today, all will be well with the world!

I just LOVE Christmas, don't you?

First, read the two previous posts from this evening. This is number three for the evening, and I know the two of you that read this blog don't want to miss the Christmas Play and Santa pics:) Then, go check out the site I started last year for my mom to see some of the new aprons and other cutesy things she came up with to make this year. Have a great Wednesday!

Hey, Santa!

So, not the best Santa photo ever, but no one is crying, so I'm good. I really don't enjoy the Santa visit each year, and my kids could pretty much care less. However, I always feel like it's one of those things that makes Christmas complete. Neither of them even told him anything they wanted. We rushed in, snapped a photo and ran out. Until this weekend, none of my children had any requests, they wanted to be surprised. Then I came home Saturday, and they had a massive list that they placed in the mailbox. Fabulous! I hate to tell you girls, but Santa's done shopping, and you will be surprised, since nothing on your list will be found under the tree. No real chihuahuas, computers or cell phones. Just how old do they think they are anyway?

My Little Angel

For the third year in a row, I had the pleasure of watching the Rhema Child Development Center's Christmas program. Londyn was excited to actually participate in the play this year as an angel. She was adorable, and did a great job performing her songs. I know I say it every time I write about a program, but I did it again. I start watching all the little ones come out in their sweet little costumes and dance around, and my eyes get all teary. Ridiculous I know, but what can I say.

Lincoln even got to participate in the program, apparently the youngest child in daycare, as he was the only one being carried.

The proud big sister who was excited to watch Londyn perform.

Our Tacky Party

Saturday night we hosted our Bible class Christmas party. I can't tell you how much I love our church, and especially our class. We had a great time dressing up like dorks and hanging out. The guys seemed to really get into it, as most of them had tacky outfits, head to toe.
Somehow, I just deleted the girl group picture, so I'll have to upload it later when I get back to my computer.

I haven't posted pics of myself in a while, and why I chose to make a comeback with these, I'll never know.

Me sporting my every holiday sweater, and Faith in very festive jingly attire.

This picture makes me laugh every time a I look at it! They're practicing the Step-brother pose. Check out April's blog for more ugly sweater party pics.

The Pants

About the pants, I was kidding! I'm bad, but not that bad. It was actually Kevin's idea, and I thought it was hilariously logical. I just thought I should let you know that I wasn't serious. I've had a couple of phone calls from concerned family, and I figured if they didn't know me well enough to know I was kidding, you might not either:)

I Don't Like Your Pants!

I got an email from Londyn's teacher at school today. She said Londyn told another girl she didn't like her pants. As a consequence, tomorrow we're sending her to school in really ugly pants.

Sunday

For the first time in a long time, all kids were dressed, groomed, and happy. (all at the same time.) I actually showered, washed, dried, and flat ironed my hair, and we even had a few minutes to grab a picture before arriving to Sunday school on time. (I just thought I would document this day.) Happy Sunday to you!