Baby, It's Cold Outside...kind of

(Please ignore our torn up patio furniture cushions, the weather here is brutal on them!)

 It isn't snowing, like it did last year.  But at least it is cold enough for an occasional fire in the fireplace,

 ...we can pull out our hoodies and sweaters,

...and we can even wear our new Christmas slippers without having our little toe-zies sweating.  We are loving it!

Christmas Chaos

Christmas morning was fun! We were all by ourselves for the first time, and it wasn't as lonely as I thought it would be. The kids all enjoyed each other. And we spent the whole morning playing with the new things Santa brought.

I had to fight the natural instinct of cleaning up that afternoon...Christmas tree, decorations and all. But I did good, and let everyone enjoy the mess. But on the 26th...everything was back up in the attic, every fake pine needle was vacuumed, and it felt so good to have everything back in it's place again.

I know, I have a problem, Mark tells me all the time.

 I love this magical time in our family, everyone believes.  It is not going to last much longer, so we are enjoying it while we can.

 We made a monster sized sugar cookie for Santa, sprinkles and all.

 Kasidee sang the Rudolph song to count how many carrots we needed.  No one could be left out.

 Bailey lined up the carrots perfectly for the reindeer.

Parker made sure we had a glass of milk.  It was a big debate this year:  egg nog or milk for Santa.  Milk won, much to Mrs. Claus' dismay.  But Santa was very happy, he is not the biggest fan of egg nog.

Hope y'all had a magical Christmas too!

Nativity

I have very fond memories of getting all dressed up and acting out the story of the birth of the Savior with all my cousins. It was fun to see that tradition passed on this year.

Brevan was a good sport...12 years old is an ancient Joseph. (:

Addison loved being Mary. She wrapped her baby Jesus in swaddling clothes an hour before they came, and carried him around, snuggling him, and giving him kisses. It was pretty sweet.

Kasidee saw the shimmering fabric for the angel and was sold. Lauren jumped in too.

Aubrey and Bailey were shepherds, even though "that isn't a girl part."

And Connor, Parker, and Logan were the three wise men. They delivered a Macy's box and batteries to baby Jesus, because I forgot about the gifts. Thanks Connor for helping me remember.

I love Christmas!

13 Gingerbread houses

I didn't think it would be possible to make 13 gingerbread houses in my kitchen at one time...but it was. They all had a good time!

How many sugared-up 7 year olds does it take...

...to destroy a classroom?

 Parker and Kasidee are now in 1st grade.  Traditionally in their school, 1st graders make gingerbread houses for their Christmas party.  Not wanting to change something that worked so well, we stuck with it.

 Milk cartons as the base...genius!!!

 Gingerbread men cookies came to visit the gingerbread houses, so did a crazy sugared-up boy.

 I am Parker's room mom this year.  It has been fun being up at the school a little more often, and being involved.

I ran back and forth between classes, so I could see Kas too.  It was a fun afternoon.

Christmas Crafts

 Teacher gifts...

 Reilynn's gift...

I love cheap gifts that still turn out cute!

My favorite Recital

 I love the Christmas Recital!  I love hearing Christmas music in my house.  I love that the kids are learning to enjoy playing.  They always have so much fun learning their Christmas pieces.

 I was so proud of Kas, Parker, and Addison.  They all got up, introduced their songs and played so well. 

 I love to see my kids gaining a talent that they will be able to use for the rest of their lives.

I love them gaining a love for something that I have such a deep love for.  Music can bring the spirit faster than anything else I know.

Sad to see them go.

 I think this was the first time my parents came to visit when I wasn't pregnant or just had a baby.

 My mom got to actually relax with the kids a little.  She wasn't trying to run around the house doing all my chores. (:

 Watching cartoons, drinking a smoothie, it doesn't get much better than that.

 Reilynn took right to Grandpa.  It was pretty cute.

 We didn't let my dad rest much though...project #577, fix the garage door.

 Oh, and when you are done with the garage door, could you help the kids with their homework,

 ...fix the chain on Parker's bike, and squeeze a quick game of pig in there too.  Thanks dad, you are the best!

Gingerbread house with grandma...we never could get the frosting to stick.  We ended up breaking it up and eating it immediately.  I'd have to say, fresh gingerbread house is actually kind of good.  I have only had it after it has been sitting on your counter for a couple of days.  You should try it sometime.

Cosmetologist/Plumbist

Project #576 on the list we had for my dad while he was here....

 toilets!!!

I now know how to take a toilet off, take the tank off, replace all the pieces in the tank, replace the seals on the tank, and replace the wax ring under the toilet.  Anyone care to hire me...I charge $2500/hour, that was the grossest thing I have ever done!

The Long Awaited Visit

 I had been counting down for a while the days before my parents came to visit.  I loved seeing them, and letting them see us in our own element.

 We got to spend lots of quality time at home this time because at least one person was sick the entire time they were here.  Which was actually kind of nice, we just relaxed and visited.

 We had a Christmas FHE...

 We went and had lunch and recess with Parker and Kasidee at school...

 They loved showing off their grandparents to their friends.

We just got to be together.  Washington State is a long way away!

Happy ONE little girl!

 I can't believe Reilynn is a year old.  Why does the year you are pregnant DRAG ON like it is 10 years, and then the first year they are here, it FLYS!!!

It was so fun to have Grandpa and Grandma here to help us celebrate.  I think Grandpa was even happier than we were...he LOVES birthday cake Blue Bell ice cream!

 Reilynn, on the other hand, was not so sure...

 "What exactly is this stuff...and why haven't you made me any cupcakes?"

"Well, I'm really sorry baby, but you are the 5th child in the family.  That means your mother is a slacker now.  Don't count on having even ice cream next year, you might have to just grab some Nila Wafers out of the pantry."

 "Ok, I guess it isn't so bad, I will suffer through it, just so I won't hurt your feelings."

 Having this little angel in our family has been so much fun.  I have been so amazed to see how much everyone has enjoyed her.  They love to see her grow and progress; they love to help her on her journey.

Reilynn, you are a little sunshine in our family.  You keep us laughing.  You put up with our crazy schedule, without too much fuss.  And you give us more love than I thought possible for a little 1 year old to give. 

We love you!