Christmas Morning!

Christmas Eve Present Opening



The kids love our tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve.  Each year it is usually something different, but always sleep/pajama/pillow related.  This year we did robes and they were really surprised.

 They had been looking forward to this moment all day long, especially Buster!



Merry Christmas Eve!

Beautiful babies all ready for the candlelight service at church.  Unfortunately Chiggie and Tea are too sick to go, so I opted to stay with them.  I am definitely ready for good health in our house!

Christmas Baking

We travelled to Mema's house on Sunday to pick up Chiggie, and also to do our Christmas baking.  We were so excited that the King was able to come along this time.  However, our excitement was short lived.  He and Buster ended up getting really sick while we were there.  It was just sad.  

 The older girls goofed around in Mema's bed as often as possible.  For some reason it is the most coveted spot in the house!

 The little girls were really serious about the baking.  They were great helpers and we made some really yummy treats!

 Poor Buster mostly slept.  He was just miserable.  I was sad he was sick, but happy to know he would be healthy for Christmas Day.

 Midge liked putting the finishing touches on the chocolate dipped pretzels.  She wanted them all to be just perfect.

 Boo helped put the kisses on the peanut butter blossoms.  These are my favorite, so delicious!

These two are sweeter than anything we baked that day, I love them so much, and I am so happy that they have each other.

Done!

I am not a shopper.  I just do not enjoy it.  I prefer going and just looking vs. actually buying things.  Today however, I had no choice.  Due to the crazy schedule we have had lately, we were crazy far behind on Christmas shopping.  Like we really had not bought anything.  There has been much sickness in our house the last 10 days or so, and I was disappointed and sad to wake up to Midge feeling awful.  We felt terrible that we still had to go, but she was in good hands, and spent the day on the couch watching movies. 

We did really well, and I am so excited to see the kids' reactions on Christmas.  Almost everything this year is a surprise so it should be really great.  Tomorrow we head to my mom's so that we can bake on Monday.  Only 6 more days!

All Caught Up (Again)

I think I am officially all caught up on the blog. Of course, I can't possibly blog everything these days, there is just too much going on, I do enjoy documenting the life of our little family.  I really cannot believe Christmas is one week from today.  The decorations are up, the kids are beyond excited, I just need to finish up my shopping.  This weekend is going to be extremely busy, and then Sunday afternoon we are heading to Canon City for a short Christmas visit and to pick up Chiggie.  On Tuesday Midge has an appointment with an ENT to discuss her tonsils and adenoids, and Tea has a knitting party.  From then on, I think we are pretty clear until the Christmas Eve Service at church on Thursday night.  I hope so, because it would be nice to have some time to just relax and enjoy!

Breakfast Fun

This little guy and I had a Dunkin Donuts date before grocery shopping this morning.  I just love this little dude so darn much!

Christmas Vacation!

 

 Wednesday was the last day of school before Christmas Vacation.  It was the kids party day, so everyone was excited.  When they first got up everything was fine, but as the morning went on Boo said she wasn't feeling well.  I wondered if maybe she was tired, we were up late the night before taking Chiggie to Lone Tree, so I assumed she would feel better as the day went on.  I dropped them off and headed home to get ready myself.  Around 10:45 I headed back up to the school to help out with lunch.  Boo was feeling worse.  I stayed to help and then brought her home with me.  She was terribly sick all afternoon.  Later, when we picked the other kids up Midge looked awful and she was shaking, even with her coat on.  I got her home only to find out she had a temperature of 103.  I felt awful.  Not exactly a fun party day for them.  Tea and Buster however, were pleased with their parties and have stayed healthy!

Snow Day!

On the morning of the 15th I awoke to a call from the school district saying that school and all school related activities were cancelled due to weather.  I knew there was a chance of snow, but you just never know for sure around here.  I got up and checked and sure enough we had at least 8", and it was still coming down, along with a howling wind.  I never really went back to bed, which was annoying because it was a Tuesday, and the kids only go to school on Wednesdays, so the phone call was really irrelevant to us.  It was way too cold to go outside, but it was nice to watch the snow and the kids had a great day!

Road Trip!

Chiggie has adjusted so well to high school.  She is having fun and her grades are excellent.  Because her Christmas Vacation is just a little bit longer than usual, we decided to let her go to Canon City to visit with my family for the week before Christmas.  We met half-way in Lone Tree.  The weather was INSANE, but I am so glad it worked out for her to be able to go.  I am so proud of the young lady she is becoming!

 

Gymnastics Fun

Midge and Boo continue to amaze us with their gymnastics skills.  Last weekend we got the call that they would be moving up yet another level.  They are now in advanced girls, and are one level away from participating at meets. 

Christmas Concert

The kids LEAP Christmas concert was adorable this year.  All four little kids participated in some way.  Buster was so nervous, but his part was so cute, I am still trying to find someone who may have been able to video tape it.  Tea played the violin, Boo the recorder, and all four participated in a variety of singing and dancing numbers.  

In addition to recorder, singing, and dancing, Boo also had some art projects on display.  They are enjoying themselves, and this year is going by really quickly!

Downtown Tree Lighting Fun

In early December the city put on a fun "Whoville Christmas" downtown.  It was freezing cold that night, and I will always remember that it was the day of the San Bernardino shooting.  I felt sad, but thankful to be spending time with my family.  We took a carriage ride to see the downtown lights, and we all really enjoyed that!

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 

Thanksgiving 2015

The King's work schedule has been crazy this entire holiday season!  Because he had to work the day before, and the day after Thanksgiving we weren't able to go out of town like we normally do.  Instead of just staying home, we decided to meet my Mom halfway and have dinner at a restaurant for the first time on a holiday.  It ended up being really fun, and I was just thankful that we were able to be together.  Plus there was no big mess to clean up afterwards.  It was definitely an experience we will remember.