Christmas 2012

I can't believe Christmas is over. It seems like I prepare for that day for months and all of the sudden it is over. How does life go by so fast. Here are some fun memories of the event. 

We made Giant Gingerbread Men from Costco. I was too late in buying the pre-made houses, so we bought the cookies. It actually worked out much better. We eliminated the need to try to get a house to stand and just focused on the decorating. 

Even Kole enjoyed it. I gave him the bag of icing and he went to town. :)

They ate a lot of it too.

Paiton's finished project.

Kole's finished project - I love it!

Saige's finished project.

We also attended the annual Christmas party at my Mom's. This is a much anticipated event and my mom does a fabulous job. Tons of food, games, and a special guest to make all of the kids happy.

The cousins playing Headbands.

Kole wasn't so sure about Santa. He wanted the present he had but didn't want to sit on his lap.

Saige is at the perfect age. She was completely amazed at Santa. She was so excited and followed him out to see his reindeer.

Paiton telling Santa her list.

My awesome Mom and Bryce taking their turn on Santa.

Christmas before the chaos hit. Notice Rory's beer can in the middle of the picture. Oops! :) Santa must of had a few.

He ate all of his cookies and milk and the reindeer ate their carrots.

Here they come!!!

Paiton asked for a whiteboard and there it is.

Kole asked for Lighting McQueen. He wasn't very happy in this picture because it was still in the box.

Saige asked for an American Girl Doll. 

And some new boots!

Paiton's favorite present. Real cowgirl boots with pointed toes and a heel. Who knew?

The aftermath!!

Kole "fixing" his Lighting McQueen. He went and got the screwdriver and started to work to get it running. Funny!

Overall it was another wonderful Christmas. We had a ton of fun and so happy we could give our kids everything they wanted. Merry Christmas.

Update

I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus. After doing it everyday in November, I needed a break. I just realized today that it has been 20 days since my last post. Unacceptable!

Things are going really good and very busy. The new job is okay. I hate starting over, no one knows me, and I'm trying everyday to prove my value. In the long run, I'm sure it will be great but the first few weeks have been challenging.

The kids are wonderful, exciting, and exhausting all at the same time. They are all super excited for Christmas and can't wait for that special day. Also, because of the new job, we are going to Washington after Christmas. The tradition returns.....yeah! We have a "Countdown to Christmas" in our kitchen and the kids move the dial everyday. Then they say something like this "10 more days 'til Christmas, 11 more days 'til Bunny Grandma's". The thought of the vacation is almost as exciting as Christmas.

I promise to put some more things on the blog, but for now just know this......I love these little monsters!

November Thankfuls - Day 30

Today I'm thankful for new opportunities. I quit my job today at AtTask, where I have been for the last 18 months. I was offered a new job at a company named Domo. I'm excited to start and take on a new challenge, but I'm nervous as can be. I've had butterflies in my stomach all day and just hope I made the right decision. Onto a new day........

November Thankfuls - Day 29

Today I’m thankful for this little man. I’m speechless when it comes to him. I never knew how much a little boy could change my life and melt my heart. The love I have for him is totally different than the love I have for my girls.

He is crazy, wild, and a complete joy to be around. He hardly ever cries and will flash the best smile to just about anyone. When I come home from work he runs, screaming “MOMMY” and gives me the biggest hug.  He laughs just at the right moments and makes me smile. His new thing to say is “love you more” and we go back and forth about who loves who more. It is so cute.

He is easy going and never really complains. I can drag him anywhere and he is happy about it. He insists on being included and wants to do everything the girls are doing. Which often includes painting nails, ponytails, and high heels. I don’t stop it, I think it is adorable.

He loves to cuddle on the couch and watch TV. His favorite movie is Cars and we watch it at least once a day. He loves to eat hot dogs, pizza, ramen noodles, and pancakes. He doesn’t like when people sing, in fact he yells “STOP”.  He loves trucks, dirt, and riding his bike. He hates to be dirty and will insist on a mess to be cleaned up.

I am 100% smitten by this little guy. He makes being a mom worth it. I feel so blessed to have him and can’t imagine my life without him. I hope he always stays this sweet and forever be my little man. 

November Thankfuls - Day 28

Today I’m grateful for a whole list of random things. Ready?

A good book, Air-Freshners to make this office full of men smell a little better, peppermint gum, flannel sheets, awesome in-laws that love us from afar, Zac Brown Band, my portable heater so I can stay warm in my freezing cold office, tulips, Habanero BBQ almonds (they are the best), my iPhone, a good pair of jeans, a great pair of sweat pants, a pantry full of food, smiles on my children’s faces, a husband that will talk me down from a cliff, my grandma’s blanket that I cuddle up with almost everyday,  my elf on the shelf (that is coming in the mail today), this great diet that is working, lunch with old friends, diet root beer, stupid TV shows that make me laugh, SongPop to take my mind off the stress, brothers and sister-in-laws that always have my back, great parents, the smell of freshly cut grass, knock-knock jokes from my kids, swimming pools, days on the lake with my brothers, girls night out with my girls…..

I could go on and on but I’ll spare you……

November Thankfuls - Day 27

Today I'm thankful for a trip to Mexico. That's right - Rory and I are going to Mexico in January. Today we paid off the trip - yeah! We literally saved our pennies in a jar for the last six months to pay for the trip. It is amazing when you set your mind to something how it seems to happen. A few months ago, I walked into the bank with jars full of quarters, dimes, and nickels and walked out with $1100. Rory put away $20 every time he worked and paid for the other half of the trip.
The trip is for a good friend of ours 40th birthday. It will be a memorable trip for all. I'm so thankful for the great friends we have and the memories we create together.
Last but not least, I'm so grateful for the family that is willing to take our kids while we are gone. It isn't easy to step up and take care of three kids for a week, and we appreciate it.

November Thankfuls - Day 26

Today I'm thankful for 8:00 because that is when my three beautiful children go to bed. :) I love having them around and the house full of energy and excitement, but there is nothing better than a quiet house. I love to sit back, relax, and do my thing while they sleep soundly in their beds.

If you can't tell I'm running out of ideas. :) Good thing November is almost over.