Halelulah

The day I have been waiting for for at least 10 years has come. Brian finally experienced a pair of pants becoming too tight in the waist. It was a pair of slacks that he hasn't worn for at least a year. He tried them on tonight and now knows how I feel when my pants magically shrink.

Life is Grand

Christmas time can be crazy, exciting, stressful, joyful, busy and jubilant. There doesn't seem to be much time for peace. That is why we have January. I enjoy Christmas and because of Christmas I can enjoy January a bit (this year has been better because the average highs have had to be around 40 degrees). It seems as if you can unwind and take a deep breath, throw out the old and ring in the new. I am grateful for opposites so I can appreciate both.

And so on to the re-cap:

 The girls made about a buzillion of these snowflakes for gifts to teachers and other people. The bad part was mom had to do all the finishing work and that took longer than beading the snowflakes. They turned out cute (some were a little more colorful than real snowflakes but I had to delete those pictures because I didn't download the memory card before the school Christmas program).

 I made my chocolates. Remember back in September when I bought 20# of chocolate, well I used some. I probably have 10# left and that was after my mom took some. I dipped anything I could get my hands on: homemade caramels, pretzels, oreos, caramel covered pretzels, Ritz, cinnamon bears and craisins. They were delicious. The dark chocolate oreos were to die for and I know I ate way too much of the stuff. I tried to give it away but couldn't part with all of it. Guess what I will have to do for Valentine's day? Dip things in chocolate.

Christmas Eve was calm and peaceful and a great way to start things off. We stayed at home with the kids and had a nice dinner with the Christmas dishes and Grandma Lue's stemware. The girls love to drink out of those glasses. We had a good talk about Christ. We gave the kids a present to open that night. It was their own hymn book with their names imprinted on the cover. Then Santa dropped off hooded towels (he knew we had plenty of PJs, that smart man). The kids were in bed by 8:15 PM and all were dreaming by 8:30! Yes I said they were completely asleep by 8:30. So mom and dad got to work. By about 11 PM dad swore off big toys for Christmas, again. Don't worry, Brian, I am sure you will forget by next year and something will have to be put together again. Mom and dad were in bed by midnight.

Christmas morning came. I am not sure how early the girls were up (they said it was a long time) but they didn't come into our room until 7ish. Braden was still in a deep slumber so mom got in the shower. I was almost ready when Braden came in at 7:45. The picture above was of the kids waiting not so patiently. The girls were begging to wake Braden but mom knew the little man would not be getting a nap and she also wanted to shower. It is nice to look decent on Christmas morning.

 Santa only had one mix-up. He always forgets who dibs which stocking and so someone was mad because they didn't have the right stocking.

 Mom and Dad gave Braden the cursed train table and Santa brought the kids a kitchen that was already put together. Kelsey accidentally saw the train table the day mom bought it.  

 This face explains it all. Happy for more stuff. You might want to skip the next part. It is written for personal history.
Braden: Train table; R/C monster truck (already broken good thing Santa bought it cheap knowing a 2 year old would own it and crash it into everything); Mac the Truck, Lightening McQueen, Francesco; Lightening McQueen Race Track; golf game (balls have been flying through the house); Thomas the Train and track; Lightening McQueen Megablocks
Kelsey: (Her list to Santa had chapstick, an elf and a diamond. The elf was so he would make her toys, do her chores, do her homework, and play with her.) chapstick, diamond earrings, Mario and Donkey Kong DSI game, play laptop, 3D puzzles, cupcake jewelry holder, more earrings, play dishes (shared with Macy)
Macy: karaoke machine (She sang non-stop for at least 3 days. The day after Christmas I awoke to karaoke downstairs. This stereo is also to be shared with Kelsey.), Claires gift card, fingernail polish, baby doll, cupcake jewelry holder, furry coat on the inside, Harry Potter lego set
Everyone: Super Mario brothers for the wii (I wish I had recorded the first time Brian, Macy and Kelsey played the game. It was hilarious. Macy wanted to be in charge and kept trying to tell Brian what to do. Brian would tell her he played the game all the time as a kid and didn't need her to tell him what to do. The kids were dying left and right. Brian tried to explain things. It was funny and Brian was very frustrated by the end of it. I think they are better now.)

My dad's gift was the easiest and best things to shop for. The kids bought him diapers, hats, blankets, kids clothes, pillow and other misc goods. He has decided that he has all he needs so he asked for items he could donate to charities. It was a lot of fun. Of course the kids had no problem spending my money for grandpa's present and didn't understand why we couldn't get everything on the donation list. So we gave him his birthday present early; more stuff. Hopefully one day I won't be as selfish and will ask for the same thing.

New Year's Eve came and went. We spent the day with our friends the Hodlmairs cheering and stressing and pacing during the Utah football game. Then the second party began later that night with more friends the Walkers. We munched. We dipped everything in the chocolate fountain. Then we danced it off with Just Dance 3. Well I didn't get to. I came home an hour earlier than the fam because Braden's body decided to grace him with nasty poop that gave him serious diaper rash that needed attention. So I folded laundry until midnight. At least the beginning of the day and night started out fun.

The Best Gift after Christmas

I found $55 in gift cards. Everytime I rummaged around in my purse I would come across old gift cards that I thought were all used up. I didn't want to throw them away because I wasn't completely sure they were all used up (even though one or two or three were picked up sometime when we lived in AZ 2 1/2 years ago). Tonight I remembered and decided to take the time and do some research. It paid off. Anyone ready for more shopping?

Checking it Twice

Run a muck in RC Willey visiting Uncle Jeff: Check

Visit Santa while running a muck: Check

 Go Ice Skating for Free with Santa: Check
Kelsey has been taking lessons so I thought it would be fun to take the family. We decided Braden was too little and it would be difficult with Macy not knowing how to skate (it was her first time) so it was a girls day out. Macy was determined to teach herself to skate that day. I think I talked her into taking lessons. I think she can't stand Kelsey being better than her at something.

Not my favorite picture of me but I have very few with the kids that I actually like.

See Santa for a third time (second time in one day): check
Went to our church Christmas party tonight and Santa was the special guest. I think each time the kids have seen Santa they have asked for something different.

Making a List

Start using new camera: Check

Ears Pierced: Check

The girls have been begging for years and I had always said when they were 8. Well I caved because I originally said it could be their Christmas present but we didn't get it done in time for them to change out their earrings for Christmas. They were really scared but wanted earring bad enough that they wouldn't back out. They fought over who would go first. Kelsey even offered to pay Macy a dollar if she went first. I intervened and Macy volunteered to go first. She didn't cry but you could see the pain in her eyes. She is so stubborn that she will tell you it didn't hurt a bit. Kelsey had tears streaming down her face immediately after but no balling, maybe a few sniffles. We did this last Saturday.

 Gingerbread houses: Check
After 2 days we finally ran out of icing. I made the dough on Thursday. I rolled it out and baked it on Friday morning. After lunch I put them together. At 3 they went to town decorating and didn't stop until 5:40 when we left for dinner at the Gateway and movie at the Planetarium. They woke up this morning and said they weren't finished so it was back to work until the frosting was all gone.

 Mom's handy work. It is Santa's car (see him inside) when he isn't driving a sleigh. I had worked on Kelsey's house so Macy was mad and wanted some of my skill.

 More of my work. Braden wanted a train (his has the boy going for a ride) so then Kelsey wanted a train.

 Braden's house with the Santa's standing as sentinals.

 Kelsey's house. I made both of the girls a little large.

 The front door of Kelsey's.

 Macy's house. It has a marshmellow snow fort with a Santa throwing snowballs at the gingergirl sledder, more of my work. The kids actually did 95% of the decorating. I just didn't have my own house.

 The front door of Macy's.

 Put up Grandma Bonnie's Christmas Tree: Check

Kelsey's Birthday...

Was well over a month ago and I have wasted the little time I spend on the computer doing other things such as researching Christmas gifts. When I went to catch up I saw I missed documenting this precious little munchkin's birthday.

She had a grand week which started with getting the birthday pillowcase on her pillow. She got to go shopping with Grandma Carol one day and Grandma Wendy and Grandpa DeVon on another. I can't even remember what she picked out. From her family she received Mario Kart, a jumbo (ginormous) pillow pet (because we didn't have enough), and from Macy the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine. Braden thinks the Mystery Machine is his and has played with it more than her because he loves it so much.

This year we let her have another party because she was finally in an area long enough to have friends that lived nearby. We were able to move on from the Scooby Doo theme and she had a Teddy Bear Tea Party. She invited Jensen, Annie, Iris, Adyson, Kristina, Lauren and Macy. She got a ton more pillow pets, at least they were the baby ones. If anyone is keeping track of our families total, we have 1 jumbo, 7 regular and 4 pee wees. And Braden is still sleeping on 3 regular pillow pets.

I love my sweet Kelsey. I love to hear here giggle and play with Braden. She can be easygoing and lets most things slide. She lost 2 more teeth the same week and I even love her current goofy grin. The second tooth was hanging on by a thread until Macy's head knocked it out. I love that you wear skirts everyday. I hat that you have a drawer full of pants I bought you because you finally started wearing shorts this past summer. Love you babe.

Denver and Halloween

Did you know that "wx" is outside not "yz"? That is what Braden told me the other day. Just a tidbit of how cute that boy can be. But don't let him fool you. There are many days I am ready to rip my hair out. It is usually those days I have a lot to do and someone has decided napping is for the birds and that he should be up before the birds.

Anyways life has been continuing to move for us. Went to Denver over fall break to see my sister. We had a lot of fun and we have a lot more pictures and details than what is below but I will have to pray my memory will keep when I want to remember more about it in the future.

 Denver's State Capitol building and the 2 "one mile above sea level" markers. They had to make a second mark when they used GPS technology instead of the old by hand method. I guess you pick which one is right. Braden also is wearing his favorite coat (a handme down from a neighbor). That coat was a nightmare for pictures because of the reflective strips. He hardly ever took it off.

 Stopped by the Museum of Nature and Science and they have some neat, fun exhibits.

 The theme of this trip could have been trains. We saw lots and lots of trains which made one little boy really happy. The girls seemed to enjoy it to. This train was in Idaho Springs. We saw one in Eagle, CO and also in one in Spanish Fork Canyon.

 Star Fleet Academy, aka the Air Force Academy chapel in Colorado Springs.

 Cave exploring near Manitu Springs.

Saving mom from being crushed by Balancing Rock in the Garden of the Gods.  All in all a good trip.

So you want more (maybe not but it saves me an extra post). Here is Halloween fun.

 Free Scary face pancakes.

 Sharpay and Gabriella. The wigs lasted a whole 5 minutes. Macy's actually lasted longer amd she even wore hers for the school parade. Kelsey's got some use when I wore it to a neighborhood party.

Wanting to be like his sisters. How do you like Scooby sitting over his shoulder?