Christmas Eve = sugar high.

We host Christmas Eve with my dad and siblings at our house. This year I decided to throw some gingerbread house making into the mix. It was really funny to watch my sister, brother, future sis in law, and dad attempt to help my kids create homes. It was very messy but super fun!

I helped Ashlyn with her house and I believe it was the only house standing. Haha!

But my brother decided it needed a little something extra.

Drum roll please.....The Masterpieces (?)

Present time.

Leaving treats for Santa.

We had such a great night but missed Trisha, Russ, and Cannon!

Until next year....

Christmas Outfit Drama!

Every year I scope out my favorite stores to find the perfect Christmas outfits...then I wait for them to go on sale. This year the crazy ebay ladies snatched up EVERYTHING the second they went on sale in the beginning of November. Then they posted them on ebay for way more than any person in their right mind should pay. I was a bit peeved. Fast forward to the week of Christmas and I still hadn't found anything I liked and my bitterness toward the ebay fanatics grew every time I walked into a store. At the last minute, I found something and I am actually happy with how it turned out. Phew! That was a close one. How can you not have matching Christmas attire, the concept doesn't sit well with me. Tyler thought I was crazy but he still drove to 2 different stores at night trying to find Andy's shirt which I told him was green pin striped, not green checkered. Oops!

So here is our attempt at pictures.... enjoy!

Pictures after church....I know better.
Always, ALWAYS take picture BEFORE an event, not after.

So let's try it at home. Wrestle and Say Cheese........ must sound the same.Is the horse really necessary?Almost.

Wait...........RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The secret weapon...look at the camera and wait for the flashing red light (timer). Woohoo! They thought it was funny.

Calorie Fest 2009!

I have officially named this Holiday Season as Calorie Fest of the decade!!! There were so many treats this year, I am super nervous to go to the doctor this week and be weighed!

However, we did have fun making and delivering treats to our friends and neighbors.

Hmmm, looks like their mouths are full of Rolos.

Whale Watching.

Christmas break has been so busy and so full of fun things! We started it out with an invitation from our friends to go whale watching. It was pretty exciting to be in the middle of hundreds of dolphins. They enjoyed swimming in the wake of the boat, it was pretty amazing. Thanks Mark and Crystal for the invite and tickets!

The Gingerbread Baby Ran Away.

He jumped out of the oven when Ms. Karr peeked. We searched the whole school.
And found him in the Assistant Principal's office.
We brought him back to class.
And decorated him.
Fun day at Taylor's school!

A Campfire in the House???

My kids are lucky to have such a fun dad who after a long day, stopped by the store, picked up smore stuff, and made a campfire in the fireplace.Just about the funnest thing EVER!

Disclaimer: Andy and Ashlyn start EACH day with clothes ON but if we are home, they are running around in a diaper...diapers we hope will be gone come January. Wish me luck!

No longer 20 weeks...

But in this picture I was. I am now 22 weeks. But who's counting? Is it April yet???? I was sick with the H1N1 virus during this time...fun thing to have when you're pregnant. The kids are I were all sick and happy to say it is all in the past now.

The 2nd trimester has definitely brought with it a renewed sense of energy. I don't remember feeling this way with my other pregnancies but let' see....last time I was pregnant with twins, no extra energy there and the 1st time, well, I think it's safe to say that I milked that situation and swore I needed a nap everyday. I mean I was pregnant for heaven's sake. Of course now with 3 little ones running around, a nap is a wish that cannot be granted. So thankfully I have been blessed with energy. In addition to all this added energy is nesting. Holy smokes! My whole house is being attacked by my desire for organization. So much in fact that I took on a painting project. I decided the playroom needed some color. I painted the entire thing by myself.
Actually I had a few little helpers.I added a magnetic chalkboard to one side of the room.And added some vinyl stickers.

Tyler said he was proud of me for the work I did but said "You sure made a huge mess." Let's just be happy it got done without any carpet damage and leave it at that....thank you!

Our dining room began screaming for color too so I painted that also.Next projects are the kid's room to make a place for our new little man.
I am extremely grateful for my family. Grateful we are all safe, healthy, and have the things we need. We feel very blessed and super excited to have this little boy come to our family.