Christmas No.2

We each got to open one present on Christmas Eve. The kids each got a new pair of pajamas. We loved the "minion movie."



I think Katelyn is guarding her stash from everyone. She is so funny!



We discovered colorwonder stuff this year! It's pretty cool. No more tattue-ing!




Katelyn takes this doll with her everywhere! She can have one reading buddy at school for storytime, and guess what she takes. We need those shoes, Mom!





Kyle is so cute!

Oh, I took all the chocolate! What of it?

Kyle and Papa both got a haircut the day before this picture. Aren't they so stylish?

I don't remember who or what Mom was laughing at in this kodak moment. Glad we were there for it.

Josh was so funny about not having the newest button on his sock! Mom tried to get away without one this year, but he's got such great eye-sight. He probably knows what year each of them goes with, too! He watched Mom sew a button on for him that very morning.

It was so great to see Jake! I don't think he was quite ready to be up here, but we were sure glad he was downstairs.

The kids helped decorate the tree, along with Elora. Those pictures didn't make it. It doesn't look too bottom heavy!

Okay, we'll try a different layout today, see what happens. I have the greatest parents in the world! They got the kids and I home for Christmas plus a while. It was an adventure traveling alone with them, but well worth it. The kids are still talking about it, and will be until our next visit (this summer?). Then they'll talk about that one, and so on... Anyway, Christmas was awesome and we got to see Uncle Jake before he left for his mission! They pray for him everyday to be safe on his trip like Daddy. One of their greatest days on the trip was going out with the uncles to lunch with Grandma. They came back with balloons and Josh and Jake are the coolest people in the world. I thank them, too! I needed that hour and a half to myself! You guys are the best!

Christmas No.1

As I start with all of the catching up blogs, I'd like to note that Kyle got a hold of the camera and deleted everything from Halloween to New Year's! My absolutly awesome brother, Josh, was able to recover most of the pictures from our Christmas celebrations, but Thanksgiving is gone forever. My first turkey---I'll remember you fondly and with complete perfection. The cranberry stuffing was fantastic, as well. Better luck next year!

This was our first Christmas with Brad away. He sent LOTS of things (for me to wrap and put together---thanks, Dear!) and we were able to set the computer up on the table for him to be part of all the action! It was so great to have him still "with" us for a few hours to unwrap gifts and be excited about all the new and fun things to do. I cheated a little this year and set up a 4' tree instead of the regular big one. The kids were able to do all of the decorating themselves while I supervised. It was great! In all, a fabulous start to our Christmas Season.

My Bad!

Hey everybody! We got a little carried away with life during all of the Holidays. We're all doing really well right now. Brad is staying busy in his sand trap. He's actually on a trip for the next few days, so we'll get to talk to him Wednesday-ish. Our countdown has begun, we have 107 days until he comes home! Woo-Hoo!! .... Okay, he called right now, seeing I was online, and gave me some "fantastic" news. The Army is extending his stay another 3 weeks. He should be home around June 1. We'll see. Now I've got to re-start all of my countdown stuff! I love the Army!! I really wish I had one of those remote controls from "Click" so I could fast-forward through all this junk!