Christmas 2008

waiting patiently..... the mess afterwards

We have had a busy month with all the shopping, decorating, wrapping and holiday parties..........December 6th was Mike's mom's family party at his aunt's house.....We saw my Dad's side of the family on December 13th at my cousin's house.........Had a holiday gathering with some neighbors on the 19th......Mike's step-dad's family gathering was on the 20th at his parent's home......got together with some friends on the 21st (not a holiday gathering, but we only see them about twice a year since they live in North Carolina)........I took the boys to the Trotters on X-mas Eve. Mike had to work at the station and our friends were having a shin-dig at their house and were so kind to invite us over. Christmas Day we went to my parents for dinner and then Mike's parents came over in the evening..........It has been a busy month!

My boys were so excited for Christmas to come. Especially Parker....he sooooo wanted that IPOD nano he has been talking about. Since Mike was working on Christmas Eve, I was on my own for set up---if you know what I mean. I told the boys not to get up before 7 am......Parker is an early riser and I sure didn't want to be up before the sun. So 7:01 he comes into my room, all excited. We woke up the other 2 sleeping children and headed down to inspect the stocking contents and then (patiently) waited until Daddy arrived home from work at 7:25. Mason was cute--he would rip a corner of paper off of the present and start squealing without even knowing what was inside. Jackson and Parker were both happy to find presents and hand them out. Mean-while , Parker is looking for a reeeaaalllly small box under the tree that might contain an IPOD........ After all the presents were open--I sent them to the basement to get some gifts that I said i had left down there. Mike and my Dad quickly brought in the lego table for Jackson ( it was hidden in the garage). He walks up to it --wide eyed--and after I told him it was for him -he says "now I don't have to sit down!!" (this lego table is much taller and bigger than the one we had. Uncle Kenny made this table for us...Thanks Uncle Kenny!!!). Mason opens his present--which was the Geo-Trax airport and he says "the air-plane-port--that is what I was talking about!"......Parker opens up his itty bitty box and .......smiles......ah....it's the IPOD nano he wanted.......alll the kids are happy..........It has been a busy season. My kids are truely blessed and fortunate. They received MANY gifts that I now need to find places for. Parker's gifts were the IPOD, book, video games, board games, carnivorose plant kit, clothes, etc.....Jackson received video games, legos, legos and more legoes, lego table, board games, clothes, magna tiles, transformers........and Mason was given matchbox tracks, Geo-trax, Imaginext jungle, trucks , games, Mr. Potato Head, etc.........

Dear Santa--We've been good

Christmas is just around the corner.........and my kids are making their wish lists. Surprisingly -they don't have the "gimmies" too bad. Parker's main desire is for an IPOD nano----I keep hearing "I really want one" and "am I going to get it?". Jackson wants legos, magna-tiles and a Leapster game. Mason wants a "big truck and a big truck for mommy", and the Geo-trax airport. So, it will be an easy Christmas for us.....I just have had a difficult time giving out ideas to other family members. We first saw Santa on November 23rd at the mall. We had gone to get holiday pictures taken and Mason saw 2 kids with candy canes. He assumed the photographers would be giving him one once we were done with pictures. Not the case. They did not have candy canes. And so the sobbing started. I then had this bright idea that Santa might have candy canes. So I did this pep talk as we walked over to see him. I have never seen a 2 1/2 year old so anxious so see Santa. He walked right up to him. Santa reached out to Mason and wanted to put him on his lap. Me--being the protective parent-- shook my head. But Santa picked him up anyways and Mason willingly sat! And then told him what he wanted. I about fell over---NO TEARS. So the next time we went to the mall, he asked to go see Santa. We had a family party on the 6th and the big guy usually makes an appearance. However, this time Mason was not too keen on chatting with him. (this is where the picture is from) .

I am thankful

I am now 37 years old. (to be technically correct, my birthday was actually a couple of days ago). I feel old, as I am quickly approaching 40 years old. But I have been sitting here reflecting on my life--where it has been and where it is going. I truly feel blessed in what God has provided me with. I have a wonderful husband who is a hard worker and a great dad. He strongly believes in having me home with the boys and works 2 jobs to support our family. He is actively involved in the boys school and sport activities. I have 3 wonderful, smart, happy and healthy boys who never cease to amaze me with their liveliness, curiosity, and love. I have 2 cute, smart, faithful dogs who are happy to see me and eager to please. We live in a beautiful home in a great neighborhood, with super neighbors. We belong to a fabulous Church that we are actively in involved in many of the ministries. And not to mention we have the best small group around! We have strong, loving, supportive family and friends! So as I sit and reflect......I am giving thanks for the past 37 years.........

My Little Builder

Jackson loves to build. He loves all kinds of building toys--Magna-tiles, legos, Magnetix, Tinker-toys, blocks......He is creative and builds all sorts of things. Usually they amount to ships of some kind....but it could be a home for a stuffed animal....a car....or some roads or bridges. If I cannot find him, he is bound to be up in his room building with legos. Maybe I will have an architect someday???

Nothing Special

I don't really have anything from the last two weeks that is exciting to blog about....so thought I would post a few pictures. Many of you on facebook have probably already seen these.......We actually had enough leaves to rake and make a pile (well- we did take some from the neighbors yard :) ). We enjoyed one of the last nice fall days raking, jumping in the pile and then throwing the leaves.

Fall Soccer

The fall soccer season is over. It was 9 weeks of soccer with practice held 4 nights a week. Jackson had practice on Mondays and Wednesdays and Parker had practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It was a bit overwhelming at times for me, the parent, in trying to fit it all in. Games were held on Saturdays mornings. Luckily, none of the game times for the boys conflicted. We had one day where it was 40 degrees for a game and it was quite chilly!! It was a tough season, although the boys played well. Parker assisted in quite a few goals for his team. He has learned some smooth soccer moves with manuevering his feet or blocking the ball with his body or head. When he wants-Jackson has some speed on the field and he is learning some of the skills.

Trick or Treat

Mike and Kristi

Mason with his "best friend" (as he says) Kira

with some neighbor kids

Parker (Beast), Mason (dragon), and Jackson (Ninja)

Halloween 2008- much like any other Halloween , except the weather was SOOOOOOOOOO beautiful. I cannot remember the last Halloween where it did not rain. The boys were anxious to trick or treat, so we left at exactly 4:00 (start time). We only went out for about an hour, as we had 2 Halloween parties to make appearances at. Considering the time frame--we ended up with a lot of candy. We then went over to our friends, the Trotters, who were having a party. Had good food, kids played a muumy game, did the limbo and freeze dance.......Then we were off to the Kapellas-where all the neighbors were hanging out. It was late night- we did not make it home until after 11-----but we had fun.