Merry Christmas 2014

The crew was up bright and early at 5:30 ready to get the party started. I think the stockings kept them occupied until 6:00 and then we were reading the Christmas story and placing Baby Jesus in our Nativity Set. The kids had so much fun opening presents. I guess their squeals were heard by the neighbors. It is pretty fun to see them light up when they open a present they want, but it is even sweeter to see them give their siblings a gift they went and picked out for them.

By 7:00 a.m. we were already loading up for stop number two at Nonie and Papa's house. The kids were beyond excited to see a house full of presents. I am sure the clan was not too thrilled that our kiddos are now up so early. We had a blast opening gifts, seeing everyone, snapping pictures in our matching jammies, and then we were on our way to stop number 3 by 9:15.

By 9:30  we were eating my favorite potato pancakes, hanging out with my family, and opening more presents. The kids had a blast playing together and us adults were worn out and needing a nap.
We ended the night with some delicious soups and of course cioppino.

Merry Christmas Eve

The kids woke up this morning so excited and sad to find Lovee. Poor Caden was crying because he didn't want him to leave. The kids loved that Lovee wrote them a sweet letter reminding them what the reason for tomorrow is all about. They opened a special gift delivered from the North Pole. Santa and his elves worked super hard this year to deliver the most precious personalized jammies. The rest of the day we were busy prepping cinnamon rolls, cookies, and Christmas Eve dinner. The kids and Daddy had a great visit with Great Papa and I managed to get some cleaning done before church. Church service was beautiful and all 3 kids successfully held their candles in their own with out any injuries or fires. We finished our day with our special reading of The Night Before Christmas. Thankfully  the kids were worn out and ready for bed early. 

Gray belt

I'm so proud of this boy. He is the sweetest kid and has such a hard time being aggressive. He has made so much progress and tonight he earned his gray white belt. 

Merry Christmas from The Santopadres

I have learned sleep is not overrated. If you read my Christmas card you may have noted the error. Apparently it is not a great idea to work on your Christmas card around midnight after going a couple months with just a few hours of sleep. I love the design I created for the card.  Next year I will remember to have the husband read the card before I order and I need to schedule family photos in early fall. My dear friend Cari came to rescue to do a quick photo so I could finish my card. We sure did a lesson on working with lighting and shadows. That is why you pay the big bucks and hire a photographer.
Oh and did you catch the mistake??? Our family enjoyed many great trips, but Monterey was not one of them. We had a great trip in Santa Cruz.

Running out of tricks

We are all about to go a little crazy and Christmas break is just beginning! This cold, damp, and rainy weather is dragging on.... I am running out of tricks, but I managed to throw something together that kids had fun with.

That's a Wrap

I am happy to report that craft fair season has come to an end! The last of the orders are done and delivered! It was a fun couple months with my bestie and nice to make a little bit of extra Christmas money, but I am thinking my husband and my body will be happy it is over. I have gotten into a crazy habit of working on projects until 1:30 and 2 in the morning and now I can't seem to get out of that habit. Bed, it will be nice to lay there for more than a couple hours. Actually, scratch that,  maybe that is why my back has been feeling great. Perhaps I found a solution to my aching back. The key is to only sleep in my bed for a few hours!

My Family

Today Jackson wanted some paper to do "homework" like he brother and sister. After a little bit Jack wanted me to come see his picture. I had to do a double take! He pointed out everyone in our family and added a moon and sun. It was the first time his pictures really looked like something. Our little stick figure family just melted me. I can't wait to hang it up on the wall next to Caden and Emmeline's stick figure family portraits. 

Melt my heart

This sweet boy just got his preschool pictures back and I'm in LOVE! They suckered me in to buying the big package to get the digital copies, but how could I resist after seeing them??? I needed it for our Christmas card. 

His smile just melts me. Love him! And without knowing the photo backdrop I think I nailed his outfit. 

Size 7

A few years ago a good friend of mine and the kid's adopted Auntie Cari passed down one of Madison's Christmas nightgowns. When I took it home I remember Emmeline trying it on and it was huge. She was so excited to have it from Madison that we tucked it away for years later. She came out of the bathroom all slicked up from baths wearing it and I wanted to cry. How can she be getting so big and be wearing a size 7? I'm already getting emotional about the fact they will be in school all day starting next year. Sighhhhh... If only I could keep her small

Time

Everyday I am thankful for my family, but this Thanksgiving I am thankful for time. It is such a hard thing to be thankful for as I know people are hurting wishing they had more time with a loved one and others are wishing for time to go by faster. I am so thankful that the doctor's timeline was wrong.  Two years ago all I wanted was to spend Thanksgiving with my Dad who was in the hospital. I prayed that he would be home with us for the following year and he was. This summer, Dad hit two years which was what the doctors projected for him. I am so thankful that he is feeling good and trying to live his life not dwelling on what the doctors think and project. He is enjoying his time. We are all looking forward to Christmas, 2015, making lots of memories, and enjoying this time together that God has blessed us with.

1 little, 2 little Indians

Yesterday it was all about turkeys and thanks and today it was Pilgrims and Indians. The Indians met a Pilgrim from another class and walked together to a yummy feast. It was pretty adorable!

Gobble, gobble

 

This sweet little turkey had such a fun day at preschool. He started the day out with the "Macys" Thanksgiving Parade. It had giant balloons/floats and the cutest little turkeys following behind. After the parade the kids paraded in for a sweet message from Pastor Vern and a few prayers and songs. I loved getting to bring home his Thanksgiving Turkey so I can add it to the collection of his brother and sister. His art was precious. He drew that he was thankful for his Mommy, Daddy, Caden, Emmeline, and the science table. Hmmm... maybe we will have a scientist in the family?

Making Progress

Today it was my turn to take Jackson to get a hair cut. We tend to pull straws or do rock, paper, scissors to see who is going to get to do that chore. He went in willingly and was so excited! That lasted until he sat in the chair. After a lollipop and done distraction he did do much better! 

I was even able to step away and snap a picture without him jumping out of the chair. The next picture doesn't say much for all progress we made, but I think we turned a leaf and made a huge discovery. He HATES the feeling of the cut hair down his pants and shirt. The poor boy did so much better with the cut and lost it when the dry hair went down his back. You would have thought I dumped razor blades or nails down his back. The only way I could get it the itchy pain to go away was to strip whim down. Yep, I was that Mom. I seriously don't know why that hair dresser doesn't run when she sees us. 

First, second, third...

I'm loving my Wednesdays. Emmeline is such a champ going and hanging out at all of Caden's appointments and practices. I try to really make a big deal about her special Wednesday at ballet. She is so excited to go bad is often the first one in to start stretching. She has grown so much in this new class and I love watching her show off all her positions she is learning. She adores her teacher a d her teacher is so sweet and patient with her very affectionate and energetic personsality. Miss Em, I can't wait for next Wednesday and for your next performance. 

Pheasant Season

Today was the kick off for pheasant season which means a big lunch at the DeTar Ranch. This year Uncle Gabe woke up super early to roast a whole pig. It was amazing!!! Chris said it was worth missing scouting a game. He may want to come out very year now. The kids had a BLAST! We went home and they went right in the shower before Daddy had to leave for football. Thanks DeTars for including us in the fun!

Black and Blue

Tonight was the 25th Black and Blue Bowl. Crazy to thank I was in high school when it was just starting. Ughhh... Makes me feel old. The kids had a blast spending the whole game on the field and I went crazy!!! Besides the fact I couldn't see I felt like I was babysitting the entire youth football. I may or may not have taken a few of their footballs away in an attempt to get them to just sit and watch the game. Next week for playoffs we will go back to our normal routine, on the field until kick off and then up in the stands. Here is a pic of Emmeline's highlight of the game.

Let the Spirit Week Begin

One of my favorite things as a teach and student was Spirit Days. I love dressing up and I love that Emmeline is just as excited. These girls were over the moon when they heard there was a twin day. They immediately got start planning their skinny jeans, black flats, matching hair, and then talked the moms into getting shirts. They looked adorable!!! 

The boys were just as adorable, but the funny thing is they didn't care and didn't have any interest in planning the outfits. Yay, for technology where we can text pictures back and forth at stores and find shirts that will work. I can't wait to fund out what the next Spirit Day will be!

Happy Halloween

Today I got to spend the day with these cute kids. 

I started out the day helping in Caden and Emmeline's room. The rain put a little damper on their celebration but it was still a great time.

After an unsuccessful quiet time I loaded up the kids and took them to Great Papa's convalescent home for some trick or treating fun!

All the older folks loved seeing them in their costumes. After that we trick or treated at a few homes then headed home to put on our warm Pjs and relax. It was a super fun day despite the nasty weather.

Rancher Jackson

Today was the Harvest Party at preschool. The theme was farm and it was to die for. I think one of my kids need to have a farm party. Jackson decided to not wear his John Deere hat and instead sported a DeTar Livestock hat. He was the perfect mini Uncle Gabe.

Between the sheering the sheep, catching the eggs, milking the cow, gathering the pigs, and enjoying a tractor ride, I decided this boy needs a farm.

I caught him just chewing away and walking around with hay in his mouth.

Where does he get this stuff???  It was a perfect day and so much fun to see him with his preschool friends.