Sledding

We went sledding on the hill in our backyard yesterday. We had SO much fun. This was Lydia's first time to sled. She enjoyed it (minus the snow blowing up in her face) but her favorite part was eating the snow :). Getting ready to go for the first time!!Jared went snowboarding on a cookie sheet.Zane was good at pushing and jumping on the back. That's us!The boys running back up the hill.You've got to have a snowball fight!

Christmas Day (finally!)

On Christmas Day, the boys (finally) woke up at 10 (yes, TEN) to see what Santa had brought. Lyddie got up a little earlier and Jared brought her down and she played in our bed for awhile. We finally went and woke the boys up (we were supposed to be at Jared's parents' house at noon). They seemed really happy with what he had left them under the tree and in their stockings!
This picture is supposed to be down toward the bottom but I can't make it move!! I had no problem with moving the others.... This is her getting her pink bat and ball. You can tell that she has brothers. She got a lot of girly things but also got this and a pink basketball hoop. Just trying to keep her well rounded :).

Here are the kids waiting to go down and check out what's under the tree.

Lydia with her princess castle. She LOVES this thing!!! It stays in the living room :).

Zane got a new air soft gun and Harrison got a BB gun.

Checking out the chapstick that Santa left in her stocking.

Looking pretty good!!

Zane reading the Christmas Story from the bible.

Lydia wanted PaPa to read to her!

We took a quick family pic. There's that vest AGAIN!!!! You can't just wear it once.

After going to his parents' house we can home and opened the gifts under the tree. We just let them take their time and play with everything before opening the next gift. It's my favorite tradition.

Jared got some new grilling stuff to go along with our new OUTDOOR KITCHEN!!!! The pool is not finished but the fireplace and kitchen are! I just realized that I haven't posted pics on that...

My new laptop!!! This is my first post from it so maybe that's why I can't get that darn picture to move :).

The aftermath....it makes me weary just looking at it!

And then the sickness began. Lydia was sick with HIGH fever and then I got a cold/who knows what else. We are ALMOST back to normal.

Christmas Eve

This year we went to Great Grandma's after Lydia's nap so that she could give the kids their presents. She gave Lydia some bows and guess what?!?!

She can wear them!! I was thrilled :).We brought the kids these reindeer noses back from Dallas. They were a bigger hit than we thought they would be.You can wear them as a nose or combine them and be an alien. I HAVE to explain his outfit! He went and bought a (ladies) fleece jacket and cut the arms off to make this beautiful vest. Throw on a turtleneck and you're ready for the Christmas parties. His grandma never mentioned it so I don't think she knew he was joking! I got Lydia a flashing Christmas light necklace. So cute!! This was at my parents house. We have a BIG family party there every year. I didn't get very many pics :(. The weather was starting to get bad so we played Dirty Santa early and had to rush it. We didn't even get to stay and eat. When we got home, Harrison put the reindeer food out. Lydia sampled all of Santa's goodies. I "caught" Santa in the act!! Zane went and woke Harrison up and they hid behind the couch in the living room and watched him work. The french doors were closed so they couldn't see TOO well ;). They had planned to try and catch him but once Harrison fell asleep, he was OUT. I think Zane poured water on him to wake him up!!

Branson 2009

Every year we take the kids to Branson around Christmas and stay at the Chateau on the Lake. It's one of my favorite Christmas traditions. This year I started getting sick (head and throat junk) when we got there but it was still a lot of fun. We left on Friday right after Harrison's class party. It was fun knowing we had the whole Christmas break in front of us! The last day before Christmas break was always one of my favorite days of school ;). We took them to do the Polar Express train ride. They really enjoyed it. The highlights were cookies, hot chocolate, and Santa!

Harrison and Lydia before we got on the train.

The conductor came thru and punched you first initial into your ticket.He forgot to do mine :).I don't remember what she did but she had them ROLLING! I love it!Santa came thru and gave all of the kids a bell. She did really good with him. I wasn't sure how that would go.They always have a great gingerbread house at the Chateau.He's such a great brother!!

December Pics

Here are some random pictures from December (I am SO behind!). We let the kids open an early gift. These were the December calendars that held the chocolate. I truly believe that Lydia ended up eating most of it! The boys kept telling me that their door would already be open and candy would be gone. I guess I'll have to monitor that a little better next year :). Hollywood!
We LOVE movie night. Especially around Christmas!!

They decorated Christmas cookies.

They decorated the annual gingerbread house!

Don't let that sweet face fool you!! Haha. She had fun decorating the gingerbread man and then eating all of the candy and icing off of it.The boys helped me make oreo truffles. They are so good and so easy but SO addicting!