Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Week 51

We had a wonderful Christmas but I'm glad it's over. I sure hope one day my kids come to realize and appreciate all the work that goes into creating such a magical holiday for them. It's exhausting and stressful, but I go all out because I love it and them. Thankfully it's done and was everything I imagined for my family so now I can relax and enjoy the last week of my vacation before school starts again and schedules get crazy.  It's hard to believe we are almost into the next year.  What will 2012 have in store for us? -- hopefully good for all.

Enjoy last week's pictures-


Day 351- Saturday, 12/17/11
Today I was able to get through all these boxes and get most everything wrapped.  Can you tell where I like to shop?  I don't have time to run from store to store so I'm happy that Amazon carries most everything I need and will ship for free to my home.



Day 352- Sunday, 12/18/11
We lit the third candle on the advent wreath today which means only one more week until Christmas.  The boys take turns blowing them out each night after dinner, and tonight was Justin's turn.




Day 353- Monday, 12/19/11
It's time to get those Christmas cards out.  I'm home all week with the kids who are out of school so I spent the morning addressing cards while enjoying my cup of warm cocoa by the lit tree.



Day 354- Tuesday, 12/20/11
This is what most of our mornings look like lately--bogged in the fog.  It's a pain if you have to drive, but if you can hunker down and wait it out by 10am the blanket of fog will lift and the sun will shine.  It's been beautiful most afternoons which has been great for the neighborhood kids all wanting to play together outside.



Day 355- Wednesday, 12/21/11
Justin invited our neighbor, Amanda, in to help decorate the gingerbread house.  It was a fun afternoon activity that brought the kids together.  I think Brandon ate more than he added though ;0)



Day 356- Thursday, 12/22/11
Time to finish my baking.  Brandon was excited to help make sugar cookies.  He wanted snowmen and Christmas trees so that's what we cut out.  Later the other boys joined us to frost and decorate the cookies we'll hand out to our neighbors tomorrow.



Day 357- Friday, 12/23/11
Only 2 more days!  The boys are super excited and to add to the excitement they received a letter from Santa in the mail today.  The most impressive part was when he mentioned Bella their beloved dog.  They were quite pleased with that.

Wait!  One more . . .
December's Family Photo
This was taken Christmas Eve.  The final family photo of the year.  I can't believe I actually got 12 months worth of family photos this year and I love each and every one.  They are some of my favorites--definitely going to do this again in 2012.

OK!  All done. 
Thanks for stopping by and see you next year!!!

 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Week 50

I'm so happy to be home with my kids for the holidays.  Work was crazy this past month so I'm enjoying my much needed break.  We plan on doing some baking, taking in a movie or two, and just hanging out before the big day.  It's such a fun time of the year and even more fun when you get to stay home!

Here are last week's pictures-



Day 344- Saturday, 12/10/11
We finally got our tree this weekend, and yep, it's from Home Depot.  They have the best fresh-cut trees for the price.  Tyler hopped right up there to help his dad tie the tree down.  He's getting so big and is so helpful.  It's sad but nice!



Day 345- Sunday, 12/11/11
After we got our tree home yesterday we did a little decorating but there was still a lot of ornaments left to add today.  Tyler helped me trim the top of the tree while the younger boys focused on lower half.  Then after the boys helped I rearranged a bit ;0)  They seem to cluster their favorites which just doesn't look quite right so I had to space things out.



Day 346- Monday, 12/12/11
He can hardly contain his excitement.  This year the boys have a Star Wars Lego advent calendar that they share and today was Brandon's turn to open the 12th window.  He could hardly wait, but the rule is after school and after homework so patience he must have.



Day 347- Tuesday, 12/13/11
This afternoon I did some baking for my co-workers.  I made 9 loaves of pumpkin bread that I'll pass out over the next couple days to wish them a happy holiday season as they all head out on vacation.


Day 348- Wednesday, 12/14/11
The tree is looking a bit lonely with no presents so I'm slowly working on wrapping gifts throughout the week.  Today I actually made some progress and like how much better the tree looks with even just a few gifts in its fold.



Day 349- Thursday, 12/15/11
Here are some happy boys.  Today was their last full day of school before Christmas break and as an added bonus they ALL had very little homework.  Tomorrow is a short day filled mostly with class parties.  They need a break just as much as I do.



Day 350- Friday, 12/16/11
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  I love my house decorated for the holidays.  Here are a few new additions I acquired at a Party Lite event a couple weeks ago.


That's it for this week.  Hope everyone has a Great Christmas.
See you next Tuesday!

 

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Week 49

This is the last week of work before Christmas break and I'm so ready!  Work is getting in the way of my holiday prepping so I'll be happy to have the whole week off before Christmas to tend to last minute details.  The kids really need a break from school too and are looking forward to a nice long 2-week vacation.  We're not going anywhere but that's ok--we're all fine just hanging at home.

Now for last week's pictures-

Day 337- Saturday, 12/3/11
Sharon hosted the first holiday party with a wonderful prime-rib dinner and yummy drinks to kick off the season.  "Cheers to the freakin weekend!"--Rihanna





Day 338- Sunday, 12/4/11
Someone partied a little too hard last night ;0)  We didn't get home until after midnight from our holiday party which is a little late for Brandon.  He slept in this morning and then was really quiet all day until he crashed mid-afternoon.  Wish I had time for a nap, but laundry calls.



Day 339- Monday, 12/5/11
Jack Frost paid a visit last night and was it ever chilly this morning.  It's our first frost of the season which means I now need to get out back and finish my winter pruning.  I wish we had more moisture to go with these cold temps so we could get some snow in the mountains, but so far it's been bone dry.



Day 340- Tuesday, 12/6/11
Justin can sit back and admire his hard work.  After four days of typing he finally has his report all on the computer.  Typing is just as painful as cursive to him, but he did it and now just needs to do some quick edits before he's completely done.  The paper is not due until Friday so he's done a great job pacing himself and working ahead which means no rush and stress in the end.



Day 341- Wednesday, 12/7/11
Tyler was saying goodnight to Bella after the family finished watching Survivor together.  He just got these new pajama bottoms that are in his favorite color and have his favorite dog on them.  The shocking thing for me is that I had to shop in the men's section to find ones that were long enough.  At least they had these fun ones that were perfect for him.



Day 342- Thursday, 12/8/11
After the windy week we had last week all the beautiful fall color is gone and we're left with the winter twigs on our trees.  At least the sky is a pretty color blue and the sun is shining.



Day 343- Friday, 12/9/11
Guess who's excited about Christmas.  I bought this little countdown ornament at Hallmark after seeing how much the boys loved their commercial and Brandon gives us constant updates.  It's so cute how surprised and happy he is each day as the number drops.  Awww. . . to be young again.  I'm glad it's such a magical time for him and his brothers.


That's it for this week!  See you next Tuesday with more Christmas cheer!



 

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Week 48

Wow!  Usually things at work wind down just before the holidays, but I'm getting slammed.  It was an exhausting and stressful week last week and this week is looking to be much the same.  Thankfully there are only a couple weeks until more vacation.  I hope I can hold out.  Add all the Christmas stress on top of that and I'm tapped.  Tis the season!  Can't wait until I can just sit back and enjoy it.

Now for last week's pictures-

Day 330- Saturday, 11/26/11
John braved the cold on this gray and dreary day to get our outside lights up.  Most of our neighbors were out doing much of the same so at least he had company and now there are pretty lights to look at while we walk the dog in the dark.  Makes that task much more enjoyable this time of year.




Day 331- Sunday, 11/27/11
While John was decorating outside we were decking the halls inside both Saturday and Sunday.  As you can see our stockings are now hung by the chimney with care.  There is still lots to do--it's a process and who knows when we'll actually get to the tree.  It won't be this weekend but maybe next.



Day 332- Monday, 11/28/11
I got a package in the mail from my mom today ;0)  She made me this quilted table runner for the holidays and it fits nicely under our advent wreath.  She's a crafty one, but this is the first time she has made something for me so it was a nice surprise.




Day 333- Tuesday, 11/29/11
The naughty and nice list has gone up.  Every year we do this to encourage the boys to earn more nice marks than naughty.  Brandon is adding a nice mark to his list after having a super day at school.  He was desperate to cancel out the naughty mark he received earlier.




Day 334- Wednesday, 11/30/11
Don't let the bright sun fool you.  Today was really windy and cold plus Justin does not like to wear a jacket making the picture even more deceiving.  After being on a waiting list for 3 years he finally got into the social skills program at the MIND Institute.  This was his first day and he'll be here every Wednesday afternoon for the next 6 months.




Day 335- Thursday, 12/1/11
How many days until Christmas??  Yikes!  I need to get busy with so many things.  The kids are super excited though and more than willing to pose in Santa hats for my monthly marker.




Day 336- Friday, 12/2/11
I hate the natural light in my house for taking pictures during the winter--it's mostly non-existent.  Anyway, I made this photo book as a Christmas gift for my parents of pictures from our mini reunion this summer, and it came in the mail today.  It turned out really well so I can't wait for them to see it.  Now to get the rest of their gifts together so I can ship their package to Texas!


That's it for this week.  Thanks for stopping by.