Christmas

Ahh, Christmas! There is nothing like it. All of the joys of shopping (the only time it is okay to excessively shop) and the time and care into making a few as well. It was going well, until it was the weekend before Christmas, and I realized that I hadn't finished making three of my presents, the kids stockings, and Ethen's blanket. I stayed up Sunday night and Christmas Eve night to finish the presents and Ethen's blanket. I never got around to finishing the stockings, so Santa left piles of stuff for our kids this year. On Christmas Eve, I realized I hadn't bought my brother's and my dad's presents!!! I finished two presents after our Christmas with the kids while they were watching a new movie.

We got together with my family on Christmas Eve, and It was so nice to have the whole family (in Arizona) together again; to enjoy each other's company, eat, exchange presents, and at the end of the day to play a game. The boys were playing the X Box, of course and needless to say, it was a very loud 25 minutes. On Christmas day we had our "stockings" and then Justin made the best french toast. We then opened all our presents, and left for Justin's side later in the afternoon. We spent that time first waiting for Brandon to get off work then to eat, and eat, and eat. The kids were very patient when it came to opening the presents, but eventually we got around to it. Later on we watched a couple of movies, then headed home. It was a crazy but wonderful two days.

Thank you all for your gifts and love. We appreciate and love every single one of you. We hope you all have a wonderful new year to enjoy the present while getting ready for the future.

Grateful

I know it is late, but yesterday I was painting all day!!! So make this six things I am grateful for. Finishing the painting is definately on my list!!!

My children patiently waiting to open the gifts by spinning on Gramma's chair.

Beauty in my sister's back yard--or front.

My son trying to eat a whole roll in about two bites. Not grateful, but too funny!

Uncle Brandon enjoying his little niece.

The girls taking their strollers out for a test drive.

My Beauties

I have to take a moment to say something about my two little beauties. They are the sweetest girls in the whole world!!! They are always helping me in little and big projects. They were the "quality supervisors" for all of the Christmas baking on Tuesday, and they are always helping me with Ethen when Rhett is in school. They are two of the greatest blessings in my life, and I am so entirely grateful that I get to have them.

Grateful

I am grateful for:

The book that would NEVER end!!!

The best uncle and babysitter in the world.

Clementines the we eat by the bundle.
The best cousin in the world!
The beginning of Christmas baking.

My Ham

So I noticed the night we got our tree that Ethen is the biggest ham in the world! Whenever he sees the camera pointing at him, he smiles the biggest, cheesiest smile in the world. I had to put it up for you all to see.

Flyin' High

On the night we got our Christmas tree, it was raining and the tree was wet. So we left it in the garage to dry. While it was drying we were getting bored, so Justin took each of the kids on a wild ride. There really are no words for what happened next. They say a picture speaks a thousand words; well...

Grateful

Here is what I am grateful for this week:

Going out to get a Christmas tree in the rain. Smelled so good!

Decorating the tree with my children.

Flowers.

A wonderful new friendship.

Ice cream.

Family Pictures

This last Saturday the Maurer family got together to take family photos. The room was so small we were in, I am amazed we actually fit for the picture! At first the process was going well. Then Trecia wouldn't look up. Then Ethen. Then Gramma and Grandpa. Then Breyonna. There was always something! But finally, we did take one good one. Well, Ethen has his hand in his mouth, but...I loved it! Then we split off into families. Mark and Debbie went first, then us. Uh...Yeah. Ethen saw Auntie Liz and that was the end of it. She is what he wanted. So the photographer had to work a little bit for Ethen to be happy. But we got it on the third shot! Did I mentioin that I don't have glasses anymore, so I had to go by my dear husband's judgement. He saw how cute Breyonna looked in the picure and was sure that was the one. Except for one problem...he didn't look at me! Then it was Liz and Brandon's turn. Trecia's hair was so high, it almost went to Brandon's chin. She is so cute! Finally, it was just Trecia's turn. She did not like it at all! She kept crying and crying. Then somehow, she stopped. But she took a good picture. We took pictures for about 45 minutes to an hour. Then we had to pick the ones we wanted. That took another 1/2 hour to 45 minutes on it's own. But alas, it was over. Time to go eat! We were so hungry, that when the food came to the table, we looked like vultures eating our prey. It had to have looked funny. There we all are, in our dress clothes, eating like heathens! Oh. One more thing. Did I mention it was Bar-B-Que?

Ethen's First Haircut

So we finally decided to give Ethen his first haircut. First we started out using the scissors, and quickly found that scissors and a squirmy baby do not mix. Then we decided to use the clippers. #4 sounded like the right one to use. He didn't mind at first. The vibration of the clippers kept him quiet for the first 30 seconds or so. The rest of the time was spent holding his head still and letting him brush his teeth. Still, each attempt to avert his attention lasted only a few moments. But finally, he was finished. My little bald boy. Daddy did a great job. He still needs some trimming around his ears, but his first haircut was a success!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great. We had family...food...what is more important than that? My brothers came out with thier wives as well as my sister with her girls. It was nice to have the whole family there to enjoy ourselves and just eat, and talk, eat and talk. The only ones missing were Lisa and her family. It's okay. They were there with us in our hearts and thoughts. Maybe next time, huh Lisa?

Grateful

So every Wednesday I am going to post five things I am grateful for. So here they are.

My children enjoying all that sugar has to offer.

CHOCOLATE!!! Need I say more?

My little boy who always makes me smile.

Family

And finally, my husband who is a wonderful daddy to all our kiddies.

The Sweetest Thing

This afternoon we were getting ready for church. I was ironing the clothes and the girls came downstairs after taking a shower needing their hair to be brushed. I told them to brush it themselves because I didn't have the time. Then Rhett jumped in and volunteered to do it for me. So there I was ironing the clothes and watching my sweet sweet son brush his little sister's hair. Usually he is tattling or wrestling with them. But this afternoon he decided to put aside the teasing and the wrestling-for the moment at least-and be the loving big brother. He sat there for the next five minutes or so brushing ever so gently to be sure their hair was perfect for church. The sweetest thing.

The Best Halloween Ever

Halloween is my favorite day of the year. Just ask anyone that knows me. And not just because it is my birthday. I love to see the excitement in my children's eyes while we are getting ready to go out and get the goodies. Rhett was Captain Jack Sparrow, Kaylee was a Japanese school girl, Breyonna was a ballerina, and Ethen was a monkey.

After I got Rhett from school, I pulled the dessert for the Trunk-or-Treat out of the oven, and it had begun. Getting everyone ready for Halloween. I started out with Breyonna. She was the easiest- just some tights and a leotard. Then I ironed Kaylee's dress-Uncle James had brought it to her from Japan where he served his mission-and set it aside. Then I got Rhett dressed, and he complained until we got to the church that his pants were itchy and he didn't like his hair or his costume for that matter! Then I got my makeup on and turned to do Ethen. I colored his nose brown. That took about five minutes, because he did not like it one bit. Especially when I finally held him down to do it! I put a little bit of makeup on the kids, got Kaylee and Ethen dressed then loaded them into the car.

Just after the Trunk-or-Treat began Justin showed up surprising us all! So we ate dinner, the kids walked in the costume parade and we went trunk-or-treating. When we got home, I took the kids down a few more streets while Justin and Ethen stayed back with our neighbor handing out candy. Ethen passed out on Justin, so he laid him down on the drive way and they took "caution" tape and made a square around him so that the kids wouldn't accidentally step on him. All of the kids thought he was fake! They told all of the kids he was in a candy coma. When we got back to the house we went inside, ate a few pieces of candy and went to bed. It was a tiring, yet exciting night for all of us. The best Halloween ever.