Surprise Gift

Jeremy said that I had one more present coming. Well it came yesterday. I opened it up and Jeremy had taken all the pages that I digitally scrapbooked for 2008 and sent it off to lulu.com and had them make it into a book for me. I had been complaining to him that I had done all of this digital scrapbooking and that I had no way to print it. So I was so happy when he had done this for me. It was such a thoughtful gift. It made me motivated to do more. Maybe this year I will get 2009 done.

Sledding

We have had snow on the ground for over a week. So yesterday we went and bought the kids new snow boots since they had out grown their old ones. Then last night we got a lot of snow. So today before lunch we bundled the kids up and took them to the park near our house to go sledding. We had so much fun. The weather was perfect it wasn't too cold or windy. Devin loved eating the snow. When we got home we drink hot chocolate. I don't what they like more playing in the snow or drinking the hot chocolate. Can you tell I am loving my new camera. I took a lot of pictures and then had a hard time choosing.

Day After Christmas

What do you do on the day after Christmas? Jeremy went out to several stores to get some after-Christmas sales. We were hoping to get new ornaments for the kids but we couldn't find any with the picture frames. Then we have played games and napped. We have played Rock Band a lot. Then we took the kids to the dollar theater to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. It was a pretty silly but funny movie. Even Devin watched it the whole time.

Then we came home and played with toys some more and then we ate leftovers. Later we are going to play more Rock Band. So if you want to play Rock Band give us a call and come on over.

Christmas Morning

Devin loved his new baby from Santa. He also got some cars and some granola bars plus a new church outfit.

Olivia was tickled to get pistachios from Santa. Santa also brought her lip gloss, a movie, and new pretty church dress. It was funny she didn't even notice the dress sitting there at first.

Garrett was so happy with his stocking. The only thing he asked for was a toy airplane from Santa. He was excited that he got it. He also got a movie, some cars, and new church clothes.

Santa was also good to Jennifer!




Olivia is looking so excited because she just opened her present that told her that in January she is going to start Gymnastics. She has been asking for this for a long time.

The kids got a train table. We put it together on Christmas Eve after the kids went to bed. It took us a long time to get it together. But the kids loved it. We had it covered with a blanket and a big bow. When they unwrapped it. Garrett said, "I knew we were getting this, because I peaked." Sneaky kid.




I got Jeremy a Air Hog - a remote control helicopter. Jeremy was so giddy. But Devin was just as excited. Jeremy said to me, "You know me well, you know me well." Every year I buy him toys for Christmas.



Grandma and Grandpa Doolittle got Devin a Little Peoples Airplane. He loves it too.

Thank you Vickie and Earl for the Fun Rock Band Games. We have had fun playing today.

We have had a wonderful relaxing Christmas morning. We have missed being with our families. We hope you had a Merry Christmas too.

Christmas Eve

We decided to start the tradition of opening one present one Christmas Eve and the present being new pajamas. The kids were so excited to open a present early.

Cookies for Santa

New camera first pictures

The kids went out to help Jeremy use his snow blower to clear the sidewalks. They love playing in the snow but they never stay out very long. Devin kept picking up the snow and throwing it.



I love Devin's expression here.

This is what Garrett choose to wear today. So funny.

Here is Garrett in his Kindergarten Christmas program. He got to shake some bells. He called it his band.

Devin's has decided he loves babies. He likes to carry one around. He is so cute when he says, "babies" Livvy has been nice enough to share hers with him. Santa is bringing him his own baby doll for Christmas.

Did I mention that I love my new camera. The pictures looks so sharp!

Spirit of Christmas

I love Christmas and all the traditions. Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love Christmas music, the Christmas tree, making treats for the neighbors, giving presents to my children and husband and yes I like getting presents too. I love making Gingerbread houses and ornaments. I like watching Christmas movies and reading Christmas books. I really like the special dinner that we prepare on Christmas day. I like how excited the kids are about Santa Claus and that he represents the spirit of Christmas. I like getting up early and spending the day with my family and eating hot cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. This truly is a special time of year and I love Christmas. But all of the reasons above are not the reason for Christmas. Christ is the reason for Christmas. I am so grateful that long ago our savior was born.
Here is a short video.



I like the words of this song too.

If Everyday Could Be Christmas

Christmas lights up the city
Roof tops covered in snow
Lovers sharing a sleigh ride cuddled close
And their eyes seem to glow

Window shopping on main street
Bundled up head to toe
Children are skating around a Christmas tree
I see smiles young and old

If everyday could be Christmas
What a wonderful world it would be
We could carry this feeling within us
All through the year
If everyday could be Christmas

Chruch bells ring in the distance
Peace on earth fills the air
Sidewalk Santas handing out candy canes
I feel love everywhere

If everyday could be Christmas
What a wonderful world it would be
We could carry this feeling within us
All through the year
If everyday could be Christmas

Oh it's that time
We open and give from our hearts
Let love shine brighter than any star

Oh if everyday could be Christmas
What a wonderful world it would be
We could carry this feeling within us
All through the year
Oh if everyday could be Christmas
If everyday could be Christmas
Yeah if everyday could be Christmas
If everyday could be Christmas

Encondroma-Bone Tumor

As many of you know about six months ago I was playing volleyball and fell and tore my ACL. I had surgery over the summer to fix the ACL. When they were doing that MRI to look at my knee for the ACL they found a tumor in my femur. I went to a tumor bone doctor and he said lets wait 6 months and do another MRI and check on the tumor. We went in for another MRI last Thursday and we went and saw the doctor again today. We were hoping for no change. But the tumor has grown and it causes me pain at night. Due to these two facts and to the fact that the tumor is large the Doctor wants to remove the tumor. We are not sure right now when we are going to the surgery. The doctor said that the surgery was necessary but that it was not urgent. So Jeremy and I are trying to decide when to do the surgery. The doctor said that I would be on crutches for about 2 weeks. This is not the news we were wanting but it is also not the worst news we could have gotten.
Having another surgery makes me feel nervous, scared, upset, worried, but I am hoping that we can do this and I know that prayer helped last time I had surgery and it will help again.

Free Movie

Our District's Union every year allows members of the union to go to a movie for free. They rent out the theater and have an early showing that is free for teachers. (Well not really we all have to pay dues once a month) Anyway this year, I took Olivia to see Princess and the Frog. Jennifer met us and saw it with us. It was a cute movie that was done in the more traditional hand drawn animation instead of on the computer. Olivia as we were going to the movie said, "It will be fun to go with just us." I agreed with her and then she, "It will be be more enjoyable without the boys." She is so funny. Afterward we went to Mimi's Cafe and had breakfast. It was a fun Girls Day Out. I really liked the movie but I thought that the voodoo that the bad guy did in the movie got to be a bit much and was a little scary. But you really liked the main character Tiana and I liked how she turned into a frog and how her and the prince had to work together to solve the problem. It reminded me a lot of a book called the Frog Princess by E.D. Baker. This is one of my favorite series of books. I would recommend that you see the movie and read the book.



When we got home everyone took a nap.

Then this evening we went to a friend's house and played rock band. The game is really fun. I am not very good but it was still fun.

A pretty good way to spend a Saturday.

Visiting Santa

The kids were so excited to go and see Santa today.