Visit to College Station

We went up to see my Aunt Myke and her family in College Station. The kids loved being up there and playing with Jake, Sabrina and Levi. They played ping pong, nintendo PS3, and all of the other games Sabrina and Levi were willing ot play with them. Myke bought the kids these great big planes and tons of little crafts. We had so much fun. For dinner we went to CiCi's Pizza and Myke gave all the kids a bunch of quarters to spend on the games. Of course, the kids thought they had died and gone to heaven. We left around 9 pm and the kids were so sad that we had to leave. They wanted to stay until they had to go back to school on Tuesday. It is so boring at home compared to Aunt Mykes house. We are so glad that we have family close by. I just wish they were a little bit closer. Levi is planning on coming down to meet some of the cute girls in Katy so hopefully we'll see him more often. :)

New Kitchen Table

We bought a new kitchen table to help show the formal dining room in our house. Buddy and Daddy built the entire table by themselves. Garrett, Blake and I helped build the chairs but they did most of those as well. Jack and Josie were so tired after the party the day before that they fell asleep early. Daddy and Buddy did an amazing job on the table and chairs. I was so impressed. Jackson built the coffee table, or the cherry coke table (that's what Wes and the kids call it since we don't drink coffee :)) all by himself the next day. He also did a great job. I am so impressed by my builing boys. Josie and I decorated the room and I must say it looks incredible. This should for sure sale our home now.

Christmas Day

This year for Christmas we stayed home and spent the day with great friends. We love being in our own home on Christmas morning. I don't think we will ever travel on Christmas because it is so much fun to be home and play and relax that day. Not that we wouldn't love spending it with family, they are more than welcome to come see us, but I want our kids to grow up with Christmas morning in their own home. The kids got lots of little things this year and we all got a Wii from Santa. I even got a Wii Fit from Wes, it was so great. When we went to plug it in it wouldn't accept the CD and so we had to send it back to Nintendo. The kids were very bummed but it worked out okay because the kids were able to play with their other toys that wouldn't have been played with otherwise. Hopefully, we will get the new console soon.

We had a great relaxing lunch with the Christensen clan, the Holloway crew, Jill Sampson and Hannah Clarke and the Elliott family. It was so nice to be able to relax and kick back with so many great friends. The Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs were playing that day and so we were able to watch a great game. Hannah and Jill are huge Spurs fan and so they mad a pie that said Go Spurs Go!!! The Spurs came back and won the game in the last minute of the game. It was so devastating. Those stinking Spurs. All in all even after the game it was a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Eve

This year for Christmas Eve we had a great dinner with activities over at the Christensen's. There were a bunch of families from Karen's ward who didn't have anywhere to go. We had a great time together as Christmas orphans :). Jamie and her cute family also joined us. I love having family here in Texas with us. Karen had really cute craft projects for the kids to do while the dads sat around and visited. Later in the evening we had a very quick and wild version of Christ's birth. I think that was my favorite part of the night. After everyone went home our kids opened their Christmas pajamas with the Christensen's. It has become our families Christmas tradition that our kids really look forward to. Then, we came home made and put out cookies and cherry coke for Santa and his reindeer. Then it was off to bed in hopes that Santa would soon be here. Garrett and Josie opened their blinds and stared out the window until 11:30 when they couldn't keep their eyes open anymore. According to the tracking device for Santa on the computer, Santa arrived in Katy sometime around 1:00 a.m.. The kids were so close to seeing him. Maybe next year.

Jackson's 9th Birthday

Jackson turned 9 years old today. It is hard to have a birthday so close to Christmas so we are going have his party after school is back in in January. We had a family party with the Christensen's and Elliott's. He got lots of great art supplies and his all favorite webkins along with other fun things. Jack has become a pretty good little artist in the past couple years and so we thought we would get him some things that would enhance his skills. We are so glad to have him in our family as our oldest son. He is truly a blessing in our lives. I am so grateful to be his mom and to grow and learn with him each day.

Live Lobster Dinner

We were at the grocery store and they had a great deal on live lobsters. Buddy and I thought it would be fun to buy a couple and cook them up. This is one of the perks of living near the coast. We asked the seafood guy and he told us how to best cook them. When we got out to the car where Wes and the other kids were waiting Buddy decided to pull out his new friends. Josie, Garrett and Blake all screamed. They didn't seem to appreciate our great idea. Buddy and the other kids named the lobsters Drake and Josh. We cooked them up and then ate them. Some of the kids didn't like the idea of cooking and eating something they had seen alive. Buddy loved eating them. The meat was very tender and tasty. I don't know that we will ever do that again but it was fun to have the experience at least once.

Christmas Festival

Today we went to a Christmas Festival in Karen's subdivision. It was so much fun. They had balloon sculptures, face painting, crafts, cookie decorating and frozen hot chocolate. Only in Texas, or Arizona, would they serve frozen hot chocolate in the middle of December. My kids believe that today they met the real Santa, not a helper, but the real, honest to goodness Santa. He was so great. Garrett was so excited to see him He ran up and gave him a huge hug. Blake on the other hand could have gone the rest of the year without seeing the jolly old soul again. He came out on the patio as the kids were eating their snacks and showed the kids what it would look like when he came down the chimney. Then he asked the kids who their favorite reindeer was and of course they all said Rudolph. He then busted into song with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Josie and Garrett stood on the fireplace and sang with him. They had a great time. We always have lots of fun when were with the Christensen's. The kids are so excited to see Santa in a couple days they can hardly stand it. I have to admit it, even I am getting pretty excited.

Wes' Bowl Game Disappointment

This weekend Wes was supposed to go to the Las Vegas Bowl game to watch BYU vs U of A with his dad and brothers. However, UPS failed to deliver the tickets until Friday night after midnight and so the trip was cancelled. Wes was very disappointed. He was really looking forward to spending time with all the boys. He didn't sleep at all Thursday night because he felt like he needed to stay up and wait for his tickets that he was promised would be here that night. He then went to the airport at 4:30 am because Southwest Airlines wouldn't answer their phones and tried to get a later flight of a flight for the next day but they were all booked. I felt so bad for him. Thankfully, he has a great friend here in Texas that agreed to watch it with him and so he is hanging out and watching the game with Mark tonight. Not what he had planned but a lot of fun in a different way. Now I need to plan an activity that all the guys can get away too that will work for everyone.

Mattress Sledding

While we were cleaning up the house for Santa to come we decided to taket he crib down. Blake isn't sleeping in it anymore and so we thought we would free up the space. The kids thought it would be a good idea to slide down the stairs on the mattress. They had so much fun, even Blake got involved. While I was taking photos the mattress smashed into me at the bottom of the stairs and bent my toe nail back causing it to turn black very quickly. It was not very fun for me. However, the kids talked me into taking Blake down and trying it out. I have to admit it was pretty fun.

Gingerbread Night

We spent the evening letting the kids make gingerbread men, houses and trees. The kids had a great time. Crystal, Faith and Cole came over and decorated with us. The kids had great designs. I am amazed every year how much better the decorations get from just the year before.

Diamonds & Dugouts Tournament

This weekend Jack & Buddy played in another baseball tournament. I love going out and watching them play. Their team gets better and better all the time. They have progressed so much from the time they started playing select. I think they have some of the best coaches. They are very patient, knowledgeable and are amazing teachers. Buddy is playing outfield and doing a great job. Jack is pitching now and playing in the outfield. I think they both would like to be back in the infield but they are enjoying playing anywhere. Buddy is working on becoming a catcher and if he keeps practicing I think he will do very well. I can't wait for the day when Jack is able to pitch and Buddy can catch for him. They do it in practice but I would love to see it in a game. I know the day will come. Until then, I am glad to see that they are learning a lot and having fun together.