Saaantaaa!!

Santa visits are a HUGE thing in this house. All the way down to Damian. Because Steve our Elf has been staying with us and reporting back to Santa, the kids wanted to make sure the big guy knew they were behaving.

Damian decided he was too old to sit on his lap but wanted in on the picture. Compared to last year's photo I can tell how much they have all grown.

Mila quietly requested her Easy Bake Oven that Santa will finally break down and get even though her big brother Max is going to go APE and want one too.

Got to see Mila's holiday sing-a-long. It was so bittersweet. I remember watching the boys do it and it hit me my baby is growing up so fast!

It also made me feel blessed that I had my kids safe and sound with me and my hearts still go out to the parents who will not be spending Christmas with their babies. What happened to those poor children still is stuck in my mind and I think about it daily.

Mila and Tristan her old buddy

one of Mila's favorite friends Ava

the best Kinder teacher in the world..and she's a professional boxer at that!

The kids got to pick out some goodies at the mall when we visited Santa and Damian got the best one :)

Since he's growing his thick hair out he looks much better in beanies rather than caps.

his big brother showing him how to put the beanie on the right way. I love these 2 :)

Tonight is our Polar Express car ride! Got the golden tickets all ready for boarding!

Troy's uncle clued me in on an awesome website that shows all the good lighted houses and neighborhoods. I'm currently mapping out our adventure.

Stay warm and sip some cocoa!!

.............

xo

our christmas..a little late

Yeah yeah. I know it's almost New Year's.

I've been playing with my new toys and cannot stop.

Buying accessories and printers and paying outrageous prices for photo paper and ink all because I want my scrapbook pages and Project Life albums to have wallet size photos with a white border and because I'm too lazy to use the printer downstairs and need a printer next to me in my room?? (Brandon was reading this and pointed out that this is a run-on sentence. Why do I have to have my smartest kid next to me when I'm typing??)

Really??

Plus I can't stop downloading books to my Fire. or apps. or movies. Sigh.

SO sharing our Xmas pics is a tad overdue. Better late than never.

Had to start off with the classic shot again. This girl is gonna be a star :)



Xmas Eve breakfast. Turkey bacon & banana choco chip pancake squares.



Xmas Eve at Nonie's



















because I was feeling extra festive



This package was mysteriously left on the porch at my Grandparent's house. It was addressed to the kids. Damian was ecstatic. He has been waiting for his Elf on the Shelf. He named him Joe.

In case you don't know the story behind the Elf on the Shelf :)

Elf tradition



We left Joe to guard the Christmas tree that night



Then the kids were on the hunt Xmas morning. They were more excited about finding Joe! They found him trying to jet off on the fake reindeer.

He is back at the North Pole with Santa and will fly back on Thanksgiving to join us again! The kids have been reading the book every day to remember him.



Lovin' the Paper Jams. We're not.





my monkey got a monkey!! Now when he's laying with me he tells me "both your monkey's are here Mama."



what possessed Santa to bring these??



already got a knockout. By the way that would be Mila's doing.

Then off to Papa's for our Xmas morning breakfast and more presents.



Santa brought Mila a Strawberry Shortcake dress and she wanted to wear it to my Dad's in the dead of winter







these kids are really into board games. They got 2 more and I have to say it's so much nicer watching them play this all day long instead of video games!



wheelin' around all her dolls she got















another monkey shot. He won't let this guy go.



That night we had Xmas dinner over here.

We were lucky to have Troy home with us too! He's had the last 3 Christmas' off but this year it fell on a day he worked. But seniority kicked in and he got off!! He knew too without telling me so I got a huge surprise a few days before Xmas. He said he was gonna wait until Xmas morning to surprise me but wanted me to be excited all week. Awww..always thinking of me :)

It was a busy day and night so the camera wasn't out too much that night.

Here's an idea of why everyone felt full and stuffed after a huge feast.




I had 3 bites and then had ham with the kids.

But those 3 bites with horseradish and au jus were pure heaven.

Thank goodness they don't eat like this everyday.

So that's our Christmas. It was perfect.
..........
xo

tired of my Xmas posts?

Last night was our Christmas lights tradition. We nixed the Starbucks hot chocolate this year. They just wanted some light action. But we still had Christmas songs boomin from the truck!

We hit up our usual spots around our neighborhood and then the good 'ol Fab 40's. Never disappoints.

all excited and wide-eyed

Troy wanted me to catch this shot for a certain mouse couple :)

LOVED all the street lits up. Entire blocks. We were all in awe.

and then there was silence...


The kids are off track until early February. I know alot of parents count down the days until their kids go BACK to school. I swear I count down the days until they are OFF. We love having them home. Yes it's louder, stressful at times and super duper busy but I love it like that.

I love them jumping in our bed in the morning, making chocolate chip pancakes, baking with Mila, playing board games all day which consists of turn taking and patience, building forts out of blankets, library trips, Christmas crafts and just hearing the laughter, getting the hugs and I love you's all day.

Yep. Call us crazy. We love them kiddos.




watching each other play games



movie afternoon every day complete with blankets, pillows and popcorn



Lillian gave them this game for Xmas and it comes out at least 3 times a day


Having our techno savvy son help his Dad set up his new Kindle Fire.





a very deserving Daddy



got to open up some goodies! I was tired of the Fed Ex and UPS guys ringing the door everyday and it was all for someone else.



my new BFF. Mila's too. Because of this awesome stuff we can bake all day long! Where have I been? This paper rocks.


And just because I was done making dinner and dancing around the kitchen to Outkast and because I look as white as my shirt and as tired as a dog.....

I'm feeling great these days considering what I was dealing with.

Blessed. Grateful. Loved. HAPPY.

oh and Christmas is almost here!!!!

............
xo