Fun With Family

We have had a great time with our family from California. Ron, Julie, Amy and Andrew came out for Christmas and never thought to see so much snow. From Christmas Eve through Sunday (and we are still getting snow) we have been through blizzard conditions. We were able to go out finally which was a good thing because we were going a little stir crazy.

Drew and Sam snuggling

The kids sitting with Grandma at the trail center

Greg, Dad and Drew walking around the gingerbread display at the trail center (visitors center)

Amy and I as cute as ever :)

Christmas Day

One of the things Sam wanted for Christmas was the bumblebee mask and gun. The thing is three times too big for him but that didn't stop him. Doesn't he look scary :)

Sam opening his stocking on Christmas morning

Sierra with her Easy Bake Oven

Gabe loves his Optimus Prime Action figure (good thing it came in time)

Even Jake got a few things for Christmas. He saw his new rope and went right over to tear into it. He also got a stuffed weasel and the stuffing was all over my house in no time.

It amazes me that you put all that time into Christmas dinner and it is over with so quickly. Oh well it was great and I love the leftovers.

Sierra, Sam and Auntie Mame getting ready to eat dinner. Yes my kids are in pajamas. That is all they wanted to wear for Christmas eve and Christmas day. Don't worry we changed into a clean pair. We were snowed in anyway so what the heck!!

Christmas Eve

The kids opening their one present

On Christmas Eve we set out our cookies, milk and carrots for the reindeer. After that, the kids get to open one present, picked by mom. The kids starting asking about opening them at like 6pm and that is all I heard about that evening until finally I let them do it. It was a busy night making chinese food, cinnamon rolls (which were delicious) and pies.

Visit to Santa

We went out to Bass Pro Shop with my parents, Tricia and the girls and Shawn, Tori and Brynna to see Santa there. It was really neat! They had a great set up and we got some Christmas shopping done while we were waiting. Very fun and the kids got to tell Santa what they wanted.

Decorating, Cookies and Cocoa

This year we bought an artificial tree. One of Greg's coworkers (Angie) was selling hers because it didn't fit in her house after they moved, so she gave us a great deal. We (maybe just me) didn't realize how big it was. Greg had to chop off the bottom of our star so it would fit in the house. It is not only tall but very full going around. I LOVE IT!! Here are some fun pictures of us decorating it.

Greg passing out the ornaments for the kids to put on the tree

Sierra is so funny. The day after Thanksgiving her and Greg stayed home while I was off shopping and Sierra decided it was time to take down all the Thanksgiving decorations to put up the Christmas ones. What a big help she was. I came home and all the Thanksgiving decoration were stacked on the dining room table and she was ready to go. So we did. When we got the tree I had to put off decorating it because I didn't have enough garland. She was very impatient and wanted to get it done and we finally did.

Sam still just does the bottom ones unless dad puts him on his shoulders

So after tree trimming we had cookies and cocoa. The kids said it really felt like Christmas time now.

Lovely picture of my kids stuffing their faces.

Posts

Okay I know I have been horrible at blogging lately. I did a recent post of Thanksgiving. I am not going to go back and do what I have missed, but I am starting new. I will try to be better. So enjoy the Thanksgiving post.

Thanksgiving

So this is how the pictures normally come out when I ask Greg to take one with me. Nice huh!

All I know is that Ashley was on the bottom

Sam and Ashley having a snuggle

Our Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. We spent it at my mom's house and of course there were people coming and going all day. As you can see in the picture above, Tricia is very excited about the shopping deals that will soon be under way. It is a tradition to do the black Friday shopping and so on Thanksgiving we plot what stores we will be hitting and who will go where. It is a very serious undertaking in our hous.

Don't quite know what this was about but I was obviously happy to see Paul.

Savannah grabbed my camera and struck a pose with me.

Sweet Ashley

Yes, I did force Greg to take this picture and Paul would not be left out

My kids fight over the Turkey legs

Sierra

My little munchkins

Don't they look sweet (very deceiving)

Happy Birthday to Two Great Ladies

I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to both Grandma Denos and Grandma Linny (as my kids call her). We wish you both a very Happy Birthday and wish we could celebrate it with you. Don't have too much fun and know that we love you both very much.

Love,

Greg, Alycia and your grandbabies.

Double Trouble

Brynna and Gavin

On Friday I came to appreciate people that have twin. I normally watch our baby Brynna on Fridays and this last Friday we had a play date with cute little Gaven (my friend Heather and Joe's little guy). They were both so cute. We had an adventurous day with taking Sam and his friends to preschool (people looked at me like I was crazy carrying around both carriers, which is no small feat). After the initial eye poking and fighting over the musical star things went pretty smooth. They are both such good babies. We even had a trip to McDonald's with no catastrophe. What a day!! I give a big "Way to Go" to those of you who have multiples.

Arrow of Light

Gabe had an exciting September. He worked very hard and received his Webelos badge. Also, he got his Arrow of Light. He was so nervous when they called him up there because he had to recite a whole bunch of scout stuff in order to receive it. The leader told him to take a couple of deep breaths so he wouldn't pass out.

Gabe and his Webelo leaders giving him his Arrow of Light. It is really cool because his leader makes a really cool plaque that holds his arrow with his name on it. I will have to get a better picture of it and post it.

Gabe pinning the Webelo pin on me.

His leaders (Capelites) are so good with the boys and helping them pass of the things they need. It is a lot of work for the boys (and moms) to get this stuff done. We got to go get ice cream afterwards to celebrate. Fun Fun!!

Jake

I haven't blogged about Jake in a while (or blogged at all) so I thought I would give you an update. We can say that Greg really loves me because we still have the dog. He is well behaved except for a couple of things like digging holes and barking. He has a powerful bark that will scare the pants off you. The kids love him and I only have to remind them to feed him every day :) I could do without the dog hair but we do love Jake! Besides, Paul won't let me get rid of him:)

Safety Patrol

Gabe has been so excited because this year he can do safety patrol. I think he was a little embarrassed that I came up to the school just to take a picture of him, but hey what are moms for.

Preschool

I can't believe it!! Sammy started preschool. All my babies are growing up (and so am I). This is Sam's first day at preschool at the YMCA. He is so excited but a little nervous because he doesn't know how to write his name. He told me he guesses he just needs to practice. At school they get to learn, play, swim and snack. What more could a kid ask for.

First Day of School

The first day of school is always great. It is the only day of the school year that my kids get right out of bed. Gabe not so much anymore. Anyway, here are a couple of pictures of the kids ready to go.

Sierra had to wear this dress. She got it from Grandma Denos on her trip out to California.

Gabe just keeps getting bigger and bigger and he is not so fond of taking pictures anymore. Like his dad.

Tori's Birthday

It was Tori's birthday a couple of weeks ago and she wanted to have a little girls night with dinner at Hector's. Mind you Tori's usually has a week long birthday so this one of things she wanted to do. Here are just some fun pictures of our outing. In the picture above I think I was arguing with Tori about how much of a tip to leave. I am cheap, she is generous.

Mom decided she should help and pulled out a calculator from her purse. This was not just a small carry around calculator, this one on that sits on a desk at home, but mom had it in her purse.

Tori opening her present and not wanting to take a picture. But I don't care.