Constant Motion

Photographical Evidence That Kids Can't Be Still

Later That Day...

Santa found our stockings at Grandmother's house and he must've thought we'd been good because they were FILLED with good stuff!

Our Merry Little Christmas

Santa brought Emi a sweet new mountain bike. She wasted no time in getting out and about testing out her new wheels...and by "wasted no time" I mean she "skipped the shower"...worth it!




David could not be happier with his fire engine...which came with its own dangling firemen...who seems to have gone missing!


Aubri got some eggs...along with a toy grocery cart and other toy grocery items. She seemed more interested in taking the eggs out of their carton and putting the carton in the recycle bin....good girl watching out for her carbon footprint at 2 already!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

...and we were back at the lake

And So This is Christmas....

And THIS is our Christmas card photo....

Merry, Merry and Happy, Happy 2010!

Christmas Eve Eve

Tonight was about our newest family members. We noshed on hot Spinach Artichoke Dip, then we had a nice dinner of Pork Roast, Black Beans and Rice and Salad. After dinner we exchanged gifts and made S'mores in the fire bowl. A very satisfying family gathering...

Gingerly

Not Exactly a Day at the Beach...

A few days ago, The Little Ones' grandmother and aunt came to visit and while I was nervous initially about how that would go (we were just meeting in person for the first time), that stress was so short lived. Best. Family. Visit. Ever. (and we have a LOT of family). We were so grateful for the quality time and with them. The Little Ones' aunt is 10 so she and Emi got to hang out, explore, decorate gingerbread cookies, assemble a gingerbread house, paint wooden gingerbread men, put on song/dance routines for us.

We took them to the only "beach" in town:

Nom nom nom

Lunchtime Eats, Baby!

Schadenfreude vs. Shame

Schadenfreude
— n delight in another's misfortune
[German: from Schaden  harm + Freude  joy]

malicious joy in the misfortunes of others," 1922, from Ger., lit. "damage-joy," from schaden  "damage, harm, injury" (see scathe) + freude , from O.H.G. frewida  "joy," from fro  "happy," lit. "hopping for joy," from P.Gmc. *frawa-  (see frolic).

Shame
–  n the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another: She was overcome with shame.

Sad that we see Schadenfreude on a daily basis and hardly ever any shame...I see it from my dogs -- when they've chewed up something they shouldn't have...they have the decency to show remorse. Good dogs.

Siblings

Maybe we should have just gone with THIS as our Christmas photo...

Getting into the Holiday Spirit

This past weekend was definitely Christmas-y (against all odds!) We planned to show up to Carter Christmas early on Saturday and rope someone into taking our family portrait but our early arrival was a big FAIL! While we were leisurely getting up and around Saturday morning we double checked the invitation and realized that the the lunch was on at noon vice 1pm (like we'd assumed) and the location (which we've been to already a handful of times for the same Christmas lunch) was 2.5 hrs away vice 1.5 hrs. So, you do the math. We hustled around and got everyone loaded into the car and zipped up the highway.

At the first toll, we didn't have enough cash to cover and no checkbook on hand so we had to stop and fill out extra paperwork promising we'd pay the $2.25 within 10 days or receive a hefty fine. Soon after, one of the kiddos had to pee so we exited the Tollway, filled out more paperwork bringing our owed toll to 75 cents, stopped at McDonalds for a quick bio break and located a drive-up ATM to get cash.

So instead of showing up an hour early, we got there 2 hours late. We lucked out as there was plenty of food left and the kids got to play with their cousins for a while AND we were even included in the big family pictures. We even roped Aunt Patti into taking our Christmas card photo before we turned around and headed home. (sigh). While the event was short lived and the drive to and fro was not, it was fun and meant a lot to Scott's family that we made it at all.

Sunday night we went to the Big Give at the park near our library. It was cold so we only stayed an hour, but the kids had a blast as evidenced in the photos. Emi helped the Little Ones ingest a ton of frosting so they were vibrating after they came out of the inflatable toy to wait for the Barrel Ride.

Aubri was not happy about the ride ending...

But she was quick to forgive and forget...

Props and Links

About those really cool Felt Pomp Christmas wreaths Emi and I made, I thanked the source of the tutorial, but I forgot to link back to the source in case you would like to make these Felt Pomp Wreaths too. Check out Baby Rabies for other cool crafty ideas.

Pretty Green Felt Wreath

Emi loving her glue gun

Also, fellow Okie blogger Jill of All Trades is hosting a sweet little giveaway on her blog to celebrate her 1,000th post.. .click on over before the 15th to enter to win and check out her paintings while you are there!

Full Day

Sunday after church we met up with family at Ray's Smokehouse (love their BBQ!)...

Emi and I were feeling crafty and made 2 of 3 wreaths for the holidays...

First Pomp

Emi's Mostly Pomped Wreath

Mommy's Partially Pomped Wreath

Finished Wreath

Later we terrorized the kids before bed..