Christmas

Christmas Eve we held our 2nd annual Gingerbread decorating contest.  Again the teams were girls vs. boys but after the walloping the girls delivered to the boys for the 2nd year in a row, I think we'll need to even out the teams next year.

Then we packed a ridiculous amount of people in our living room to exchange gifts with those we don't get to see Christmas Day.  Not pictured is a most lovely spread of food that I look forward to every year.

Christmas morning started at 5:30am!!!  AThe first time it's been so early.  We made them go back to bed for a while but really, how well do you think that worked?  Luckily Adalyn slept until 10!  So at least one of us was well rested for our marathon that is Christmas Day.  The girls were delighted by their gifts and I was proud that they really took time to look at each gift before moving on to the next.

 Even Possum got some special treats.  Which did not last long.

 Then to the Kelly Christmas, of which I have shamefully few photos.  But was delightful anyhow.  We always play the White Elephant Gift game with the adults We almost got to take home the bun and weiner toaster.  Ahh, maybe next year:)

 Then we finish up the evening at my Aunts house for dinner(a really delicious smoked turkey!) and more gift giving. The girls hand made ornaments for each person this year and they turned out great and they really loved giving them.

 Santa and the Reindeer left these cutie towels for the girls and although we couldn't possibly squeeze a bath into Christmas Day, if Santa happens onto this blog, I want him to see the girls enjoying one of his gifts.

Merry Christmas to all!  

May your days ahead not include little feet in the ribs.

Or barf on any sheets,

But only the loveliness of family

And the tangible presence of God.

Alone..With Confectioners Sugar

I just had to step away for a moment.  Something to do with the morning rush to the school bus.  But this is what I get for leaving a not-quite-2yr.-old alone with a  pancake, some utensils, and a shaker full of confectioner sugar.

Note that only about half the pancake was eaten.  But the sugar was delicious:)

Here Comes Santa Claus, Here Comes Santa Claus

 Someone got bit by the silly bug!

Snow!

While I am not terribly excited about the frigid white stuff that accumulates and makes driving and just about anything outdoors hard, these 3 little snow angels are delighted.


Today we even bundled up Adalyn to play for the 1st time since she was too young last year.  She got around pretty well despite the snow pants, puffy coat and mittens she wouldn't keep on.  She didn't last too long but enjoyed it all the same.

The older two have been out all week in the stuff.  Creating imaginary kingdoms and making angels.  I swear they beg to go out half the time so they can come in desperate for Hot Cocoa!

So what are three girls to do when there's snow on the ground and no hills in sight?  

Make Daddy pull them around in a sled of course!

Fun In a Box

Kids are awesome in the fact that it really doesn't take much for them to have fun.  We do get them some expensive toys but they can have just as much fun in a box.  I love that about them.  They must have spent a good half hour pushing each other around in that silly beat up box.

Where Does the Time Go?

Busy.   Busy with the everyday life that is 3 girls, 1 dog, 2 cats, and not enough hours in the day.  Busy with Christmas preparations so I'm not waiting until the last minute to get those Christmas cards(so far 1 delivered, 99 to go) out the door.  Busy with decorations, which are up.  Although our Christmas card holder that encircles a doorway looks very sad without any cards on it.   Busy shopping, online and in person.  Busy trying very hard not to let life slip by so dang fast.

I haven't even posted about the birthday party the girls went to in a pink limo!!!  No really!

Or about the parent teacher conferences that went so very well.  Both girls excelling beyond their grade.  Both model students.  Will I ever get tired of hearing good things about my kids from other people?  Probably not.

Or about hosting Thanksgiving for the Kelly family.  During which I did not take one single photo.   32 people for dinner and I can't remember to take one picture??  Oi.

Work is going well, just really busy.  Especially for Wayne who is working 60+ hours a week to try and fill back orders.  I would love to post video of the new machines at work but I'm fairly certain my boss would object on proprietary principles.  Good help is hard to find and we know that better than most.  We still have a hard time finding new, committed, and conscientious employees.  So if you like manufacturing(b/c it does take a certain kind of person), don't mind getting dirty, and have an interest in glass, please apply.  You may not get rich but at the end of the day you get a certain satisfaction from actually making an object.

I would not have thought that the extra hours for him would be all that harder for us, but it does change the chemistry of a day.  Now we aren't sitting down to eat until 6:15 at the earliest.  By then, Willa is wiped out and thinking more about sucking on her fingers than actually eating a meal.  Denver, who is my type A, has held it together all day but will then melt down over something seemingly insignificant.  Ady?  Well she's still a crap shoot.  Sometimes she eats dinner, sometimes not.  Something she loved last time isn't touched the next.  Some nights she spends more time running around the table than eating at it.

sigh.

Still I love this time of year.  We took the older 2 to see Tangled, their very first movie at a theatre.  They were enthralled.  Eyes big, greasy fingers from popcorn, completely drawn in.  When Denver was 4 1/2 we went to Disneyworld and she freaked at all the dramatic performances and stuff.  Just too much stimulation for her.  So I was very happy to see her just enjoy the experience.  And the movie was really cute too.

I have a few more posts, all half written in my head.  For now though I am enjoying a quiet Sunday morning with my coffee and my poor neglected blog.  On to the Sunday ads, cleaning, possibly church if we can get out the door, volleyball clinic, dinner with friends, and home to start another week.   If I can, I will squeeze in some wrapping, doubtful, but a girl can dream.