Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Kimberly had her birthday all planned even down to the color of streamers she wanted and Hannah Montana plates. She is definately my first born. She wanted a fondue/slumber party. So with three of her friends and of course Jayden, I was in for an adventure in giggles and wildness. Dinner was nice. Games were fun. The presents were fabulous. Chocolate fondue was as always delicious. Sleeping was optional and very little. Doug and I crashed before the girls and he was kind enough to get up early on "his birthday" and make the girls pancakes. I think it is safe to say for Kimberly turning ten was just about perfect!

My Baby is a Decade Old

Yesterday was Kimberly's birthday. I feel like it was just yesterday we were able to pull her little strands of hair into pigtails. I made the comment to Doug a few days earlier as we were driving down 10th that I felt like the snow looked like the year I was pregnant with her. He laughed and said that the news mentioned that this was our first white Christmas in a decade. So I guess I was right. I am so very sad to see my angel growing her wings but excited too. We crossed another bridge towards her becoming a young lady for her birthday. We planned a wonderful surprise, we took her to get her ears pierced. She has been asking to have them pierced for over a year but I wanted to wait until she was ten so yesterday was perfect! The surprise was spoiled by anxious Aunt Kristi who had to call right before we were leaving to the mall and ask if she was nervous about having her ears pierced. (Oh well :)) You should have seen her face as I began talking to Kristi. She had a smirk about a mile wide! So we did go to the mall and her excited face turned to nervous. Although she loved the December birthstones they used as her studs and that Dad let her get three pairs of winter earrings. After the earrings we went to Taco Bell for lunch so Dad could head to work. Kimberly, Jayden, Grandma Lauretta and I went to "High School Musical 3." Boy did that take me back. Kimberly loved it!

ElfYourself

I was checking out some other blogs and saw this fun video site. You all need to try this too. It is a crack up!!!

Christmas

Christmas Eve was nice at Doug's Aunt and Uncle's. The drive home with snow drifting across the roads made it a scary ride home. Jayden didn't have much competition for finding baby Jesus, that night. So I guess this will be his lucky year. Christmas morning Santa came and Jayden couldn't have been more excited. We got up early and opened gifts even Saddie got some presents. Jayden luck began with a track from Santa and as pictured below a track from Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell. He had asked Santa for a track and was convinced he was getting one (even though he had a jeep one from Grandma and Grandpa Kiser from last Christmas that he has been playing forever). I guess you never underestimate a four year old's wish. Doug surprised me with a picture jewlery box he made. It was beautiful. Doug loved the calendar I made him. He is excited to have a place with all our family birthdays on it to remember. Then we headed to my parents for a delicious breakfast my mom made yummy blueberry muffins that everyone had to have seconds on. Then there were more presents. Doug and I got this really neat name picture from my parents. It is so nice. My mom's friends Trish and Albert came as they just recently moved here from the Seatle area. My mom and Trish have known eachother since I was a baby. My Grandpa came from Meridian too. Like always we started with Grandpa reading the Christmas story out of the family Bible. I just love listening. Then Doug, Jayden, and I went to see "Bedtime Stories" at the theater. It was really good and I recommend it to everyone!!! Then we went to Doug's parents for dinner (Maragret's fabulous cooking and my Dad's yummy califlower and cheese) and MORE presents! We were all excited to get our homemade flannel pjs from Grandma Margaret. Mine have purple butterflies that will be perfect for wearing on P week for our Pajama party. Jayden's pictured below are so cute with little boats and the right blue to make his eyes sparkle. My parents, Grandpa and Doug's Grandparents were there too. We enjoyed playing some new games. It was interesting watching my family discuss Fact and Crap (lol). All in all even though we missed Ethan and Kimberly it was very nice Christmas.

A Quote to Remember

We had a really nice Christmas. And Doug got me a new camera so I have tons of pictures to share. However, that will all have to wait. Right now I just don't want to forget Jayden's comment this morning. When he saw all the presents he was so excited but as he got closer and was "reading" the tags he goes, "Mom, these are all from you, they have your snake letter on them." I just laughed and said, "Santa starts with the snake letter too." I guess Santa and I share the same first initial. What a smart kid I have. :)

Just Jayden

This weekend has been interesting. The big kids are gone. Jayden had a "cowboy party" to go to on Saturday. He was so excited for three days before hand he kept asking when his cowboy party was. A little boy in preschool had his birthday in a church gym and Jayden along with his friend Adrian got invited. Jayden was all decked out for the occasion. He had boots, my cowboy hat, and Doug's old vest and chaps. He looked so cute. I thought that would be enough excitement for one weekend but I underestimated Jayden. Sunday after church he helped Dad in the new falling snow and then insisted on making a gingerbread house. I am looking forward to the big kids coming home before Jayden wears me out!

Christmas with Kimberly and Ethan

Last night we celebrated another early Christmas. We all went over to Grandma and Grandpa's for a nice pot roast dinner. My parents joined us and the kids got to open all of their presents from us. Santa can't come until Christmas Eve. But Kimberly and Ethan are heading to their other families for Christmas this year. Kimberly got the main couple from High School Musical dolls and the book "Peter and the Starcatchers" which she has read before and LOVES. Ethan and Jayden were spoiled by their sister. They got some really neat cars. Kimberly had earned tons of points at Awanas and got to go "shopping" last Wednesday. She was excited to get gifts for everyone. The boys both got lots of fun things but their favorite gifts were their lightsavers and Star Wars PJs. They immediately began to duel. The whole evening was so much fun. We as a family did our annual sleeping under the tree and despite all of their excitement they did manage to get a good nights sleep. It was a blessing to see the kids so happy and a memory I will treasure forever.

We are so Thankful

Kimberly and I were blessed to have the opportunity to go to the Michael W. Smith concert. Last Sunday on the icy Boise rodes we had Doug drive us to the concert. He was very gracious and went to a movie while his girls went to the big show. Kimberly's teacher actually won the tickets on the radio simply because Kimberly had mentioned how much she would enjoy going. It was an incredible experience. We were up in the balcony which is far away but perfect for a view of the entire orchestra. The incredible part was that Michael and his crew (which included two American Idols, notably Melinda Doolittle) almost didn't make it to Boise. There previous concert was in Seattle and trying to get over the passes they had to chain up and the bus with their concert wardrobes as well as CDs and tee shirts didn't make it. They were so incredible who would have known they where in their "street clothes." It was a lot of fun and an experience Kimberly and I won't soon forget. Thanks so much Ms. Martin!

Party

After the kids great performance Sunday morning we had our Life Group Christmas Party. It was so nice. We planned a potluck, and the food was terrific. The kid's favorite part were the little smokies (every plate was piled high and the little ones begged for seconds). I personally enjoyed the homemade Pumpkin Pie (YUM). It was a great time of fellowship. Every women in the room as well as Chris had to love on baby Tyler of course. He is so cute and sleep through the party like a champ. We decided to only play one game, the candy bar game. I thought that we should include the kids this year. YOU would think working with preschoolers I would know the trauma that having your candy taken away would cause a four year old, but it must have slipped my mind. Despite the tears I really think the party was a success and everyone had a good time.

Deck the Halls

December 7th we decided to get down to business and decorate. We even got to see Ethan all dressed up recently. He is so handsome. I have to say Saddie looks pretty good decked out for the season as well. This is just a collection of seasonal preparations at our house. Tis the Season!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

Sunday morning was absolutely amazing. We had our Christmas Program at church and the kids did a really great. The preschoolers did a sweet job singing three cute songs and sharing a short poem about being bells for Jesus. Jayden and Ashley got to be the first duet to begin the poem. He did really well singing and speaking despite the few interruptions when he had to come down off the risers to kiss and hug me. Kimberly and Ethan where in the "older kids" production. Kimberly got to sing a duet part and Ethan played a wise man for the third year in a row. His favorite part was having his head on the cartoon of a kid playing a video game in the song "I want presents." The program was a good story about how we all get caught up in the "presents" and miss the real gift of Jesus. It was a blessing to see.

A Wise Man's Camel and Some Caroling

Tonight Ethan, Kimberly, and I went out with the Kid's Christmas Choir from Church to "The Orchard House" a new restaurant near Marsing. They have a terrific path of Christmas lights called "The Lights Before Christmas." They also had the famous Clyde the camel (from No Greater Love). He was great!!! And of course the big man, SANTA CLAUS was there. After the display we went in the restaurant for a meal and fellowship. Ethan and Tucker got Rudolph noses that they proudly wore back on the bus. Our next stop was caroling for a few of the older ladies in our church. Caroling, especially with my friend Amy, brought back great childhood memories. It really made it feel like the "good old days." The kids in the car on the way home surprised me and actually announced they were looking forward to their yearly torture of caroling for our neighbors. I guess I better get on those Christmas goodies.

Christmas is in Full Swing

Friday night was tons of fun! Kimberly had her annual dance recital. They call it a "Christmas Party" and Miss Laura accessories all the girls making them as cute as Christmas presents. It is one of my highlights of the season. I enjoy seeing my little lady all dolled up like a ballerina princess. Kimberly and her friend Emily are "old pros" at dancing and are alway fun to see. This year I had a bonus treat as Ashley and Olivia some of my really good friend's daughters participated for the first time. Ashley and Kimberly even got to do the last dance together. It was really neat to let Jayden watch "his girls" dance. Even baby Tyler got to enjoy the magic!