More pictures Christmas 2012

Early Christmas 2012

We moved Christmas up a day this year because of some travel plans, and it was amazing. Our kids were so excited about Christmas that it put me in a great mood to bring it to them early. We went to church on fake Christmas Eve, had time together, dinner at sue's, talk of Jesus, and new pj's. Tim and I ha not wrapped one gift, and so it was so fun to lay everything out (hide some for birthdays instead) and start assembling. We watched home alone 2 and had a great time. I was up at 5 and half wished the kids were too. I went back to sleep, and the party started at 7 with Kenna and Lizza. Kenna was worried she could not read her name so we put a picture of her by her unwrapped gifts. Lizza got a camping chair and spent much of the morning stationed there. I was so impressed that the girls started sharing and giving things away just halfway through their stockings. Really cool and not what I expected. My favorite gift I gave was a blanket for Tim of our favorite cabin pictures. He was really excited and it turned out awesome. Kenna is way in love with her fake American girl doll, and I love target for having that much cheaper option. It is softer doll, too, and Kenna loves Evelyn Wonder. She changes her clothes every 10 minutes, and daddy is becoming a pro at "helping." Quinn loves her her v-tech computer, and I am really impressed with it. Kenna is a little too young for hers and doesn't care for it, but Lizza is happy to use it as a football. The day was relaxing, filled with snow, and very fun. I made veggie spring rolls and soup. After the kids were in bed, Tim and I cracked open my new fondue pot and enjoyed 3.5 servings of cheese each including our daily limit of saturated fat. It was really a nice day, and I think having it early took the pressure off of the expectations of December 25 and the loneliness of being far from family. We should hit Tim's folks house my 3 pm today. Merry Christmas!!!

Arther's Christmas movie

$14 to buy
$5 to rent

Wait until next year

Christmas Eve

We moved Christmas up a day! Kenna and I were too excited to wait. We wanted Christmas to get here AND we wanted to get to Arizona sooner. So tonight Tim and I have been watching Home Alone 2 and Elf, putting together you beds and castles, wrapping, organizing, and eating the best macadamia but turtles ever. So excited to see the magic on the faces tomorrow.

P.S. Costco wrapping paper is the best. For the future I want to remember to buy it even if it is not my favorite print. The quality is way worth it.

So Merry Christmas, friends and family! We are so grateful to have the most amazing people in our lives! Thank you! May your Christmas be bright and happy and filled with much joy and peace.

Christmas music

Jewel
Elf
Home alone
Preachers wife
A celebration of Christmas

Ginger bread quilt

After a few more years of awesome ginger bread pics, I want to have a woven blanket made of my favorite ginger bread houses at snapfish.com. This year before thanksgiving there was a 60 or 70 percent off coupon! I got a gift for like $35. It looks awesome. Well worth it!!!

So wise

I am glowing wise in my thirties. And by wise, I mean NOT SO STUPID. This week two very common phrase finally lit a light bulb in my brain and will here end change my life.

First, Kenna is sleeping in a toddler bed with no rail. She falls out. I figured she would stop after a few days so I did not do anything about it. A week later she threw up in bed. Tim and I went to her rescue and then got her all "tucked in" I bed. She usually sleeps in a sleeping bag in her bed. Since it was dirty, we grabbed some bigger blankets. As I was tucking in the blankets .... Light!! Tuck her in and she won't fall out. Are you kidding me? How is that just I vying to me. How often to people say that phrase? And now I know, finally, it's a real thing.

Second, I finished tucking Kenna in for real tonight, and she asked me about Christmas, again, and "when it's gonna be here," again. Christmas has been going on at our house since before Thanksgiving, and it has sunk Kenna into a deep depression of waiting. We even decided today to move it up one day and start our post Christmas vacation early. I explained again tonight how after the next time we go to church, Christmas will be really close. As I walked away from my emotionally exhausted child, I thought, "The 12 Days of Christmas!" Duh! 12 great days of Christmas is better than 5 weeks o just waiting scattered with some Christmas fun. The 12 days of Christmas. Sigh. Deep breath. It is now all so clear.

Feeling stupid. But so grateful for my new wisdom and all the idiots that went before me.