Pull The Trigger

We got a buttload of snow on Sunday.

Something ridiculous like 2 feet.

After 2 hours of unburying ourselves out of our stupidly long driveway Monday morning, we thought it would be wise to go sledding.

We are idiots.

It was windy, and freezing, and the snow was way too deep to maneuver.

Don't let their smiles fool you. It was a completely miserable experience for all.

I think I may be staring at this same snow until June. This makes me a grumpy girl.

On The Twelfth Day of Christmas

Christmas Morning finally arrived.

The children were told they were not allowed to exit their bedroom until 7am. Our door creaked open at exactly 7:01. Luckily, Tessa was so excited for Christmas morning she didn't sleep a wink the night before, and as such, was already in bed with us. Awesome.

Getting ready for the unveiling.

I realize these stair pictures are a little redundant. But seriously, how was I expected to choose between the two?? Man pose vs The 800 pound baby. It can't be done.

This year we stuck to our goal: One present and a filled stocking for each kid from Santa. Then 4 gifts per monster from us: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. It was perfect. Shopping was contained and purposeful, and the kids were able to focus on and enjoy each present instead of being overwhelmed by stuff. Loved it!

Next up: Christmas dinner. Again, slacked on the pictures. I'm over it.

The kids table.

The bigger kid table.

The bigger kid festivities.

Dessert!!

I loved Christmas this year. It was happy and joyful and quiet and serene and magical, all capped off by an evening filled with fabulous friends.

The only thing missing was my family. Who were suppose to arrive in time for dinner. But their flights got cancelled due to snow in Atlanta. Then they were suppose to arrive again tonight. But those flights also got cancelled. This time because of snow here.

Bah Humbug.

On The Eleventh Day of Christmas

Allen took the big kids bowling in the morning.

Then we did a little nativity at home.

Then we finished the last of our treat deliveries.

Then we went to a friend's house for the real deal.

A couple of the wise-ish boys.

Mary, Joseph, and the ever-necessary donkey. A role played perfectly by my child.

Everyone wanted to get their hands on Jesus.

The evening concluded with the opening of new jammies, followed by kids promptly off to bed with visions of sugarplums dancing around in their heads.

The night was just beginning for the rest of us....

Ryder Randoms

The boy's totally rad gingerbread house he made at school.

And last Sunday he finally lost his first tooth. He isn't sure he believes in the Tooth Fairy, but is certain he likes finding money under his pillow.

On the Ninth and Tenth Days of Christmas

We baked. And baked. And when we had baked 12 dozen cookies, we baked some more.

Then we made fun little plates and delivered them to neighbors and friends and those we wish we were cool enough to call our friends. That's a lot of people. And thus, required two nights.

Two fun nights of bundling up, listening to Christmas music, and oohing and ahhing at twinkley- lit homes as we drove all over our quaint neighboring towns. I'm feeling festive. And full. And fattened. Christmas Eve may officially arrive tomorrow.

On The Eighth Day of Christmas

We went shopping!! I know, I said shopping sucks close to Christmas- but not when we are playing Santa for others. Funness!!

On The Seventh Day of Christmas

The kids created their very own Christmas tree cookies.

Moment of honesty: spritz cookies are foul. But, the creation process is nearly mess free and can be done unsupervised. Which means, I can make dinner while keeping the children harmlessly entertained. That's not totally cheating is it? I mean, Linley did mention in her prayer tonight that she was thankful mommy taught her how to make Christmas cookies, so I'm thinking this totally counted as legitimate capture-the-true-meaning-of-Christmas family time.

On The Sixth Day of Christmas

We all cuddled up on the couch, cozy in our jammies, sipping hot cocoa and watched Christmas movies.

On The Fifth Day of Christmas

We went to the Ward Christmas Breakfast and posed for pictures with baby Jesus and the Three Wisemen.

And watched BYU pummel UTEP. Hotness.

On The Fourth Day of Christmas

We did our favorite annual Christmas event: Santa in Manhattan. I know I say this every year, but there is something so magical about Christmastime in the city. It's so festive and crowded, and perfectly enchanting.

Going through Santa's train at Macy's was my favorite part. Tessa was completely mesmerized by every detail. She oohed at every twinkle and touched every tinsel. Watching her breathe it all in perfectly captured Christmas.

The kids couldn't wait to tell Santa their desires. Sadly, Linley's desire was returned to Toys 'R Us just days before, and there is no way I am going back. Sadly, sometimes, Santa sucks.

Ryder and his twinner buddy. Unplanned, but not unfortunate.

The epitome of my life.

PS Peace signs are totally hot for 2010. Apparently.

The night was a warm 35 degrees (I am serious about the warm part. It has been so freaking miserably {below} freezing here. I should flock to Florida right about now), so we decided to walk the 16 blocks to Rockefeller. All looking at the camera and smiling: holla.

I really do love this night.

Even if I feel like I spend most of my time telling the kids to hold my hand or stop punching each other, I come home feeling like we had a perfectly charming little evening.

On The Third Day of Christmas

I am fully slacking on blogging all this hooplah. Whoopsy.

A new family game of Cooties.

Speaking of cooties, yesterday Linley came home from school and we had this most enlightening conversation:

Linley: "Mom, did you know kissing gives you germs?"

Me: "Where'd you learn that?"

L: My teacher taught me. She said kissing your friends gives you germs, but not kissing your family."

Me: :"And why did your teacher tell you that?"

L: "Because all the boys kept kissing me and wouldn't stop. And now I am full of germs. And I want to marry Miles because I liked it when he kissed me."

Is it inappropriate to have a "boys are gross and they suck and you don't want them near you" conversation with your four year old?

On The Second Day of Christmas

I am already burned out on blogging. I could be downright boring these next ten days. You've been warned.

So, what's better than snow in December?? NO snow in December!!! Except that it's been too butt freaking cold to snow, so maybe that sucks. Regardless, we created our own magical, wintery wonderland last night.

The finished product. May these be the only snowflakes I see for the remainder of 2010. And may the wind chill please return to double digits.

Pretty, pretty please.

On The First Day of Christmas

This will be our first Christmas, at home, by ourselves. Which means, we are discovering how to create Christmas our way. Scary, overwhelming, and totally fun.

My Christmas Fear: Spending too much time Christmas shopping too close to Christmas, and in so doing, subconsciously making Christmas all about the presents, and leaving no room or time for quality Christmas spiritedness. And I may spend way too much time shopping year round as it is. And, if you've read this blog long enough, you know how Allen and I feel about presents (HINT: they're dumb...unless they are for me, of course).

That said, shopping is complete (I'm the bomb!!!) and New Tradition #1 has been birthed: We're doing 12 days of Christmas. Nothing formal, or big. Just a little something special each day that we can do together as a family to get the kids to stop focusing on Santa for five seconds and instead, hopefully, remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

However, Monday Allen didn't get home from work until super late, so Christmas day is going to count as the 12th day of Christmas this year. Off to a rocking start. Don't let the kids know they are getting jipped.

First Day of Christmas:

We opened a new book, my very favorite: The Giving Tree

After our fabulous evening conversation about the joy we feel from giving and not receiving, I was certain we were all going to wake up lovey dovey. So, it makes total sense that by 7am Linley had nearly given Tessa a black eye because she was hogging too much of the couch. The massive-14-football-players-can-be-seated-comfortably-on couch. Merry Christmas.

A Few of My Favorite Things

#1: Thanksgiving. Obviously the best holiday of the year. A pretty table, an elaborate dinner, decadent desserts, and quality time spent with friends that are like family and family that are my very best friends.

Seriously, what's not to love?

We hosted Thanksgiving this year and were joined by 9 fabulous adults and 9 equally rad offsprings (which regardless of what spell-check is telling me, should most definitely be a word).

We may have been having too much fun gorging and gabbing to adequately capture the day in picture form. But trust me, we are a good-looking group that can manage to whip up some fantastically delicious eats.

#2: Black Friday

I will never understand fighting it out at Wal-Mart at 4 in the morning. Hello. Amazon???

Instead, I crawled out of bed at 1:45 am to meet up with my shopping sidekick (aka The Beautiful Bodacious Brittany) to hit up some serious shopping destinations. You know, the kind where I buy clothing for myself. Jersey Gardens was legitimately more packed than my last Black Friday foray two years prior, but Saks Off 5th came through for us. As usual. Seriously, was there ever a better store created??

We got home at 6:30 am. Completely delirious. I think I may have napped 86 times Friday.

#3: Decorating for Christmas

(the tree is not pink. I don't know how to take pictures)

The truth: having Christmas decorations all over my house kind of stresses me out. But, the actual act of decorating for Christmas, the scents of Christmas, the colors of Christmas, the sounds of Christmas, the giddiness of Christmas- that I love.

Black Friday Allen and the kids picked us a beauty of a tree (while Tess and I napped). My white light lit tree was outvoted. So, instead, we have one sparkly, bright circuslike tree. Which, (shh, don't tell Allen) I pretty much love.

#4: My birthday

That Sunday I celebrated 29 years of gracing this earth with my presence by being completely spoiled. I woke up to a most divine breakfast, was showered with gifts, and didn't have to lift a finger all day. How about we start celebrating my half birthday as well honey buns???