Christmas 2012

We headed south for our second annual pre-Christmas water park adventure.  This little get-a-way is really the only time our "little family of 5" gets to spend together over a very busy season.  The kids love it; it's never crowded, and Bret and I enjoy some relatively quiet and warm moments together.  This year, Grant was able to do every slide in the park, completely on his own.  He was up the big tower with a tube more times than I care to count.  Grace, with Bret's help, could do the two big inter-tube slides.  She wasn't a fan at first (cried the first time down each slide), but she quickly warmed up!  Plus, we discovered that Grace has a severe fear of heights.  She practically crawled on hands and knees up the large tower.  And, Trent... well, he loved the water!  But, to be honest, he spent more time napping in Daddy's arms than he did the water. 

Then, we headed to Bedford to see all of Bret's extended family.  I have no pictures of this experience because the screaming baby (tuckered out from two days at the waterpark) was, well, screaming.  A lot.  It didn't seem to end.  Even on Christmas.  Even with gifts and boxes and bows.  In fact, on Christmas, he slept for 20 hours throughout the 24 hour day... one tired cookie.  The kids had a blast, and I am often reminded of how thankful I am that Bret has such a large family relatively close by.  It sure makes me wish my California family was closer!

Christmas morning we did stockings in bed and opened a few presents.  I know there is a long line of people who want to complain to us, telling us that our kids deserve a mountain of presents on Christmas morning (I'm looking at you, Kate and Barb).  But, we keep it pretty simple: about two presents and one from Santa... and the kids don't seem to mind (might have something to do with the VAN LOAD of gifts they receive at THREE different family Christmas celebrations).   The best Christmas presents of all were having Trent David with us and the start of a week long visit from my aunt and uncle from CA!

Today, snowed in with the "Blizzard of 2012," we have been up to our ears with Play-dough, pipe cleaners, colored tapes, skylander giants, star wars, flash pads, ninja turtles and chocolate.  And, to think, we have one more Christmas celebration to go!!

We're thankful for so much... blessed beyond measure!

Grace Christmas Classics

For those who really know Grace, you know that she is "her own bird."  She's funny, quirky, wildly independent, bossy, caring and a whole bunch of crazy thrown in for good measure.

A few of my favorites this holiday season:

1.  Today, when visiting Santa at Walgreens (read: free photo with Santa beats the mall any day), she had a note to give him.  She had spent an hour coloring it and writing "her words," as she called them.  What did the note say, you ask?  Well, only something my super meticulous, super detailed oriented, and a whole lot of bossy daughter could concoct:  "Dear Santa, I hope you get me gift right."

2.  Another Grace classic comes when she is singing a various assortment of Christmas carols, most of which she butchers wonderfully.  My favorite mistake, which I simply refuse to correct is during "Winter Wonderland."  You didn't know that "Person Brown" asks to get married and later "expires" by the fire?  Well, that's the Grace version, at least.

Here is Grace getting ready to enter the stage for her big Christmas preschool program!  Too cute!

We hope to have plenty of updates in the coming days, but for now, we are packing to head south for our second annual trip to a water park before the festivities begin!   Bring on the CHRISTMAS!!

Saturday Morning Fun or Snow, Part II

Forget the cartoons!  When your house has a hill in front... you're good to go!  See ya at lunch, kids--see ya, at lunch!

Take THAT, Friday Morning

A delay and a closure... AND THE SEASON'S FIRST SNOW!!! 

Grace's Tea Party

I told her... get anything you want for your princess tent tea party: fudge, Christmas cookies, brownies, pie (why do we have so much food in our house?).  What does the girl grab: ham and cheese.

Chewbacca (see picture) has to eat something, I guess.

Christmas Card Rejects

the pictures... not the kids!  

You know you have a solution...

when you can now send your four-year-old in to Starbucks to order for you--instead of waiting in the drive thru line!

Problem (see previous post) solved, my friends.  Problem solved.

Plus, she was so proud of herself--coming out with that hot coffee in her hands!

You know you have a problem...

when you are driving your 4-year-old to preschool, and she asks (and I quote), "Mommy, how is your double tall, nonfat, two splenda latte today?"

An After School Snack...

You know you are Grant when your after school snack is... a half rack of ribs!  Don't come between this boy and his meat!

Here chicky chicky...

I'm in Memphis today.  Tomorrow, North Carolina.  Last week, Alabama.  The week before that, Dallas.  This is my life.  At some point, I told someone at work, "I enjoy traveling."  The next thing I know, they started beating me to death with my own stick.  I still enjoy it, but I miss the family.  So I find things to fill the void.  Mostly edible things.  In an ever-expanding void.

Last time I was in Memphis (about six weeks ago), I noticed this place:

It was closed, because it was late.  But next door, I noticed this place:

Drawn in by neon and creamy filling, I got myself some donuts.  Some.  They were good.

Tonight, I decided to go back to this place:

It was amazing.  I don't even order fried chicken normally, but since there was a picture of a chicken on the sign, I got the chicken.  It was amazing.

After my chicken(s), I went to this place (again):

I ordered a cream filled donut.  I told the dude behind the counter, "I'm only getting two."  Meaning, "I only want two donuts, so no need for the box.  I know I'm stout."  I then ordered my jelly filled.  That one was for later.  As in minutes, not hours.  I paid my cash money and returned to my car.

When I dove my hand into the sackful of goodness, I discovered that a misunderstanding (possibly because of the visual cues provided to my donut host, such as the disappearance of my belt) had left me with an EXTRA CREAM FILLED DONUT.  Score.  Two for now.  One for right before I hurl.  Excellent.

The other night, I mentioned to Erin that one of the downsides of getting old is that everything that happens to your body now is permanent.  If you fall and twist an ankle, that ankle will ache before thunderstorms for the rest of your life.  Cut your skin shaving?  You now have a new line on your neck that forever reminds you that one morning, you forgot to screw the blade down tight on your old timey razor.

The same thing may be happening with my weight, I fear.  Each donut and filet is now permanently affixed to my being.  No hope of it ever going away at this point.

One of the unintentional side effects of my constant travel is that I'm feeling more and more like I'm living a corporately funded "Leaving Las Vegas," but with donuts and fried chicken instead of booze (mostly).  Tonight as I returned to the hotel, the desk clerk looked down as I walked in, shaking his head a little bit.  When I got to my room, I discovered I had icing all over my nose.  I suppose maybe he thought it was something else, but either way, it was shameful.  I was sniffling a lot and licking my upper lip frantically.  I understand his concerns.

It's about time for cream filled, #2.  Excellent.

A Girl and Her Crafts

We turned our large storage closet (complete with a window) into a craft room just for Grace.  She loves it! The girl almost NEVER plays with toys (sometimes with her older brother) because she is too busy crafting. She sews, paints, colors, cuts, glues, tapes, staples, beads, stamps, feathers, glitters, etc.   In fact, all she wanted for Christmas: rolls and rolls of scotch tape!

Grace thinks that this new work station is for her, but really... it is for me--so tired at looking at the mess!!!  But, so thankful that my little girl has such a crafty imagination!

How Did Your Christmas Photo Shoot Go?

Here is our only kid group pic... 

It's a Good Morning...

for some baby swooning!!!  Look at that tush--could he be any cuter!!

It is starting to look...

a lot like Christmas!

Grace Love

We work hard to convince Grace that "pretty is as pretty does," so don't let the secret out: she's a stunner of a beauty (I can say that... because I have ZERO to do with her good looks)!

Some Cute Pics

Trent has two new tricks.  He sits (kind of), but more importantly, he gives kisses.  Melt. My. Heart.

Trick or Treat

So. Freakin. Cold.

But, the two older ones ventured out while the baby stayed home playing pumpkin (I know it's a repeat pic... but, come on, he's just too cute).

Grant went as the Karate Kid or a White Ninja (don't get me started...) depending on who asked.

And, Grace, well she wanted to be a Penguin Princess Fairy, and seeing how I am a mother who can make magic happen, we slapped on a penguin shirt and tutu, threw on some wings and a crown... and added a wand.  

Hope your Halloween was as freakin cold or miserably freezing  sweet as ours.