1st Haircut

I was going to post some before, during and after pictures of the whole first haircut thing, but I used a different camera for the before and during and I can't seem to find the cable. So here are a couple of the after pictures of Samuel's first haircut. As we can all tell these pictures did not turn out to be the cutest. Sometimes I really hate this fancy camera. I really need to learn how to use it.

I was extremely surprised to find out Sam does not like haircuts. He screamed the entire time. Amy, my very talented neighbor, did a great job on the boy who would not stop crying and wiggling. Thanks Amy! Good thing babies don't need their hair cut very often, because I think he thought he was being tortured. And I'd hate to have him think I was trying to torture him.

Switching subjects now... We would like to wish you all the Happiest New Year!

Our Christmas

We had a very organized and clean Christmas morning. It was so nice. We tried a new thing, where we had the kids hand out all the presents before they opened them. Of course they were a little anxious, but we got to see them open all their presents without it being a huge chaotic mess. It was fun. They each had a garbage sack so they could just throw their garbage away, and we wouldn't have to worry about the baby eating weird stuff. Sammy was so cute. He actually opened his presents. He was so happy all day. I think it was because everyone was so calm for a change.

We had a crazy amount of snow. It felt like we were snowed in. I'm sure we could have gotten out if we really needed or wanted to, but we always stay home on Christmas, so it was a good day for a lot of snow. I think it's suppose to keep snowing until tomorrow. My dad and brother said they didn't even get a flurry. I think tonight will be a different story.

Sammy got a lot of fun toys. I forgot how much fun baby toys can be.

This is Katies new pink??? chair. Well, it said it was pink when I ordered it. Oh well, she loves it anyway. She loves her new cell phone and robe. She's such a girly.

Jonas got a lot of messy toys, which he played with all day. Moon sand and an alien maker. Now, he's up in his room reading, and has been for the past two hours. His new books must be very interesting.

Kyler's favorite present was a toss up between his text messaging phone and his new ipod. He was so surprised. He kind of new about the phone but had no idea about the ipod. I got the whole thing recorded. I haven't seen that kid that excited for a long time.

Christmas is always such a fun day. The kids said this was the best Christmas they ever had. I don't think they realized they got a lot less than they usually do. But I guess they got the things they really wanted. I'm glad they are so happy.

We hope everyone had a wonderful, Happy Christmas!

Now I get to start planning Samuel's first birthday party. I can't believe in two weeks he'll be a one year old. How fast time flies.

Something about Santa

We had such a wonderful Christmas Eve get together. The whole family came and everyone seemed to be in a super good mood. I had a little anxiety earlier in the day, but when my whole family was around it melted away. I had such a fun time.

We also had an unexpected visitor.
I think the kids and the adults were a little taken back, but there's just something about Santa. Some of the kids didn't want Santa to pick them up, but the rest were very into it. Even uncle Bry got a hug from Santa
All in all the Santa thing was pretty funny.

But now it's getting late. I always imagine all the parents doing the same thing I'm doing. It is definitely my favorite part of Christmas. We better get started on the gingersnaps, but I think I'll go ahead and dump the milk.

From our home to yours... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Keeping the Christmas Spirit

It's pretty easy keeping up the Christmas spirit at the beginning of the season, but it starts to wear a little thin towards the end. It's funny how you work so hard for one day. I told myself this year I wasn't going to be stressed out, worried or annoyed. Up until a couple of days ago, I kept this one up pretty good. I didn't let the little things bug me. Like not being able to find the certain toy or game I was looking for. I let it roll off. Washer and dryer breaking... it's all good. That way lame sales person. I let it go. Hanging out at the laundromat...now I even know how to spell it. But making Christmas candy is really starting to piss me off. For some reason I just can't seem to get it right this year. Not having enough cards, not having enough wrapping paper, not having enough time. What should I get the teachers, friends, my little brother? Those small, stupid things are just really getting on my nerves. And in the end they won't even matter. The day will still be the same, everyone will still be happy and excited. So why do I get so stressed out? I think it's because I have some stupid idea of how I want the whole thing to go down. I actually want to enjoy spending all the money(all bundled up with yummy coffee), wrapping nine thousand presents (listening to super cool Christmas music and eating fine chocolates), making Christmas candy(with the kids, not being annoyed by them). These things just don't happen without serious planning. And that kind of takes all the fun out of it.

Still, I have decided I'm going to take back my Christmas spirit. Two or three bad days are not going to ruin the rest of the week. We're going to have fun if it kills me! The kids will be out of school until the end of January. I'll just make Christmas last a little longer this year. We'll have a whole month to relax and enjoy the end result of Christmas insanity.

What don't they want for Christmas???

These are my kids' Christmas lists. They aren't getting half this stuff but they can wish I guess.

Jonas:

Dear Santa, I've been a very good boy. My mom said so. Please bring me what I have asked for. Thank you. Love Jonas.

Sorry sliders, Rhino Rampage, A Pokemon collectors tin, Martina Matter Alien Maker, Kirby Super Star Ultra for the D.S., Mario Party for the D.S.,Life for Wii, Spore Creatures for the D.S., Motor scooter, moon sand, a real dog, Ultra Dinosaur, Wario Land Shake it for the Wii, Mario Sluggers for the Wii, connect the dots book, Pokemon Ranger Shadow something or other for the D.S., Trouble, Sorry, a list of books and something I can't even read.

Katie:

No letter for Santa, just a list written in red and green with a little border.

1. i dog soft speaker 2. big pink fuzzy chair 3.a blue video camera from justice 4. earrings 5. a pillow with a K on it 6. a big stuffed animal 7. a telephone from Justice 8. clothes 9. motor bike 10. a blanket with a K on it 11. a robe 12. PJs 13. another coat (I guess the first one wasn't good enough) 14. My Mebas 15. i tunes 16. The Tail of Despareux 17. a jewelry box that can hang necklaces 18. microphone stand 19. Kleenex 20. My Fashion Designer for D.S. 21. a new cell phone.

Kyler:

Dear Santa, give me these things right now or else.

cellphone, itunes, candy, money soap (from an infomercial), Artemis Fowl books, some other books, Risk, Stratego, an ipod, Guitar Hero for the D.S. and a new D.S. because Jonas broke his twice.

We've had many Christmas's with kids and I know from past experiences that they don't really care about half of this stuff, they just watch way to much T.V. I told them to put a star by the five things they want the most. Jonas put a star by every single thing. I don't think he understood the instructions.

The other day I was listening to the radio and they were trying to get donations for kids that don't get anything for Christmas. They said,"Everyone is going through hard times right now and people can't have the Christmas's they are used to. That doesn't mean you still can't give. Regardless, you still have more than a lot of people, and you can still give to others". I agree, and maybe you can't save the world and make sure every kid has something but you can do your part, starting with your corner of the world and hopefully spread it outward. I think you should definitely help the people closest to you first and then go from there. Well.. that's what I'm working on.

Decking the Halls

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of this one. First of all, I don't really understand the whole point of it. We take down all our regular decor, and put up all this stuff that is suppose to be outside... like a tree, sporadic greenery, and my personal favorite, snowmen. I just don't get it. I still do it, I just don't see what it's for. Myke has a Christmas village that he sets up every year in the basement. It goes around the whole room. It's kind of funny because it's not like you would put something like that up for a decoration any other time of year. The kids have tons of Christmas stuffed animals they like to decorate with. I would never in a million years think that was a good idea, except at Christmas time, and that's still up for debate. Plus, I'm kind of wondering, is it suppose to look like a store when you're all finished. Putting all this stuff on display. Hmmm I think I'll get that one and one of these, Oh wait, I'm in my house. And then there is the clutter of it all... like my house isn't messy enough, let me just add 300 more things to it. Anyway, it's a good thing this only lasts for a month. We'll just keep doing what we always do and I'll try hard not to question it.

Something to be Thankful for

We all had big plans for tonight. We were going to decorate the house. The kids have been looking forward to this for the whole week. Well, we all know how plans go. Instead of having a fun family night we ended up in the emergency room, when Sammy took a serious spill on his head. I will not go into details because it was honestly the most horrifying experience of my life.

This year I am truly thankful. I am most thankful for my children's lives. There have been so many times in my life, being sickness, broken bones, and all of the other ailments children have, that I have thought to myself, I would give up anything for her to be well or for his arm to not hurt. Anything! So, in times when I feel like everything is falling apart, I try to remember what I said I would give up for my children to be healthy. This past week it feels like everything in my house is broken. The washer, the dryer, the furnace, the bathroom, my bank account, but tonight I know these things mean nothing. It's too bad you always need a slap in the face to remember these things.

I want to say thank you to my kids for being so caring and loving. Looking out for and taking care of each other and making my life have meaning. I want to thank Myke for being so strong and holding everything together all the time, especially when I just can't take it. I want my mom to know I'm thankful for her intuition and helpfullness. I'm thankful to my sister for being such an awesome sister and friend and to my brother for being so helpful and unselfish and for fixing my furnace. I have so many wonderful people in my life. You guys really are the best. Happy Thanksgiving.