Time Out

I'm taking a quick break from all the celebrating, eating and fun that has been going on for over a week for a quick blog update. 

I always think I am going to blog after each day of Christmas but I also always forget how exhausting each and every day is! 

We celebrate Christmas tonight with my family...

But since my brothers are here its really been a party every night. 

Last night was homemade pizza night!

Robert made homemade sauce and dough. 

It was yummy!

Jen and Contessa worked on rolling out the dough.

Contessa worked VERY hard! 

Once the pizzas were ready we needed a picture of everyone with their own creation. 

Um, cute!

(And who gave the baby the pizza cutter?!)

Um, learn to smile and look at the camera lens.

Torrance tends to be a little taken back by Uncle Robert...here I believe he was dancing for her. 

But then again...she might kind of love him. 

Contessa decided a costume was necessary while playing games with Jordan and Jen. 

And Avery got a lesson from Livvie. 

It was adorable. 

Avery got the guitar for Christmas and starts lessons next week!

She's so thrilled. 

Friday Night

Tonight's gift was watching the cartoon Grinch and drinking Grinch Punch.

They sort of loved it! 

Snow Day Fun!

We survived the first blizzard of 2012! 

The kids loved it. 

We got through the first day with blanket forts, comfort food and crafts. 

Torrance is infatuated with the snow. 

She does not feel the cold. 

 No snowpants here...but she went right out into it. 

Still working.

If I came close she screamed at me. 

I'm FINE MOM!!!

Snow Angels. 

Huge snowballs

Beautiful smiles. 

Sledding!

As soon as Jordan got home from work they insisted he take them back out. 

Here's to our WHITE Christmas! 

Christmas Express

Last night Cindy took all the kids on the Christmas Express!

We split the 9 kids into 2 teams...2 car loads...

And each team set out on a scavenger hunt focused around Christmas light displays. 

Cindy made it perfectly clear that it was not timed. 

She should have known this would never work with Trina, Jordan and me involved. 

First Jordan threw Trina's keys into the grass, in the dark. 

Then I'm pretty sure we broke lots of traffic rules along the way. 

In the end...Trina and my team won!

But everyone got a prize...adorable Reindeer Noses. 

Chocolate covered carmels...and one red fruit snack. 

Thanks for the fun memories Grandma! 

4 years old

Me: 'Contessa we are going to have a blizzard!'

Contessa: 'Is it going to be a bad one like the one I had on my foot?!?!?!'

Me: 'No, honey, that would a blister....this is a BLIZZARD.'

Awesomeness.

Surrounded

Jordan and I returned late this afternoon from our annual 'pre-Christmas' trip away. 

We headed back to Galena for the perfect long weekend. 

However, after the horrible events in Newtown on Friday we were both anxious to return to our kids and hug them extra close. I love being surrounded by these kids. My blessings are innumerable. 

Tonight we had a special supper and now everyone is snuggled up watching a Christmas movie and spending the night under the Christmas tree. 

Never forget to live every day to the fullest and tell those you love that they make life worth living.  

Sitting here tonight, surrounded by my family, anticipating Christmas, thankful for a baby in a manager who became a Savior on a cross, and wrapped up in love I am reminded that the evil in this world does not win...Christ has won and soon He will return. 

"in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart!
I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

Signs of the Season

There are signs of Christmas all around our home. 

Today we woke up to snow!!! 

The kids were so thrilled and Jordan and I were loving seeing how magical it is to them. 

And we were all excited to show Tori her first snowfall that she can enjoy. 

What is this stuff?

She was into it right away!

I get to throw it at Daddy!?!?!

And I can throw it at my sister and not get in trouble!?!?

Look out Mommy! 

Gotcha! 

Got you too Daddy! 

Mmm, we can eat it too! 

There are signs inside too. 

Reading all our special Christmas stories. 

They love looking through all the books every year...and acting like little angels! ha. 

Bringing out the Fisher Price Nativity is always one of my favorite 'gifts'. 

The kids are all in love with it and it seems I'm always finding one of them under there. 

I love how they rearrange the people and there is always a big crowd around the baby to try and take him in. 

We did a fun Christmas craft today...Grinch faces...How would you make a Grinch smile?

In keeping with that theme our gift for today was watching the Grinch tonight and eating some candy and popcorn. Why cant December have a couple more weeks in it? 

As usual as I'm enjoying all the scenes and moments of Christmas with my kids there is a piece of my heart thinking of the past. Of Christmases of my childhood, time with family, my grandparents, mom and dad. I usually shed tears each day as I remember what has passed.
Nothing can make me miss my dad like Christmas.
Its so powerful it literally hurts my heart.

But I remember how blessed I am. 

Not only for my present day.

But for my past...for my childhood that was 'perfect'. 

Thank you mom and dad for giving me so many moments to remember and cherish. 

I pray we are doing the same with our kids. 

a new cousin!!

Today our kids got a new cousin!

Jordan's sister Kylie welcomed baby boy #2...

Kai William

Welcome to our crazy family little one.
We cannot wait to snuggle you.

Tis' the Season!

December came in with a flurry of activity for our house!

Friday night Jordan and I spent the evening with Kirkpatrick's enjoying our annual Christmas dinner.

We ended the night with some serious casino action...I think Melanie won the most?! 

Too bad the Kirkpatrick Casino doesn't pay out in real $. 

And how did we not get a picture???

We started our '24 gifts of Christmas'...this is where I wrap up 24 (or close) items and they open one each day. Maybe 2 things in the collection are new and everything else is something we already own...like Christmas movies, books, decorations or else they are activities we are going to do together or things we are going to do for others. 

I have a total blast with this. I love planning out the days and wrapping the gifts. It always looks like I've wrapped up the world for them and they are so excited. 

Lots of fun memories are in those packages. 

I hope someday they remember these activities with great fondness. 

Saturday was the first gift and the kids were SO excited to find out that 

we were headed to Prices for a day of Christmas baking!

And we baked the entire day. 

THE ENTIRE DAY!

We ended up eating lunch and supper there.

All the kids and adults were totally wiped when we left. 

Thanks for your hospitality, baking lessons and fun Prices! 

These girls were rock stars and never got tired of decorating cookies!

Some of their creations. 

And Tori has a little crush on Troy I might add. 

Tonight we put a couple of kids to bed with fevers and I think along with the December busyness we also have our first round of winter sickness. ICK!

Here's to a month of fun, memory making and most important celebrating the birth of our Savior.