Home Depot Santa and Christmas day!

Here is Home Depot Santa I was telling you about. He is seriously like 7 feet tall! The first item we saw him he looked just like this and gave Kate a candy cane. The next time we went to home depot Kate wanted to go find Santa. I was thinking the chances of this guy working again on the exact time we were there was slim so I decided not to go looking for him. Surprise! Somehow he found us! He is Santa! Bo didn't buy it. But Kate sure did. She loved him.

Why am I at Home Depot so much you wonder? I decided to make the girls fabulous wood projects. I was going to do it at my dads because he is quite talented at all things "building" and...he has a cleaner garage. And the better tools. And himself for advice.

I have been accused several times (much to my extreme annoyance) that I like to drag everyone else into my projects. I sure did this time. I took the projects to my dads, worked a bit on them, basically freaked out because of lack of time, and left my dad to finish them. Without even really asking.

He did a great job. He is a very loving Grandpa and I hope the girls will cherish these gifts and know the love that was put into them....

First...

A rabbit stand. All the cool kids have them. Justine will use this at rabbit shows to groom her rabbits and get them ready for judging. Up until now we have just borrowed our friends, but it will be so nice for her to have her own!!! And with that green color... watch out....the judges will see her coming.

Second.... I saw this great jewelry case made out of a crib here...http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2011/08/jewelry-organizerroadkill-rescue.html. LOVED IT. Got an old crib and....my dad had to finish the entire thing. I was in over my head. But it turned out great. It still needs the quote on the front but Kassidy spent three hours Christmas morning stocking it full of her jewels. My dad worked on it clear up until Christmas evening. Yea...It's huge. And AWESOME!

Kassidy doesn't look super happy because her brother had shot a Nerf arrow in her eye. She doesn't recover quickly from these kinds of things.

Thanks, Dad. Love you tons.

My mom spent hours making these darling crochet clothes for these little babies for Kate. They are the cutest. My mom has such talent. Dying art I say!

Our new ornaments...Lol.

Bo really wanted them.

Us hanging out...

Dad and Corey

Sherri and Carolyn

My mother in law had us over for a WONDERFUL meal and we basically had a great day. Even on only three hours of sleep. Ugh. Exhausted.

The kids loved all their presents and I think I am finally learning that less is more. Too many presents and they are just lost in the shuffle.

Loved that our sweet girls got Corey and I presents to make up for us not getting any for each other.

Added another reptilian collectible to my collection this year. Last year Justine got me a frog and this year I got a lizard. I just love them. Really. A ton.

Someone very dear to me got me this little ceramic owl. I am NUTS over it.

Also received a few AWESOME salt and pepper shakers to add to my collection.

(These are from Justine)

GREAT CHRISTMAS.

Bo got his Beyblades. He kept singing "oh yeah, oh yeah, I got bey blades!" Great reaction.

Kassidy bought herself this stylin' new coat with the Christmas bonus she received from work (nicest employer EVER).

She pretty much admitted she thinks she is hot stuff now. She is a crack up.

Corey always teases Justine that her real parents were big foots and we found her in the forest. It's there little game and it can get quite funny. Well, now we have proof! Crazy new boots!

Flying their helicopters.

Kate and her Christmas morning yawn. We had to wake her up. Then she was so cold we had to put on a coat and Nathan's snuggie. Yes. We own a real life snuggie. It is hysterical.

It's always fun until someone gets hurt. See the helicopter in her hair?

Wait...No new Glenny Beck book. Hmmm...Corey?...

Oh well, There is always Little Baby New Year. He brings one gift per person in with the new year. It's a long lived tradition from my father's childhood. Don't let me down Little Mr. Baby New year!

Oh yeah....coolest present of the year....LORD OF THE RINGS PEZ DISPENSERS!!!! I mean come on, you know they rock! We each got one last night while we started out LOTR marathon. Corey can do a most incredible impression of Gimly. "My axe!"

I noticed once again that my comma ussage is awful. Sorry. Also I could not get this post to cooperate so excuse it's craziness.

Merry Christmas peoples! I havden't forgotten about Freak Flag Santa. I hope it is still up so I can get a picture tommorow. My SIL taught me the term Freak Flag. Cracks me up.

I am seriously lame. Second year I have written a Christmas letter and never gotten it mailed. So this is all I got. Sorry people who care.

Merry CHRISTmas!

We failed to get our annual letter out last year and it has driven me crazy ever since. With all of the technical advances we have and the price of stamps I have a feeling Christmas cards are going to be going by the way side. I sure hate to see the sweet tradition die. So here is our effort to keep it alive. (even if it is late!...or via Internet. (That counts a little, right?)

Katie(3 ½) spends most of her time talking. And repeating questions. And bossing us around. And did I say talking? She’s smart and sassy and silly. We love her and she drives us crazy. But mostly we love her. A lot. She pretends to be a dog in her free time. She loves her class at church, and her teachers there, so very much!

Bo (6) is the most cuddly sweet little guy around. He is doing the best he can in kindergarten despite battling a serious case of ADHD. He received his very first bar in Jujitsu. Martial arts is supposed to be very good for discipline for kids with ADHD and he loves it. His top big tooth is coming in and trying to turn my baby into a big boy. Breaks my heart.

Rhett (10) has proven himself to be quite the sports guy. He enjoys and does well at all the different sports I can manage to get him into. He is coming along in school and is the hardest worker ever. His idea of a fun time is hauling fire wood. I think he is so cute, and that certainly he must be the boy that all the girls in school love the most.

Nathan (12 ½) got braces this year. He also had oral surgery to expose two top teeth and try to get them to grow down instead of sideways. He has grown more inches than we have kept track of. He is almost as tall as Corey. He is a pretty easy going kid and has let me persuade him into furthering his violin by signing him up for orchestra. He has enjoyed it along with his private lessons, although playing with his star wars Legos might be first on his list of things to do. He is working hard in Boy Scouts and I love that he still makes sure to hug us goodnight every single night.

Justine (15 3/4) has the longest thickest hair around. She is pulling off excellent grades and spends her free time taking care of her rabbits and doing craft 4-H. She refuses to take drivers education and is terrified to turn 16 lest some boy actually ask her on a date. She is so shy. But she is a doll and I so appreciate all her help. I almost cried the other day thinking of my helper going on to college someday. She and I had a great time this summer taking a class to make Nativities. We collected rocks and spent time gluing and painting and watching Dr.Quinn. It was great time.

Kassidy (17) is happily employed at a movie theater. She treats us to trips to the movie often and we love it. She makes the best popcorn around. She is saving her money for college and is mostly very responsible for herself and her general needs. We have to keep her away from the boys as she is very boy crazy and the boys are liking her back. Terrifies her parents! She loves to do anything that involves friends! She likes big earrings, doodling, and DATING!!!!!!

I have been happily regaining my life back as my babies are growing up, although it is still crazy most of the time. I am like every other mom and live to chauffeur my kids to all of their activities. I have started some crafting projects and some wood projects this year and am really enjoying doing some creative things. I love to document our lives on my blog and have a lot of fun with it. I take great joy in a clean house (doesn’t happen often) and getting projects checked off my to do list. I’m basically a nerd.

Corey is always up to the same stuff. Hiking, hunting, and camping. He would love to add more things to his hobbies like skiing and snowmobiling but money prevents it. He hiked several mountains and has lost a lot of weight jogging. He took first place in our town’s local marathon. It was his FIRST marathon. He and Nathan jogged it together and both got excellent times. So fun! Next year I think our whole family will walk/jog it.

This year we lost our sweet, old, beloved Josie. She had to be put to sleep. She was 12. Broke all of our hearts. Corey and I cried that whole day. Our family is patiently waiting for dad to let us get a new dog. (Justine isn’t patiently waiting…just waiting.) We miss our girl. I don’t think there will ever be a better dog. Honest.

We are grateful to be employed with a company who still sends us a ham each Christmas season. We are thankful for family close by and miss the ones far away. We are thankful for our little community and for the incredible people we rub shoulder with. We are grateful for warm beds. We love America. We love the peace and health and happiness we enjoy and pray not to take for granted.

We are grateful for a Savior. To do for us what no one else could. We seek to know Him better.

Love you all!

Our Family!

Thanks to our photographer friends, Emily and Nate. If you need some great ones, especially for weddings, let me know!

(The kids were so grossed out at us kissing in the background of these pictures. You can tell by Kassidy's face. Lol.)

Visit to Santa

I keep saying this over and over but I feel like I am doing things "wrong". I want to simplify life but when I go over my to do list I just don't think anything can go. All the things on my to do list are things that care take my children. I am just so busy. I hate it. So.... no closer to Christ today. And no treats made to give to friends. And no time sitting around reading to kids. We are either cleaning house or running...and not as in exercising. Well, I guess Justine is because she has been seeing a physical therapist for a softball injury... That is the cool way of saying she rolled her ankle at practice running for the ball. The injury is from last season and still bugging her.

Anyways, just a going all the time. Huge thanks to my dad for working so hard on all of my Christmas projects. To my disappointment he has done most of the work. I simply ran out of time. But they are INCREDIBLE. I think. And I learned something. All these great ideas you see on pinterest and blogs and such...they take some work!

We did squeeze in a trip to see Santa in between dropping Nathan off to orchestra class.

The Santa people at the mall make me M.A.D.

SIXTEEN DOLLARS FOR A 5X7 picture of Santa? Are you K.I.D.D.I.N.G. me?????

Two years ago I about croaked when I paid twelve. But all six kids were in it so I went with it.

But NO WAY for sixteen dollars. And anyone who knows me KNOWS I hate not to document all these moments (because then I completely forget them).

So I was grateful when I learned I WAS allowed to take my own picture but I had to be on the outside of the perimeter.

I was thankful Santa turned my way and was gracious about letting me get a picture even though I didn't pay.

But I was livid that they would try to rip me OFF that way. The mall should just pay for Santa as a gift to the patrons and call it good. Whoever is earning the money for pictures shouldn't be able to sucker us in with the black mail of pictures of our babies with Santa. Grr. I mean, charge a little if you must but S.I.X.T.E.E.N. dollars????????

So...that being said....

Kate pulled her normal cutesy darling self and snuggled right into Santa's super soft coat and she closed her little eyes and just inhaled all the beauty of Santa. It was sweet. She will do that sometimes when she loves something. Closes her eyes and snuggles in with all the love in the world.

She told Santa she wanted a scooter...which she isn't getting. Bo informed my mom that Santa doesn't get you what you ask for. It is generally true at our house. Not that I am opposed to getting what they ask for, it just has to fall in line with my ideas.

Then Bo took his turn. He was insistent on waiting for Kate to be done before he took his turn. Bo wants Bey Blades. Which he is getting. I WOULD NEVER HEAR THE END of it if he didn't get those. He has been talking about them for months. And he wants the case to carry them in also. Which was so cute to me. But the carrying case was A MUST. Bey Blades are all the rage. Basically a little zip cord that sends the bey blades spinning into battle. Like tops.

Kate is getting little pet store animals and the tree that goes with it. If I was a kid I would so be wanting that.

And this was the year I told Rhett Santa is a sham. He asked me over and over and he really wanted to know the truth. So I told him. I actually love when the gig is up. It makes life easier. He told me he DID NOT want to go visit Santa.

"I mean think about it...since Santa isn't real...Why would I want to go sit on some strangers lap?"

Kids got a point.

Seriously need a better camera.

I still need to show you the Santa freak flag house and I need to show you Home Depot Santa. Tommorow.

Also forgive me. I am done with my Closer to Christ project. I am going to keep it going after Christmas though. Like maybe a every Sunday thing. I am just too frazzled. Do you get tired of hearing that?

Quiet book page number two

Before I show off my next page I feel like I should state...

Yes. I know that my kids are getting too old for this type of thing. I am just doing it because it is fun.

Yes. I am really not that great at hand stitching. When I see others hand stitch I am wondering if they know some trick I don't. I mean, it is only a needle and thread....why is it so hard! But I CANNOT get them perfect and even a straight as others I have seen. Not sure what is up with that!

Yes. I know these pages are darling (I can say that because I totally stole my ideas from here , LOVE her work!) but is it maybe nuts to turn a toy over to toddlers that can't be washed? And actually if you have a destructo child these quiet books may not be indestructible. No one is going to be able to touch these with out using wet wipes first. I am going to make a wet wipe page. Lol.

All that being said...Here is my newest pages. Yea. It pretty much takes hours. But you know that time at night when you are too tired to get much accomplished but you don't want to go to bed because you enjoy TV? Well, that is when I am working on them.

The chord keeps Bo attached to the moon when he is on space exploration. Sewing that plastic stuff for his helmet was hard!

I have never done a zipper. And I did it wrong. And bad. But it works and unless it breaks I am not changing. it!


I didn't want Kate to feel bad that I made Bo his very own page. So I assured her I was making her one also. It is going to be a pound puppy page where she can adopt a dog. She loves dogs!

So Rhett, age 10, asks me....."So how come you made Bo a page?"

Me...."Because I thought he'd like it."

Him...Quiet lingering.

Me...."Why? are you jealous?" said super compassionately of course.

Him...."A little."

ADORABLE.

If I keep enjoying this I am just going to make them all a page. I am keeping this book under tight wraps so I hope I will have it around for a while and even if my kids are too old for it their kids might enjoy checking out their parents or aunts and uncles pages. A little far in the future but those are my thought!

I am working on a sock page right now. This same site I mentioned before just has adorbale ideas. I also REALLY want to make a mail box page. With real letters to the kids printed on fabric... I know.... To die for.

Closer to Christ Day 19

We are grateful to be invited to a little get together each year where our kids preform the nativity.

Is there anything more sweet? It is sacred even to me. These little kids acting out Christ's birth. I am so grateful that through someone else's great efforts, my children get to participate in this tradition. (Note...Nathan and Rhett weren't able to come. Their daddy peer pressured them to go watch a STEELERS football game. Boo.)

So here are some of the sweet pictures.....

Bo on the right dressed in his little Shepard's costume. Friends, Lane and Brady as the Shepard and the camel. Too funny.

Ashlynn and Sadie as the Angels.

Bo as a Shepard. He rocks it.

Bo's class mate, Eli, and friend, Cache, as the wise men.

Regan as Mary. She was a great Mary!

On the couch, Justine, Maelynn, and Ciara.... narrating. Cute little girl, Kessia, really wanted me to take her picture!

Mary and Joesph played by Rhett's class mate Regan, and friend, Brittan. (Don't you love that name?)

Gathering around baby Jesus. Kate was right on that. When they said to come worship Jesus she told everyone to come ship Jesus. Cutie.

I would dare to say this is Katie's BFF. He is two. His name is Miles. He is a Cuuuutttiiiieeeee PIE! Kate plays happier with him then anyone else. I think it is because he is two. And doesn't talk much yet and is game for anything Kate suggests.....or demands. He just toddles about happy doing everything her way. It is quite cute and she LOVES him. He probably loves anybody but I think he loves to play with her also. I keep thinking I should borrow him for a few hours to keep her busy so I can get something done.

Look how cute Kate is sitting....

The other day I realized we only had 8 days until Christmas. I SERIOUSLY thought we had TWO more weeks! What the heck!!!!

The projects I was so excited about and was working on with my dad....He is finishing. Out of the kindness of his heart. Because it is absolutely impossible for me to finish them. Time is out of control flying BY!!!!