10 or so for Christmas

(I just wanted to make a note here, that I LOVE the updated editor for blogger.  I may have gotten a little carried away- it made inserting picture so easy!)

1.  What it looked like after Santa came.

2.  What the kids thought.  They are still so excited to be saving all the wrapped gifts (ie. not from Santa) until we can open them with Scott at the end of January.  They are pretty amazing kids!

3.  What our living room looked like at 10:30.  I worked really hard and was COMPLETELY packed-up 2 days earlier.  1 Mom and 3 kids packed into 3 checked bags (all well under the weight limit) and 4 carryon bags (1 extra bag incase we got stuck in Denver where we have to change planes) and 1 stroller.  I originally had everything packed with only 2 checked bags, but decided to leave some space for the potential inspections and for anything we might accrue on our journey.  I admit I am proud of myself.

4.  Half an hour later, our flight was cancelled because of a pesky little 2-day blizzard (that's my neighbor's driveway, I think maybe some of our snow ended up there since our driveway was completely clear without shovelling).

5.  So, the next day we did what we should have been doing instead of the last-minute preparations for our trip. We played with our loot some more.  Eden baked and decorated a couple cakes, thanks to the Kennards (they had the C batteries that Santa forgot the day before).  I actually took the ipod speaker dock out of the box and used it!

6.  For the first time in too long, I updated my playlist.

7.  I need ideas for workout/running music.

8.  I also need ideas for getting an awesome workout at home.  Easy access to the gym is probably the #1 sacrifice I'm making to homeschool Eden.  I'm considering P90X- any thoughts???

9.  The outfits you see on our header were for Tricia's wedding, which we will be missing.  Aren't they adorable?

10.  The earliest we could get re-booked is January 1st.  ONE WHOLE WEEK after our original reservation.  But, we also get to stay later (thanks to homeschooling Eden).  Can't wait to see everyone who is still there when we get there! 

11.  And since we're all packed up and the house is so clean (we finally scrubbed the bathrooms), I find myself contemplating A) some new luggage after noticing how beat-up some of ours is, and B) some new clothes for all of us so I don't have to unpack anything for the next 5 days.

Gifts for Jesus and The First Christmas Story, according to Eden & Andrew

We thought of gifts for Jesus this year as part of our advent activites. Eden did hers all by herself- she is growing up so fast! Andrew wanted Jesus to have Star Wars Legos (and he'll try to love everyone too). Jake might have had a little help- he's going to be extra good for Mommy on our airplane trips. :)

This is a part of what I got when I asked the kids to tell the story of the Jesus's birth. Pretty cute, even if not totally accurate.

5 YEARS

Andrew had been counting down to this day for a long time. (It doesn't bother him at all to have a birthday close to Christmas, even though it stresses me out. I should try to remember that.) His special day happened to fall on a Saturday and it started with opening presents.

Do you think he was happy with what he got? Just a little! Andrew is so expressive and so genuine in his happiness. Look at that smile!

Checking out the details on his Ben 10 Alien Force game (similar to Perfection if you know what that game is) with Eden.

A picture of the sugar (over)load that day. Frosted Flakes for breakfast and a candy bouquet from Daddy.

We spent most of the day playing with his new toys, and enjoying the menu Andrew picked out:

Breakfast: Frosted Flakes

Lunch: Chicken Nuggets

Dinner: Fish & Chicken

(Andrew actually wanted to GO FISHING for his birthday, but I was able to convince him to have some of the trout from the freezer that the kids caught with Scott before he left. And then we ended up saving that dinner for another night because we snacked on junk during the day and had a late lunch, so no one was hungry!)

Snacks: mini Chips Ahoy! cookies

Ice Cream Cake: Berry Rainbow Sherbet with Vanilla Cookie Crust- no toppings, no coolwhip, just some Star Wars Heroes on top! (and 5 candles!)

The first time we sang, Andrew blew out the candles halfway through. So, this is from our second go at it.

He also got to have a 'friend party' at Chuck E. Cheese's a few days later, but we have no pictures. I completely forgot the camera! Oops! At least we do have some evidence that Andrew did indeed turn 5 this year. Happy Birthday buddy, we love you!

Christmas photo shoot..... first round

For some reason, the captions won't show up on the blog, so I will narrate. 
Eden was trying so hard to be a good helper and keep Jakey happy and still for the pictures.  Andrew IS smiling and saying 'cheese', apparently its almost unbearable.

This is what I got after I asked Andrew to look at the camera and smile with his eyes OPEN.

And finally a pretty good one (minus Jake mid-blink), they actally look like they love each other and just love taking pictures for Mommy!