Christmas

Christmas was totally great this year! On Christmas Eve we put the kids to bed. Cayben had a hard time going to sleep because he was so excited. Shay and I had a hard time going to sleep because Conan O'Brian is hilarious. We laughed our guts out watching clips of Conan until about 3:00 a.m. when our kids came into our bedroom. They were ready to just crawl into our bed and fall back asleep, but Shay and I talked them into opening presents.

(Why do all of my videos have green lines through them? Grrr.)

We all had a great time opening presents, well except for that time Solee face planted into the corner of a box. The kids were all happy with their gifts. And I (OK it's all of ours) got a karaoke machine.

Embrie, Solee & Me

Look at her poor forehead.

Cayben

Embrie

Me & Solee

Shay

After playing and singing for awhile we all went back to sleep.

When we woke on Christmas morning round two, I made us Cinnamon Roll Cake for breakfast. We spent the day eating, playing and sleeping.

Embrie, Cayben & Shay

In the evening we headed over to our friend's house for Christmas dinner. Erika made a delicious Christmas feast! We ate, played a game, and had fun.

The end... until next year.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve has been great, well aside from cleaning the kids' room. That thing had gotten out of control.

In the late afternoon we opened our Christmas Eve present. It was a giant box filled with pajamas for all of us, a DVD, popcorn, hot chocolate, mugs for us to decorate, and a few extra goodies for the kids. Cayben is always uber-excited to open the first gift and tore off the wrapping paper as soon as I snapped the first picture. Embrie was most excited for her giant lollipop.

Solee, Embrie & Cayben

Solee & Cayben

Embrie

Modeling their new PJs.
I had to modify Embries' PJs because she is SO picky about her sleeve length.

Cayben & Solee

As part of our Advent this year we lit candles outside our house to "light the way for Jesus" and invite Him into our home.

Cayben, Embrie & Shay

Embrie, Cayben & Shay

We decorated mugs. While those were baking (to set the marker), I prepared dinner and the kids started their movie.

That there is a good looking boy with a good looking bat mug.

Shay's hard at work.

Back when we lived in Idaho we would always have a Christmas Eve pot-luck with Shay's side of our family. Although I couldn't emulate the being-with-extended-family part of this tradition I did prepare some of our favorite pot-luck style foods. Food has an amazing ability of making a day feel like a holiday.

We spent the evening munching on food, sipping hot chocolate, watching a movie and anticipating the coming day!

Lazy Saturday

We all are still sick and were in definite need of a rest day. That's just what yesterday was, and it happened to be one of the best days I've had in a long time, and I have loads of good days! Turns out that hanging out all day with my four favorites and no agenda is perfect fun. We did have a few Christmas activities to fill our time.

Cayben and Embrie decorated a giant gingerbread man.

 This little gingerbread man got caught.

And we made milk-jug snowmen.

Cayben's School Program and Party

This morning the girls and I headed to Cayben's school to watch him sing Christmas songs and then join him for his classroom celebration. It was fun to be with him.

I asked Cayben why he didn't have antlers and a red nose. He told me he thought people would laugh at him.

Cayben fell off the risers. I didn't initially realize it, but he hurt his ankle on the way down. After that he decided to just sit by me.

McGillecutty & His Sister

Me With My Babe

After singing, we followed Cayben back to his classroom for a brunch and activities.

My Little Man

Embrie 

Embrie & Solee

Solee

 They had a couple surprise visits. Both Clifford and Santa came to see them.

Embrie (Scared of Santa Again), Cayben & Solee

Cayben didn't seem too enthused about anything today. I think he's just sick of being sick. Hopefully he'll be healthy by Christmas. Poor boy. At least Santa can always get a smile out of him!

Pizza Friday

Shay and I took inspiration from a friend of ours and have declared every Friday as Pizza Friday. We usually end up buying Little Caesars pizza, but tonight I made something a little more fun.

Unfortunately, Cayben was sick so he wasn't too excited about the pizza. He came over to check it out and then quickly retreated to the couch.

 Cayben

Embrie

First Day of Preschool

Embrie had her first day of preschool yesterday. I can hardly believe that she is old enough for preschool, but she was super excited to go. Shay and I put her into preschool just once per week.

When I picked her up after class yesterday, she was super excited. She told me all about her day and made sure to tell me that when it was reading time she sat quietly with her arms folded. Her teacher said  that she wasn't shy at all (I have yet to make children in that flavor.), that she played well with others, and that she was even trying to correct others' behaviors, saying, "teacher told us not to do that." She's a boss.

I think preschool is going to be really good for Embrie. She was all bummed this morning when she found out she didn't have school today, and I have a feeling she'll be asking to go everyday until next Thursday, when she goes again.

Decorating Christmas Trees

Making gingerbread houses has always seemed daunting to me, so when I came across the idea to decorate sugar cones to look like Christmas trees I jumped on it. That is doable.

Tonight is the eve of Embrie's first day of school so we wanted to do something fun. Decorating Christmas trees was it!

Embrie & Cayben at work

My Tree 

Little Miss Grabby Hands managed to get herself a licorice rope. 

Cayben's Tree 

Cayben  

Embrie's trees didn't end up with many decorations because they all ended up in her mouth.

Meeting Santa

Cayben & Embrie

Last Saturday the base was hosting Santa's Workshop. Solee met Santa and Cayben and Embrie reunited with the jolly ol' fellow. Embrie even worked up the courage to sit on his lap this year.

Solee, Santa, Cayben & Embrie

Look at that brave girl!

After chatting with Santa, the kids enjoyed hot chocolate, kettle corn (They didn't actually like it, so I ate it all.), a bounce house and crafts. We love the holidays!

A Day to Be Thankful For Sure

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family in Idaho. I failed to take many pictures, but we surly had loads of fun, loads of food, and loads of shopping with family!

The two pictures I took:

Look! I made a turkey!

Cayben & Will making Christmas wish-lists