2008 Edition Christmas Blog Entry

On Christmas Eve, Summer helped me put out milk and cookies for Santa, and then the girls got in bed quickly so that Santa could come. Joe and I decided that Santa would wrap all of the presents this year, so after they were in bed, he and I and my brother Wes sat around and wrapped.


In the morning, we got up around 8:30 and went into the girls' room. Yes, I know... this might be the last year until they're teenagers that we get to sleep that late on Christmas! They were already waking up and when we reminded them about Santa Claus, they got very excited and Summer ran past me to go into the living room. She was a bit overwhelmed when she saw all of the presents, and was very happy to see that Santa ate the cookies and milk that she left him!




I can't explain how fun Christmas is now that she somewhat understands Santa Claus and all of the magic of it. I can't wait till next year when Camryn understands it, too.

They enjoyed opening presents and seemed excited over everything they got. Santa gave them the majority of their gifts, and Joe and I gave them each one plus one that was for both of them.

Summer put her princess dress on right away and wouldn't take it off for awhile.




Joe and I decided before Christmas that his gift would be new work boots. He got me a digital photo key chain, and totally surprised me by putting a bottle of the perfume I've been dying to have in my stocking! Next time you're near the perfume section in the store, go smell Viva la Juicy by Juicy Couture. It is wonderful. I feel bad that I didn't get him anything else since he got that for me, but Valentine's Day is soon so I'll make up for it then.

Here's all the loot:



They were sitting on the back of the tricycle.


Everything about this year's Christmas was great, except for the fact that my mom was sick. She caught some horrible stomach bug from my grandmother and was way too sick to go anywhere or have company on Christmas. It was weird not seeing my mom on Christmas. We're planning on making up for it on Sunday though. We're going over to my parents' house Sunday morning for our annual Christmas Quiche, and to open gifts. She's coming over here in a few minutes as well, to see us (mainly Summer and Camryn!) and to see their new toys. My dad did come over Christmas morning to visit for awhile, though.




Around 2pm we went over to my aunt's house to celebrate Christmas with my mom's side of the family. It was a lot of fun. Mainly because my cousin Libby and I kicked Joe and my cousin Nathan's butts in fooseball. There isn't much that I'm better at Joe at ever, so I've been mentioning that every chance I get.


Libby and Summer:


After my aunt's, we went to Joe's dad's house. We ate another meal and opened gifts. As usual, Summer and Camryn were totally spoiled. They got a dollhouse, which they have been absolutely loving.

Summer and Camryn opening their dollhouse with Aunt Nicole:



We walked into the living room to find that Summer had gotten into Xavier's swing all by herself.


That wraps up the 2008 Christmas Edition Blog Entry. I hope you all had as great of a Christmas as we did!

How shall I summarize this?

I am in total heaven right now. I'm laying in bed, with my heating pad under my back, watching Little People Big World, eating a ginormous bowl of neopolitan ice cream covered in mini-marshmallows, and blogging.

Today was a good day. I got plenty of sleep last night, and the kids were good for most of the day. My friend Nicole stopped by this evening to bring Summer and Camryn their Christmas presents. She gave them each 2 pairs of shoes, and then they got a Blue's Clues thing, where a stuffed Blue and her stuffed baby brother talk when you push their stomachs and you can play hide and go seek with them. They also got a big stuffed Winnie the Pooh and a Baby Einstein play center thing. It's really cute. Nicole spoils them a lot :-) She works at a Target that isn't close to our house, and they have different sales there. When their kid shoes went on clearance this past month, she loaded up. My kids have as many shoes as Suri Cruise at this point.

It was COLD today. I believe the high was in the 20's, but the wind chill was probably -10. I was only outside long enough to take the trash and recycling out but that was enough for me. Poor Joe, he had to work outside for more than half the day. I think tomorrow is supposed to be a bit warmer and then it should be in the 40's on Christmas.

Joe and I have a debate going, and I'd love your input. Joe wants Santa to wrap his gifts. Santa always wrapped gifts in his family. In my family, Santa's gifts were not wrapped. I think there is something about walking in on Christmas morning and seeing a bunch of new toys sitting around the tree that Santa left for you. Seeing wrapped gifts... not so much of an effect. But maybe I'm wrong... all I know is we better hurry up and decide.

I shall leave you with the fire that I enjoyed most of the day today.

Lots of Pictures

Today we went to my Nanaw and Papaw's house for our annual Christmas party. It's a 2 hour drive there and back. We went in my parents' van with them and my brother, Wes, to save gas. It was cramped, with Joe, Summer in her booster seat, and I all in the back seat, but we watched Cars on the way there and Polar Express on the way back, so time passed quickly.

We had a really nice time. We all got some great gifts, and there was delicious food. Summer and Camryn were extremely well-behaved the whole time, and that's all we can really hope for!

Here's a family portrait... My dad, mom, brother, Joe, me, and the girls:



Summer with my cousins, Emily, Rachel, Olivia, and Sarah, in the bathroom:


Nanaw and Papaw:


Summer with her favorite person, Sarah:


Summer and her cousin, Taitum:


Unwrapping presents!:


The past three days I have baby-sat Xavier until 2am or so. It's been rough staying up that late and then waking up early with the kids. I feel like a zombie right now. I'm baby-sitting him tomorrow but it's from 11am-4:30pm, and then not again until Saturday. I'm looking forward to getting some rest this week!

Due to my zombie-like state, I really don't have anything of substance to write about. Don't you love how my blog is called MORE than a mommy blog, yet all I ever do is talk about my kids? Hahaha.

Here's the winning photo for our picture frames we gave out as gifts:


Everybody loved them!

Here's a few more that'll melt your heart!




I'm happy to say it is my bedtime now. Goodnite!

A Short One

I have been MIA because I haven't had anything at all to write about. We've just been going about our daily business, waiting for Christmas. Joe and I went to Garden Ridge last night to do some shopping. We got a bunch of 4x6 picture frames. Our mission is to take a great picture of the girls today, got to Walgreens and print off 10 of them, put them in the frames, and wrap them up in time for my dad's side of the family's Christmas party tomorrow.

Yesterday's weather was totally bizarre. I put on a hoodie and went out to get the garbage can and recycling bin to put them away, and I was HOT. For a split second I actually thought I was dreaming. It didn't last long though. By the time I took the girls outside to play a hour or so later, we needed heavy jackets.

The house is a mess, Xavier will be here in a few hours, and the kids need baths before we attempt to do the pictures. I guess I'd better go do something productive. Have a great weekend!

Prying my eyes away just for you

Alive and well, I am. Just super busy and super tired. I blame it on Stephenie Meyer.

I am currently on page 458 of book 4 in the Twilight series. I made myself put it down for a bit to attend to other things, such as my blog. It was difficult. Proof of that is that fact that while trying to hurry and get ready to go shopping, I read while blow drying my hair.

Joe and I were able to get all of Summer and Camryn's Christmas presents this evening. My parents were nice enough to babysit for us and we knocked it out in one trip. I think we did good, they're gonna love this Santa Claus thing. I'll save the revealing of the gifts until my Christmas blog.

We got our new camera today! Since it was a Christmas gift from my parents my mom wrapped it up for us and let us open it up early so we would have it for Christmas pictures. I haven't had long to mess with it, and my favorite camera subjects are sleeping, but I took a few.

Here's our Christmas tree. I wish I knew how to get a good picture of it. You can see our icicle lights shining through the window, too.


Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care...


Here's the very adorable Xavier:


And Harley:


I've gotten Christmas cards from a few of you guys. It's fun checking the mail! Let's see... Missie, Corey, and Brittany's cards I've received. Thank ya!

Tomorrow should be a lazy day around the house. I'll probably take a bunch of pictures of the girls so be prepared for a ton of them to make their way here.

Ok I can't stand it anymore, I need to finish this book.

Christmas Cards

I bought a bunch of Christmas cards last year, so I'd love to do a Christmas card exchange. I had planned on getting a nice family photo done and sending out cute photo cards but you know how that goes. So, you'll have to settle for ordinary cards from Wal-Mart :-)

If you want to exchange cards, leave me a comment. If I don't already have your info I'll e-mail you with mine and you can send me yours.

Twilight Zone

I woke up this morning in a time warp. I'm still in it. I have no idea what time it really is, all I know is that there is no way that my kids and I slept till 11:30am.

I guess if that really did happen and it really is already almost 3:00, it's because of the crazy hectic visiting and eating schedule we had these last four days.

Unfortunately Harley didn't suffer that same exhaustion and spent her time alone ripping up her toy basket, a John Grisham book, and Joe's expensive computer gaming headphones. We are going to get her a nice-sized crate today to stay in while were sleeping or not here, before she makes a meal of our 2-year old couch. I love her but part of me wonders if a Boston Terrier would be causing this much destruction.

I think it may have snowed this morning, while I was in my time warp. Joe sent me a text message while I was sleeping that said "look outside" but when I finally did that it was just wet. I hope it snows again. I always say that if it's going to be cold it might as well snow and look pretty.

I wish I could take some pictures of our Christmas decorations to share. I'm currently waiting for my camera to come back to life after having water spilled on it by Miss Summer. Keep your fingers crossed on that one. Maybe I can try to get a couple good ones with my camera phone.

I need to get back to my laundry unfortunately. Happy Monday!