A surprise for Daddy!

After Wil got used to the idea that I really did what he said and didn't get him anything for Christmas.....He found a package on his chair at the breakfast table! He loved it!

Gifts from our family out west

I have an uncle, aunt, my father's mother, and 2 cousins who live in Boise, Idaho. We think of them often but we haven't seen them in a long time. I show the kids pictures and Kailey thinks that my Great Grandmother in Idaho is the best even though she has only seen her once when she was 1 year old. She obviously listens to the stories mommy tells to know that she really is great! This year she sent the kids hats, gloves, and some $! Kailey got a purse instead of a hat which made her feel very special! My cousin Crystal sent some beautiful bracelets to my sister and sister-in-laws.

Christmas

We have a lot of fun on Christmas every year! I think it is important to know that we always make sure that everyone, especially the children understand the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate. This year we were blessed to recieve the anonymus gift of a Wii! I can see it bringing great family times in the years to come! We had a great time at my parents house for a family meal with everyone close on my side and then home.

Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve my grandparents have a brunch at their home. It is always relaxing and they don't want anyone to bring anything. This year it was a lot of fun. Afterward we headed about an hour to Pittsburgh to visit Wil's family.

We gave three of Wil's nephews a Pirate shirt and they really liked them.

Preparing for Christmas!

No fuss this year! I didn't have the energy and the rest of the family didn't really suffer as long as we followed through with most of the great traditions we've come up with. Our most cherished traditions include our family Christmas party at my sister Jodees house and giving home-made treats and caroling to our neighbors. Here are a few pictures of pre-Christmas fun, and Our Family party.

Buckeyes

Yesterday I told the kids that we could start making Christmas cookies. Well, after the house was straightened up and the schoolwork was all done. I was moving slowly as I am now almost 19 weeks pregnant. We didn't start until about 4pm. It worked out well because Wil was able to come home and help! In the end we made 20 dozen buckeyes! What was I thinking? I didn't want to run out like last year and it is everyone's favorite. I started making them when I lived in Ohio. I still have the cut out recipe from the newspaper taped in my recipe book! I have made them the last 9 years! It's great that the kids are now old enought to help!!! Wil got tired of rolling the balls and I don't think he'll be asking to make cookies with me again! He had actually asked to the day before. I think he got his fill!

It's Christmastime!

Ok! Here we go! I am going to try and write something and add a picture. When I was very exhausted and the kids were decorating for Christmas I snapped this cute picture of them in their Santa hats. They don't believe in "Santa". We accept him as a superhero or cartoon character with a nice historical story of St. Nickolas.

Why blog?

Well, I don't know how good I'll keep up with this but I'd like to try.