So Thankful

After seeing news of today's horrific tragedy involving a massive shooting at an elementary school, I am never more thankful to see my own kids walk through the front doors this afternoon and to be able to post these pictures of my children in their true states of innocence and peacefulness. I can't even wrap my brain (or my heart) around what happened today and have not turned on the tv or clicked on the link on the internet for fear that I won't recover from the sobs that would follow before the girls arrive tonight for Jaidyn's indoor camp-out slumber party celebrating her 8th birthday. Last weekend we attended a Breakfast with Santa that one of my closest friends organized at her daughters school. The girls really enjoyed it and I know picking through the large selection of donuts and pastries was their favorite part. Jaidyn, Addy and Levi participated in the church Christmas ADVENTure play last Saturday helping to portray the story of Mary being visited by the Angel Gabriel leading up to the events of the birth of Baby Jesus. The girls were glowing Heavenly Angels and Levi a "Bah-ing" Sheep in the flock. Wish I had a picture of Levi in his lamb costume, but he had already stripped out of it after the play as getting in line for the refreshments after was way more important to him. We celebrated with dinner out after the Christmas play with Grandma Penny, Papa Dave and Nana. I think Papa must have been picking on the girls about something... I have spent many hours of the week preparing for Jaidyn's birthday including an overhaul cleaning of the girls room. I'm pleased with the results, but I have bets that it doesn't stay looking this way long. But for now, I can walk in and not be overwhelmed by the enormous amount of clutter (or treasures as they call it) that they possess. Now I have proof who gets to get in all the ZZZZ's in our house! And it's not me! So when you all see me all frazzled with saggy eyes and Wes looks to be energized and vibrant, you all know why! :) Naughty or Nice! I'll let you all decide!

Holly Isn't Wearing A Halo This Week (Week 2)

It's week two with Holly Jingles the Elf and she has continued to find several ways to be a little ornery and obviously isn't wearing her halo this week. Even Reid is picking up on the fun and enjoys finding her every morning! Saturday Apparently Holly felt the kids needed a makeover! Reid has a goatee with spiked hair! Levi has glasses, a beard and a mustache! Addy has a fro and is sporting a tatoo on her arm. Jaidyn has some glasses and is also sporting a tat! Sunday She found the bandaids and blue must be her favorite color as she used up all of them! Monday Out with the old, in with the new! We think Holly has a crush on Ken Barbie! Poor little Elf boyfriend back at the North Pole! Is the fact that the boys spent the morning wearing mittens a sign that I need to turn up the heat a little?? Tuesday Holly enjoyed herself with a bowl of popcorn and watching a new Christmas movie that Grandma Penny brought the kids. Wednesday Reid was not thrilled to see Holly hanging from the star causing it to bend sideways. Levi helping to get Holly down and return her to the doll house for the day. Thursday Holly got some friends involved in a fun, reindeer race! Oh and Bullseye the Horse joined in the competition too! It doesn't look like his finish turned out to well. Friday To celebrate the end of a busy holiday week, Holly used some of her magic to make some special pudding snowmen treats! What will week three with Holly Bring? Even though she still gets in to a little trouble, I think my kids are doing a pretty good job of working with her to keep her out of trouble. :)

Holly Jingles

On December 1st, Santa brought the kids a special friend of his, Holly Jingles the Elf. Holly gets to stay with us until Christmas Eve when Santa will pick her up while leaving some surprises for the kids to take her back to the North Pole. On Saturday morning they found her on the foyer buffet left with a letter to always remember the true reason for Christmas. Jaidyn and Addy were so excited about Holly that they wrote her sweet notes and a letter and taped them up in her living accommodation while she is at our house. I love Jaidyn's questions asking Holly if she reported to Santa, had lots of friends at the North Pole and if Rudolph is real. Sunday - While exploring the first night at our house she met some new friends and they played a friendly game of Candy Land. Monday - Holly helped celebrate Jaidyn's 8th birthday by bringing her a mini chocolate cake (which the kids ate for breakfast), a balloon and by leaving her a sweet message. She couldn't help herself and had to take a bite out of the cake...Elves love chocolate too! Tuesday - Holly just couldn't hold back any longer and was a little ornery. She replaced all their Christmas stockings with underwear and a diaper for Reid! Wednesday - Holly was found on the desk and had replied back to Jaidyn's letter and left the kids a brand new set of markers so that they could continue to write letters to her and draw her more pictures. She also reminded them that these new markers are permanent and to please keep them out of reach from Reid! Thursday - MMMmmm! Even though she didn't clean up all of her baking mess, the kids enjoyed her special chocolate chip mini muffins for breakfast. They all hope that she decides to bake more often. Jaidyn made a snowman face design in the bowl that Holly left out. Friday - Seriously! Did Holly not see that the house cleaner was just here yesterday? Did she really feel the need to dirty up the nice clean bathroom counter top? And poor Levi as she blamed her mess on him! He thought the mess was hysterical...probably because it usually is him who leaves toothpaste spit all over the counter. Blah! Stay tuned for more adventures with Holly! And we have another busy holiday weekend...Breakfast with Santa, Christmas ADVENTure play at church, Silver Dollar City with a friend for Jaidyn and a Christmas party for me.

Thanksgiving at the Lake & Christmas Cheer

We spent several days over the Thanksgiving holiday with Wes's side of the family at the lake house. It was mainly spent relaxing and eating way too much. The kids, as always love hanging with their cousins and enjoyed every minute of it. The girls helped Grandma make homemade donuts. They were quite impressed with their final count of donut holes at the end. Christmas came early as Grandma each family an Ipad. It's amazing what those devices can do! Once the Ipad was opened there wasn't much socialization going on unless it was fighting over who got to play on it. Unfortunately it was too windy to take the boat out on the lake, but it didn't stop the kids from riding up and down on the tram a couple of times. Jaidyn suckered Uncle Bear out of $5 for eating a jalapeno... Making McPenny's for breakfast(Bacon, egg, cheese on a croissant), Hadley's request. We are squeezing in little mini bouts of Christmas cheer when we can find the time... It only took 2 1/2 hours, but Wes managed to get 4 strands of lights put up on roof of the house...that's all the details that I will go in to. :) A short trip of looking at neighborhood Christmas lights resulted in two asleep and two acting like goons. :) Nana came for a night during the week when Wes was gone and read the kids one of her favorite Christmas stories, "The Polar Express" while the kids enjoyed hot chocolate with marshmallows. She and I (okay, mainly I) proceeded to polish off a bottle of wine after the kids went to bed. We had friends over for an evening get together and were also visited by a limo of carolers! Nothing like 70 degree weather for a Christmas parade! While most prefer more Christmas like weather, I happen to think it was just perfect! The girls turned cartwheels and threw out candy for a little over 2 miles with their gymnastic tumbling team. The girls attended a skating birthday party and fun they had! It was a first for the both of them and I'm pretty sure with all that wide open space Addy thought she was a speed skater. The many falls didn't slow either of them down one bit! Santa also delivered this "sweet" little elf, Holly Jingles as an early Christmas present to the kids. So far she hasn't gotten in to too much trouble, but I'll report back with all her adventures later in the week.