Celebrating Christmas!

When Kyndal was born we began the tradition of being at home for Christmas. I just love waking up and lounging around all day while the kids play with their new toys. We did get out of our pajamas later in the day though (more later).

We enjoyed another year of sleeping in, we were up before the older kids. So far we have avoided those pre-dawn wake-up calls from the kids that Santa has come and gone. (Unless you count those middle of the night feedings for Chase!)

This was the first kiddo awake...

He was all smiles, sporting his snowman jammies! Baby's first Christmas!

We hadn't been awake long when this big guy came running up the stairs. He dove right into his stocking....

The girls weren't too far behind him!

Apparently a little camera-shy, that's a first!

My Christmas clowns :o)

A remote control jeep!

New dolls are always a hit with Kennedy!

A new table/chairs for Kennedy

I'm not sure if Corbin or Casey was more excited about this Nascar race track.
This was the "top gift" for sure!

A baby doll and room full of gadgets, this was her "hit gift!"

Kyndal loved her "K" shirt, she's been wanting one for ages! She got a box full of new art supplies too, she's our little artist so they will get hours and hours of use!

She knows what is in the box! I couldn't put it under the tree because it kept "barking" at me every time I walked by it......

We aren't pet people, but I got talked into this Go-go dog and it was her big gift. This Furreal pet is at the top of Kennedy's list for her birthday now too! The girls had a blast with it.

The boys playing with the Nascar set...

My Boys!

Us girls!

December Catch-Up

As always December was a busy month for our clan and I had no time for posting! We just ended our last Christmas celebration this morning and our whole family is ready to get back to some structure. I will post soon about our Christmas festivities...but first here is a snapshot of what we did in December.

The girls both participated in gymnastics at the YMCA. It was Kennedy's first time and she absolutely loved it! We haven't decided what programs to participate in this winter. I would really like for them to do swimming lessons, but Corbin and Kennedy aren't fond of the idea.

We celebrated my SIL's (Erika) 30th birthday, with a surprise party at our house. She was totally fooled and we all had a great time!! It's hard to pull off a surprise for adults but so fun when it works :)

Some of the party guests enjoying every crumb of the birthday cake!

Partying hard!

Jimmy and Erika

The babies partying in their diapers in Chase's room...we thought the party would be G-rated!

We had a good time at Jodee's cookie decorating party! Loved her coordinating colors!



Santa made a surprise visit! It was perfect since we hadn't had a chance to run into him yet!

Chase enjoyed the sugar cookies too!

He also enjoyed seeing the puppies outside, he has a great bark!

The three older kids participated in our church kids program. Kyndal was an angel, Corbin was a sheep and Kennedy was a star. Chase was so fun to watch, he enjoyed every second of it. The pictures didn't turn out very well but the performance was very sweet!

These are just a few of our sweet memories from last month, I will share more very soon!

The Days Before Christmas

Two days before Christmas we were already in vacation mode. The kids didn't have school so they spent the day at the Cooper Y and it was Casey's last day of work until after New Years. We were happy to have some unexpected visitors for the evening.

Casey's Dad works for the railroad out of Fremont so he frequently drops in for a day or two between runs. We love having him around, especially Kennedy! This happened to be one of those days, and it was perfect timing. Aunt Erika brought the two youngest boys over (she has FOUR boys!) and Aunt Kristin was in town and hadn't met either of the babies. It was nice catching up with everyone and relaxing.

Aunt Kristin cuddling up with McCoy

Kennedy snuggles up with Grandpa. When he's around she is glued to him!

Little Ryder (two years)...pretty funny to watch him and Kennedy. They totally love each other one minute and are screaming at each other the next!

Yep, it was a fun-filled day at the Cooper Y! Kyndal and Corbin crashed out early in the living room. We can always tell when they've played their hearts out :o) It was so cute to see them somewhat snuggled up together!

I headed off to work early Friday morning and snuck in an early workout. It was SOOOO weird not having to round up the troops and do drop off. I love working out in the morning, but it happens very infrequently. Casey chilled at home with all the kids and I worked till 2:00.

When I got home we lounged around awhile longer and then headed out to Christmas Eve service at our church. We've been wanting to drive around and look at lights and just haven't found a good night so we decided to pass on a nice meal at home or a restaurant and ate a quick bite at Arby's! Even though it's our favorite fast food joint we kept saying how weird it felt to be eating there on such a special occasion. But the important thing is we were all together celebrating the birth of our Savior and King!

We loaded back in the suburban and drove around for an hour looking at some beautiful light displays. Some people really go all out.....we even saw a real Santa and Mrs. Claus waving in their yard and had to drive by twice to shout "Merry Christmas!" My favorites are the ones that are coordinated to local radio stations.

When we got home the kids anxiously put out the cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer and more lists of more things they wanted :o) It wasn't long before the little ones were all asleep so Santa could catch some shut-eye too!

Santa and the reindeer left only crumbs!

The stockings are full and ready for the early risers!

My super special little elf!!!

Christmas Program

The weekend before Christmas, Casey and I and Chase went to Omaha to celebrate our belated 10 year anniversary. We didn't have anything specific on the agenda except for relaxing. We did a little shopping, caught a movie at the new Aksarben theater and ate some great food. Oh and slept in!

When we got back to town Sunday morning we picked up the kids, cleaned up and headed to church for their Christmas program. This is the 3rd year they participated. Kyndal and Corbin were both looking forward to it, but I could tell Kennedy was unsure...

Some pictures before the program:

With her star; she wouldn't sit in her row unless I sat next to her. Then Chase got fussy so Grandma sat with her while I held him and took pictures.

Stage fright! Grandma is on the right trying to convince her to stay, but...she wouldn't :o)

No stage fright here...he was the first one and he ran onto stage!

Corbin is on the left, he did a great job with all the actions, we could tell he was really into it. Unfortunately Kyndal was in the 3rd row and all we could see was the top of her head.

More Christmas coming soon!

Let the Celebrations Begin...

We celebrated an early Christmas with my family this year. With all of the kids it gets a little crazy (ok maybe a lot!) but they have a blast with each other and us siblings love every minute we get to spend together. My Dad didn't make it this year but Mom and Owen made the long trek from Arkansas :o) We were so glad no one had to deal with bad weather (unlike last year!) We rotate who hosts and this year it was my little sister, Kara's, turn. She lives here in Lincoln too.

Mom and Owen

Marissa (my niece) cuddling with Chase

Unfortunately I overdid my workouts the week prior and ended up injuring my back Saturday morning. I am actually still recovering from the injury, a long two weeks later, but it is so much better. It got so bad I couldn't even walk one day. That doesn't work so well with an infant! It made me realize it's ok to ask for help...and to accept it too! But I'm really glad the major pain is gone!!!

Kennedy not getting her way, doing a little pouting

My niece, Ashlynn, upset about the white elephant gift she chose

Nieces Lizzie and Annabelle playing with their new toys

The legendary bow-on-the-head picture

Kennedy with her new baby doll, you can't go wrong with that gift for her!

Nephew, Austin, new spy-gear goggles

Annabelle with her stylin' bed-head!

Elfin' Kara (my sister)

Uncle Terry and Kennedy

Mom made us all new stocking bags this year, we love them!

Corbin stoked about his new Zhu zhu pet

All the grandkids except Marissa

Crashed out, can you see the drool on the sheet?! We had an awesome weekend but were worn out by the end of it!