Christmases 2011

We celebrated our family Christmas this year the evening of the 22nd. We were no longer puking at our house so that was good. We went out for dinner then came home to open Christmas presents. My husband joked that is was an expensive meal since only two out of the six people ate. Our stomachs still weren't right. The kids loved having what they call fake Christmas. We all got nice things.

The family truckster got loaded up on the 23 (Friday) and we headed north to Boom's and Gee's house. Traditions were followed. Cookies got decorated followed by (most of the) grandkids in the "round and round" tub.

Christmas eve was spent hanging out, watching football, going to mass, coming home to chat, having a wonderful prime rib dinner along with other fantastic food then cleaning up the mess before opening presents. And, oh boy did presents get opened. Christmas is so much fun with little kids. They truly make it magical.

Santa found us in Nebraska. I believe everybody was thrilled with what Santa brought them. Isaac even got his bowling alley. Ask and you shall receive, I guess. Santa is quite a guy.

On Christmas day we went to my parents house. My mom had her extended family over for dinner. It's so nice getting to spend Christmas with my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandma. It's great that we are able to still do this.

All the cousins, their kids, and Grandma Porter

After everybody left we decided it was as good as time as any to have Christmas with my parents, siblings and their families. The kids were thrilled with the decision to open presents at night rather than waiting another day to do so. Christmas dinner was on the 26th before everybody had to get back for work the next day. Another wonderful prime rib dinner. We are spoiled!

The rest of our time in Nebraska was spent chatting and catching up. The kids played wonderfully and loved the fact that Nebraska had snow so Papa could pull them on the sled behind the golf cart. Red-neck sledding? All that matters is the kids loved it.

You know we live in a climate that has little snow when my kids were excited to see all the snow on the ground. (Yes, there's hardly any snow.)

Merry Christmas and thank you all for making it memorable one!

Music to my ears

All four kids had school Christmas programs this year. Both programs were a joy to watch. Little kids are so darned cute to watch on stage.

Carson's and Owen's program was on a Monday night. Just the Kindergartners participated in the school Christmas program. Some may say it was far from perfect (poor music teacher had technical difficulties with the music not playing) but looking through my eyes it was perfect. The kids knew every song, with or with background music playing. Carson had a small speaking part. Both boys sang their little hearts out and jammed out more than most (at a school Christmas program.)

After the program was over we went to celebrate a job well done at Orange Leaf. That's a huge treat in our family!

Stella and Isaac had their preschool Christmas program on a Thursday afternoon. I was surprised with how much they knew. The knew most of the words to every song and saying. Their program had students that ranged in age from 3-5 years old. Their Christmas program was pretty adorable!

Good friends are the BEST!

After partaking in this…

Kindergarten Christmas party

…I drive to a friend's house. (She was so kind to pick up the Littles from Sack Lunch for me.)

When I walk in I find...

The most beautiful gingerbread houses ever!

My dear friend did this with three three year olds. All kids were smiling, having fun and getting along perfectly. Amazing!

Unfortunately, Isaac has little self-control and couldn't help but eat all the candy before, during, and after putting the candy on his house. Stella's was later a little less beautiful when her brothers got a taste of her candy. It was a good effort, though.

Thank you Dina! You're the BEST!

Visiting the Big Man in the Red Suit

Can you guess who we saw?

The kids were so excited!

They saw Santa!

Stella even sat on Santa's lap. For the first time (since she was an infant) she didn't cry, wasn't scared, and was actually pretty excited to see the big man.

Their requests this year were:

Carson wants the Nerf gun that shoots frisbees.

Owen requested the race track that goes on the wall.

A purple baby and some Barbies for Stella.

Isaac asked for a bowling ally. This made Santa laugh a lot! Isaac doesn't see the humor in his request at all.

Santa couldn't believe that "these cute kids" were Jets fans. We got the feeling Santa likes the Chiefs. (The Jets defeated the Chiefs today.) Santa implied this may be why he wears a red suit. That or else he's a Husker fan :)

After visiting Santa we went inside The Prairie Pines gift shop and looked at all their Christmas trees and festive decorations. It's always decorated so beautifully.

Busy

I keep busy. It's a way of life for me and my kids.

I realize I'm no different than so many moms out there. I feel like I'm on the go all the time. Activities are good for (my) kids. Keeping kids active while having fun is always the best kind of activity to have. Here's a few "activities" my four kids are involved in at the moment…

Gymnastics for the Littles.

Gymnastics for the Bigs.

And a little basketball to round things out.

And when the kids aren't doing their "activities" they are busy playing at home, with friends, or are at school and preschool.

Oh, to be young again and so full of energy!

Turkey Trot

Saturday, November 19, my six year old son and I ran in the 36th annual Turkey Trot two mile race. This is our second race together. Carson has the running bug! He ran his first two mile this summer. This was his second two mile run ever. The first race we finished in 22 minutes and 22 seconds. I was so proud.

It was very windy and rather chilly on race day. I was expecting to hear a lot of complaining about it being cold and had resigned to finishing this race in about 25 minutes. Much to my surprise none of what I just mentioned ever occurred. Carson was so excited for his race. He had a smile on his face throughout our run. We held hands for a mile or so (due to so many people and me being worried that we'd get separated.) After our race Carson ate his turkey hotdog and ran a little more as he watched the 10 mile runners pass by.

Once again Carson made me so proud! We finished the race in 18 minutes and 24 seconds. Four minutes faster than our first race! Carson finished first among all other six year olds. Unfortunately, he did not place among his age group which was 3-10 year olds. (Had he been a girl he would have placed third.) Carson placed 230/1000 plus runners, but was 26th overall in the age graded competition. What a kid!

Reach for the Stars

When asked what he wants to be when he grows up…

A school bus driver.

Last year he wanted to be a pond cleaner.

This can only mean one thing

Can you guess who came to visit?

Roasting marshmallows over an open fire can only mean one thing…

Papa and Mimi came to town.

This year we tried roasting the pink (strawberry) marshmallows.

They were a hit.

Thank you for our campfire Papa and Mimi! We loved it.

Mural

Question: What does every good mom do before having a wall in the house torn out?

Answer: Let her kids color on the wall of course!

So sad that we couldn't keep the mural.

However, I'm not suggesting the kids make another mural anywhere else in our house.