Happy New Year!

So here are just some of my goals for 2009:

1. Try and locate and re-acquire any of the patience I had a few months ago.

2. Sleep as much as I can.

3. Look into how much those dental suction thingys cost.

4. Eat anything I can find that doesn't repulse me.

5. Try and cook a dinner that doesn't involve the microwave or boiling water first (ramen noodle soup, mac & cheese, rice etc.)

6. Gain weight, but not too much.

7. Exercise, but not at the expense of sleep.

8. Be nice to husband and children (see no. 1).

9. Attempt looking respectable at brother, Davis's wedding in April.

10. Enjoy every second of new baby in July.

"Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas"

We had a wonderful Christmas and hope you all did too. Unfortunately with all the to-do I didn't take very many pictures, but I did get a few.


We kicked off Christmas Eve at my parents with several of my siblings and their families and Davis and his FIANCE!!!!, Melissa. We had a beautiful turkey dinner and then watched a short little nativity video and then did a sing-along to "Hallelujah Chorus" which is always fun. The kids opened their jammies and we went home to be Santa's little elves. We tucked the kids in and most of them were tired enough to drift off to sleep, but poor little Anna only slept a couple of hours. The rest of the night she spent watching the clock for 7:00 am when they can come get us and begin the present opening. Brennan couldn't sleep either so he went downstairs to check on the girls around 1:00 and when he discovered Anna wide awake stayed down there with her for an hour or so and chatted. That was definitely a Christmas highlight for him. Mine was sleeping soundly in my bed :)

Nate in his new jammies

Ben and Abe aka trouble and more trouble

(These two felt Christmas wasn't quite white enough so upon discovering a box with Styrofoam in it ripped it into tiny little balls all over my mom's stairs and basement)

Abby and Anna

The girls came up at 7:00 sharp and woke Nate and Ben up. They had to wait anxiously in the hall while Brennan and I put a few finishing touches together (i.e. turn on the lights, start a fire, get the camera ready etc). Not like the seemingly 90 minute torture my mom used to put us through on Christmas morning. I'm pretty sure Dad went out and chopped the firewood and started it with some rocks, and Mom saved 435 candles to light for the occasion :) Anyway, we finally gave the go-ahead and they raced in to find their shiny new bikes and several wrapped presents. We took turns opening everything and the kids gave the perfect reactions to each carefully thought-out gift. Ben was a little bothered to have his play interrupted each time it was his turn to open a new one, but he got over it. He pulled an orange out of his stocking and started yelling, "Who wants my strawberry????" Here are a few shots of that morning:

Waiting in the hall

After breakfast and lazy time, we got dressed and went over to my parents for more presents, games, cousin time and food. Here are the little cousins playing "Ring Around the Rosies" with Grandma and Liza.

When we left that night it had started snowing - hard. It took us about 10 times, but we finally made it up our hill and then after about 7 tries we got up our driveway. We went to bed happy and grateful. Merry Christmas!

More Festive Fashion

I feel like my kids are certainly rich little characters, but I feel doubly blessed by the addition of their friends. Their friends like Chloe and Abby's best friend, Paige, have definitely added even more color to our lives. Yesterday Abby was playing at Paige's and Abby came home and retold the following conversation:

Abby: Paige, ever since we started 2nd grade you've been dressing really fancy.

Paige: Abby, fashion is becoming part of my life. (Begins skipping around humming "Popular").

LOL, these two crack me up. Paige told Abby all about what she was wearing to school tomorrow for their big class Christmas party. Abby came home and enlisted the very enthusiastic help of Anna to find something "fancy" to wear the next day. Anna got right to work and after lending Abby a skirt and leggings decided she would design the perfect shirt. She got right to it with wrapping paper, tape and scissors. Nate even got into the process and suggested she add a little glitter. Anna kept saying, "Nate! You are BRILLIANT!" She also said things like, "Abby, make sure you tell everyone that I made this for you." She finished her masterpiece and then made one for herself.

Here are the very festive original designs for your viewing pleasure:

Kindergarten Program

Today was Nate's big Christmas Program at school. He has been so excited and happily practising the many songs he's learned. I was excited, but not til we got there did it really hit me that this was kind of the first time we've ever really seen Nate perform. He had a tiny little preschool program last year, but it was pretty low-key. He's been of age to sing in 2 primary programs at church, but refused to go up both times, so as Brennan and I got there and watched the kids get ready we got even more excited. He looked so cute in his little Christmasey outfit topped off with a Santa hat that was too big for him and barely above his eyes. He was all business and did not break a smile (except once which I'll get to). He sang every word, with a furrowed brow, and intensely serious face.

Here is he ready for his big "rain stick" moment

He was really hard to see because he was right behind a little girl

He told me today that he was super excited for "the sway" and that he wouldn't tell me anything else about it. Well, when it came time for the big moment they were just singing "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" when all of a sudden Nate's face just lit up and he began a very deliberate series of movements: snapping, swaying, and beaming. I was sooooo upset I didn't have a good enough angle to capture it on video. We tried to re-enact it when we got home which I'll include here, but it doesn't come close to the magical moment in the program.

The Sway from Andrea W. on Vimeo.

Afterwards we got to go to his classroom for cookies. We're so proud of Nate, he did GREAT!

Lunch With the Mayor - Anna

You may remember last year I wrote about Abby getting to have "Lunch With the Mayor". Well, Anna got a turn this year. Each teacher eventually gets a turn to pick one child from her class to attend a lunch with a few other students, the school principal, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and Mayor. She loved it. Here's a photo of the big event:

The Real Story

Hopefully in a few days many of you will be getting a nice little Christmas card from us; however, when you do those of you who read our blog will not be fooled by the sweet little faces you will see. Here are our failed attempts at a photo shoot today:

The younger three are happy as can be, Anna is mad at me because she hates what I made her wear. (Yes, I made her, I let her wear basically anything she wants every other day of her life including her unique and originally designed outfits)

3 out of 4 isn't bad, right?

They're dropping like flies :(

My brother, Braden, is a teacher and has mentioned how much he loves getting ornaments from his students for a gift. I thought I'd have each of the kids paint one for their teachers. I think they turned out pretty cute.

Anna's, Abby's, and Nate's

Some Pictures!!!

Thank you, Joshy for saving the day with your card reader tip! Here are just a couple of random pictures and one video.

The boys in the first big snow, sledding down our driveway

We copy a tradition of my aunt Allyson's where sometime during the Christmas season the kids get to sleep under the Christmas tree. This is Abby, Anna and Nate the other night.

Tree skirt girl

This video is me attempting to catch Benny's new fake pout. You can see how quickly he snaps in and out of character.


Benny Pouting from Andrea W. on Vimeo.

Thanksgiving - Finally

We had a nice trip down South to spend Thanksgiving with some of Brennan's family. We left Tuesday afternoon and got to make a delivery of floor finish to a grocery store for Brennan's job. The kids loved going in the back of the store and felt very official. We finally arrived at Grandma Jamie's and Grandpa John's around 9:00pm. They have a beautiful, comfortable home and we were happy to be welcomed by their hospitality. Wednesday afternoon Brennan took off to reunite with his two boyhood best friends, Karl and Jameson. They met up for some golf, dinner, movie and chatting. Brennan loves these two and had a great time catching up with them. The kids and I hung out with John and Jamie and anticipated the big day. Thursday we helped (a little, John and Jamie did all the real work) get ready for our feast and happily greeted Brennan's brother, Brett. The nine of us had a lovely meal and it was easy to feel very thankful.

Brennan's mom, Jamie

Brennan and Anna, post feast


Brennan's brother, Brett

Nate and Abby anxiously waiting for the big meal

Later that day several members of Brennan's extended family stopped by for a fun visit. His aunt Launa never forgets my undying love for divinity without nuts and brought me some. It was fabulous. It was wonderful seeing them all, especially Brennan's Grandma.

Here's aunt Launa getting a spontaneous hug from Ben

Uncle Dixon wearing Abby's pilgrim hat

Friday morning we got up, packed up and headed to one of B's cousin's soccer tournament. We caught the last half and helped cheer them to a victory and then loaded up for our long drive home. It actually went pretty fast. We're so grateful for John and Jamie for taking such great care of us and putting up with all our noise.

Update

Still no pictures, I'm working on it. Thanks for the tips, Steph. I tried several different ports, and even bought a new cord. I'll email you when I get a minute. I can't wait any longer to post though, I feel so unconnected to my little blogging world.

It's finally snowing today! It's been such a spectacular Fall, but Christmastime just isn't the same without snow, so we're glad to welcome it. The big kids are outside sledding down our driveway as I write. Good times.

I was having a hard time getting excited to decorate the house and tree etc. because I knew it was the same old not very beautiful things we've had for many, many years now. Last Monday night the kids decorated the tree. They were so excited to pull out the same tired shabby ornaments. There are some they remember making at school or church. Then Saturday I finally finished everything else. I hung an advent calendar that my sister-in-law made for us years ago and carefully set out my favorite nativity that my mother-in-law gave me. I found some stocking holders I bought last year from the dollar store that look so pretty against the garland on the mantle. When I finished and the house was all clean I LOVED it. Each morning I can't wait to turn on the lights to the garland and tree and Christmas music. It's so cozy and homey and Christmasy. I love it all from the slightly ridiculous looking tree with very unevenly distributed ornaments to my two other nativity scenes with an earless donkey and more than one piece sporting hot glue. It definitely doesn't look like a department store catalog display, but it makes me feel happy, festive and loved.

Anna is the festive queen. For their primary Christmas party she wrapped the tree-skirt around her waist, added a black coat with a Christmasy red hat. For Church yesterday she added a fake little poinsettia she found to her hair. She just has to reflect whatever season we're celebrating and I love that about her. The kids watched "A Christmas Story" a few nights ago and Anna's a little bitter that the kid in the movie gets his bb gun while she is going to be deprived of a dog, yet again. We love Anna.

Abigail said another prayer last night wherein she said, "please help us remember all the symbols of Christmas, like the candy cane is the shepherd's staff." I thought that was really cute and classic Abby. We currently have several presents to the boys wrapped and under the tree. Abby and Anna each have one so far and Abigail can't stop worrying about the discrepancy. I keep assuring her that there is plenty of time til Christmas, and they will be getting gifts, she's not so sure. We love Abby.

Nate is very excited to be figuring out how to read and write. It's really cute to watch his beaming enthusiasm as he improves these exciting skills. He still has a tendency to get words a little bit wrong, and I'm loving it as long as I can. The latest one is instead of "pilgrim" he kept telling us all he'd learned about the "programs". Our congregation at church is called a "ward" but Nate is constantly asking me if so and so is in our "reward". We love Nate.

Ben saw Nate lying on the floor sad the other day and went to him, crouched down, and lovingly said, "Why you crying, buddy?" He also is asking me every hour if "we open our presents now?" It must seem terribly cruel to dangle these fabulous gifts in front of him and then expect nobody to touch them for 17 more days. Benny is kind of fascinated with "Santa Closet" this year. Hopefully Santa won't hold a grudge against him for getting his name wrong, he comes by it honestly (Brennan is terrible with names). We love Benjamin.

I Know, I know..

I'm like the lamest blogger ever. It's not entirely my fault though. My stupid camera won't load my pics. I have my little Thanksgiving weekend post already if I could just get my camera to upload my pics onto my computer. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. (Any tips would be greatly appreciated, how do I know if it's a computer or camera issue?) Too bad I don't know anything about technology and I just have to wait til it magically works again. Patience is not a virtue I possess. Grrrrr.

While you wait in great suspense for the previously mentioned post, here's another super exciting post to help tide you over. :)

So my dear, sweet formerly-known-as-"Grinchy-poo" Brennan, actually put up our outside lights this year. This is a job he absolutely DETESTS and in years past I have had to beg, bargain, bet, bribe and get the kids to do the same to get this done. A couple of sad years we've even gone without. I have been tempted to do it myself several times, but I'm kind of scared of heights (it has to do with a fake bridge in a play I was in collapsing). Anyway, this year without one attempt to beg or make a deal he just did it. He hated every second of it, but he did it!!!!!!!!! This is going to be a great Christmas Season! Woo woo!

Just another random tidbit for you, last night Abby was saying our family prayer and said, "please help us remember the real reason for Christmas..., but thank you that we can still get presents." I got a kick out of that. I'm pretty sure she didn't want us or Santa to get any ideas like she was above getting gifts. She's good, but not that good.

And one more that I'm a little torn about whether or not to record, but I always err on the side of telling so hope this isn't too much for anyone. Last night Ben started dancing and singing an original song at the top of his lungs. The lyrics are as follows: "I love my peeps, I love my bum-bum." "Peeps" is the word he uses for his you-know-what. Yeah, isn't that a sweet song? The kids swear he came up with it all by himself and they had nothing to do with it. I tried not to laugh, but of course all the kids were dying laughing so now it's his favorite little ditty. Can't wait til we have polite company over. Boys.