A little bit of Christmas

This is the best Christmas picture of Justin and I. It is posed which is why I am not making any weird faces as I unwrap presents and talk to people about them.

Christmas Recap

1. Christmas was extended to three days to accommodate all the family situations.

2. We received three of the same present. So much for giving out the same list to everyone even though it had at least 30 present ideas on it. Next year separate lists.

3. Holiday Birth control. Nine nieces and nephews hopped up on holiday candy running around screaming.

4. Two weeks of no work and the freedom to do nothing but read the Twlight Series. P.S. Justin read them faster than I did, he says that he skimmed the mushy parts.

5. we ate way too much junk food and I probably gained about 15 lbs. I love chocolate.

6. A commitment to work out more after realizing how much chocolate I ate. I promise I am going to start soon!

7. Caving on the four month pop hiatus to have 7-up and slush. Then I accidentally had two Dr. Peppers the next week. I have since repented and gone back to the Crystal Light.

8. After Christmas sales. I decided that my sweater selection was dismal and thought I would update it. It is a good thing I have a patient husband when it comes to the money I randomly spend.

9. My husband stating that next year maybe we should go to Mexico for Christmas.

10. This year our families spoiled us. We received: a Dyson Animal, movies, games to add to the repertoire, a new IPOD screen (we can finally take it off shuffle), kitchen gadgets (I am very excited about these) Money, scrapbook Items, camping air mattress (Lake Powell here we come) and numerous other gifts that we are using and loving. I want to tell our families thank you for all you gave us, you truly spoiled us.

Merry Christmas and to all a good night

I just wanted to tell you all Merry Christmas before the craziness sets in. Justin and I are looking forward to running from house to house and eating lots of food. May Santa bring you something nice and not a lump of coal. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Our Future Home

Another of Justin's family traditions is to make and decorate gingerbread houses. His mom probably spends all day baking each part to the house and then several accessories, like trees, sleds, snowmen, people, etc. I have a very poor imagination when it comes to decorating these houses, but I was pretty pleased with my creation this year. It features what our future house will look like and a typical winter day scene. Justin is pulling two of our children on a sled in the front yard. (not yet pictured in this photo) Our other two children are frolicking on the ice pond in the back and I am waving from the front door, most likely waiting for the apple pie I just baked to cool on the windowsill. We also have a small but profitable tree farm that helps pay the Christmas bills. All in all I think it is pretty close to realistic. What do you think?

It only takes two years

My niece and nephew were born on the same day four years apart. Last night at their birthday party, Easton showed that it only takes two years to catch on to what wrapping paper on a big box means. He was so cute, he grabbed all the presents in the stack even his sisters and started tearing at the paper. He would only ask for help when he actually got to the box and could not get the toys out due to twisty ties. In the picture to the right, Easton opened a cute train set and Emery opened white ponies. Easton immediately threw the train aside, yelled horses and took Emery's present. It is a good thing his sister is low key or didn't like the ponies, because she said Easton could have them.

Rollercoaster Sickness

I am unsure if I have a weak immune system or if it is the fact that I am around 40-50 small children each week that is causing me to be sick all the time. I try and use antibacterial hand sanitizer especially after they wipe their noses on your sleeve. I don't so much mind being sick normally. I was never one to skip school for a cold/headache but when you have to act like Barney all day to entertain small children and accomplish their speech goals, a cold somehow makes it impossible to do that. I have several friends working in the medical field and I am wondering if they are constantly getting sick like me? Besides being sick I am enjoying this time of year. I only have one present left to buy, what do you get your sister-in-law? I have all the other presents wrapped and under our tree. It makes it look like we are going to make a haul this year. However, they are all going to be distributed out to family members. Justin and I could not wait and started using our presents as soon as we bought them the day after thanksgiving.

Just when you are getting comfortable

Just when you start to get comfortable, wham they spring a new calling on you in church. I honestly thought I was going to be in Primary for a long time to come because every week they would tell me what a good job Justin and I were doing. Two weeks ago they split Justin and I up putting Justin in the 11 year olds class. I should have expected something, but I blindly went along thinking oh I get to stay with my cute five year olds. Well that was not the case. Today they called me to serve as the Laurels teacher. I have absolutely no idea how I am qualified to teach 16-17 year old girls but apparently the big guy thinks I am. Hopefully I will receive the revelation that I am too, because at this moment I am quite scared. I am also a little upset. Christmas songs are my favorite and their is nothing like listening to cute little five year olds sing away in a manger, Christmas bells, and many more.