I GUESS IT'S CHRISTMAS

So, to say I've been a horrible blogger would be an understatement. Something had to go, and time for my things was it. I'm so sorry to all my blogging friends for not being better. I still think of you all and miss being more involved. ONE DAY . . .

My Christmas cards are going to arrive late this year (sorry), but they should arrive sometime.

In the meantime, I just wanted to wish you all a

MERRY CHRISTMAS

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I Am Head-Over-Heels In LOVE

Yep, It's true!! I can't get enough of him.

I don't know if there has ever been a little boy so loved.

He also has his sisters, and his dad wrapped around his finger.

I mean, SERIOUSLY, how could you not love this face?

He gets more loves, and kisses, and snuggles.

He is one lucky little man :)

Now Where Did I Put The Bad Decision Chart?

THANKFULLY the chart has been gathering dust, but just when I think I can throw it away, I realize that I had better hold onto it.

I'm not making excuses . . .

OK maybe I am.

On a super busy day, topped off with an equally busy night, she strikes :)

After getting baby ready for bed, and putting the Vaseline on the counter (so Ethan wouldn't be in the middle of it), trying to get dinner started, homework finished, reading done, and then get everything cleaned so I could give the girls haircuts, this is what i found. . .




Yep, Vaseline SMEARED all over her. Arms, shirt, pants, ALL of it. In the middle of all the craziness, she decides it's a good idea to cover herself in Vaseline. BAD DECISION AVRIE!!!

We still had to eat dinner, then I had to cut their hair, so then they could get in the shower. There was no way I had time to stick her in the tub then, so she got to sit on her chair through dinner and hair cuts until it was her turn to bathe. And she cried the WHOLE time. HAPPY DAY.

So after getting everything done, all cleaned up, and everyone in bed, I fell onto the couch. So glad that was finished.

I got up the next morning ready to begin anew and discovered that she peed the bed. Yep, she couldn't stop at the Vaseline, she had to pee the bed. Now this is not a usual occurrence for her or I would be prepared. But as it was, EVERYTHING had to be washed down, mattress and all!

Thanks sweetie pie, that's just what I needed :)

Bad Decision Avrie!

So we were all ready to go to the basketball game. Avire was "suppose" to be sleeping. All I had to do was go in and wake her up. When I went in, this is what I found . . .

Avire, Avire, Avrie . . . What to do? What to do?

NOTE TO SELF: NEVER take a break. ALWAYS stress out and NEVER relax. Because when you do relax, THIS is what happens.


WAIT - scratch that. REMEMBER you have tried that and you almost went insane. So lets try this note thing again.


NOTE TO SELF (revised): Take a DEEP breath and sing a happy song (to try and shove all of those cuss words you have been saying in your head - OUT of your head). Calmly walk her to her bed and ask her if this was a "good decision" or a "bad decision". When she says "Ine Sorry mom, I didn't mean too" (with the biggest puppy dog eyes you have ever seen), try and remind her that we need to make "good decisions", not bad ones.

. . .

So after more then one (a LOT more then one) of these incidents. Kenadee decides to be the mother in this situation (because the real mom was in her room screaming into the pillow:).


She - sweet Kenadee that she is - decides to make Avrie a "Good Decision" chart. She is going to save up her candy, and for every three "good decisions" Avrie makes, she will get a piece. For every three "bad decisions", I get to take something away.


So far, good decisions are winning out - but it's a close race :)








Oh and this morning . . .

She got into the glue.

BAD DECISION AVRIE!!!!

Something Old . . .

I have been into everything Vintage lately. I have gotten through this winter (which surprisingly hasn't been that bad) by immersing myself in photoshop.

Sad, I know, but it's helped:)

Here are some of my favs.

For My Peace of Mind

Believe it or not, I'm still not done with December!!! It has been a crazy few months, and if I don't get it written down, I may very well forget.

For all of you waiting for something profound, or amazing (haha), or well . . . anything, I'm sorry - you must wait a little longer (maybe forever). Plus my mind has gone into hibernation, and I really don't know when it is going to wake up. It seems to take longer and longer each year :)

Now on with December - backing up a touch because I jumped the gun with my Christmas Eve post . . .

THE CHRISTMAS CARD

I could see what I wanted in my head, but had no idea how it was going to end up. The lighting was horrible, but with a little editing, I was pretty pleased with how things turned out :)

THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE

I have to thank my mom for getting us this. OK I grumbled a little :) Only because they whined until I finally had a night to sit down and do it!!

My best-ever little man :)

THE NEIGHBOR TREATS

I really do like to bake. When I'm the only one doing the baking, it's a little overwhelming. This year the girls are old enough to be a TON of help. We spent all day baking, and had a blast.

Now. . . CHRISTMAS DAY

BEFORE

AFTER

Had a blast with the Wii :)

We had the whole family over on Christmas day too.

Have you ever seen so much food? Every inch of counter was covered.

WOW - I think that does it for December. Although some event that I forgot could easily show up down the road. If it does, then I will deal with it then. For now I am done!!!

PAY IT FORWARD!

The Rules:

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!.

2. Winners must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your Three Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!

4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love!If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along.
Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! SO, REMEMBER... it is good... :) Pass it forward.


AND . . . I might feel generous and send something to the first FOUR people, so don't quit commenting at three :)

Christmas Eve

On to the next big party . . . Christmas Eve! Again we had a house full of people, food, games, fun. Opening Christmas jammies was quite the sight - 17 kids all packed into our living room, opening their jammies at once. Check it out . . .

We had all the grandkids there from my side and Kyle's side except 3 (so sorry you couldn't make it Barb). And there is Dayna of course :)

Blessing Day

We had Ethan's blessing the weekend of Thanksgiving. It turned out really nice. I made Cafe Rio (always a crowd pleaser :) and again we got to visit with family till late that night.

They would NOT hold still!!

I love this one. It's Emilee (Kellee's oldest) and Ethan catching a nap together.

So sweet! Isn't she so grown up and beautiful!

Thanksgiving

This year we had Thanksgiving in Lyman. My mom decided it was her turn to host. We had quite a few of my dad's family that were able to come. It was fun to see everyone and eat all the yummy food. My mom did a great job, and worked really hard to make it nice for everyone. Thanks mom!

The girls are helping me make Oreo Truffles. Yummy, Yummy!

Waiting patiently for the Green Bean Casserole to cook so we can go :)

Doesn't she look so HAPPY!

The dessert table - My favorite!

Playing BINGO

Grandma and all the Grand kids