The Last Waffle

When do you know if you've left the last waffle in too long? (No, this is not a chocolate waffle.) And the best part is this is what was in the waffle iron when I opened it this morning. The last time we had waffles was Christmas morning. Hmm....

Babysitting Dilemma

So...what do you pay a babysitter? I can never get a babysitter to actually answer that question. We have finally found an AWESOME baby sitter - she is our neighbor, she actually plays with the kids, and we LOVE her! It is so nice to know your kids are being taken care of when you can't be with them, or just need some one-on-one time with your hubby. So, what is the going rate?

And of course, who can resist these darling faces (ok, you can't see Jack's - but pretty cute!) I almost think they should pay me to let them be with my angels! (This is us caroling on Christmas Eve - thanks Sayda for the picture - of course you have to be a true blogger at heart to take pictures of your carolers!)

What's to Complain About?

As I sit and feel sorry for myself because I have not been involved with all the joviality of the extended family parties because of snow covered roads, I listen to my children play contentedly with each other at the kitchen table. The toys are still new, the holiday spirit still lives and they chatter to one another, "Pass the zizzors please." "Wow, good job." "Is that for me?" What I don't hear is, "Why aren't we in Utah?" "Aren't we going to a party?" "I'm bored." My children have had a wonderful Christmas and feel loved and secure with our little family. They don't feel anything is missing, this is their life, the five of us. Even though I do miss all the fun and socializing, I am sitting here fully content for the first time in two days (it could be that Jack wanted me to open some play dough and I got three kisses in return!) Even though my kids love their cousins, they love being home, they are home-bodies and I hope they always will be. (Though in an effort to feel busy I have cleaned and boxed up all the Christmas - all that is left are the lights on the front tree. Couches are even back to their rightful places - and my husband helped the entire time!)

Christmas Hugs

Here is just a collage of hugs from this morning. Lots of sweet, tender moments along with the excitement. Boy In love this time of year!

Ok - I know this looks like a wrestling move, but he is just about to kiss her on the head.

After getting her grown up camera.


Pretty tender.

Christmas Morning

Jack's favorite toy of the morning - a Mack truck from the mailman (It was from his cousin Josh but they mailed it so...) He loved everything but this is the one he keeps coming back to this one.

Jacee's reaction to her own real digital camera. (Immediately followed by some disappointment the picture quality was not as good as mommy's camera - but then ok again when we discussed that it was better than the "toy" cameras.)

Maddie loved everything. She gave a little squeal with each new gift that was opened - where did she learn that?

Maddie was a quick study - she caught right on that there were presents for everyone, so she kept track and knew when it was her turn to open a new one.

The tradition of lining up on the stairs - and yes - I am the oldest so I am on the top step. (Something daddy and Grama Binki don't let me forget!)

Everyone in bed before going down stairs. John really was more awake and excited than he looked in these pictures. At a little after 7am, he rolled over and said, "Should we go wake up the kids?"

Christmas Eve Night

Opening an early present from Grama Binki.

Putting out cookies and milk and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. (At one point there were 15 carrots on the plate, we convinced her there were only 9 reindeer.)

In their new jammies before bed. They were pretty tired after snowmobiling and then caroling to 18 families (ok, so not all were home but we still left them some fudge.)

Love you all!

Christmas Eve

Here is a close up of two things: John made Grama's turkey gravy - that's right - he got the recipe and from the way it tasted, I'd say she gave him the real thing! And also, notice the stuffing on his plate - and he did eat it.

Here is our table for Christmas Eve dinner - thanks Grama Mission for all the fun things you have to use for special occasions: gold silverware, gold napkin ring holders, candles, beautiful dishes, goblets, Christmas plates. It sure was fun.

New coats! They got to open them early since John took them snowmobiling at Grampa Brents.

Jacee mashing bananas for banana bread.

The passing of the torch. John teaching his daughter to make fudge. He better give her the real recipe!

We hope you all had as much fun as we did on Christmas Eve!