Saturday: Day 1

Today August set off for China. This is blog is our means of communicating our day, so he can read it while gone:

Saturday started off as usual...breakfast, cleaning and a few projects. The kids painted pics for August while I continued my organizing spree. Today it was above the fridge. Purged and re-organized. Felt good.

In the afternoon, we picked up Ty to come babysit while I went out to dinner with my Dad, Bella, Casey, Hayley, Nicole, Eric and Kael for my up-coming bday. We ate at a Mexican restaurant down by university mall. I got mole...it was REALLY good. I enjoyed every one's company and as we were about to set off when Bella puked, and puked and puked all over me, the table, the floor and everywhere else. She has never puked before. I am not sure if she was sick or if she choked on chips. I haven't ever given them to her, but she got a hold of one and I didn't take it away. She then puked the entire way home.

When I got home Brady and Britney had arrived and we all watched G-Force. The plan was to take everyone to church in the morning. But, Josh started coughing so hard before bed that he also threw up all over my bedroom. More puke! So, I let everyone sleep in. Bella seems fine this morning. No more puke. Josh's cough is getting worse and he coughed/puked again this morning.

We will see how the rest of the day goes.

Party like it's....2010

We rang in the new year with these FABULOUS people. We started the evening at Pirate Island Pizza with Nate, Stephanie, Abbi, Beni, Maddi and my Dad. The food was OK and the atmosphere was OK.

The best part was hanging out with everyone. Josh and Beni are serious Best-buds.

Abbi and Caleb are in love. Abbi has decided that they are going to get married and have 4 daughters (was that right Steph?). LOL! She is the cutest girl on the planet and Caleb LOVES her to death. I would go as far as to say she is the girl version of Caleb. Perfect pair.

We then spent the evening eating treats and playing Ticket to Ride. We won't say who won because it might make his head swell.

Stephanie is an amazing person. You know how sometimes you are lucky enough to meet a person that is not only nice, but that you have something in common with? This girl and I have way too much in common and she has inspired me to improve my homemaking skills. Google use to be my go-to for info. Not anymore. Steph knows EVERYTHING!!!

Proof

See boys. At one time you DID love each other:

Let's hope this doesn't change. I snapped this when I had finished my shower and snuck down the stairs to catch them doing something they weren't suppose to. (Isn't that what happens when things are too quiet?) But instead, I found them watching TV and cuddling. It made me happy to know that I didn't have to clean up some mess that I expected...

Cracks me Up!

This girl cracks me up. When she is eating carrots (only carrots), she won't use her hands. She prefers the hoover method as seen in these photos:

Christmas Morning

We had SUCH a great Christmas this year that I have had a hard time putting it into words. Thus, it has taken me a MONTH to get this post published.

I am not sure what it was that made it so great. Maybe it was that we were surrounded my everyone we love and felt SOOOO thankful for everything we had been blessed with. Maybe it was that we enjoyed our kids to pieces (all three this year) and that the boys are getting older which changes the things you can do. Or, maybe (probably) it was that we really tried to have a Christ-centered month.

The kids awoke early. But, I was up even earlier. I was up at 5AM, showered, dressed and made up for the day. I have a thing with opening presents in my pj's and feeling yucky. I just don't enjoy it. August always jokes that I want him to put on his "sunday best" just to open presents. Whatever...it is my thing. Caleb woke up first at 5:30 READY to go. We waited until 6 AM to wake the little kids. Bella woke right away and was excited to have someone wake her up rather then the other way around. Josh told us he was NOT done sleeping and to let him finish. LOL! We woke up my Dad and August did the Christmas Thing (tree lights on, music playing...)


The kids got a present from Santa and a few from us/each other.

I think that the greatest gift anyone can give, is the gift of time. Grandpa Mike spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with us and gave us that gift. We had time to do things.
No rushing. Just enjoying.

Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Kelly visited later in the morning. (I missed the picture!!!) The kids got a tent and they spent the WHOLE day in it. As you see, Josh enjoyed the baby doll from Gma/Gpa even more then Bella. You will laugh if you have read my earlier post about Josh having to use a truck for a baby because we didn't have any!
Now we have plenty and he LOVES them.

Caleb is 5 1/5. His favorite present was Indiana Jones on the Wii.

Josh is 2 1/2. His fav was anything to do with cars/trucks.

Bella is 8 months. She didn't rip and tear at the presents like the boys did when they were little. She was happy just to sit and look at all of the pretty colors. She loves to give her babies kisses.

Grandma and Grandpa Spangler came for Christmas Dinner in the afternoon. We had ham, sunday potatoes, pretzel salad, rolls and green bean casserole. It was SOO good. I loved cooking a big meal. It felt very festive.

The day consisted of the kids staying in their pj's all day and just playing. Josh even took his nap in the tent. I read my new book and took a nap by the tree. August glued, played and also got a nap. Casey and Hayley stopped by that evening and it was fun to see them.

It was casual and enjoyable.

I just kept reflecting on how this was all possible because of my Savior. Our life isn't perfect. But, we have it pretty good. I realize that I don't often get sappy on this blog. But, on this day my heart felt soo full of his love and sacrifice that it wouldn't feel right if I didn't include it in this post. After all, we were Celebrating HIS birth.

Christmas Eve

We continued with our Christmas Eve tradition this year and made pizzas. They turned out delicious.

I made half chicken/bacon/ranch with Gouda and spinach and the other half bbq chicken/red onion. The boys made the "usual" pepperoni and black olive.

We had my Dad with us for the festivities. We are thankful every year that he is willing to spend time with us.

August helped Caleb.

It turned out really good. Very saucy!

Josh did good also.

Bella just enjoyed eating them! Bring it on!!

After dinner the kids opened their pajamas and movie.

Snowboarding for Caleb and McQueen for Josh.

Bella was our little ballerina.

We finished off the night watching their new movie, "Night at the Museum 2", ate tons of snacks that Grandpa Mike gave us and just enjoyed one another. It was relaxing and fun.