Christmas Day

Christmas morning was a busy one. Since we planned on going to church at 9:00 we invited Grandpa and Grandma over at 6:30 to watch the kids open their presents. It is a little bit of a shock to be woken up with the sound, "Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas" when you are dead to the world! After getting no answer at the door Grandpa, Grandma and Stevie let themselves in through the garage. For some reason the kids didn't want to wake us up and had been sitting at the top of the stairs waiting. Of all the days to let us sleep in. It was a nice thought though.

They all raced down the stairs to find the new bikes(their old ones had been out grown and very heavily used) that Santa had left.

Annalyn was making herself right at home on hers

They mowed through the presents even though we tried to keep it organized.

Annalyn had a hard time leaving her bike.

Until she found she got clothes for Christmas too!

Santa brought a very special gift this year for Shermie.

After we did present at our house we got ready and went to church with Mande and Tim in there ward. Mande had a solo in the program which surprised Tim who she didn't tell. She did beautiful.
After a quick stop home and a return to PJ's we then went to Gramie and Pop Pops for more presents and a yummy breakfast.

Cutie little Girlies!

We open presents with Uncle Mike then after Gramies we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's for a nice Christmas dinner. It was a fun packed day and it was so nice to be with so much of our family (Though we really missed the ones that couldn't make it this year and they better come next!). It was good to see Spencer, Sarah, Ronda and Stevie (Annalyn's "STEVEN" she was stuck to him like glue and fell asleep on him to night in a row). I am glad they could be here. It made it that much better.

Merry Christmas!!

Putting Up the Tree

Setting up the tree usually goes pretty smoothly. Usually. This year as we wrestled to keep the tree up in it's stand it look like usually was not going to happen but then we got it to work.

So up went the star who's lights were all out so down came the star...

...but up went the rest of the lights, the ornaments and the garland. We were all but done putting on the last ornaments.

Dad was tired (thanks to the NyQuil) because he wasn't feeling well so he went to ahead to bed.

I came up stairs for a minute and then I heard a big crash and then the kids yelling that the tree had fallen over. SO MUCH, FOR USUALLY! I was Thankful that Grandma came over to help me clean up the glass and mess form the tree. We got it propped up against the wall and left it till we could get a better stand.

With the new stand secured the tree is finally finished and it only took a week. Matthew and Nic got a hold of my camera and decided to take their pictures with the finished tree.

If they had not we might not have had a finished picture because I was done with that tree. Looking at it now I think it turned out pretty good. Even still after Christmas I am watching the sales for a fake tree!

Cutting Our Tree?

My husband and I had ourselves a good laugh today!

We told the boys we were going to go find and cut our Christmas tree today. They were so excited running around finding hats, gloves, coats, etc. Talking about their game plan for trudging through the snow and searching the woods for the perfect tree.

I few weeks before we promised my dad that we would take out some trees they wanted to get rid of at their house. So naturally Sherman and I thought it was a perfect way to get a free tree. ;)

With the kids loaded in the truck we drove the 3 miles to my parents house and told the kids to pick out their tree. Their reactions were priceless!  I don't think any of them were happy.

Matthew was the least impressed. The others laughed at it as they decided that we were serious...Matthew did not! I just kept saying, "no...No...NOOO!" in disbelief.

In the end I think we ended up with a good tree...

...and a laugh to last a life time!

Christmas!

 The kids in there new pj's Christmas eve and morning.

Here they come running to see what Santa brought.

 Annalyn unwrapping and sporting her new duds. She is such a cutie.

 The boys opening their presents from us and each other. 

 

At Gramie and Pop Pop's .

What a wonderful day we had with our family.

Christmas Cookies

Aunt Dee brought over stuff to make Christmas cookies. We made ginger bread and two kinds of homemade Oreos. The kids had a great time cutting, decorating and filling the cookies.

 

Here is how they turned out:

They were delicious too.

Alexander's Super Duke

Today we surprised the boys with a trip to Cedaridge.  Sherman and I have been talking about getting another dog but haven't really pursued it. Then he called me today wanting to go see a Golden Retriever ("a good bird hunting dog").  Right after work we loaded them up. We didn't tell the boys where we were going but we did talk to them about how to act when you meet some you new: polite,calm,quiet, patience. We got to the house and they invited everyone in so the boys lined up on the coach. They brought the dog in and the boys all got excited, petting him and loving him (Annalyn was more interested in the cat...not happening). He was very calm and cool while they were all over him. Then we asked them if they would like to bring him home. "YES!!!!!", they all shouted.

Yep, I'm a sucker for big, brown, droopy eyes.  So here we are with a new member to the family and a friend for Jake. Such a pretty boy.

Tada!

So our Charlie Brown tree isn't too bad after all.
Sherman and the boy's checking light.
Annalyn helping with lights.
Trying to get as many lights on the tree as possible for the illusion of fullness.
Annalyn's turn to but on the star (got a new star with lights).
The proud group.

Joy To The World!

Tree Hunt

This year just for fun (and because Sherman threw out our fake tree) we decided to go cut our own. A much involved search was on. Not for the trees but everyone's snow gear. There was a lot of questioning from the kids on the necessity of snow gear because we currently have no snow on the ground. I assured them that there would be snow up to their hips(this afforded my quite the look from my eldest son who was also the most vocal in questioning).We were short two pairs of snow suits. We loaded up and went off to the Good Will to see if we could find some, then head out directly. We left the house at about 9:30 making a pit stop to let Gramie's dog out again before the GW. It was a fruitless venture so we turned to Target next door instead. On getting back into the truck we discover that two of the boys felt they really didn't need their heavy coats at all and had left them at home. So after dropping me at the door to Target Sherman headed home for the neglected coats. By the time he got back it was nearly 11:00 and we figured we better grab some burgers for lunch. At the drive up we ordered our lunch of burgers, chicken, and salad only to be told they were not currently serving lunch. Sherman asked when lunched started. The reply was "11:00", less than 5minutes away(Seriously people?). We drove away, laughing, to hit the McDonald's at the other end of town on our way out.
When we got up to the cutting area there was a great deal of debate over where to stop. After dropping off the hitch-hiking snowboarders, several drive by stops and one false stop we found a place where a lot of people where stopping (bad sign, not good). We unloaded, got everyone bundled and booted and started the three hour tour. In snow up to our rears (I know amazing right?) we trudged through the woods. Up, down, back and forth looking for those elusive "good trees" we had seen everyone else pulling out. Tuffer and Matthew having ventured the furthest out said they found a good one and to have dad come and get it. Back up the hill through the deep snow I went to get him where he was sleeping in the snow with Boo on his chest (what the french toast!). I didn't feel too bad then sending him after the boys even though the tree they pulled out was a little lacking and somewhat reminiscent of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. On the way home the boys and I where trying to convince him to do a "swap out" tree, which is against the rules so we were stuck.
I just hope, like Charlie Brown's Tree, that it will magically be full when all the lights and decorations are on it. At any rate the experience was worth it if only for the memories and laughs. What a Great day!!

Happy Holidays!

More Christmas Fun

The best gift we got Christmas morning was this Little Christmas Angel.

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Loa McCall

8lbs 10.2oz and 20 inches long

We are all very excited she is here.

I got some very special rings from the boys. Monte, Kimi and Madi came from Idaho. We love to spend time with them. Madi is such a cute, sweet, fun girl. She use to be solidly on team Edward but before she left she said she was on team Uncle Sherman. I think Ava is on team Uncle Monte.

The kids had just as much fun opening present for the second time. Annalyn was definitely getting the hang of it.

Shermie found he shared a name with his toy, "Sherman Cortez". The boys and Madi help Uncle Mikey find "Waldo".

With all of the family it has been one of the best Christmas' ever. Nothing can beat spending time with family. This year it was Awesome.