Christmas Day with Eric's Side of the Family

We spent Christmas evening with Eric's side. The kids had a blast playing hide and go seek and opening their presents. A highlight for Justin & Levi was that Auntie Brenda brought Carlos to the party! The kids waiting to open their presents - a webkinz bed handmade by Grandpa & Grandma. Both Justin & Levi's beds had horses on them - their favorite!
Justin and Carlos
Levi and Carlos.

Christmas Morning at Our House

Christmas morning started with opening our stockings, church, and then home for presents. My boys!
Levi loved his Playmobile tractor and wagons - infact he didn't even want to open his last present he was so into the two presents he already had!
Justin loved his Playmobile Adventure Treehouse and Lodge - but he had to wait "forever" for Eric to get it all assembled!
Eric trying out his new sunglasses.Levi checking out my present.

We had a great morning together as a family enjoying new presents as well as sharing the Christmas story and learning "What God Really Wants for Christmas."

Christmas Eve with My Side of the Family

Our day started at noon with a wonderful lunch, then it was naptime, color time, and sledding time. After all that was done and everyone was awake - then it was time for the presents!

Coloring with Grandma.
Ride behind Uncle Brent's 3 wheeler - Eric & Justin and Brian & Caleb.
Getting a little braver - they let their Dad's take a break!
Alaina, Justin & Caleb
They had SO much fun and were on the sleds for hours and didn't want to come in! They even went back out after presents when it was almost dark!Levi, Seth & Jonathan in their matching pajamas!

Trying to get a picture of all the cousins in their new pj's from Grandma & Grandpa! Not a very easy task! But, an end to a very fun day!

Some Videos for Your Enjoyment

Swimming

Justin has been taking swimming lessons and he has gone from crying when it was time to go to now he can't wait to get there and he doesn't want to be late! Here are a few clips of his progress!

Joy to the World

The best part of the Christmas Program - all the kids singing enthusiastically together!

Joy of Laughter!

Sunday evening was our kids Christmas Program. The funniest part of the whole night was prior to the program. They played a hilarious video of the 12 days of Christmas. To watch the kids watching the video and laughing - it was the best - laughter always fills you with joy and those kids were precious!

Lia's Home!!!

Scott, Lia, Maddie & Alex are home from South Africa and it is so good to have them here! They arrived Friday night but due to flight delays we weren't able to greet them at the airport. Sunday morning was funny because when I saw them I got so emotional - I even cried when I hugged Lia - I don't understand I cry when she leaves - I cry when she comes back - what a mess I am! Monday we were able to spend most of the day with Lia, Maddie & Alex. Levi and Justin in their socks in the garage waiting for Maddie & Alex - they were SO excited!
Alex, Levi, Justin & Maddie

The kids played and played and had a blast together - it is amazing how much they all have grown up in the past 6 months!

Tonight Lia came to our GEMS Christmas party and then we ran some late night errands before calling it a day! I am so blessed to have such a great friend and I am SO glad she is home - even if it is only for a little while!

Today's Project

Okay, where do all the toys come from? I really think they multiply when we are not looking. Justin has been on a mission this week to clean out the toy box, and the toy room in the basement. Yesterday, morning he threw everything out of the toy box - so Mom could organize it - how is it that it is his idea but once everything is on the floor it becomes MY job? This is a portion of the basement this morning after we emptied the toy closet.
This is the other portion of the basement after we emptied the toy cupboards. Does it drive any one else crazy when you organize all the toys and label the boxes and yet the toys never end up in the right box?
The cleaned toy closet.
The organized train and Lincoln Logs table.
The toy cupboards.

What you don't see is the 6 boxes and 1 large garbage bag that are no longer present! Do you think the boys will notice what "disappeared" today? Do you think the boxes will stay organized? They won't but at least for today - the toys are organized!

I LOVE Christmas Cards with Pictures!

Today I had 7 Christmas cards in my mailbox and I was thrilled when 6 of them had pictures in them! This year seems to be the year of the picture and I LOVE it! I love seeing how people that have been a part of our life change from Christmas Card to Christmas Card! Many of the cards we receive are the only communication that we have from year to year and when there is a picture in it - I get so excited! Here are just some of the picture cards we have received!

Turkeys

We have had a family of 30 turkeys traipsing through our yard every day since they were born this summer. Now they are really big turkeys and they are overtaking our yard. They have learned how to fly onto the bird feeder and putting strips of nails on the top doesn't work either.
Just a few of our 30 friends and notice they destroy the pretty snow too!
Today this turkey flew up on the swingset and then flew to the roof and proceeded to walk the ridge all the way to the other end before flying down! If there are 30 this year... how many will we have next year?...

Snow!

The boys have loved the snow! It took Levi a few times out before he comprehended that he had to wear his hat, mittens, boots... He really didn't think it was necessary. The funniest was when he actually fell flat on his back after he was all dressed! He didn't think it was very funny!Shoveling the driveway.
All these layers aren't so bad!!
I love the rosy cheeks when they come inside!
Of course you can't play outside without coming in for a cup of Hot Chocolate!
Delicious!

Colorado - After the Wedding

After the wedding Eric and I headed out on our own adventure. We met up with my parents (who were staying in Colorado Springs for the weekend) and went to Pike's Peak on Sunday.

Pikes Peak is behind us.

That night we stayed at the beautiful Cheyenne Mountain Resort - gorgeous and highly recommended.

On Monday morning we met my parents at Focus on the Family and visited their bookstore, art gallery and Adventures in Odyssey. The kids would have LOVED it!
We also went to the Air Force Academy - this is the chapel from the outside...
and the inside... it was beautiful!
The highlight of Eric's trip - we saw two bucks and two does Mule deer - I am not zooming here - they were right on the side of the path that we walked from the Air Force Visitors Center to the Chapel.
Heading for home. My (and my parents) flight left two hours before Eric's but we arrived within minutes of each other in Lansing. All the flights were great and it was good to be home after a whirlwind adventure!

Colorado - The Wedding

On Thanksgiving morning I flew out of Lansing and into Colorado Springs. I was off for the weekend because I was Matron of Honor for my friend from high schools wedding. It was a full weekend most of which I was treated like a princess - thanks Holli & Candi!Our pedicures and manicures... Holli, myself & Holli's sister-in-law Rachel.Rehearsal - the church was very old and incredibly beautiful with all of its wood & stained glass.Rehearsal dinner at Maggiano's it was really good.Okay, Holli will probably kill me so don't look at her too close - just notice our breakfast! It was the first time in my life I have had room service and it was delightful! Fresh fruit, juice, water, tea, crossiants, muffins, danish... it was delicious & fun too!We had a little excitement at our suite in the Brown Palace - we put the steamer directly under the fire alarm - therefore it went off... we had three guys who were just like secret service hovering around our room while the alarm went off for over 15 minutes! It was crazy - but definitely a memory!Ready to go after a morning at the Brown Palace Spa getting our hair and make-up done. What an experience - I felt like a princess.
Crossing the street to the church - isn't it amazing!
The ceremony.
Holli & Chris
Eric & I at the reception.

You may be asking when did Eric arrive... he flew in on Saturday and arrived with 5 minutes to spare before the wedding. He said he felt like he was on the Amazing Race trying to get to the church on time! It was my Christmas present to myself - I bought his plane ticket to come join me and I am so glad!!

You can see more Photographer pictures of the wedding on his blog - the photographer took a TON of pictures - the ones of us in the street - we were FREEZING (okay I was freezing) - it was 20'!!!! I look terrible - I know why I like to be on the other side of the camera!