Traditions

Christmas Eve 2009:
Wow....today was filled with love,laughter,giving and lot's of last minute details {that I will keep private}.
First: I would have to say that we have the most amazing neighbors,any young mother would love to have.I'm very blessed to say the least.
Dolores...has been my friend and slowly converted to a mother figure then soon after that a second mom to all my children.I'd have to honestly say she almost loves them as much as I do.She taught both Reana {my sister} and me how to make tamales and has become a Christmas eve tradition for the past 6 years. Joy...awwwhhhh were do I start she must have been cellies with Martha Stewart,we talk, garden, skeem, colaberate, give, share,collect antiques,started a antique doll collection for Aubrie with the help of some of her wonderful gifts.Not to mention she's part Mrs. Claus,her baking and cooking skills are phenominal {all homemade}.So of course she is a HUGE inspiration to can,start from scratch,farmers markets,and every year plant a bigger garden.
Thank you lady's for being such a huge part of my everyday life and supporting my sanity,when it comes to creatively raising my children in a nurturing,loving,tradition filled life.

Christmas Eve: and the night begins....
~first Hot Cocoa for Santa,Carrot's for the Reigndeer
~one gift in which to prepare for Santa's arrival {snug in their beds}.
~"Twas the Night before Christmas" an old version from 1954 that has been read to all of our children on Christmas eve since the older ones were little. Now Aiden, Aubrie and Cody are just as interested as they were.This includes in past Christmas's Cousins that have spent the night and awaited Santa too...Brandon,Brian & Larissa.
"Sweet Dreams".......

All together Joyful

All~6~{six}

Allan,Sierra,Tanner,Aiden,Cody & Aubrie {Malcom the little dog too}!

Holiday Baking

Fun times....wow did we ever bake!Up till weeeee hours of the morning putting the finishing touches on all of gingerbread men and shortbread cookies.Fudge and coffee with my honey mmmmmmmhhhhh yummo!The kids had a "BLAST" litterally...My floor was completely covered with flour and icing,Cody and Aubrie thought that it would be fun to dump it over the edge of the counter.Shadd was going to say something to them,but we decided we would let it slide for one night.

"Park Day"(post~dancing)

....Let me remind you,this was the morning following our amazing night out for our birthday.Oh...man were we both feeling it! But,we told the kids we would spend the day with them going out for brunch as well as a day for all of us to just hang out and play.Shadd and I both slept sooooooooo well that night.....

"Our Birthday"

This was such a wonderful birthday for the two of us. I don't think we've ever been out together just both of us alone on our birthday. Definatley a FIRST.We had an amazing evening from beginning~end Dancing,drinks,laughing,PRIVATE BOOTH,chocolate covered strawberries,personal cake,more drinks.....You don't realize how much you love the other one until you're actually alone without KIDS....we couldn't keep our eyes and hands off of eachother the whole night "CRAZY"~in~"LOVE"!! Did just a little bit of gambling before we left the casino,we couldn't bare to walk straight out,did NOT want the night to end....and when we got home at 4:00 am the kids were awakened by Aubrie and all were smiling from there beds.....XoXo's {goodnight}

"Sissy's Home"

Sierra flew in yesterday to spend Christmas break here in sunny California,for her that is coming from South Dakota yeah!! Aiden has been chomping at the bit for her to get here and won't let her out of his site....I knew this was going to happen and that he wouldn't want to go to his last day of school(before break)and leave her.Sooooo I spoke with his teacher and we decided that Sierra would spend the day helping in his class,having lunch,preparing for the cookie party and handing out all the goodie bags they made last night. I hope they have a wonderful day together and that this is a memory they will hold dear to there hearts....I know I will. It's wonderful to see them together,even though Sierra is growing up,she's still little to me,I guess she always will be.....

Pre-School "Cozy Christmas"

This was one of the all-time cutest little shows. The pre-schoolers were absolutely adorable and so funny!! They were crackin up themselves....ha!ha!. Held at the church which was beautifully decorated as usual and of course in the final song of the show..... It "SNOWED" all whom were there young and old "enjoyed it"! Cody did a great job!!

Santa's Letter

The kids were very eager to meet with Santa to give him the letter's they had written the night before,with Allan,Tanner,Daddy and Mommy.Cody was yelling from the line "Santa...I miss you" and Santa would wave! This repeated several times.
Letter's were read,conversation was done,high fives were given(Aubrie,and a good-bye was underway when Cody decided that he needed to RUN back to Santa to share a peice of his candy. "Santa shared with me,so I wanted to share with him" That was very nice and thoughtful of you Cody.....