Christmas Eve

Tonight was so fun to be at my parents home with all my brothers and sisters and their families to enjoy Christmas Eve together. Each family was in charge of doing something for the program. We listened to stories, musical numbers, sang, laughed, and shed a few tears. (good tears!)





Mike read the Christmas story while the kids placed the item in the barn


Christmas isn't Christmas without yummy baking!



The elves found us in Canada this year at Grandpa and Grandma Bullock's house!


The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;



The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

Visiting Santa Claus

While in Calgary at Christmas we went to the Market Mall with Aunt Kim and Brianne to see Santa Claus. What an adorable Santa. He talked to the kids not just rush them in and out, I wish I could hear what the kids are saying...




Anika didn't want to sit on this Santas lap, but that is okay, I taken her to the South Towne Mall at home where the Santa was just as cute. He specifically found me to tell me "what a doll" she is!




now that is a lot of candy canes!

2008 Christmas Card Picture

I always say that one day I might get brave and send out the "real" Christmas card...the one in the making of trying to get the "perfect" card!



I guess I didn't get a picture of the kids standing...Christmas outfits as well.

CRAZY....

My parents just got their mission call to....Zimbabwe!!!!!!!

Husband of The Year Awards

The honorable mentioned goes to :
The United Kingdom

...followed closely by United States of America
and then ......... Poland

but 3rd place must go to.........Greece

it was very very close but the runner up prize was awarded to....Serbia

but the winner of the husband/partner of the year......is......... Ireland

Ya gotta love the Irish.
The Irish are true romantics- look, he's even holding her hand.

Woman has Man in it;
Mrs. has Mr in it;
Female has Male in it;
She has He in it;
Madam has Adam in it;

Okay, Okay, it all makes sense now...
I never looked at it this way before:
Ever notice how all of women's problems start with MEN?
MEN tal illness
MEN strual cramps
MEN tal breakdown
MEN opause
GUY necologist
AND ...
When we have REAL trouble, it's a
HISterectomy.

Remember You Don't Stop Laughing Because You Grow Old,
You Grow Old Because You Stop Laughing

If you get offended easily- Don't read this

After doing a hard cycle class at the gym today, I was Tired! So, the girls and I watched the movie "Hairspray". One of the lines in it is, "Kiss my ass?" Knowing the girls don't know this word, and figuring (hoping) they weren't paying much attention to the movie anyways, I didn't think too much about it. A few minutes passed by, and innocently out of Aubrey's mouth came, "Mom, what does kiss my ass mean?"
After explaining the 'word' is a potty word, I calmly explained it is a not so nice word for butt, and it is something we should never say!

Speaking of Aubrey,
she had her little Christmas ballet recital Wednesday night.
It is cute to see what they have learned or what the teacher hopes they have learned to shine for the parents! Always a shining star in the eyes of a parent. Cute work Aubrey, we love you.

I FINALLY Did It!

I may be 6 weeks behind, but Andrew's
b.day party is done! Yesterday morning I called the mom's of a few friends he had mentioned from school and all were able to come! (Wed. is our short day) The original plan: I was going to do it at the bounce house-fast and easy and relatively cheap, but I drove by this morning to buy the passes and they had closed for good! (For all of you who live around here, it is the Kid's Barn on State!) Surprisingly enough I did not panic, but called Jared and informed him (he worked from home today)we would be having a birthday party at our house instead! Good thing I had cleaned the prior day, not that seven 7 year olds care, but you know...! First things first, I called the mom's and said "change of plans!-My house!!!" Next, I hurried and made sugar cookie dough, put it in the fridge and then got a reindeer craft ready to do (the foot print and hand print), got the paper out, cut out oval eyes and red round noses, had some sparkle gel that I put out, and then tidied up and waited! 2pm came quickly and so did the kids!!
I had 1 1/2 hours to entertain and here is how it went: come in, set the rules
1. Please stay upstairs
2. Don't play the piano
3. Don't throw the couch pillows
4. Have fun
With that, the kids used the cookie cutters to make their cookies-while baking they did a reindeer craft,
while cookies cooled- made 'reindeer food', came back decorated and

ate the cookies, played the game Coodle
(kid's Cranium), hurried and opened presents, TRIED to get a good group photo!
Just as parents were starting to come, sang 'Happy Birthday' blew out the candles on the 'doughnut cake'
(my kid's request instead of a cake) sent them out the door with their treasures and half eaten doughnut! You know what, it was the least stressful party I have done and it was a lot of fun, none of the parents cared it was last minute, and I think enjoyed the break of not having to try and entertain their kid's for half the day!
So, again almost two months later, 'Happy Birthday Andrew'

We love you and wish you a happy and exciting year!