Christmas Day

We got to spend Christmas Day at my folks house. I am not sure who got the bigger treat...my parents or the kids.

The kids got several things...okay, way too many things. Anthony got a new Lightening McQueen matchbox car to replace his broken one (this is the only thing he asked for). Gabe got a Mater that even goes backwards. They also got 'Cars' Rocking Chairs...which they completely ignored for the $2 matchbox cars :-)

After we opened Santa gifts, my mom's family came over. We had nearly 35 people in the house. And there were more presents than anyone could count for the kids. My cousins Ben and Christi have older kids...they are that great age. They are not so young as to get overwhelmed, but still young enough to enjoy the wonder of Christmas and be truly grateful.

On a sad note, my Aunt Penny was in the hospital for Chistmas and couldn't join us...we missed you! Glad you are on the road to recovery...again!!!!

Chistmas Eve at the Farm

My Aunt Cindy and Uncle Rick have a farm about an hour outside of TX. Now mind you, Cindy has dubbed themselves rednecks...they have a farm, horses, a pick up, and 3-legged dog.

So on the 24th, we all went out there to let the kids burn some energy while we all ate, drank, and gabbed. The farm was a hit! All the kids had the best time. We even lucked out on the weather. It was beautiful.

We started out leaving a bit late (my mom thought we would be able to leave by 9am...ha ha ha). When we got on the road at 1030...

The kids spent most of the time feeding the horses and playing in the hay barn. Gabe of course got bit by a horse. Rule #1: never pretend to feed a horse...he will find something to eat, even if it is your fingers. Anthony's version of feeding the horses was to throw hay and run like the wind. Gabe seemed to think he was old enough to play with the big kids on the hay bales...mind you the big kids are all around 8. Turns out he could. He would climb up and jump down and didn't care if he got hurt.

After that we ate.

Then the kids went fishing. History to the fishing...one day when my mom was here (like in October) she mentioned going fishing at Gran's house (my Grandmother). Anthony held on to this little nugget of information like it was the cure to cancer. Everytime we talked about going to Grandma Kerry's for Christmas, he brought up fishing at Gran's. So as an early gift, Gran gave them fishing poles. So, when Anthony saw the pond at Cindy's he was ready to fish. Rob took them fishing and they loved it. "But we didn't catch any fish. They were sleeping. That happens sometimes." (Anthony) "No fish. Sad" (Gabe)

After that we ate.

Cindy also had gingerbread houses for the older kids and gingerbread men for the younger kids to decorate. They had a blast decorating and the adults spent a great deal of effort competing to make the best structure, best windows, best roof, best chimney....

By far though the funniest moment was when Gabe lost his cookie to the dog. Annie (chocolate lab 12 years old) stalked Gabe for nearly an hour trying to get his cookie. We, the adults, intervened numberous times, but in the end, the dog got the cookie. she wasn't mean about it, but she was determined. Gabe burst into tears. And Anthony, sweet protector, ran up to the dog yelling, "Bad dog. No take Gabe cookie. Give it back. Right now. I said give it back." We consoled Gabe with a new cookie, but the excitement was just too much as he literally fell over asleep on me after he stopped crying.

Before we all left, Christi/Kirk's 2 kids and Ben/Erin's oldest sang us Christmas Carols and played the piano. What a great day.

On the way home...we got one more adventure :-) At the party, we swapped cars with my mom. She forgot to mention that the gas was a little low. Oop! We actually ran out of gas before we got to the gas station. So the boys and I sat in the car on the side of the highway and got to watch a very long train go past...Yeah, Memories. Rob got to walk the 1/4 mile to the gas station.

Chistmas in TX continued

So the best part about being in the military is having friends all over the world! I love getting to visit friends everytime I travel. I didn't find out until recently that a friend from college ROTC is now living about 30min from my parents. Becky is amazing. She always has it so pulled together. I saw her on the Tues before Christmas. She has a 2 year old daughter and a 4 month old daughter...and she looks like she gained no weight with the baby. That is just not fair! I would hate her for it, but she is the nicest person on the face of the earth. We also got to meet her husband Pete...what a great match.

It was great to laugh about old times and catch up on current times. I am so glad to know that she is in the area. It will make coming to Dallas that much better.

Thanks for hosting us Becky. Hope to see you again soon.

Christmas in TX

We decided to spend Christmas in Texas. My cousins Ben and Christi were also able to come in town with their families, so the only missing cousin was Brandon. This is the most of us in one place in at least 6 years. It has been great fun. However, it has also been quite the adventure.

It started in Washington where they are in the middle of the worst snowfall on record, and it is still falling. So on Sat afternoon, we all drove the 50mi to the airport hotel. The boys thought this was the vacation. They watched a video on the fold out couch and sat up giggling for half the night.

On Sunday, we were at the airport by 530a for a 740a flight. The flight then proceeded to be delayed...but not until after we boarded and shut the door. Did you know the airline supposedly gets fined for passangers, even kids, who are not buckled or in a lap after the door is closed? So I got to try and entertain two kids on a runway for over an hour. Yeah Memories!

We are counting our blessings though...we were on a flight that was part of only a handful of flights that even left!

More Snow

So, we did snow suits for the second day in a row. I am glad I went yesterday to buy Anthony snow clothes and boots. We still have a ton of stuff for Gabe (same size Anthony was in AK). Anthony put on all of his snow stuff by himself. He was motivated by the idea of sledding.

I am however getting concerned as we fly on Sunday and there is not much hope of it slowing between now and then.

They have already cancelled work for Rob on Friday. A friend said the highway was nothing but a sheet of ice. Yippee!

Oh, and the moles are back...grrr. As Anthony says, "They are breaking our grass!"

Let it snow!

"Oh the weather outside is frightful,

But the fire is so delightful,

And since you've no place to go,

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

On Monday it snowed a little, so the the kids played outside. Anthony attempted to make a snow angel. Hard to do when the grass is still visible through the snow.

But today it really snowed. Enough that Rob got to stay home from work. We have about 4" right now and it is still coming down. It is perfect! The kids got to go out and make a snowman with dad. Our neighborhood has a bunch of kids who were all out having snowball fights and sledding. At this moment, I love it here.

I am however very grateful that I do not live in a northern state that has snow all the time. Trying to get two kids under three into snowsuits was fun once, but not something I want to do on a daily basis.

Early Christmas

We let the kids open their presents from NJ early. Rob's dad came out for Thanksgiving and we did presents with him then. Today we opened presents from Grandma Harriette (Rob's mom) and Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Rick (Harriette's good friends whom Rob has known all his life).

Harriette got them a front loader and dump truck (can't think of a better gift for two boys) and some board games. I can hardly wait to teach Anthony how to play Chutes 'n' Ladders and Candyland.

Even better, it all came in a really big box.

Aunt Phyllis sent books...always a winner at our house.

Thanks for our gifts too. I got new earrings which look fabulous on me...and they are from Turkey. They have a fun design and dangle and jingle. I also got a fun embroidered pouch to replace my very sad wallet. Rob got a hat and t-shirt from Turkey too. Phyllis and Rick send us a blanket...which the kids quickly commandeered.

Anthony's School Program

Anthony had his first little school program. The kids were so cute, and so three! They sang a variety of songs...and actually seemed to remember most of them. The best is that the other day he wanted me to sing the "Goats on a Mountain" song. Afterall, Mrs. Cindy knows the song. I had not a clue what the "Goats on a Mountain" song was. Turns out...it was "Go Tell it on a Mountain." Now I understand.

Loud and Proud

The sooners are in the National Championship! On Jan 8 we play the Florida Gators...go Sooners.

Marvelling at the sunset

So I have always loved sunsets. I think it is from living in Hawaii. Rob and I use to sit out after a dive and just watch the sun sink. I have always enjoyed them, but I have never marvelled at them.

Yesterday we had an amazing sunset. The sky was every color of the rainbow.

I took the kids to Costco then to the park.

At the park Anthony started screaming that the sky was pink! Then he saw purple clouds, and the moon! Then the mountain (Rainier) started to turn pink too! Mommy it is so bootiful! He actually climbed up to the highest point on the play equipment to see it better. Then the sky turned orange! Wow! At this point he is jumping up and down trying to point to all the colors.

When he asked me why the sky was so many colors, I told him the angels painted it for us. This morning he wanted to paint like the angels. Gabe...me too, me too!