Christmas morning

The kids were so worn out from all the fun last night, we had to wake them up with morning. They both had a blast tearing through all their presents. Must say my kiddos were spoiled this year. Half the presents I had a hard time remembering what was under the wrapping paper because I had gotten the gifts over the last couple months and wrapped them right away. Gidian got the Little People Zoo talkers play set and the Safari truck that went along with it as his 'big' gift. Livi really wanted a Wrecking ball figure for her Skylander's game. The package for those are kind of small so we wrapped it in a big box and labled it from Santa. We had her save that present for last. She was so emotional becuase she though Santa didn't bring it for her. The look on her face though when she saw it was priceless. She was so excited. We got it on videotape and I will try to load it in the next couple days. Livi also wanted the Lalaloopsy silly hair doll, which took me a while to hunt down.

Once presents were unwrapped at our house we had an hour of down time before going to my parents for more gifts and breakfast. We always do breakfast burritos on Christmas morning they were so yummy. My brother was originally suppose to work at 8am this morning so we thought he was going to miss out, but they told him to come in at 11 am. We were all glad he was able to spend sometime with us this morning. My parents got Livi a V-Tech V-Reader and some books that go with it. Then Gidian got a Little Tikes work bench. Which was a huge hit with both the kids. After everything was unwrapped we went home for the afternoon so the kids could play with their new toys. Gidian and I took a long nap together while Livi and Matt played some games. It was a perfect Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve

I was thrilled I had gotten all my shopping out of the way before Christmas Eve. I believe this is the first year I wasn't out amongst all the last minute shoppers and I was glad. I did go out on Friday to pick up a few little things and get groceries for my mom. I went to two stores and it took me almost 4 hours because of all the people. So happy it was just me and I didn't have the kids along.

Christmas Eve we spent over at my folks house. My dad made a Tri-tip and we had tons of yummy sides and three different pies for dessert. The kids opened gifts from Shealun and Roger that evening too keep them entertained while the adults gabbed. Livi got a V-Tech Brilliant advanced learning computer. (She got it for $50 at Target and I found it on Target.com for half price so we took it back. Can't beat a good deal) then they got Gidian a Little people fire truck with mega blocks. When we got home the kids opened their usual Christmas eve gift from Matt and I, their Christmas jammies. Livi set out chocolate toffee cookies her and Matt had made and a glass of egg nog for Santa. She has been anticipating Christmas for quite a while and we thought she'd be up late into the night, but she was out quick.

Flashback

Santa

Matt and I took the kids to the mall today to get their photos with Santa. We got there half hour before Santa was to arrive and I'm happy to announce we were first in line! Woo hoo last year we waited forever! When Santa asked Livi what she wanted for Christmas she told him a Wrecking ball. He looked at her like she was crazy and asked if she liked dolls. The wrecking ball she is implying is a figure that goes to her Skylanders game system she got for her birthday.

Every year I secretly hope for a melt down so I can get a crying photo of the kids on Santa's lap. Those are my favorite. I thought we would today, Gidian started to freak out when Matt placed him on Santa's lap, but he started to laugh and smile right along with his sister. I'm happy with how our photos turned out. Enjoy!

Holiday fun

Over the last week we have done lots of Holiday related things. Last Saturday when I got off work Livi and I made salt dough ornaments. She thought that was really neat. That evening Matt and I took the kids to the Enumclaw Christmas parade. Livi was so excited about it, but once it started both kids had melt downs and started to cry. It was probably 34 degrees that night and all the sirens on the fire trucks were so loud. Luckily we were close to my work so we went in there and from the side window you could see the parade so we watched from there. I got a lot of shopping done this week, done with the kids so that's nice. I did have a mild panic attack when I couldn't locate a doll Livi wanted. Lalaloopsy silly hair doll, guess she's a hot item this year. Luckily a friend in Spain informed me Amazon got some in so I was able to snag one and it should be here next week.

Monday Matt had the night off so we finally got around to putting our Christmas tree up. We have a white tree and every year I tell myself I"m going to get a green artificial tree, but when I get my white tree up and decorated I remember why I love it so much. My sister kept Gidian occupied while we hung ornaments. WE have four break in the process, Livi was so excited to decorate she wasn't paying attention and hardly putting them on branches and they would fall off and shatter. Thankfully it wasn't any sentimental ornaments.

Today we took the kids to see Santa, but that will be in a post all of it's own. After naps this afternoon Livi and I decorated a ginger bread house. We got it at Costco for $10 and it was pre assembled. How awesome is that. Usually they collapse on us, but not this one.

Salt dough ornamentsParade time

Thanksgiving

I apologize for the delay in updates. Our laptop stopped working a few weeks ago and I always space to use the desk top computer. So it will be a blog update overload this evening. So let's go back two weeks to Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. Matt had to work the night before so he was sleeping up until it was time to get ready for dinner. The kids and I watched the Macy's parade and Livi informed me when she's older she would like to be a Rockette dancer. She was fascinated watching them dance. After the parade we made a quick trip down to Bonney Lake to pick up a pie I had ordered. Then we just relaxed until it was time to leave. We went to my parents and there was twelve of us there for dinner. My dad has smoked our turkey the past couple years and it was yummy! Everything was amazing, I was so full I couldn't even eat pie. Matt didn't have to work until one in the morning so we went home and I put the kids to bed and he took a little nap. While they were sleeping my mom, sister, her boyfriend, a family friend and myself all went to see Breaking Dawn (Again I know lol)

Usually I'm out early the next morning participating in Black Friday shopping. I did go out with my mom and the kids, but not until around 10am. I still was able to get everything I wanted: PJ's for the kids, some DVD's, a couple pairs of boots, a new blow dryer etc.. It's so much nicer not having to deal with all the crowds in the early morning.