Holidays

YES!!! We survived the holidays, and we hope you did too! Sorry I didn't update as I went along, but I was too busy!! Consequently, this post may be a bit lengthy. For all of you that couldn't make it, you were definately missed!
I guess I'll start with the weather. I don't think I'll be able to sing Let It Snow with anything approaching enthusiasm for a long, long, long time! Once it started to come down it just didn't let up. Thankfully, this year Mitch decided he was going to keep our walk and drive clear. He spent many an evening and afternoon shovelling the white stuff. Of course it was almost totally useless. He'd shovel in the morning before we went to the Homestead, and when we would finally pull in late at night we'd all sit in the car while he shovelled away the four foot drifts left by the plows, so we could make it to the front door! We've used the snow to our advantage though. We've been snow machining and tubing around like crazy. As a matter of fact, Mitch took me out with Dad, Russ and Shaunna just Friday, and I only cheated death once! It really wasn't that dramatic. I rolled myself and my machine down a steep hill, but no damage done! (Unless, of course, you question my sanity!)
Mitchell's ninth birthday was a good time. Some family and close friends came to celebrate, and he really enjoyed it. The little red haired girls in the pictures are the Baird girls. Elizabeth and Mitchell have the same birthday, so we got a kick out of having them come. She's one year older, and her sister is a little less than a year younger than Mitchell. My kids love their kids, and vice versa. Heather and Dan homeschool too, so we get to spend plenty of time together.
Christmas Eve at Shaunna's was a lot of fun. The family in their ward (who's name escapes me right now) who came last year to sing came back this year. They sang, we had a pageant, and then we all sang around the piano. At moments it was more frightening than festive to hear, but we all got into the spirit and that's what counts!
Christmas morning was great! My kids did not get up until almost eight! Unfortunately, their father got up before six, and he spent the subsequent two hours whispering, " I can't believe they're not up yet! Any minute now!" I could've killed him. We had a nice Christmas. The most popular gift by far was rocket balloons. Moments like that make me certain my forty year old brother is really a ten year old boy! Steve laughed all morning at these 88 cent balloons that came in their stockings. You blow them up with a straw, and then let 'em go! They race around the room making questionable noises. We had up to six going at once. It was crazy!
Grace's birthday was next, and it was her party, so she was going to cry if she wanted to! I always feel kind of guilty when her birthday rolls around. Poor Mitchell! He has to deal with a birthday eclipsed by the Christmas budget, while Grace and Noah rake it in on after holiday bargains. Thankfully, he doesn't seem to have noticed the descrepancy.
Well, we all ate well at Shaunna's for New Year's, but I think I'm finally feeling my age. I really could've cared less about ringing in the New Year. I just wanted to got to bed. Well, that covers our holiday fun. I hope you enjoyed it! I certainly did, but I think I'm enjoying the peace and quiet now much more!

Well Christmas is coming, and I don't feel the least bit prepared. I've had so many thoughts about everything else jostling around in my head that I can't believe the holiday is almost here. Mitch is currently busy over in Coulter Bay, so he's only around late at night or early in the morning. Mitchell's birthday is next week, and we've decided to invite some dear friends of ours out to Mom and Dad's for cake and ice cream. Their oldest daughter is exactly one year older than Mitchell, and since they're such good friends we decided to share the celebration. Foster thinks Elizabeth (their daughter) has a thing for Mitchell, and he constantly teases him about it. Noah is suddenly doing remarkably well with his reading. I think it has finally really clicked for him. Grace, thankfully, has refrained from cutting her hair in quite some time, so we're currently struggling through the akward growing out phase. I HOPE it lasts. Last weekend we took the kids to Toys R Us so they could tell their Uncle Steve what they wanted for Christmas. Unfortunately for Steve, the gifts they chose were extremely modest. I think he was really looking forward to buying some really cool gifts, and out of everything in the toy store the kids chose some of the simplest, cheapest gifts around. Hopefully for Steve avarice is a learned trait, and they'll pick it up soon! Well, no news is good news around here, so until later! Merry Christmas!!

Over Thanksgiving we all went through the croup. The kids had it first, and they had to get shots and breathing treatments. Mitch and I are last, and we're still recovering. The kids have kept me company watching movies and playing games in bed with me. I guess I'm lucky to have so many fun babysitters!

Recently the kids, Steve, Dan and Lisa and I went out to visit Mommo before she died. Rick had all the kids out playing kick-ball, and he even got Steve into the game. We had a good time, but I highly doubt we'll make a twenty-six hour drive to visit again anytime soon!