2011 Holidays

Well, it's 2012! That happened so fast! I mean, I swear we were just swimming in the pool and hanging out in the yard and now it's 14 degrees and there is snow on the ground. OK, the snow just fell for the first time yesterday but you get the point. We had a quiet New Years at home. My mom came over and we ate crab legs, shrimp, sushi and an array of goodies. By Midnight we were down 3 kids but that was OK. We toasted to a Happy healthy New Year and crashed in our beds!

Thanksgiving was a great time. My family joined us here. It's just easier for me to host the family parties since the kids can stay in their routine. I cooked the BEST turkey ever...yeah, I said it! Don't be a hater! I love to cook. It's cathartic. The boys had a blast with everyone around. I was glad when it was over though. Cooking since 5am is exhausting. We decided to celebrate Chanukka as well this year. The boys learned all about it from their teacher (who is Jewish) and of course, Jesus was jewish! We thought it only appropriate that the children learn all the traditions. We celebrated the beginning with a feast of potato pancakes and even lit the mehnora. Every night it was the boys job to light it. They loved the ceremomy of it all. To tell ya the truth...so did I! Christmas was amazing as always. Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with Davids. It all goes so fast! The kids got such amazing gifts. It was probably the most HIGH TECH christmas ever! The boys got electronics galore. Digital cameras for all from Aunt Ella, interactive video games from their Dad. They got tons of fun stuff from Grandma including these amazing radio controlled cars and tops that make music and have lights, and a million other things(Grandma does WAY too much!). They got a karaoke machine from my sister Adrianne that Emerson decided was JUST his! Aunt Terri got them books and toys galore and Papa came through with the gift cards. They had so much fun playing wit eerything they got. They were down right exhausted by 8pm. There were kids passed out everywhere! Christmas morning was fantastic. I noticed Austin trying to sneak downstairs at a little after 7. I jumped up and stopped him before he could ruin the suprise. He immediately ran and woke up his brothers. Griffin decided to sleep in since he had a restless night. The boys ran down like crazy men! It's a good thing Santa is a wise, wise man. He wrapped each childs gifts in different paper so there was no chance of anyone getting anything confused. Also, each gift was numbered so they didn't open their "special" gift until the end. It all worked out well. They opened their gifts in an orderly fashion...NOT! They ripped and tore open gifts left and right. It was a frenzy! I finally gained enough composure for the bys to all open up their video game systems at once. They loved them.

I made my world famous quiche(Bacon and spinach)...ok it's Paula Deens recipe...but I did perfect it. The kids call it mommy's egg pie. They ate it all happily! Griffin eventually decided to join us. He opened all his gifts and danced happily as Mickey Mouse sang his songs. He is now the proud owner of an ipod touch as well. Like I said...it was an electronic Christmas. The day was rounded out by leftovers and David's family. The kids proudly showed off their cool new toys and Emerson even serenaded us. Could life be any better?