Mini day with the girl.

Merry Christmas

What a Christmas this started out to be.  My hubby was very very good to me this year.  I am blown away by all that he bought for me.  I love them all.  Thank you!!!  The best being a new member of our family Maxie Ariel Shea.  She is a beauty and will go lots of places with me.

Tree with presents waiting to be open.

Can't we just begin already!?

We love our Jets.  I made sure each person got something Jet related!

In preparation for next years cookie exchange.

Headphones for online gaming.

Airsoft-type gun!  He loves this!

She is wearing two of her presents and holding a third.  I think she likes her gifts.

Boys both got their own amps.  (What was I thinking?)

Me meeting Maxie Ariel for the first time.  (For those who are not sure - yes, it is a MacBook Air!)

Bill has been asking for this for 10 years.  I finally got it for him!

The family gift is the kinect to go along with the XBOX.  They played this a lot today. I still need to try!

Stephen said, "This was one of the best Christmases ever!"  Bill responded, "Why?"  Stephen said, "because we have a house and family came over to celebrate."  

It is in these precious moments that I get reminded how important relationships are to my children.  I have to admit, I really liked it too!  Even though a lot of my day was spent in the kitchen, it was worth it!!!  The holidays are soooo much better spent with those you love and like to spend time with.

Merry Christmas Eve

Wrapping frenzy. Baking too!




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Horseback Riding

She got to ride on Romance. Then she got to feed her a candy cane.




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Shopping with Eldest

Stephen and I had to go out shopping for a new winter coat for the boy as he has not had one for two years now.   Besides that we needed to stop at the bank so he could deposit his checks from his birthday, last month.  We also went to the hair cuttery so he could get a new do, and then finally to Chik-Fil-A to use a gift card, also from his birthday.  It was a nice couple of hours with my son! 

Cookie Exchange

Last year my family had a cookie exchange that I was unable to attend as I was in Israel at the time.  So when the plans were made (last year, yes my family does plan ahead) for my Mom to host, I just knew I wanted to be involved.  Then when we got the house in the summer I just knew I wanted to host it.  Mind you I did make the decision prior to knowing about the birthday party.  Oh and I have never been part of an exchange until this year.  Boy making 7 dozen cookies was a lot.  Especially after hosting a party.  I also had to homeschool and get the house decorated.  Can't have a Christmas cookie exchange without Christmas decorations.  And I did not want my Dad's party to be decorated as Christmas.
We had a total of 17 people involved.  But we decided to make only half dozens so as not to have too much to bake.  Some of the ladies did not receive the message to do half dozens so they made the full number of cookies.  I also messed up the total count and a family walked away with only one set of cookies.  Felt bad about that one.  I did try to give my cookies away but they said no.  Needless to say we have lots of cookies.  My kids are really enjoying them (truth be told, I like them too much).
We also did an ornament exchange.  This is loads of fun.  We bring a wrapped ornament and based on a number picked out of a basket is when you get to go.  Now you can either open a package or steal from someone.  The fun comes from stealing and I have been involved in some where the ladies were too nice and stealing did not happen.  I take no prisoners.  When I want the ornament no puppy dog eyes will sway me!!!!  It went very well and we had a great time.  I do believe that most people were very happy with their new ornament.We also did an ornament exchange.  This is loads of fun.  We bring a wrapped ornament and based on a number picked out of a basket is when you get to go.  Now you can either open a package or steal from someone.  The fun comes from stealing and I have been involved in some where the ladies were too nice and stealing did not happen.  I take no prisoners.  When I want the ornament no puppy dog eyes will sway me!!!!  It went very well and we had a great time.  I do believe that most people were very happy with their new ornament.

Gift

By the way this was the gift Abs came home with.
It is huge!!!!


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Social Life

The kids not mine.  They have a way more active calendar than I do.  The last two weekends there have been youth groups meeting.  A special Christmas movie and white elephant gift exchange for Abigail.  Stephen ventured out to a different youth group this week.  One where his friends from school go.  He had a good time but had to miss our church's progressive dinner.
Josh went ice skating on Friday after we all went out to our new Chipotle!!!  We are very excited to have one only 15 minutes away!  Woohoo!!!  Sunday he had a friend over for all afternoon!  Planning on a sleep over some time this week.  They are trying to sleep over Monday night as there should be a lunar eclipse that evening and Bard aka science teacher will be willing to have the kids and wake them at 3 am.  Abs too is included in that sleep over.  See way more active than I have been.
I pretty much have been doing Christmas shopping!
That is us this week!
Pray everyone has a blessed Christmas week!  Remember the Reason for the Season!!!

Cool

A promo piece of Phila zoo. It is at KOP Mall. Where I was Christmas shopping. It is all Legos.


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Josh fell down the steps

Josh was in hurry and the result is below... For those who are concerned he was laughing on the bottom of stairs in his pile.

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Broken

Stephen was reaching for some m&m's when the table just broke. Screws popped out and left big holes under the table. Guess I'll be shopping for a new one.


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Birthday for my Dad!

My mom had it in her head to throw my Dad a 60th birthday party.  I decided to host it here to save some money and also it allows for much more socializing with the guests.  We had a great turn out and while it was great for socializing, I am not so sure it was a good thing to have just after Thanksgiving.  You see his birthday is actually December 7th.  The date allowed and even encouraged the surprise factor.  He said it took him a few minutes when we all yelled surprise to figure it all out.  It was great to see lots of family.

My Mom and I got together the day before to cook up the trays of food.  We made waaaaaay too much.  People just aren't eating like they used to, especially two days after Thanksgiving.

 The last few photos are from my Dad throughout the years.  We had a poster board of all these different photos from various years!!!