Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Another wonderful Christmas season! We had a busy one this year - well busier than normal! Since we now live a couple hours away it completely changes how we do things. This year we traveled down on Christmas Eve to make it to the McKinney family gathering. It was wonderful as usual - lots of yummy food and visiting! We stayed with my parent which was so special for everyone. We got up Christmas morning and had breakfast. Kristen and Sage surprised us and came for breakfast too! We missed Bianca and Silas very much this year! But I guess we have to share with Silas' family too!
It was so fun to spend it all together! We did our traditional reading of the Christmas story first to make sure our focus is in the right spot! Then enjoyed giving and opening our gifts. We all got ready (amazingly enough!) and headed to see Pop-pop, Great Grandma and Aunt Jean. Then it was off to the big, annual Martindale gathering. I look forward to that every year. We headed back to Donnelly after that (in a snow storm) to get ready for our own Christmas!
 Jason was able to have the day after Christmas off and we did our own Christmas that day. It was nice to just relax and have a nice family day.






Merry Christmas 2012 with the Martindale's!












Christmas 2012 with the McKinney clan!








Friday, December 14, 2012

December

I LOVE the Christmas season! I start looking forward to it in July. I love the focus it puts on Christ, I love the extra family time, traditions, snow, decorations! I love it all! It's been fun this year in McCall because the snow makes it so festive. And we have a lot of snow!
 The kids helped me decorate this year. They really had a lot of fun with that. I think I see relaxing and letting go of it looking perfect in my near future! :) There will be time for that though right??? For now I will soak up their 4 year old decorating style!
 I have been trying to be more fun with the kids. We came up with gingerbread and christmas tree pancakes. They kids thought that was pretty fun! They ask for them every day. Oh, and chocolate chips. They are pretty sure they should have chocolate chips every day too!


 We have been struggling with a lot of bickering these days. I suppose it's the age they are at. They are learning that they each have an opinion and thought on EVERYTHING. They also each think they are always right. It's something we are working on - kindness and love. Moments like this when they are hugging and loving on each other is very encouraging! They are sweet kids and it's good to remember that. They are very good at checking on one another when they are hurt. They like to hug each other and have the cutest conversations!

 Guns are still an obsession around here. Cam loves them the most but they all three spend hours shooting at my big picture window. They shoot it with bullets that have suction on them that the kids lick first so they stick better. My window our filthy! :) They set up wooden blocks to knock over too. I love their imaginations.


 The kids are getting so big! They LOVE to help right now. Madison is the biggest helper. She is constantly by my side asking what she can do next. I love that she wants to be apart of everything. It's good for me to let her help and not just do it myself because it's easier. They beg to help me bake things. They helped me make some yummy candy cane cookies to share with some of our friends for Christmas.
 The kids had an especially naughty play time....
 This year we did Advent every night with the kids. We all really looked forward to it and enjoyed the family time. Each night one kid got to light and blow out the candle. A major highlight for the kids. They are learning so much and love to learn. I love that they are soaking Jesus! They love the Bible and praying. They have tender little hearts - a big responsibility!
Madison is such a character. She is such an attitude! Sometimes a funny one, sometimes sweet and somtimes like a moody teenager! Ha! I found her on my bed, everything propped up just so, legs crossed and reading a magazine. "Mom, I needed to be in here to read my magazine."


Visitors

We have had so much fun having our friends and family come and spend time with us in our new home! Kristen and Sage have come a couple times and spent the weekend. Kristen has also come during the week to hang with me which I love! My Mom and Dad have been a few times. Brian and Sheila have come a few times. Aunt Boo made a quick visit and Mike and Katie spent a weekend. Whew....It's been busy! But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Sheila and Jamie have driven up for the day a few times. The kids discovered Polly Pockets on one visit. The boys really loved them! I saved those from when I was a kid, just in case I had a girl! It's so great having them up - just like our mornings drinking coffee!
Briscoe thought this was a great place to stop and rest! 
 The kids played outside forever. The (junk) hill in our backyard serves as a wonderful jungle gym the keeps the kids busy for hours. It's great! I love that my kids have such great friends already. They miss them so much and are always asking when we get to play again!



 Mom and Dad wanted to come to town to watch a basketball game and decided to spend some extra time with us! Jason and even got a date night - which a few and far between these days. We met for pizza in McCall and my parents took the kids to the bball game with them. The kids love to watch and cheer at the games. And of course my parents love to show them off. Jason and walked around the lake by moonlight (ohh-la-la), stopped to get me some dessert (Jason makes me eat alone!) and then headed home to watch a movie together. It was very nice!
Mom and Dad spent the morning with me and the kids. Mom helped me frost cookies with the kids to share with some friends. WHAT a mess! Whew! That's ok though, Christmas memories are so important!