Christmas 2013

These pictures are in no particular order, but just serving the purpose to remember how great this month has been...

December Highlights:

• Ringing the bell on the coldest day in December with my children as part of our district challenge, "BISD Gives Back!"
• Photo Booth in Tony's classroom with his friends
• Christmas at my house*
• Uncle Steve aka COOKIE MONSTER
• Jordonna would like me to include: Uncle Steve slept on pink sheets!
• Making pizzas at 9 in the morning, followed by Train all because that was what was requested and I had no reason to say no on our day off.
• Girl Day's with Jordonna - movie, shopping, lunch, and hot chocolate.

* So I must include some additional details about Christmas Day because it was a special one for me.  Christmas Eve everyone (my mom, Kent, Steven, and my family) were together preparing pies and snacks.  We missed Kayann and Abi that evening during our traditional Christmas Eve service.  We are used to everyone coming over afterwards for dinner/snacks.  However, this year had a little twist.  They all stayed the night!  It was a full house and the first time my parents have ever stayed the night here.  They have always lived close by, but now that they have moved to the farm it wasn't as easy for everyone to go home and get back together the next morning.  We decorated cookies and prepared for Santa's arrival.

For the past few years, we have done our family gift exchange different than what most do by drawing names.  Every adult buys every other adult a $5-$10 gift.  Last year I was very excited about giving my mom a large jar of yellow banana taffy.  Honestly, she may have been upset that she didn't get a refill this year.  But this year my favorite present I gave was to my dad - a plaque for the farm - 2S Ranch.  One of the shop teachers has his students make them at Christmas time as a fundraiser for the class.  Kent's smile rocks!!  I think I did good!

It never fails...give your kids everything they ask for and what do they want to play with? The boxes? NO! The leaf blower because the trees decided that fall should come the day before Christmas, leaving an abundant amount of leaves, perfect for leaf angels and jumping piles.

I hope your Christmas and holidays were as great as ours.  Merry Christmas!