First time in the snow

We decided to make the drive up Mt. Lemmon today to let the kids play in the snow.  Everyone else in Tucson had the same idea but luckily we got up there before it got too crowded.  Tyler and Emma had a blast.  He loved making and throwing snowballs and probably would have stayed up there all day if we would have let him. (Check out the video..the end is the best part!)

Here are a few pictures from our morning.

She fell down a lot but had Dad right there to pick her back up!

We forgot how good Tyler's aim is...check out Marshall getting a snowball  in the face!

Leave it to Marshall to teach his boy how to make yellow snow!!!

It sure is nice living in a place where you can drive an hour to play in the snow but then turn around and get back home to warmer weather and enjoy it from afar.

SNOW

It was rainy and cold yesterday which meant that we got snow in the mountains!  The paper said this morning that there was snow at 3000 ft.  I took these two pictures yesterday evening from our backyard.  

This is how I like my white Christmas...one that we can enjoy from afar!

Merry Christmas

We let all of our family know that our house would be up and moving by six a.m. so they needed to be ready if they wanted to see the magic!  Katie had one camera, Randy had my flip video, Carl had my camcorder, and mom had her camera, so every second of the morning was documented!=)  Tyler woke up first and we made him stay in his room until we heard Emma wake.  After we got her diaper changed and read the thank you note that Santa had left we headed in to the living room to see the presents.  

I think the kids were a bit shocked at everyone being in the room and staring at them because as you can see from this video they looked a bit stunned as they entered the room and saw what Santa brought.

Tyler's Santa gift was the jeep and Emma got the kitchen that I always wanted!=)

Everyone was beyond generous to the kids and they got so many wonderful gifts.  Katie got Emma a bunch of dress up clothes so that she can be Cinderella.  She loves all of the dresses and has been wearing her high heels and jewelry around the house today.  Marie got her a doll that came with a stroller, cradle, diaper bag, and baby carrier.  She has been such a good little mommy to her babies today.

Marie got Tyler the scooter that he has been wanting.  Mom and Carl got him a really neat tool bench that he has been busy at work at all day.  We are going to buy him a bike with the money that Grammy and Grandpa and Grandma Brown sent.  I haven't decided yet what we are going to use the money on for Emma but I am leaning toward a doll house...she would love this!

We had a wonderful time opening gifts and Tyler really enjoyed ripping open all the packages. Emma would get so involved in the toy that was in front of her that she would not be that interested in opening anything new so I opened most of hers.

(The Hess truck and table topper were from my Aunt Mary Lea....she made the table topper and Emma just fell in love with the pretty princess pics.)

Carl made us a wonderful breakfast and we just sat around playing with toys and watching movies for most of the afternoon. 

A customer of Marshall's had sent us a Honey Baked Ham so we had that for our dinner along with mashed potatoes like my grandmother used to make and oyster stuffing.  We also had a birthday cake to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.  

It was a wonderful day spent with our loved ones.  We really missed all of you who could not be with us, but I hope that watching these videos and seeing these pictures will make you feel like you were right here with us!  We love you all and are so grateful for all that you do for us and our children.  Thank you for helping to make our holiday season such a special one.  I wish each you a very Merry Christmas and a truly blessed New Year.

Tuesday and Wednesday

Tuesday, Tyler had school and he didn't want to miss it even if it meant not spending the day with Nana and Aunt Katie.  He was very excited because they had a birthday party for Jesus and a gift exchange.  He was thrilled with all the Spider man "stuff" that he got in the exchange.

While he was at school us girls went to do some last minute shopping.  We didn't go too many places so it really wasn't that awful to be out and about with the masses.  That evening we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant here in Tucson, El Mezon del Cobre.  The kids did really well and we all had a delicious dinner.

Wednesday we got up and went to the YMCA to burn off some of those calories from the night before.  After we were done we got a few groceries for Christmas dinner and then headed home. Mom and Carl went to spend the afternoon at his grand daughter's house at the military base on the other side of town.  Katie and Randy went to finish their shopping while the kids napped and I got a chance to make sure I had everything ready for the next day.  

After dinner that night we decorated some cookies for Santa and got out a few carrots for his reindeer.

Before we got ready for bed we let the kids open one gift each.  I decided last year that I would get them new pj's every year so they would look extra cute in the Christmas morning pictures. Last year Tyler was thrilled with his gift.  This year I think he was expecting something a bit more exciting than pajamas.  Click here to see his reaction...it is priceless!  

Marshall and I told each other no gifts this year but my sweet husband gave me a pretty wonderful gift that night...a new Cannon Rebel camera.  I was shocked.  Now I just need to take some photography classes so I can get really good at it and maybe I can start a little side business!=)

After baths, reading The Night Before Christmas,  and getting our kids nestled all snug in their beds, six very busy elves went to work putting together Santa's gifts.  We got everything done and were in bed by a decent hour.  

Monday

We geared up for house guests today.  Mom, Carl, Katie and Randy all came in to help us celebrate Christmas.  I had been telling Tyler all day that as soon as they got here that we would have Aunt Katie help us make a gingerbread house.  They didn't get here until dinner time so we quickly ate and then started on our little project.  I always have these grand dreams that our house will come out like those awesome ones that we see on the box, in magazines, and on TV.  Yet somehow I always end up just shocked at how little creative talent I have!=) We did have a few laughs as we tried to create our little masterpiece!

Mom made Tyler a little Christmas tree a few years ago that has little construction ornaments on it.  This year she made a tree for Emma.  She put the Disney princesses on it with red lights...it was beautiful and Emma LOVED it!

Meeting Santa again

On Friday we went to this great little place called The Village Bake House with Marie and Evan.  They were having an open house with cookies, face painting, and a visit from Santa.  The kids got to decorate their own cookies.  Both of my children went a little overboard on the icing and sprinkles....but they sure had fun.

The Santa that was there was very nice but he had a mini conference with EVERY child so it took forever to get the chance to see him.  We got in line three different times and then we would go back outside and just wait until the crowd died down and tried again.  They had you fill out this piece of paper with your child's name, things he/she does around the house to help, things he/she needs to improve on, and things he/she can do for others.  

Tyler helped me with his...

Name: Tyler

Things I do around the house to help:  Feed the dog and pick up my toys

Things I need to improve on: Being a good listener (I picked this one) and coloring (he pick that one!=)

Things I can do to help others: We can use our money to buy presents for kids who don't have any.  He said this without any prompting...we shopped for two kids whose names we got from a gift tree so I guess it made an impression.

Name: Emma

Things I do around the house to help:  Pick up my toys.

Things I need to improve on:  going potty on the potty (hey I figured if Santa told her to do it maybe she would!!!

Things I can do for other:  Give lots of love.

So we finally get our turn and Santa starts his little conference.  As he is going over Tyler's he says, "Wow it looks like you are a good helper for your mom."  Tyler said "Yes"  Then he says, "Are you a good listener or do you need to get better at that?"  Tyler looked at him and said, "Are those toys in that basket?"  That's my boy...such a good listener!=)

Emma was very excited to see Santa.  When we got up there she turned around and yelled, "Santa!"  She wasn't so sure about sitting on his lap though so I started to crouch down with her and let Marie take our picture.  Santa said, "Oh, mom can sit on my lap, I like when the mom's sit!"  I guess playing Santa has its perks!=)

Our cute kiddos!

PJ Day

Thursday was pajama day at Tyler's school.  They read The Night Before Christmas to the kids and had a pajama party.  He insists on only wearing footed pajamas here at the house so we had to go buy him a new pair that he could wear there.  

Tyler's class saying grace before the end of the day snack.

Ms. Sheri and Tyler (oh, and Jonah...he was still tired from nap!=)

Tyler and Kayleigh, aka his wife, and some other little girl who ran into the picture!=)

Tuesday is the last day of school before break.  They are having a birthday party for Jesus and a gift exchange, Tyler can hardly wait!!!