Happy Birthday To ME!

 

This is how I woke up this morning.  The kids made cards for me.  I love that they got creative with the pictures.  Boston made the first one.  He even included candles and an old dumb dumb.  (I won't mention it was in my purse and I finally took it out after having it there for 2 months...because it's the thought that counts:)

 Alyssa made the second card, and I included pics of the front middle and back.  (For some reason it wouldn't let me rotate it, so you'll have to tip your head.)

 It cracks me up that she wrote "I think you are sweet as a 'candy', and when we go to Chick we always get some 'Mints'..." 

and then I went shopping

Drum roll please......

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For those of you who know me, you will know that this is a REALLY big deal.

I got a new SMALLER wallet.

 

And when I got home, I had a SURPRISE crew waiting for me. 

Alyssa called everyone, made a cake and decorated the whole house.  I thought it was the cutest thing ever!  I love that girl.  Oh and the cake was really good and she even made home-made frosting!

 She put together a treat bowl, and even got a table cloth.  And even included candles for me to blow out!

Christmas Evening

We always go to Gentry's parents house for dinner on Christmas.  The kids love it because they always get one last present. 

This is front of the tree at Cyndy's house....we had already taken down our decorations.

 

 Alyssa took a pic of us...and I had to post it because GENTRY'S EYES ARE OPEN!  Even though his cheeks are a little swollen.  (I think he wants the sympathy anyway.)

 I swear I can't get a picture with his eyes open....really?!?

 Boston wanted a "Happy Napper" they're basically like a pillow pet, but he's been singing the commercial to me for months.  So he was EXCITED to get this!

 Brock with his Happy Napper.

 Brock, Boston and Bridger all loved the sling shots.  They were shooting each other with fluffy balls.

 Alyssa thinks Aeropostale stuff is pretty cool now...so grown up right?!  She also got some fingernail polish that smells like Jolly Ranchers.  So she immediately went to paint her nails.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

This year Christmas felt like it came extra fast.  Maybe because it hasn't been super snowy (which I've been loving because I'm not one for snow) or time just seems to fly lately.

Yesterday (Christmas Eve) we took the kids to see Arthur Christmas.  It was really cute.  Cyndy joined us and I even took a picture. 

Christmas morning.  I always make the kids wait on the stairs til Cyndy gets here.  They couldn't wait so they were up at 4:45.  I told them to brush their teeth and clean their room first.  (Can you tell I was trying to buy some time?) 

 The kids love playing school, so we got them the chalkboard thing.  So far they already love it.

 My kids are always dragging blankets around....so we thought they'd like these.  They did!

 This is the #1 thing Brock asked for, remote control car.  Notice Santa and I don't use name tags....why would we use them when sharpie's are so much easier?!?

 The Kindle Fire is what Alyssa was asking for!

 I'm afraid this blinking stuff is becoming a habit with Boston.

 The boys have loved their Kindle Fire too.

 I think Alyssa liked her boots:)

 

I like to take a family pic on Christmas, and since we were all dressed up for church...why not?!

 But the kids insist on taking a funny face pic.

Merry Christmas!  I will hopefully be posting more later, but with the way my computer is working I didn't dare wait to post for fear I'd lose even more pictures.  I think I'm ready to go back to a PC instead of a Mac.

Christmas EVE Eve...

This year was the "off" year for my family so we celebrated Christmas Eve on the 23rd.  My brother Chris and his family and my sister Missy and her family weren't able to make it...BUMMER!  But we had fun and my Grandma Betty was even able to join us on the chaos and fun.

So here's how the day started out.  Gentry had to have oral surgery to have an implant placed with bone graft and sinus lift...ugh, not so good. (Not to mention $$$) He was not feeling so hot, but figured he was going to be in pain at home anyway so he came with us to the dinner/Christmas party.

This pic is a perfect example of FAKE SMILES.  I had just yelled at them for whining and complaining and literally threatened to leave them home.  Then right after I told them they could come to dinner I said, "Smile so I can take your picture."  And this is what I got.  (I actually took a few more but my kids take after daddy and like to blink a ton.)  Well at least I'm honest and let you know we're not always a well behaved family...I'm included in that and I think we are all in need of a nap.

 Frannie got a new sweater.  I think she really likes it now, the first few minutes she was walking on her tippy toes...and trying to bite herself.

 My Mom, Alan and Grandma Betty.  Alan is wearing the last sweater my Grandma Betty knitted.  He figured it out and she literally used a MILE of yarn to make this sweater.  She is incredible.  I love my Grandma!  I still can't believe she's 93!

 Nate was finally able to join us for a family party.  He's been working a ton and doesn't get much time off.  So we were glad he could make it.  Jennifer is pregnant and finally starting to feel a little less sick.

 So glad my Dad is always willing to cut up the meat.  I've tried doing it and it's a lot harder than it looks.  He always makes it look really nice.

 Michele and Michelle.  aka one "L" and two "L"

 I love little Tate, he came up to me several times throughout the night cause he thought I was Michele.  He quickly went the other way when he saw I wasn't his Mom.

 I love this pic.  I think it's the first time Reese has ever smiled for me while I was taking her picture.

 Gentry wasn't feeling too well, but Connor made sure to hang out with him.  Connor just got done with Silver Rush, which is the fund raiser Riverton High school puts on at Christmas.  They raised $107,000!  Beating last year's high of $80,000.  Connor put a TON of work into earning the money.  The SBO adviser got choked up telling Janay that Connor single handedly did most of the work.  He is such a hard worker we were so proud of him!  What a cool experience for him.  The charity they chose is the Christmas Box house.  It's a place for kids to live who don't have a place...I'm so glad they got to be a part of this!

 Gentry's face is a little swollen from surgery, but he still took a pic with me.

 Like I said earlier, like father like son.

 Santa came...aka Connor.  He let the kids know his little secret that he is actually just an "Elf" that helps Santa out every now and again.  The kids thought it was sooo cool and kept asking him all of his secrets.

 Of course Brock couldn't leave his sweater on the WHOLE time.  Nope he had to change.

 My parents gave Alyssa this hat and shirt.  She LOVES it.  I think she looks pretty darn cute!

 The boys got a piggy bank and some cash for the cruise we are going on in February.

It was a super fun night.  The kids went right to bed when we got home.  (Of course it may have something to do with me threatening to not let them go to the movies tomorrow...but either way it worked.)
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVE!