Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning was the ultimate at our house!!! Our kids are at that PERFECT age where they can't even W-A-I-T until Christmas morning to tear through their presents. Santa pulled through AGAIN and made everyone's dreams come true! Macy got her walking/barking puppy that she's been dreaming about, a Barbie airplane jet and a Teacher's School Kit. Karlee FINALLY got the Dora talking backpack, a Polly Pocket camper, her own Squinkies, a LadyBug that shines stars on her ceiling and a Belle doll. Nicholas wanted cars, cars, cars! So that's what he got; lots of Cars 2 cars, walkie-talkies, a Hot Wheels car hauler and a Hot Wheels MEGA garage. Santa must have thought I had been good because he brought me my first pair of UGGs and a new lens for my camera. Love! Love! Mark got a Kindle and a remote control helicopter, which in his words exactly was the "BEST present EVER!" He's like a kid again flying it around.

We played all morning, danced to Just Dance 3 on the Wii, had buttermilk pancakes for breakfast and attended church. We combined with another ward so there was quite a large crowd. During the meeting, Nicholas leans over to me and says, "Mom, where's Jesus? I don't see Jesus. Why isn't he at his party?" This made me laugh! So, SO sweet! At least he remembered the reason for the season, which reason we are so grateful for, the gift of our Savior. That was the greatest gift of all!

Holiday Traditions!

Every December, we our finding ourselves looking forward to what are quickly becoming holiday traditions. First of all, girls-night-out at the Nutcracker ballet (Mark & Nick hit the bowling ally), second; driving through the Pepsi plant lights every chance we get and third, going to Storybook Land in Albany. Storybook Land is held at the Linn County fairgrounds inside a huge expo center. It's full of lights and Christmas trees and little scenes depicting various Disney movies and Mother Goose rhymes with a holiday flair. The kids LOVE it and there is always Santa at the end!

Macy's 1st Piano Recital

Macy started piano this Fall and had her first piano recital in December. She was first to perform and didn't seem at all nervous. She looked so cute up there and played wonderfully. I was so proud of her. I absolutely love that she's taking piano. She LOVES it too but hates practicing. She told me she's figured out that she only needs to practice TWO days before her piano lesson to get her songs down. We'll see how long that works for her. Let's just say there is a reason I am NOT teaching her lessons. We tried that. Me, helping her practice, is conflict enough. Needless to say, she has a FANTASTIC teacher that inspires her and keeps the music fun and interesting. I told her she has to take for eight more years. I think we settled on six. I'll take it!