We Wish You A Merry Christmas...

On Christmas Eve, Kenny worked part of the day, while I finished some last minute shopping, cleaning and preparations. Later I took the boys to my parents house for dinner and festivites, while Kenny stayed home to start playing Santa in the backyard while it was still warm and light out (building a new trampoline since our other one died on us). The idea was he would come over later on, but the enclosure took longer than expected because he was doing it by himself.

We had our family's traditional clam chowder, and quiche for dinner, then visited and played Ligretto while the kids played. My sister Chantelle and her family are in town from Tennessee so the boys had fun playing with their cousins they don't normal see. After delaying for an extra hour we left and took food home for Kenny. Because it was dark, and we closed the blinds over the back door, they couldn't see the fun in the backyard.




At home we did our own Christmas Eve FHE and let the kids open our traditional Christams PJs then watched the Luke 2 movie on DVD while drinking Hot Chocolate and eating cookies. Afterward, the kids went to bed abot 9:00 while we cleaned the kitchen and house until we knew they were asleep. Then we had LOTs of wrapping to do since I hadn't wrapped anything yet. Kenny actually did most of the wrapping this year while I gathered all the hidden bags of toys, and sorted piles per person, then filled stockings. We were finished by 11 and, after making a Santa delivery from our garage to the Lambs, were in bed by midnight - exhausted!




Christmas morning, the kids got up about 6:30 so we all got up to open presents. The boys were all pretty excited about all the gifts Santa brought. Unfortunatly, it rained during the night and was very cold, so they were unable to play on the trampoline.







Afterward, we always eat a big breakfast on our Christmas dishes from Old Grandma Crockett. The kids played with all thier toys, and Kenny and I each took naps. Later, we went back to my parents for Christmas dinner. The kids all played, mostly with the melting beads of Caity's. The adults played more Ligretto and visited. It was a wonderfully relaxing day spent with our family!

Christmas Parties and Santa Claus

On Saturday we had the day of Christmas Parties!

First we had our Ward Christmas Party, a pancake breakfast with Santa Claus. The kids ate quickly and were off to play with their friends until Santa came in.

This was the only time we saw Santa this year, so we weren't sure how Brayden would do. Turns out, he thought he was very interesting with all the hair and fur. Not at all scared.

Mckay was very thoughtful about what he wanted to ask Santa for. He wasn't sure if he should ask for several things, or just one special thing. He decided on a Cars Mega blocks set.

For 10 years, we have managed to keep the tradition of Santa alive, every year as the boys have gotten older we have wondered if this would be the last. This year, Santa is out of the bag, both Tyler and Ryan are in the know. Last year, I overheard them discussing ways to prove Santa was real to the kids on the bus. This year, when I believed Tyler was catching on, I pulled him aside and asked him what he thought about Santa. With a smile, he said he thought Mom and Dad were Santa. I told him I thought he was right, but nothing has changed, Christmas would be the same. I asked him not to say anything to the other kids. I explained to him it was like at Disneyland when they see Mickey Mouse and the other characters, they don't know it is a person in a costume and they really believe it's them. They get so excited, and it makes it so much fun. I told him that was why parents tell kids about Santa, it makes it more fun. He agreed, and promised not to say anything, but told me he believed Ryan already knew also. When I pulled Ryan aside, he right away told me he already knew about Santa and he wouldn't tell anyone, then ran out the door to play. (SO RYAN!) So, even though both boys are in the know, they are willing to play along.

Next we had our Crockett Family Christmas Party at Megan's. We got Danny and Gwen on web cam and had lunch then our gift exchange. We all had a lot of fun playing and visiting, but somehow, not one picture was taken.

Finally, Megan watched the boys while Kenny and I went to the Bishopric Christmas Party. We ate dinner and played games and visited. Again, no pictures.

Decorating the Christmas Tree!

I have always loved the smell and look of real trees, but a couple years ago, I bought a nice pre-lit tree from Costco (on Black Friday!) and I have loved it! I love being able to put it up and take it down when we want without the major fire hazard! I love not having to water it! I love not having to string all the lights on the tree! I love that it folds up so nicely and after some "fluffing" comes back out the next year looking just as great! I love that there are no holes, that you have to turn to the back wall. I love that I don't have to vacuum up after the tree like it's a pet. Someday, we may get a real tree again, but for now I enjoy my fake one!

Kenny put up the tree while I was shopping on Black Friday. I spent a couple days "fluffing" it, then on Monday we decorated it together for FHE. The kids get so excited! They each have their own baby ornaments with the year they were born, that I put at the top of the tree to protect them. As the kids are getting older, and taller, the ornaments are being spaced better, so I don't have to rearrange much when their done. Brayden was super excited to help. He was very interested in these pretty shiny balls! We only had one casualty that night when he tried to bounce one. He keeps looking at this glowing temptation in the front room, but will shake his hand at it as if to say "No, No." (He may have heard it once or twice!) Afterward we had brownies and milk and sent the kids to bed, while I finished the tree.

Black Friday!!

Black Friday is one of my favorite days of the year!! It's like my once a year shopping spree! And who can pass up a great deal?
It started years ago while I was still in high school. My sister Lisa and I wanted the free gift bag Target had advertised. We really didn't want to buy stuff and didn't realize the popularity of Black Friday. So almost out of a dare, I'll go if you go, we got up early just as the store was opening and were shocked at the crowds in the parking lot. I think we actually walked in and got the free stuff and went back to the car! (Then we went to McDonald's 'cause if you're going to wake up that early, you really should get a Sausage McMuffin and a Dr Pepper!) But, it became a tradition, shopping and breakfast. I think it really hit me once I had kids though, that there was stuff I wanted to get, and it was really on sale! We save all our Christmas money in time for this day! In years past, Kenny has taken a vacation day off work, and even gone in late to work so I could get my deals! I get 75-90% of my Christmas shopping done in one day, before noon, and go out to breakfast with my sisters and girl-friends - NO KIDS! It's a wonderful thing!
This year, I went with Mindy. We met at 3:30 am, and went to Wal-mart, Target, Denny's, and the mall. We got everything on our lists and were done by 10 am. Beautiful! Can't wait for Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We went to visit Kenny's family in Thatcher for Thanksgiving. Kenny took Wednesday off work and the boys were out of school all week, so we left as soon as Kenny got home on Tuesday. Kenny's brother and new wife, Danny and Gwen, drove down from Logan in their new Jeep. We had a lot of fun visiting and playing games. Danny even took us all out for some fun in the Jeep! We had dinner with many of Kenny's extended family, and it was fun to see everybody again!

This year I was reflecting on where we were last year, and how far we have come. It was such a rough year for our family in so many ways and we are really grateful to be moving beyond some of our trials. With each trial, I hope to gain more knowledge and wisdom! I am so grateful for our family and friends that support us in our trials. I am so grateful for the Spirit that comforts us in our trials, and while waiting for answers to our prayers. I'm grateful Heavenly Father watches out for us and places us where we need to be, even when the road to get there is rough and uncomfortable! I am grateful to have the faith to take the steps into the dark, even when we don't know what is on the other side, as long as we have faith! I'm grateful for my husband that always works hard, and is always looking for ways to improve things for our family, even if he has to get up very early and go to bed very late. I'm grateful for his willingness, worthiness, and opportunity to serve, (even if it means more getting up very early and going to bed very late!). We have truly felt the Lord's hand in our lives and we are so grateful for it!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

If you give a kid a cookie....

... this is what he and his brother will look like!!


Mckay made these cute turkey cookies out of fudge-striped cookies, chocolate frosting, and candy-corn, at pre-school right before Thanksgiving. He had it on a paper plate when he came to the car, and it was soooo tempting! I asked him to please wait until we got home (seeing the mess it would be in the car!) and he could have it after lunch. The entire 5-10 minute drive I could just smell the chocolate. I pulled up to drop off Kelby, and opened the door to find these cute boys! AAACCCKKKK! Mckay said "he had to share with Brayden, 'cause he wanted some!" What a kind brother! (He started crying "'cause he didn't want to be busted!" and didn't want anyone to see him all messy.)

Twilight Movie

After reading all the Twilight books, I had to see the movie. A group of us made some matching shirts before the release of the last book, so we had to wear them to the midnight movie release! There was a group going to line up early, but Kenny and Tommie had meetings at the church that night, so Mindy and I had to go later and weren't ever able to meet up with them. We did find Stacy and Sam Pritchet from our ward, and waited with them. It worked out fine though, cause we only had to wait less then half an hour before they let us into our theater. We also got GREAT seats on the front row of the upper section, against the bar so we could put our feet up! Apparently the other theater was full of roudy teenagers as well, and ours was quite calm, so maybe it was for the best!

Over all the movie was pretty good, not great though. It was fun to see the book come alive, and the book is always better than the movie, but I think the budget was too small for the movie so some of it was pretty cheesy (special effects, make up, etc). Either way, it was a fun girls night out!

Tyler's Bear Award

Tyler earned his Bear award in Cub Scouts back in October, and he received his patch and gave me the "mother's pin" at pack meeting in November. (We forgot the camera so Kenny took the picture with his phone, but didn't it didn't focus well. Oh well!) He really loves going to scouts and learning so many new things, and we are so proud of him! On to Webelos Scouts!

Birthday!

First of all,
Thanks for all the kind Birthday wishes!
I had a great day!
After celebrating last weekend, today was a nice simple day!
When I got up this morning (after my kids woke up at 6 am to watch cartoons!) I actually forgot today was my birthday (you KNOW you're getting old when...), until Tyler came in and wished me a quick "Happy Birthday Mom!" I had to stop and think, "Is today my birthday? Oh yeah, it is!" Then it was back to being the mom and getting the kids ready for school, fed and out the door. I got several birthday calls and messages from my family, many while I was talking to Chantelle long distance, so sorry I didn't switch over, but Thanks!

After Mckay got home from pre-school, Megan watched the little boys for me while I met Kenny for lunch at Chili's. Megan also made me a cute recipe holder for my kitchen.

Tonight when Kenny came home from work, he surprised me with Rubios (even though Mindy had already dropped off chili and cornbread for dinner group) and ice cream (since I don't like cake much). He also surprised me with roses, and a birthday card with my Twilight ticket for Thursday night. After dinner, we took the boys to the park to play with Mindy and and her kids.

It was a nice, simple and sweet day!