New Years Eve Party

 This year we went over to the Jones' home for New Years.  As you can see, we brought lots of games.  The kids played.  The parents played.  There was lots of food, lots of chatting and lots of fun.  Around 10:30 we celebrated the New Year.  I thought we would leave, but everyone was having so much fun we didn't head out until about 12:15.  Even Callie was up, happy and having fun when we left.  I was shocked!  I love good friends.  I wish we had a bigger home only so that we could have bigger parties.

New Years Eve Day

 ON New Years Eve we went ice skating.  It had been awhile for the kids (when I was prego with Callie) but they all did surprisingly well.  The boys didn't need any help and Annabelle only needed a bit.  Greg and I took turns being with Callie or had one of the kids sit with her so we could "couple skate."  We had lots of fun and stayed longer than I thought we would.  We decided to go to Gandolfos on Provo Center Street.  Greg's old YM leader started the restaurant when he was Greg's leader.  The kids thought that would be cool and wondered if he would be there as we walked down the stairs.  I assured them he wouldn't and then he WAS there.  Greg was happy to catch up and we all enjoyed our yummy sandwiches.  It was a great day, so far...

Crazy Day

 

 

 On Monday the kids played great all morning.  I finally made it back to the gym and looked forward to a relaxing day reading on my new Kindle.  Then at some point the girls asked me to make sugar cookies.  I had a mix and some frosting so I decided, "Sure, why not?"  We had lots of fun with some old cookie cutters that I bought when Nathan was little. 

When the cookies were ready to frost, everyone had at least 1 friend over so I decided to frost them myself to eliminate a little crazy from my life.  I love all the different animal shapes i have.
Then I thought I'd add some more crazy and I taught the kids and some friends the M&M game.  I remember playing this when I was young at my friend, Heather's house.  She had lots of older siblings and always had cool games to play.  The kids loved it, but it was definitely crazy.  Callie kept rolling doubles and so it was often her turn to try to get the M&Ms with the knives.  I don't think she ever got even one.  But everyone had fun and when I had to leave for a few minutes to answer the door the M&Ms disappeared.  Fun times!

 

Looking Indian

Greg bought me this beautiful scarf and skirt from India.  I convinced him to wear his outfit to church on Sunday so that we could match.  We got a lot of compliments and a lot of weird looks.  You can't really see but Greg also got me earrings, a necklace and bracelets.  The women in India are definitely not built like me.  The bracelets could not fit around my big hands.  I really wanted to wear them for Greg, but they hurt to put on and take off.  I doubt I will wear them again.  But all the jewelry is gold with lots of jewels.  Oh and there was a clip in my hair he got also.  Annabelle loves her scarf from Greg and proudly wore it to church as well.  I think we looked awesome.

Christmas Day

 We all got funny shirts and fancy slippers this year on Christmas Eve.  The boys were up at about 7:10.  Annie followed at 7:30 and we got Callie up shortly after.  We always hang a sheet across the doorway so no one can peek out.  Fun tradition.  I love watching and hear the kids as they walk down stairs (or crawl like Callie for some reason decided to do).

 Mom, Dad, and Santa spoiled the kids this year.  I will just share some highlights.
Nathan got a GPS device.  He has figured it out but it has been really cold and snowy ever since Christmas and so they haven't found any new geocaches with it. 

 Ryan got supplies from Santa to take care of the new pet we got him, a Russian Tortoise.  I loved how happy he was/is.  He is pretty good at taking care of it, feeding him, washing him and making sure his heat lamps are on or off. 

 Annabelle got lots of Lego Friends and more clothes for her doll (and my doll).  I loved watching her focus for so long on the little Legos.

 

 Callie of course got home pigs, some Minnie stuff and candy galore.

Everyone got art books, games, and books and they all enjoyed coloring, reading, and playing all day.  I love that we get to just hang out all day and play with each other and our new toys. 
My big craft this holiday season was making the kids stuffed animals.  I had bought a book to learn how a year ago and the kids had each picked out an animal.  I finally got up the courage to try and had a lot of fun with them.  Nathan got a pick-up truck, Ryan a cat, Annabelle a bluebird and Callie got a pig (of course).

 After a long day of play Greg's family started showing up for our big family party.  There were 26 people there and all I had to do was make the turkey.  I brined it starting on Christmas Eve and it was DELISH!  I loved watching cousins play and hang out.  I loved how I didn't see too many people on their phone.  I loved the Callie was healthy and happy and I was able to talk to people and have fun.  I love Christmas and I love sharing it with amazing people. 

 

Christmas Eve

 Nathan made us all egg sandwiches for breakfast.  I was very impressed and now he wants to do it all the time.  Per tradition we went to a movie (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2), had take out pizza and decorated cookies for Santa.  I didn't realize how big these cookies would be but the kids loved them.  Ryan read us the Night Before Christmas, we talked about what we would give Jesus for His birthday and then off to bed.  Greg crashed again (not loving jet-lag) so I got everything ready for the morning. 

 

 

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

 Greg's flight got in at 7:15pm Monday night.  I wasn't looking forward to going up there and getting him but he REALLY wanted me to.  So Callie and I headed up (so I could be in the carpool lane) and even went in to the airport.  I felt that 2 weeks away deserved more than a curbside pickup.  When we got home we had a great time looking at pictures and all the souvenirs Greg brought back.  He brought jewelry, toys, scarfs, clothes, and lots of snacks and candy.  He even brought some spices and box mixes to make Indian food.  I was excited to take Greg upstairs and show him our new room.  He was very surprised and then crashed.  He had been traveling/flying for 41 hours (from hotel to home).  The next morning he said, "You painted, too?"  We are so glad that he is home, especially in time for Christmas.  I will have to get more pictures from his phone about his journey.

A GREAT DAY

 We have had a fabulous Sunday.  We made it to Church and had a spiritually uplifting time.  Callie hung with me the whole time since she still has a runny nose and I didn't want her to catch anything new at nursery.  She did great.  After lunch we watch a Christmas movie.  Then we did a treasure hunt Nathan made, read a few chapters from "Tuesdays at the Castle", had dinner, played a bunch of games and got ready for bed and read some more.  Everyone is feeling good.  Greg has just barely arrived in Amsterdam so he is 1/3 of the way home.  My blog is almost all updated and I am feeling good.  Not much else can go wrong.  Knock on wood.  Less than 24 hours!!  While I hope to never have to be away from Greg again (especially over 5000 miles away), I think I have done really well.  I have accomplished a few projects to which pictures will go up once he is home.  We have said prayers every day and read scriptures a bunch.  We have had lots of fun and while I may have lost my patience a few times, for the most part I stayed relatively calm and happy.  We had late nights and special treats.  We realized how much we miss and love our Daddy and how incomplete our home is without him.  Tomorrow night can't come fast enough.

No Computer

Of course the first thing to go wrong when Greg leaves is for the computer to crash. I'm talking stripes and polka dots crash.  I took it in Tuesday the 10th and got it back the 20th.  Kind of ridiculous.  But that sums up my last 2 weeks.  I should of had it sooner but they called and left a message with the diagnosis on the 10th and I never got it.  It wasn't until they finally picked up their phones on the 16th and told me the diagnosis that they were able to start replacing the video card.  They should have called me again.  GRRRR.  Then when I plugged the thing in Friday night the fan was blowing crazy.  I was so upset that I left a nasty message.  Tonight I turned the computer on again and the fan thing wasn't happening.  Whoops, I guess I need to call and apologize for my mean message tomorrow.  

I am going to try to catch up on my blog before Christmas, we shall see...