Good to be home!!!

It's so good to be home, finally! I got back yesterday afternoon and was so happy but not happy about the huge mess that came with being home. I was gone almost a week and as much as I love my family I was going nuts. Brandon wasn't too much fun because of his surgery so I just sat around and ate. I swear I gained like 20 pounds eating the scrumptious fudge that my mother-in-law made. I did have a good Christmas though so I can't complain too much. Brandon had his surgery on Christmas Eve and it went really good. His surgery lasted an hour and he seems to be recovering being good. He has to take something for the pain here and there but that's normal with a sinus surgery. We ended up staying at my in-laws house for Christmas because of a little holiday "cheer" that arose with me and my mom but things are all patched up between us now. The girls loved what they got and Brock, well he doesn't know what Christmas is but he did enjoy eating the wrapping paper. The girls got a really neat doll house completely furnished, a pink .22 rifle (I know, complimentary of their dad), a karaoke machine, dvd's, and other things that I can't think of right now. Brock got tonz of clothes, the kid is growing like a week out of his clothes I just bought him 2 months ago. I got a really nice camera so I can take lots of pictures of my kids and stuff. It was a good Christmas but there is nothing like your being in your own sweet home to relax.

Stocking Stuffers

I can't believe how fast Christmas comes each year. I swear the more kids you have the faster Dec 25 creeps up on you. I have to say I have really slacked on things this year. I usually will make pumpkin rolls in November and I will freeze them so when I make some in Dec I have a good little stash for Brandon to take to work. I didn't do that this year in fact I haven't made one pumpkin roll or Christmas sugar cookies at all. It just has been so busy that I'm too tired to get to all that baking. I was pumped that I finished some goodies for Brandon's team, my mother in law helped me with that and I'm glad cause it took awhile to get those done. I passed out all the neighbor gifts today, yeah now I just need to finish packing to head up to my mom's tomorrow. We are doing Christmas up north because on Christmas Eve Brandon is getting his sinus surgery at the University of Utah hospital so it will be easier just to do Christmas up north, I think. We decided to do stocking stuffers today so the kids got to get into their stockings and totally loved it. I wanted to do some kind of Christmas at our own little home.

This Christmas has been a rough Christmas for some families and I'm so thankful that Brandon's job has been doing very well. Brandon and I feel pretty good because we were able to help one of our friends out for Christmas this year. Instead of using a gift certificate for ourselves Brandon gave it to a friend so I was pretty happy for that kind gesture my husband. I think the best present that I could ever possible have and will have forever is my family. I love my kids and husband. It's the best to see their smiling faces when they get to open their presents. Brock hasn't reached that yet but it will come. I do have to say he seemed happy to get some puffs, his favorite little snack.

I might not be able to post anything after today since my mom has very slow internet connection so I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Winter Wonderland

This weekend we went up to Snowbird for Brandon's work Christmas party and I was a little nervous because of the snow storm that was coming. When we got there, safely, I couldn't believe how gorgeous it looked. The snow just covered everything and it looked so pretty. Then I get out of the truck and it was freezing cold and I realized how much I hated the snow! Holy moley it was so cold up there. I went out to take these pictures and I hurried back in the lodge cause I was done being outside. We stayed overnight and our room was very comfy. It was a good party except for the food, that was gross. Brandon got an award and it was pretty interesting to put faces to names now.

I got up and I wanted to get ready and get off that mountain ASAP because my in-laws came, they watched the kids, and they don't have 4-wheel drive so I was nervous for them. Brandon drove their car down and I drove the truck and I was getting scared for him because going down was pretty steep. All in all it as a fun evening. Now I need to finish the rest of the shopping and just enjoy the holidays, hopefully.

Lil Stinker

So last week we finally finished putting the ornaments on the Christmas tree, and all of the decorating in the house is all done! Yeah, I'm not looking forward when I have to take it all down though it's such a pain. So I was thinking that this year would be the only year that I wouldn't have to worry about Brock playing with the tree since he can't crawl or walk yet, I was wrong. He has learned to scoot backwards and if he's close to the tree he will play with the ornaments. I have to put them a little higher so they are out of his reach. I'm like you are 8 months old I shouldn't have to be doing this yet. My girls were really good about not touching the tree I have a feeling that Brock will be the one that I'm going to have to put everything high on the tree. The kid is everywhere. He is so busy and never holds still, holy cow. I'm not use to this the girls were so calm. I do have to say he is an excellent sleeper though. He goes to bed about 6:30 pm and wakes up once to get a bottle and goes right back to sleep. He will wake up around 7 or so. The girls did that too so I'm lucky I have really good sleepers. Here's a picture of Brock playing with the tree.

Night Out

I just want to say that my husband is the best! I asked him in the middle of the week of I could go Christmas shopping on Friday and he said yes and mentioned to invite one of my friends. I told him that she didn't know if she wanted to get a babysitter since she's stopped napping her kids they have been a little on the grumpy side. He then tells me to tell her to bring them over and he will watch them (her husband is out of town on a business trip). I was like are you sure that's 6 kids to watch by yourself. I asked her and she was like ok if he wants to. So we went out around 7:30, 8 and got back around 10 pm and things went great. Brock went to sleep around 6:30 pm and stayed asleep (he is so good like that), and Brandon just made the kids popcorn and they all just watch a movie. We got so much done it was great. I only need to get Brandon, Brock, and just a few more things for the girls. It sounds like a lot but it isn't. It was great to go out away from the kids and just shop with a friend. My husband is the best and he get double kudos for this!!!

Tough Times

This has been such a crappy year for a lot of people that we know because of their jobs being loss. I always get saddened when I hear friends of ours, or even family members losing their jobs right as the holidays are coming or on the holidays. The economy is horrible and I hate to think that we are heading into a depression. We read about the great depression in school and now I'm thinking are my kids going to learn about this recession that's going on right now. It's times like these we need to lend a helping hand to those in need. It doesn't necessarily have to be financially but call up those that are having problems and let them know you love them, are thinking about them or ask if there is anything you can do for them. It might just be that they need someone to talk to get their mind of their situation. I'm hoping we get out of this slump fast and jobs start coming back to those in need because it's not looking to great. Let's keep up the Christmas spirit for those that are having a hard time right now.