Christmas! It's finally here...

First, let me apologize for the blurry pictures. My camera was on the wrong setting, so every one of them turned out bad. Sad!! The first picture is just to show everyone what I had to finally do to my tree because Cutler wouldn't leave it alone. Just notice where all the ornaments are!



These are all of Noah's presents, except the one that doesn't come in the house!



These are all of Cutler's presents, except the one that comes in the house, but I forgot to put in the picture! (It looks like Cutler got way more, but his presents are on the love seat, Noah's are on the couch.)



We had to wake the kids up so that we could get to everyone's house on time. This is what Cutler did right after we brought him out to the presents.

On Christmas Eve we usually go with the Danjanovich's and sometimes my family to Pizza Factory. But this year, P.F. wasn't staying open so we had to figure something else out. So we went to my parents and had a feast! I was so tired because the past 3 nights I had been up until 3:00 a.m. trying to finish different things I had going on. Sadly I didn't get everything done. I had started making a blanket for Noah, and didn't get the binding done. I had the worst headache, and all day long it seemed like everything was going against me. Nothing was going right. So I was happy to get home and get the kids to bed. Lucky for me I went to bed at 12:30!!

On Christmas morning we got the boys up at 7:00 and hurried through our presents at home. Santa was very nice to all the boys this year (yes, even Colby). They all got 4-wheelers! And yes, Noah's is real, no, Cutler's is not. Colby was especially surprised. It was funny because when we went out to the living room, Noah saw Cutler's 4-wheeler and said, "I asked for a 4-wheeler." I told him that Santa must have been confused. After all the presents were opened, I saw 2 notes hanging on the tree. One for Noah, and one for Colby, telling them to look outside for their presents. They were both very excited.
We then hurried over to Danjanovich's to open presents there. We all made a haul! Then off to the Miller's. Again, we all made a haul. We finally got home at about 1:30, got the boys down for a nap by 2:30, got showered and woke the boys up in time to be at the Labrum's by 5:00 for the festivities there. By 8:30 I'd had it with Cutler. He's so hard to entertain! And into everything! So we called it a night.

Today, Colby had to work, so I was able to get most of our stuff put away. I love Christmas, but it's nice to put things in their spot and have my house back(sort of).

We hope you were all able to have as much fun as we did, and had at least a moment to relax and remember what and who the celebration is all about!

Merry Christmas!

Our Gingerbread House

As you can see, there was quite a bit of
concentration going on here.


I wish I could say I made the gingerbread, but I can't. We bought our kit at Costco. And I must say, it was a pretty nice little kit. We bought it a few days ago, and Noah has been asking if we can do it everyday since. We finally had some time tonight so we got it done! For a gingerbread house, I think it turned out pretty cute. I'll let you be the judge!


I have to add that I think I posted this in record time. Usually I have to wait until everyone is in bed, and it's only 8:30! Wahoo!

Colby's Tag and very first blog post

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper. I know I'm not the best at wrapping but I like putting my personal touches on the wrapped presents.
2. Real tree or artificial? Real Tree!!! I especially like to go and cut the tree down.
3. When do you put up the tree? Right after Thanksgiving. But this year 3 weeks before because we bought a fake tree
4. When do you take the tree down? I like to take it down between Christmas and New years!
5. Do you like eggnog? I love it straight up!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Red BMX bike.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? I make my mom a nativity scene when I was in elementary school.
8. Hardest person to buy for? TIFFANY!!! She always has a wish list and things that she wants. But we could go to the mall for a week straight and not find anything that fits right or is the right color.
9. Easiest person to buy for? ME I always have a detailed list of needs.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Don't know
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail Christmas cards.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Why the Polor Express. Of Course!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Around Thanksgiving.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Everything. I miss doing Christmas parties at the Gable house and being able to eat Prime Rib or Gable house Pork tenderloin every night that was probably my favorite.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? Stay Home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.
20. Angel on the treetop or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? 1 present Christmas Eve, Pajama's
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? millions of people shopping at the stores.
23. What I love most about Christmas? Being together with Family

Tagged Again!

I think I just barely did one of these but I'll be a good sport and do another. I've actually been tagged to do 2 new ones, but since it is Christmas time I've chosen to do this one. Sorry Kaymee, I'll do yours after the new year. Here it goes...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer to wrap. The presents are so much cuter and much more fun to open!
2. Real tree or artificial? I feel bad about this. Colby loves a real tree. And don't get me wrong, I love the smell! But what a mess. After last year, I told him no more real trees. We are buying a fake one. And we did, and I love it!
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually right before Thanksgiving, this year...November 3rd(?)
4. When do you take the tree down? About a week after New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, although I've learned a trick, add a little milk.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I would probably have to say the barbie house my dad, I mean Santa built. Funny story: One day Makayla and I were pretending to one of our friends we had some kind of pet out in the garage. Well, the garage door was up just a little bit, and it was a tricky door to get to stop right where you wanted it to. Anyway, to prove there was a pet whatever out there we opened the door and to our surprise saw the house. We were so excited but we knew we were in trouble too because we couldn't get the door to go back to the exact spot. Needless to say, my parents could tell we had seen it and they told us that night that what ever we saw out there would be burned and we would be lucky if we got anything for Christmas. But of course, they couldn't do that to us, and we got the barbie house. Plus, on Christmas eve, we couldn't sleep and so we tiptoed very quietly down the hall to the kitchen, and we saw them putting the finishing touches on it.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? I have the Willow Tree one. I love it.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad, he has everything. He buys it the minute he wants it.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Kids- they get what we want them to have!!
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't think of one. I was usually pretty spoiled.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Definately mail
12. Favorite Christmas movie? I like a lot, I have to say Polar Express
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually the day after Thanksgiving
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember (I hope not)
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My grandma & mom's homemade candy
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Can't think of a song- I love listening to 'The Forgotten Carols'
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course Rudolph
20. Angel on the treetop or a star? A bow
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas eve, but definately morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I agree with Allie, it's not long enough
23. What I love most about Christmas? I love the way everyone is so cheerful, and just happy. I love getting together with family; watching the shows on t.v. with only the lights from the tree on.

So now I tag the men! Reagan, Dave, Colby, Shan, Danny(I'll let you tag Kenny & Scott) And you all better do it!!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Last week Colby took the boys to the Dicken's Festival and was lucky enough to get the boys' picture with Santa. (The line was not long.) I remember a photo of Noah with Santa and he looks the same as Cutler, only his face was the same color as Santa's coat.

New Furniture

We are very aware that we have way too much furniture for our little home, but we don't care. That just means we need a bigger home!(hint, hint-Colby) At this point, the more the cozier?! Not really, but Colby has had our couches for almost 8 years now and lets just say, they've seen their day. For us anyway. My sis-in-law's brother is getting married and needed some 'cheap' furniture, and what an opportunity for me to get some new. I jumped on it anyway. I still need to find some throw pillows to add a little color, but they are super comfy, and just what I wanted.

Big Trouble!

So, this is what Cutler has been UP to lately. No good! This is a daily thing for him and honestly, I don't know what to do to get him to stop climbing in and on everything. Literally! The kitchen table, the stools, chairs, Noah's toolbox, and the drawers. I can barely take my eyes off him and he's climbing. Well, last night we had just got our new couches(later post) and the boys were in Noah's room playing. All of a sudden, Noah comes running out with a big smile on his face and says, "Mom, come see this, you've gotta see what Cutler's doing" Right then I knew and took off into the room to get him out of the drawer. But, before we got there the dresser came crashing down on him. He was in the bottom drawer bent all the way forward, with the whole dresser laying on top of him. He was screaming, but luckily he wasn't seriously hurt, mostly just scared. So was I! After we got him out I was holding him and went to sit on the bed and he thought I was putting him down so he grabbed my shirt and wouldn't let go. That's when I knew he was scared. So, I'm not glad this happened to him by any means, but maybe it scared him enough to not do it again. There hasn't been any climbing today, so I'm crossing my fingers.

What the...Bachelor?! (Forever!)

Seriously! What the heck just happened?! Has anyone watched this season? I don't know who has but what the heck? So, he liked Jenni from the very first episode, and I thought DeAnna was gone a long time ago. Obviously he saw something in her. He's gorgeous- scruff and all, a millionaire, nice, seemed sincere...I don't know what to think anymore. I guess at least he didn't propose to one of them knowing he wasn't going to take it any farther, and just prolong the heartbreak. But now what does he do? He just had 25 women thrown at him and sent every one of them packin'. So here he is, single again. I get that he didn't 'love' any of them, but it's just crazy he broke every one of the girls' hearts plus his own. Or did he?! We'll find out tomorrow on "After the Final Rose"...

I am THANKFUL for...

My husband. This post will come as a total surprise to him because I know he thinks I only think about the little boys in my life... Wrong! Colby is the best husband ever. I honestly don't know what I would do without him, yes I do, go crazy! He cooks when he can see that I have had a not-so-fun day, he'll clean when I've had a not-so-fun day, he takes care of the kids after a not-so-fun day. See a pattern yet? He helps hang things on the walls, he'll wash my car, he helps SOOO much. It's starting to sound like I don't do much so I have to stop listing things he does. He doesn't do 'projects' - which most of you know. It's funny because I grew up doing 'projects' as my family likes to call them, and well, he didn't. So when something needs to be put together, that's my department, but I like it. So today while we are enjoying the sounds of sleeping little boys, I want to tell you honey, I love you! And I am so thankful for all that you do for me and our family!

Warning!

What you are about to hear is a lot of country music. A lot of Kenny Chesney country music. So if you do NOT like Kenny Chesney or country music you should turn your speakers down, or off, or pause the player. Do whatever you have to do - but I love him.
Ok, so this is a dumb post but I have to say it. As most of you know I LOVE Kenny Chesney, and have for many many years now. (Colby's jealous -haha) So before I start playing Christmas music I wanted to have some of my Kenny favorites on here. Yea for Kenny Chesney!!