Back Again....Couldn't Stay Away!

Well, as you may have already figured out by the picture, we went back to Disneyland! When my sis, Wendy, said that she and the family had just renewed their annual passes, I had to get one as well. This time I just got one for me, as Averie is still free, and we'll take a break with the family for a while. We sure did enjoy them while we were on year-round school schedule. Now that we are traditional school schedule, and no longer able do enjoy the off-track times, when we could enjoy the park without crowds, I couldn't rationalize the expense. I know. We've been spoiled. Averie and I, however, being the hang-out buddies that we are... have no school restrictions, and can play to our hearts content! So, off to Disneyland we went! It's so much fun to see her excitement, at even the slightest detail!

Wendy and I had so much fun taking the kids to play on the rides, while my big kids were at school. My little nephew Isaac, whom I love to hear him say, "I just weally wuv you, Jewee", to me at least 1 time each visit, sometimes more, if I'm lucky, wanted to go on the rocket ride with me. I carefully hung out of the rocket ever-so-slightly to take a picture af the girls in back of us! So much fun!

Christmas Day 2008

Aunt Riki gave the kid's duffle bags with the kid's names on them. So Cute! Averie wore hers around for quite a while. She is the bag lady of the house and is always found with a purse, bag, or some sort of ensemble on her person.

We hosted Christmas this year at our house with the Salerno family. We had so much fun with the whole family together. I made prime rib, cranberry jello salad and spinach salad. Riki brought the delicious potatoes and we all enjoyed the feast. As usual, the present opening was the favorite event of the evening.

New scooters, a bike for Natalie, a mini helicopter for Robbie, baby doll crib/stroller/swing set for Averie... So many toys... so blessed are we!

This picture is out of sequence, but it shows all the excited faces as they were preparing to come down stairs to see what Santa had left.... hummmm, have the kids been naughty or nice this year? Will they find coal in their stockings? I have to admit, I found myself using that phrase with a particular male child in our family on more than one occasion. It worked. Behavior improved immensely.

Merry Christmas to everyone. We love sharing our holidays and our lives with all of you!

Christmas 2008

Pictures from our Nativity Scene. I should have fixed the kids' eyes. Scary!

Smiles from the grown-ups!

Let the feasting begin!!

Kids wearing their new Christmas PJ's! Nice and cozy!!

Well, once again, I have fallen behind on my blogging. Yes, life is busy, but what's new? I still need to keep up with this. I have wanting to update on our Christmas, very fun, very exhausting. Here are some of Christmas 2008 memories:

Christmas Eve found us at Aunt Wendy and Uncle Tyler's house! We had a delicious dinner and of course, enjoyed an excellent rendition of "The First Christmas" with the kid's starring in the nativity scene. Ah, traditions. We love this one! Isaac was a master in his role of the sheep, while Averie wandered around semi-confused at why she had to wear such a heavy head-dress. Demeie was an Angel and the other kids filled in with their important roles. We opened presents and had some fun and then started heading for home. I had some major wrapping and prepping to do for the big day! Boy, I sure appreciate all my mom used to do for us as kids to make all of our Christmas Eve's and Days so wonderful and momentous. I find it utterly exhausting, yet I keep going to try to recreate those memories and traditions for our kids.