One Little Happy Family

We started a new tradition a few years ago at our house. Just the four of us sit down on Christmas Eve Morning and open the presents to each other. I think it is really fun for the kids to get to open a few gifts because they are so excited for Santa to come. This year was even more fun, because Harper had gifts for everyone as well. I took her one morning to Dollar Tree and let her pick out gifts for whoever she wanted to. She got the following:

Owen- light up clapper hand

Richard- orange exacto knife

Boppy- orange flashlight

Uncle Cole- orange FM radio with earphones

Aunt Melanie- cinnamon apple room spray

Grandma- ceramic bird

Each of the dogs and cat got a present as well. She was sooooo proud of everything she had picked out and was very excited for Daddy and Owen to open their gifts this morning. Richard had even taken Harper and Owen to pick out gifts for me. Harper got me a ring with a black jewel on it because I "always wear black to work." Owen ordered me a really neat phone case with the kids' picture on it.

Richard made Harper a really neat cork board to hang in her room. Owen got an awesome superhero cape from Mom and Dad...of course it was in the colors of a true superhero...orange, black and white! We had a great time being together...just the four of us!

Making the Christmas Rounds

I love getting to see all of my extended family this time of year. So fun to see how everyone is doing and for them to see how much Harper and Owen have grown and learned. We started off Christmas Break with a Saturday afternoon get together with the Marks Family. Not everyone could make it, but we still had a great time!

{Hanging out with Cousin Kyle}

{Harper & Owen both got new boots from Papa and Grandma Marks}

{Yummy cupcakes Grandma Toni brought}

On Christmas Day, as we made our way to Branson for a few days (post to come later on that), we stopped by to visit Gramps and Grandma Jan. It was bitterly cold and snowing lightly snowing, but we stayed inside and had tons of fun playing with them and their toys.

{Riding Gramps' Indian Motorcycle}

We also got to spend time with Richard's parents on Christmas Eve afternoon. We went to eat lunch with them at Chelino's. Mexican food was a nice twist at Christmas...we had been eating a lot of "traditional" food and it was something different. After we finished our fiesta, we headed to our house so the kids could open their presents. They each got a new suitcase to take to Disney World this spring. Harper's has Princesses...of course and Owen's has Buzz and Hatty (or Woody to everyone else). They also got some other really neat and fun gifts!

{Loved this pic...the bow fell off her head right as I snapped the pic!}

Christmas is the most wonderful time of year!!!

Making Christmas Cookies

As you may know it is tradition around here to make and decorate sugar cookies at Christmas. We didn't have a chance to make them last year, but the year before we did. This year was great because Harper actually helped and Owen was old enough to "help" in his own way. We made about 4 dozen cookies in the shapes of Santa, Trees, Stars and Snowflakes. The icing was a little bit different this year on account of the fact that I didn't have any red food coloring. So we had blue Santas instead. All of the cookies looked absolutely beautiful and they tasted yummy too!

{Owen taking his first attempt at decorating a cookie!}

{Are you supposed to lick the spoon while decorating?...Don't worry he only decorated one cookie and we served it to HIM!}

{Cookie Decorating Pro}

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Christmas Eve is finally here! Harper has been waiting patiently (somewhat) for a long time to see what Santa will bring for her. She wrote Santa a letter way back on November 26th and waited "50 weeks" she said for Santa to write her back a few weeks ago. Her and Owen both received a reply from Santa, in which he promises to stop at our house first when he gets to town...that is only if Owen falls asleep fast. Santa said he had to stop by 3 times last year before Owen was asleep.

We went to visit Santa at the mall this week and Harper was so excited to get to talk to him in person. While we waited in line, Owen was very pumped to see "Sinta". When it was our turn, he ran right up to Santa and let him pick him up. He sat for a few seconds and then...the tears started to flow. I was impressed because they got just one pic before the meltdown happened and I was afraid he wouldn't sit by him at all. Harper got to chat with Santa for a bit and is even more excited now that she has yet again told him what she wants.

We can't wait to see what the Jolly Man leaves for the good girls and boys at our house this year! We will update you soon! Merry Christmas!

Elf Yourself

Just a little laugh for you!

S'more Please!

Last Friday night we finally got to use our chimanea...that we bought over a year ago. Of course being outside with fire on a cold night meant only one thing...S'mores!!!

Harper was so excited to make them. She has had them several times before but she was pumped to make her own. She did a great job staying back from the fire, but she didn't get the marshmallows very hot. I stepped in and showed her how to catch them on fire and then blow them out. Burnt mallows...yummy!

Owen was more impressed with the marshmallow on the stick. He grabbed the stick and started swinging it around and saying "pew...pew..pew" like it was a weapon. I am telling you, it is ingrained into boys! He liked to roast his mallow (the same one was on his stick the entire time) and then take it and poke in the dirt, rub it along the dirty patio, the gas grill, etc. Needless to say, Harper and I cooked the S'more for Owen! It was a very chilly night, but we had a nice warm, yummy treat!

13 years on the 13th

Believe it or not...13 is a lucky number around our house. Today, December 13th, marked 13 years since Richard and I's first date. It was the Saturday night after the Yukon vs. Mustang basketball game. We went to eat at Chili's on NW Expressway (which is now Hideaway...coincidece...I think not!) and went to see Scream at Brixton Square (which is no longer there either). In case you haven't heard...We went to see Scream, rated R of course, and Richard went up to the line to buy the tickets. He came back empty handed with a distressed look on his face...he was only 16 and was too young to buy the tickets. But don't worry...I came to the rescue, as all older mature women do, and bought the tickets! :)

It has been a fantastic 13 years! Here's to many more date nights! I Love You Rich!!!

{This pic was taken in 2002...5 years after our first date! But I didn't have any earlier ones than this on the computer.}

They LOVE each other...

most of the time! Last weekend, we had a lazy Saturday morning before Harper had dance rehearsal. I was doing little odds and ends around the house. The kids and I stayed in our PJs for a majority of the day. We even went through the Burger King drive in with our jammies on. I think Harper was a little embarrassed by that. Anyways, I was back in my room putting some stuff away, when I walked into the living room and saw this!

She was patting his back and he was saying "nigh-nigh" in the quietest, sweetest little voice. Made my heart smile!

If You Believe

Well...we needed a little Christmas cheer to get us back into the blogging mood around here. And Harper had just the cure!

Last Saturday night she performed with her ballet compnay in the production..."If You Believe" based on the story of the Polar Express. They have been practicing since Halloween and we were glad to get to see the end result. Harper is in Kinderdance, the youngest girls to dance in this performance. They actually did two number on their own and danced in the closing act also. I was amazed at how much she had improved since her Spring performance. Harper LOVES dance and she gets so excited to go. She was especially excited for this becuase in one of the dances she had the "lead role." She got to do the arabesque in front of her whole group.

{Rockin' on Top of the World}

{I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus!}

{Every STAR deserves flowers}

We are so proud of Harper and her love of all things...including dance. She gave us some much needed spirit this holiday season.