Family Christmas

Yesterday we decided to have our family Christmas.  Seeing as we are headed for MI in a couple days we thought it would be nice not to do it the day before we loaded everyone up in the car.  Ron planned on coming home early from work.  I think the kids thought early was not working at all!  They did great until we hit lunch time, by the time Ron had made it home the  house was cleaned and the kids had  made it through a couple videos and more rounds of Go Fish then I enjoy.  The rest of the day is just a blur, tons of excitement-lots of impatience but thankfully no huge fits this year.  James did well, not a lot of presents but he just flits from one kid to another-watching and helping was entertaining enough for him. It was a full evening, the kids were pretty excited when we got to light the four advent candle...next Sunday, Christmas-baby Jesus was born!!  What a time, I am too tired to remember all of their reactions.  I am chasing my tail this year and the house looks like a tornado hit it....laundry/packing/kids/animals/gifts/baking??-this holiday season has me beat!

Just a couple shots, I realized I didn't take hardly any pics of James....must have needed a break from the little guy, he is definitely a momma's boy.  Brayden got a hold of the camera for the second picture-James spent most of the evening exploring everyone else's presents.

I realized I am giving myself up as a gourmet cook in this picture...nothing is home made, except for finger jello-ha!  Even throwing stuff in the oven was a lot of work this night, I was just glad the kids thought it was the best meal ever.

ICE SKATING

We made it back out on to the ice (once again Becca's b-day request), and thankfully made it off the ice with all our fingers intact this year!  This year we went to an indoor rink which was a whole lot bigger and was not quite as crowded.  It was a lot of fun because there were some kids there practicing who were pretty good.  It took the kids a little bit to get their feet under them-they were hanging off the side wall for the first 30min, but by the end both Becca and Brayden could make it around pretty well.  It was fun to watch, although James was not too happy about having to sit this one out.  Ron definitely got a work out with all three being on the ice and needing help.  They all got pretty hot but the gloves were a must, I just couldn't quite relax and let them skate without something protecting their hands.  I can't  wait till they all can skate  and both Ron and I can be on the ice together!

AND....SCHOOL IS OUT!

I love having the kids home.....not a whole lot else to say other than my kids have ENDLESS ENERGY and the house is going to just be in a state of disaster.

We visited Bass Pro this afternoon after school.  The kids first visit to Santa...besides for waving to him at the mall-glad this was free!   The most fun was will all the toys set up as we had the place to ourselves.  James did actually like Santa untill I stuck him on his lap.

 We finally had the time to decorate Becca's Gingerbread house which she missed doing at school-her teacher was so nice to send all the stuff home, the down side was she had two little helpers trying to take over!

Shopping

So I used to love to  shop....browse, now it falls to the bottom of my list mainly because it is never just me who is shopping.  It really is  not so bad, the kids are some what "shopping trained" meaning-we know the stores that have kid sections, if not we have the two store rule of a treat if all are good-thank goodness for the gumballs.  Best of all I don't have to deal with the brute double stroller or baby car seat, and I am not trying  to beat  the clock  based on a nursing schedule. Today we headed out to do some quick shopping before the weekend hits-because even with kids, shopping without the crowds it much better than the people crazy weekends.  Today I had two funny/annoying moments......First, I found that James keep my budget in check.  I had reached the checkout, thankful that I was able to find the things on my list only to look in the cart and find...ONE ITEM???  The little stinker had been throwing out all my stuff as I was gift shopping.  Back we went re-tracing our steps, and what do you know? there they all were, one by one down the isles.  Well, on to the other funny moment today.  Things were actually going very well, we were actually on our fifth and final store checking out.  James was in an empty shopping cart-containment is crucial, even with the risk of him falling out.  Our check-out guy was fairly young, pretty friendly but as he was running my card I could hear him mutter....man, your kid is really freaking out!  huh???  No screaming, no kicking....okay so he was enjoying opening and closing the baby seat of the grocery cart, over and over.  Funny thing was I wouldn't have even noticed-when I did I guess he did look kind of crazy, seeing as he was really pushing and pulling at that seat over and over....oh, well-he was happy and that's all that mattered to me.  Happy Christmas shopping to all!

BIRTHDAY GIRL

Becca is SIX!!  Hard to believe, she has grown so much over this past year.  In watching her at Tumbling class the other day I realized that she has changed from a shy little girl, always too shy to interact with friends,  to a girl full of confidence.  She is a chatty kathy and speaks up to the teacher and her students.  I love seeing her strong and happy with herself!  She was excited about her birthday-I think mostly to open presents.  I couldn't be at her little snack party because of the other little ones (I hate missing all the party's this time of year!) but she had fun passing out her cupcakes.  For dinner we went to the Restaurant with tree's on it....per her request (multiple requests!!)-Caraba's.  I think the pizza dough was the reason she wanted to eat there, although I didn't mind as the food was great!  Presents and then cake were next on the addenda. It was funny to see how excited she was to get a nutcracker-even this morning it was all she was playing with.  All in all it was a special day.  I was just thankful Becca was feeling well and able to be at school, as we all have been fighting off some pretty bad cold bugs this past weeks.

A snowman made out of pizza dough.

 The birthday girl and all her loot!

 Cake with sprinkles-her request.

Tumbling Party

James

He can't breath and has a fever of 102....but he can dance!

The Friendly Beasts

This morning the kids got to sing their little mini-musical.  It was pretty small and was actually performed in between the two church services so there was not a lot of people there.....didn't seem to bother the kids a bit.  They had a lot of fun-getting to wear costumes was the best.  We were able to get a CD of the music so Andrea could quick learn the music this week.  I think the part they are going to remember is getting a big Santa donut when they were finished!

Fun Saturday

As we get into the Christmas Season there are more and more activities going on to keep us busy.  Yesterday we took advantage of the Philbrook Museum being free and also Family/kid day.  We arrived to find tons of tables fill with paper, stickers, clue, tape, pipe cleaners, hole punches.....the kids were in heaven!  It was craft day making Christmas/reindeer hats...I think they could have sat there for over an hour.  I enjoyed looking at the elaborate gingerbread houses and unique Christmas trees-definitely made by some creative people!  Brayden had his first away basketball game-meaning we actually had to drive to another school to play.  I didn't go but Brayden did much better in this game according to Ron-the first game he was a little lost.  Last night we headed out to the Chrismas Parade.  Tulsa had a Parade of lights downtown and this year the Christmas parade was also organized due to the lack of Christmas in the Parade of lights....really quite ridiculous but has made a lot of press.  Turned out to be a ton of people there-we missed the bands and the big floats but the kids had a ton of fun.

 James loved all the music

 The boys were happy....Dinner at Whataburger!

 I do have to say the deluxe chocolate chip cookie was a pretty good bonus in the  kids meal....no sign of anything healthy on their menu!

First Hair Cut

Only those of you who see James on a pretty routine basis would even notice that I decided to cut his hair today........how is it that none of my kids grow hair???  Today James' mullet, that I had hoped would turn into a nice full head of hair had to go.  I did trim a couple wispy hairs but today a lot more came off, now only if he would grow some hair on top of his head!

And the craziness of December begins.

Last night we had our first Christmas party.  The kids were super excited as it was the family party for Wednesday night Bible Blast.  Well as it always seems to do, the party fell on a day that turned out to be a little too much fun.  Mid morning I received the dreaded call from the Metro Nurse-one where I see her number on my phone and you just get a bad feeling in my stomach.  After talking to the nurse and her mentioning "strep" I quickly made a Dr's app...of course at a horrible time, school pick-up.  After picking her up (hunting down Brayden to let him know I was going to be late) I pretty much didn't it was strep but the nurse had put enouph doubt in my head that we kept our app.  What do you know, the Dr's office was running late-I was about to hit the roof!  I was just about to walk out when the Dr finally came in-it was the fasted consult ever....just a bad cold, what a waste of my time and money! They respectfully ask me to be on time... whatever. Off we flewI have never so frustrated!  Trying to be there for both my kids and I just couldn't pull it off today, horrible feeling.  It was Cub Scouts today complete with cookie decorating and a trip to the fire station.  Thankfully Brayden had found his way to  his meeting and was decorating cookies when we arrived....and thankfully no speeding ticket!  Then we were off to the fire station which turned out to be pretty cool.  While they were doing a test drill for us a real call came in and the hook and ladder truck rushed out on a call-very cool to see.  By the time we left, there had been two other calls, quite an active afternoon. On our way home I realized the drive to our house would give us about five minutes at home so after rushing around like a maniac mom most of the afternoon we ended up sitting in the church parking lot with nothing to do, waiting for time to go by-and realizing no one was dressed for a Christmas party.  Thankfully Ron showed up and off we went to the kid's musical practice-poor Becca had such frog in her voice that singing was not top of her list.  As usual Andrea tagged along and is now an angel in their little production-what a HUGE smile!  Finally after running through their musical twice we got to head out to their party.  I was ready to head to bed!   I do have to say it was a lot of fun.  The evening was filled with activity, singing twelve day of Christmas with dogs names, chime playing and then a big session of bible blast buzzing with Christmas questions.  What a night...what a day.  I was harshly reminded what happens with these long days-crabby, sick, whining kids prone to melt-downs!  What will be top of my list this holiday season....SLEEP, and relaxing time together as a family because we really do love a this Christmas craziness!!

This was Becca this morning....she is staying home today.

Bethlehem Walk

The past couple of years I have seen an add for "The Bethlehem walk" but always seemed to miss it.  This year, I finally took note of when it was occurring and marked the calender.  It is a production put on by an area church where you/visitors walk and experience how it would be for a family to travel to Bethlehem at the time of Jesus Birth.  It was a raining day Saturday thankfully stopping by evening although it made for a soggy walk.  We arrived and were each given a name with family lineage.  Becca was Adina (she could never remember her name) Andrea was Zora and I was Tabitha.  I don't remember the guys names because us girls/women were considered baggage and had to be in the back of the line.  It was a lot of fun seeing the kids try to process each stop along the way.  We were greeted as we started by some angry Roman solders demanding to see our papers-I never saw the kids so worried about losing something!  We each had to state our names....Becca could hardly talk, Andrea fared a  little better.  I do have to say the soldiers were quite mean to us women and kids...Becca was ready to cry, Andrea just wanted to run up with the guys and get going.  We then ran into some wise men with a camel and then some shepherds along with some Angels professing some wonderful news.  The Shepherds urged the kids to go and find the baby and then come back and tell them-I have never seen the kids listen with such seriousness.  Almost to Bethlehem we were surrounded by lepers/beggars-I think the girls tried dragging/pushing me and the stroller, they couldn't get out of there fast enough.  We were last and Becca kept saying, "faster mommy, they are coming....their going to get us!!"  Well we made it to Bethlehem, paid our taxes and got our papers stamped.  At the little town the  kids spent time running around to different shops-basket weavers, rugs, herbs, and a jail--fascinating to the boys.  Brayden and Becca braved the man sitting by the fire and tried some of his "buzzard" meat.  Then off to the inn, where we were turned away because our family was too big and what do you know reached the stable with a baby, baby Jesus!  THE KING!  As we continued on our journey some of the kids were concerned because we were supposed to go back to the shepherds and wise men telling them we found the baby-I just love kids and their minds.  The walk proceeded  by jumping forward in time with the crosses and then the empty tomb with an Angel proclaiming his resurrection.  The walk ended back at the church were we left our leader/family head and enjoyed some hot chocolate and crafts for the kids.  Andrea told one lady that they found baby Jesus but he was in a YUCKY barn. Even though the day was dreary the night turned out to be a wonderful even to do with the kids-making me think how much more "proclaiming" we should be doing about the birth of our Saviour!

Time for the Christmas Tree

Thanks to some nice Oklahoma weather this past Thursday was just the perfect day to head out to the Christmas tree farm (one of two in all Tulsa and surrounding towns)  The kids were super excited to pick up Ron a little early and head out.  Of course once there we all have different opinions on what would be the best tree.  Some like it big, some small, some fat....the  list goes on and on.  Many of the trees were already flagged (bought) so after much debate we decided on a smaller tree than normal but not too fat/full-Ron's preference!  Always fun riding in the wagon and then watching them prepare it for travel.  The kids were all about getting  the cutting from the trunk of our tree.  James was just happy to get a candy cane...he was one sticky mess!
    We continued in the Christmas spirit by going to a wonderful Christmas Concert at ORU last night.  They put on a craft fair for the kids before the music began.  I arrived with the girls while Ron ran a little late with the boys...basketball practice and then some missing keys (not my fault, for once!!).  We sat down for the concert, everyone happy.... kids loaded with free candy and popcorn and myself ready to hear some beautiful Christmas music.  It turned out to be the perfect concert, kids, bells, orchestra, jazz, choir and a conclusion with the Hallelujah chorus, it was a special night.  My idea of perfect has changed over the years, no I wasn't dressed up or sitting romantically with my husband though he was beside me for once.  Instead I was sitting with a little guy sticky with suckers-thanks to the kid games, giving zerbert kisses throughout, watching Brayden have a fire attack in his mouth from a hot ball, and watching Becca pick her nose....funny thing is that I enjoyed every minute of the show.
   Today we are on to a rainy Saturday, perfect for decorating the tree.  Turns out the kids don't really care about putting up the  lights or really putting up ornaments.  They were most excited to just open their box of ornaments and talk about each one.  Poor Andrea has some low ornament inventory and was not too happy helping me hang my ornaments.

So Easily Distracted!

Today was one of those days where I start a task and would some how end up not completing my intended task but embarking on some totally different project.  Taking Christmas stuff out of the closet and re-arranging things tends to lead me astray.  Anyway, these two guys were my distraction as we were supposed to be loading up to get the big kids from school, they can be so cute together....although James has a way of making Andrea cry, I am not sure how he does it with her being four??

Lights On-Christmas Chapel

Hard to believe that it is that time of year again but today was the kid's Christmas "light's on" chapel.  They get to wear Christmas dress-no uniforms, have pictures with Santa and best of all put on a wonderful chapel. I had a new shirt for Brayden...but he was determined to wear a tie, who was I to say no, he was too cute (handsome). I am reminded why I love the Christmas season.  Seeing the kids full of smiles today excited for the lights, and hearing them sing and learn about the true Christmas story, with Andrea and James giving their full attention this morning was just the best. The chapel was full of special moments-high school choir, ensembles-amazing to see what some of the kids can sing/play, and a fun play put on by the high schoolers.  I am so thankful for such a wonderful school and the teachers who allow each child to grow and discover their talents.  Now on to Christmas....guess I should start getting some festive decorations out.

Becca knew her entire song, including all the verses which were sang by different groups-she sang with her group and then kept right on singing-so cute.

Video is jerky thanks to a skirmy James!

James got a little camera shy, he absolutely LOVES music and sings along, usually very loudly-it amazes me what he learns from watching the other kids.

Time with Family

The past  couple of days have been filled with activity, having a house full of people makes for some busy times in the kitchen and lots of chances for fun with the kids.  The have enjoyed lots of books with the grandparents, Wii games with Uncle David and Linnea, and plenty football.  We explored the aquarium yesterday after more football watching.  Great Grandma made the kids' day by bringing a craft-t-shirts to decorate with puffy paint...Becca went all out.  The drying time was 6hours, it has almost been 24hrs and there are still a couple sticky spots, she is my creative girl.  Both dogs are getting spoiled by grandpa, who is getting pretty good at walking two dogs around our neighborhood.

Great grandma and all her bears she has made for each one when they were born.  Such a special thanksgiving having her visit.

We finally had time to braid Becca's hair in the princess braid....she has wanted this done for a long time, now that she found out how painful it is I don't think she will ever sit to have it done ever again!

Thanksgiving Festivities

Just a bunch of pictures from the past two days.  There has been a lot of activity and lots of fun.  The  kids have played games, read books and played outdoors...keeping everyone busy.  We had the traditional game of corks and tonight tried out our bowling skilled.  The boys golfed this morning while the rest of us poked around in some of the antique shops in Jenks, you never know what you are going to find!  Along with keeping up with all the leftovers and the kids it has been a fun filled thanksgiving, full of memories old and new. I would write more but the night come too quickly with such a house full.

Thanksgiving Preparations

Turns out my kids and I have totally opposite ideas of what all needs to get done before tomorrow.  Today was one big party for  them.  No school meant cartoons in the morning, playtime all day, no homework, no reading, plenty of eating and lots of playing, and most of all NO WORK.  I on the other hand had plans of getting things in order, rooms in order, bathrooms in order, kitchen in order, food in order.....somehow order is not what happens when there are four kids running around.  Anyway the day resulted in tons of smiles and laughter which is always the best, and somehow my work did get done which made me smile!  Family made it into town including my Grandma, such a special thanksgiving.  Tonight we had church, a great way to start off the holiday celebrations.it was so good to be reminded of God's call to be thankful,  Although the kids have been reminding me all week with their verse from 1 Thessalonians....to "be thankful in all circumstances for this is God's will for you"!  and tonight it was pointed out to us that we need to have hearts full of gratitude-what a wonderful reminder as we head into the holiday season.

Route 66 Half Marathon

Today was my turn to race.  It was the Route 66 Marathon, I opted to run the half....not like I had a choice in the matter, 13mile is more than enouph these days.  After a day of warm and a hint of fall we awoke to winter.  It was a freezing morning, I think I ran one day with long sleeves and this morning I was layered up in all my winter gear.  Ron convinced me to lose the tights saying it was a race!  Funny thing was as I ran I actually got colder instead of warmer the last three miles we turned into the cold north wind and my legs went numb.  I actually felt pretty good until mile eight, legs strong and holding a nice pace.... and then I had a side stitch so bad I thought I had to quit.  Usually I can force myself to run through about anything but this stitch was so bad I couldn't breath....horrible, I felt like crying and quitting.  Anyway, let just say the 4-5miles were terrible....mostly because I actually felt great and was so mad that I was losing time walking because of this dumb side stitch.  Ron and the kids were wonderful, cheering in the freezing cold along with course and even riding bike along the river drive for the last three miles-trying to get me to finish the last little bit.  I never thought two miles could be so long, but when you can't breath they seem FOREVER.  Well, half marathon completed although I might need to try again and practice some better breathing techniques for a little better time!


RACE RESULTS

 Still smiling!

I think I was praying pretty hard at this point....Ron tried his best to take pictures but having to keep tract of four kids and bikes was quite a task, plus he was freezing!

All finished, a little disapointed but happy to cross the line.