About dang time for a new post!

Well, here are a few highlights from our life over the past month:

Decorating the tree













Done! Tada!



















Making a gingerbread house

Miss Independent decided she didn't want Mom (or anyone else) to pull her loose tooth. I couldn't believe it when she came crying to me (she was scared of the blood) and had successfully pulled her very first tooth by herself!!!!



Sunday outfits before Christmas

On Christmas Eve, we stopped to visit my beautiful Grandma and she showered us with gifts as she so often does during Christmas. Even after 3 days of chemo treatment, she had homemade fudge and candy waiting for us. We love you Grandma!

Christmas Eve PJs. This year, my Aunt Alison surprised Andrew with his personalized stocking! What a treat! It has been tradition in our family to have hand-knitted stockings with our names, something my Grandmother did for everyone when she was alive. I have wanted to learn how so I could do it for my family, but my sweet Aunt Alison has done one nearly every year for us (and my sister's kids!). I can't imagine how many hours it must have taken her! I still would like to learn, but Andrew was the last one that our family needed (unless we have more children). He was SO HAPPY because this year he had noticed that his was the only one different. Thank you, thank you, thank you Aunt Alison!

Whew, that's a lot of photos to take in. I'm sure there will be more to follow, since these didn't even include our Christmas pics! Just wanted to update in sections as it has been too long since my last post.

Santaphobia

We had our ward party on Friday and Santa came to spread the Christmas cheer. There was a room set up, dimmed and decorated, for all the kids to go sit on his lap, tell him what they wanted for Christmas and receive a candy cane. I can understand maybe all the babies and toddlers that would have nothing to do with him. But my Alli, now 6,was TERRIFIED of him and always has been. She vehemently refused to go into the same room as him and easily surrendered her chance at a candy cane if it meant she had to meet the guy. My question today: Is this normal? I keep thinking she'll grow out of this, yet she doesn't seem to be anywhere near. As I think about it, there is nothing entirely normal about sending my children into a dark room to sit on some old, hairy guy's lap, who is offering her candy either, is there?

What's Mom Good For?

This morning I took the girls to their weekly violin lesson. As each girl takes their turn, the other busies themselves with drawing, coloring, reading, etc. My little Alli lately has been LOVING writing letters and drawing pictures, most often for Mom and Dad. During Kendra's lesson, I could tell from a distance that Alli was working on another such project. Here is her letter, word-for-word, from this morning:

"I love you Mom & Dad & Colby. I love you so so so so so so so so so so much. Family I love you the most Mom & Dad & Colby because . . . he is so chubey Colby. Why do you think I love Dad because. . . he is sent to take care of me. I love Mom because. . . she is sent to have sum babys & sum kids." (followed by a cute drawing of Mom, Dad, Alli and Colby).

So, really, is that all Mom is good for? Dad gets to be the caretaker, but I just get to provide the children? Is that how it works? Does she somehow miss what goes on all day everyday, laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cooking, etc. ALL while Dad is away to work? Hmmmm, yeah I have a beef with this one.

Note: Lest you think me ungrateful and downright mean, I hugged little Alli, thanked her, read it and got a great chuckle from it all! The words really are sweet. . .