Rocks

Anyone in the Christmas spirit yet??  I have a love-hate relationship with Christmas.  Growing up I loved Christmas.  What kid wouldn't love presents, cookies, and money from grandparents.  But now that I'm a parent Christmas is much different.  I feel responsible for making Christmas an amazing holiday for my kids!  First off, it can't be all about the presents.  Gotta teach them the true meaning of Christmas.  But you still have to get them presents....  And presents for everyone else in your life.  I'm beginning to understand why some people become hermits and don't associate with anyone.  I bet you'd save a ton of money!

For the last 6 months or so I've been keeping a list of toys/games/clothes/etc on my phone when ever the kids show interest in something.  And I mean true interest (or my list would be longer than the bible).  Which meant that making the kids Christmas list wasn't too hard.  The hard part comes when I try to figure out an amazingly show stopping present for Justin.  I pretty much fail each year.  Hey Justin, remember that year when I bought you a ladder?  And then I thought I hid it so well in the garage but you secretly knew about it the whole time?  Yup, I rock.  It doesn't help that everything on Justin's Christmas list is some kind of tool that I can't even pronounce.  

Channing was happy when Thanksgiving was over and that meant we got to decorate for Christmas.  He loves all the lights and decoration.  To keep in the true meaning of Christmas we have a manger made out of popsicle sticks.  And each time the kids do something extra nice or good then they get to put a piece of straw (paper) in the manger.  The more straw the more comfortable baby Jesus will be when we put him in the manger on Christmas Eve.  So there ya go!  Sticking with the true meaning of Christmas!  Mom points please!

Mckenzie and Isaac have had the WORST cold this past week.  It's slowly getting a bit better.  They still have a bad cough and congestion.  But at least they're sleeping a bit better.  Now the cold has moved onto Justin.  And since Channing was up all night with a sore ear it seems like he's getting it too.  Darn it!  Hopefully they'll all feel better before Christmas.  

Mckenzie displaying her ornaments....  I'll most definitely keep this picture handy for her teenage years.  

Isaac testing out his brand spank'n new carseat.  Note to future moms: buy nice carseats...you'll thank me later.  (It's so much easier to get them in and out and adjust when they grow!)  Britax is usually really expensive but I found a black Friday deal. 

6 month appt!  Off the charts in everything!!!  25lbs 6ozs of loooove.

Took the kids to the Boise Aquarium.  Channing's choice of course.  They bring out animals and let you feed them.  This was a blue iguana.  

Isaac and this mermaid played peek a boo the whole time the kids were petting the sting rays.  Channing was way to nervous to take a picture with the mermaid but he let Justin hold him up behind her at the last second.

This girl loves following me around all day.  One of her favorite phrases is, "mom, will you come play in the front room with me?"

Christmas cards!

     

Last Sunday at church someone shared in their talk how we are all pushing a rock up a hill.  It's just a different rock and hill for each person.  I appreciated this symbolism of how we all struggle with something.  No one is exempt.  Last week was really hard with such sick kids, Mckenzie's continued bowel problems, and life in general.  But I'm gonna keep pushing that rock up the hill!  Which sounds exhausting so excuse me while I go eat a cookie.... :)