3 Years in a Row!

I have been feeling bad that we haven't posted anything since Christmas, but I swear we have a good reason.

This is what we've all been doing since the day after Christmas, and it's the 3rd year in a row that we've gotten sick right after Christmas.

Apparently someone (probably us) at our Christmas party had a bug and didn't know it, because a lot of us who were there have been sick all week.

SORRY, EVERYONE!

Most of us are feeling better, with only me actually being sick anymore. I even missed my volleyball tournament this morning. Oh, man, do I feel bad about that!

Hopefully we'll all be back to 100% within the next few days so that we can go to Safford this week.

Christmas is finally here!

Why do we buy them fancy presents when a box will do? Oh, this is why! No box ever got a smile like this!

Andy in his manly apron made by myself and Hailey

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were so amazing. Eric and Debby (Andy's parents) got here just before dinner time, and we cooked a ham and had a great meal. Then we had the kids open their Christmas PJs (made by mom), and read the Christmas story. It was really sweet. the most amazing thing was how excited Emma was to go to bed. We had her sleep in our room so that she wouldn't be up before all of us-- we wanted to witness her seeing the Santa presents for the first time. Usually we put her to bed and it takes her at least 30 minutes to settle down and go to sleep, the whole while talking to Frank and yelling requests for water, etc at us in the other room. Christmas Eve, however, was VERY different. She told me that I was not allowed to take a shower in my bathroom because it might keep her awake. Then, when Andy went into our bedroom to get something, she told him "Dad, get OUT, I've got to go to sleep!" She REALLY wanted to go to sleep so that Santa could come!

Christmas morning was filled with the usual present mayhem, with Grandpa being way worse than the kids at waiting his turn to open presents. Emma was our present delivery girl, and also cleaned up every scrap of wrapping paper. Frank had a hard time focusing on opening new presents, because he would get so entranced by every new one he got. Andrew and I got lots of great stuff, and overall, it was fantastic. We did not manage to have a small Christmas because we have got so many people who truly love us. Even if Andrew and I hadn't gotten the kids any presents at all, they would've gotten plenty from all of our family. WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO LOVE US SO MUCH! SO THANK YOU, EVERYONE!

After all of the presents were opened in the house, we mentioned that there might be 1 more present outside, and Emma discovered the trampoline. Wow, they LOVE it! Unfortunately, it's been a little cold to spend too much time out there, but we're not the only ones who enjoy it. We've had to move the stairs away from it so that the dogs will stay off it. They love to wrestle and lay up there. Who knew it'd be a present that the WHOLE family could enjoy?

Thank you, everyone for all of your kind thoughts and gifts. Christmas was a great time for family and love. We truly have been able to feel the Spirit in our home, and have had a wonderful time teaching the true meaning of Christmas to our beautiful children. Also, since Andrew has the whole last week of the year off of work, we've been able to just relax and enjoy each other like we haven't been able to for a long time.

Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas Party

We were able to have Andy's parents come stay with us for Christmas, and also had a FANTASTIC Christmas party that Brian Paul, Jeremiah, and Sharissa were able to come to, along with Robyn and Hailey. It was just a great evening, and we will remember it for a long time. I know some of you have asked for pictures of Heidi's kids, and you will be amazed!!! Brian Paul is so mature and grown up (he even told me he's ready to start looking for the right girl to start a family with!), and Jeremiah is an honest-to-goodness bodybuilder. He's so big and strong, but still has that shy little smile that just makes you want to pinch his cheeks. Sharissa is not a little girl anymore, and is absolutely beautiful, inside and out. It was great to spend the holiday with them. So here are some pictures. Robyn and Hailey somehow managed to evade the camera all night, and I don't have 1 good picture of either of them, only one of Hailey, Sharissa, and Emma playing the fishing game. Sorry!

Well, well, what to write? We're all just hanging out here on Christmas Eve waiting for it to be late enough to put out the kids' Santa presents, and I thought I'd blog a little. It's been such a CRAZY couple of weeks, and I'm thrilled that the holiday is finally here. My kids have been desperate to open presents, and we even called Santa (aka Daddy) on the telephone today. Andy did such a great job of playing not only one of Santa's elves, but the big guy himself. I tell you, it was priceless, and I wish I would've videotaped it!

Eric and Debby came to our house for Christmas, and it feels great to have them here. Andy and I cooked a big dinner tonight, and we'll have green chili and tamales tomorrow. Brian Paul, Jeremiah and Sharissa are coming to dinner tomorrow, and I'm sure we'll see Butch's family sometime during the day, too. We are so blessed to have so much family so near us. Hopefully we'll get to go see the Safford family later this week, though it'll be tough because I have to put on the young women's volleyball tournament on Thursday and Saturday. We'll make it work somehow.

We've been to the ZooLights and also Winterhaven this week. It's been great to have the kids old enough to really know what the holiday is all about. I subbed for Emma's Sunbeam class yesterday, and had a great time teaching her about the real Christmas story.

Just one final thought.

I was listening to the radio yesterday, and the station was playing greetings from our troops overseas to their families at home. One woman said how she was so sad that she was in Baghdad and she would be missing Christmas at home with her 4 year old daughter. It just really hit me at that moment that our troops sacrifice SO MUCH to defend our country. I can not even imagine missing this Christmas with Emma. She's just starting to really understand about Jesus (and Santa). She takes everything so literally, and it is amazing to see her soak in all of the special traditions of the season. I would be crushed to miss it. So, next time I see a soldier or airman, I'm going to thank them for doing what they do. Without them, we wouldn't have the opportunity to sit in our warm houses and celebrate the birth of Jesus in freedom. Thank you, troops!

Happy Birthday Emma!

Our little girl turned 4 years old today. We are so proud of her and the beautiful little person she is becoming. Emma has a special talent for making people smile. She is also very compassionate and loving. She is an excellent older sister, and (almost) always puts her brother's needs and wants above her own. We love her so much, and can't wait to see the woman she will someday be. We love you, sweet girl!

Oh, my!

Today we had Emma's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's of all places. She has been begging me for a princess birthday party since last August, when both her cousin Reagan and her friend Kayla had princess parties. I really wanted to go all out and give her a magical princess party, but needless to say, I just didn't get it done! So, the next best thing was to go to Chuck's place and let him do all of the entertaining. It was great. Very low-key, (organization-wise anyway!) and let all of us enjoy ourselves without having to do a whole lot ahead of time or during the party. Because I promised to let her have a princess party, I did let her and her friends wear their beautiful princess dresses for part of the party. So, she thought it was a princess party after all.

Emma had 3 little friends come, and we just played and had a fantastic time. Honestly, though, I think Andrew had more fun than most of the kids! He and Frank played all sorts of games and won over 100 tickets in about 30 minutes. At least he redeemed them for a prize for Emma.

So, with that done, tomorrow we can just relax and have a quiet birthday at home. Well, at least as quiet as Emma gets, anyway.

Yesterday afternoon Robyn and cousin Hailey came out to visit. They were so nice, and brought Emma birthday presents and Christmas presents for both the kids. We're planning Emma's very first sleepover with them for sometime during their winter break from school. Emma is so excited, and can't wait to have them all to herself for a whole night and day. We've missed them since they moved to the northwest side of town, but feel very special that they made the effort to drive all the way out here to visit. We love you, guys!