Decembery (AKA annual super long post)

December was a great month.  A busy month.  Too busy for me to put things in order.....so here you have Christmas pictures in reverse order.  ENJOY.

December 31.

Every year since we have been married, we have a little party at our house with Matt's brother and sister.  We have snacks and play games.  I have taken the day off every year...BUT with my position at work, the last day of the month is our BIG day...so I had to work...BUT I got off at 8 and joined in the festivities just in time.  I love the 31rst...MY holiday..with everyone staying up late like I LIKE to do.  Matt's brother and sister requested that I omit the pictures of them from FB and from my blog (how rude!)...so here are some other pics.  

Matt and I: (BRIGHT FLASH)

The kiddos being wild as the new year rang in. 

And the kids running outside to announce to the world "Happy New Year"!  And to see the fireworks.  Our kids sure love being together!

Here they are, dancing "Gagnam" style!  OH MY!

December 27.

On my way to drop my kids off at my moms we drove past our little lake and saw ALL of these birds.  It is fun to live next to water and see all the ducks, geese, seaguls, etc. 

 December 26.

I was off from work..woo hoo.  I slept in...made Lego Star Wars sets for Jamie and watching Step Up Revolutions.  The kids played nicely together!  

Jamie playing with the dinosaur Uncle John gave him. 

Lauren got some really cute girl legos!

I was determined to get my WRAP/SCRAP room organized and to have all of the kids toys put away AND to have all the new clothes washed:  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!  I was even kind enough to drop some McDonalds off to Matt at work!  I also watched two episodes of Psych...yup Misty...eating this elephant one tiny bite at a time!  The kids and I waited patiently for Matt to get off of work...we were basically waiting in the car when he got home so that we could run to see "Rise of The Guardians"...the kids were WAY excited.  It was a cute show.  

We went to dinner at Johnny Carinos and made it safely home in the crazy storm.  Before I went to bed I snapped this shot.  I was NOT excited about having to drop my kids off at my mom's the next day.  

I also thought I would snap a pic of all the Christmas cards I got.  I love getting Christmas Cards...December mail = onlytimeoftheyearwhenmailisfun! 

December also equals crappy time for garbage and recycle bins.  We may need to run to the dump!  

 December 25th. 

Christmas Day.  The story is that the kids woke up at 4 a.m...they peeked at what Santa brought and then went back to bed.  I woke up at 730 with that panicked feeling...ya know..like the first time your baby sleeps through the night and you worry they might be dead...well..they were alive and raring to go.  It was great to sorta wake them up.  I am grateful to have been able to get my first Christmas Eve's sleep since having children! Matt and I had all of our stuff wrapped way in advance and it was awesome.  We were such good teammates this year...SOOO glad I had all of his help!!

At our house, Santa brings one unwrapped gift..and the kids were thrilled. 

Here is Lauren checking out her DS:

Jamie was so busy with his new games that I had to tell him a few times to start opening presents. 

We got Oreo a present...she was interested..but hasn't paid much attention to it...yet. 

Lauren loved the PURPLE (to match her coat) sequined, cat, hat and gloves...you would think that they were made JUST for her!

Jamie also thought his hat was pretty cool too!

I think that we did good on our choices for them..they seemed happy!

Jamie loved all of his Lego Star Wars sets!

Action shot, woo hoo!

Lauren got her brown haired Barbie.


The kid is also obsessed with Spiderman.  He has been begging for this movie FOREVER!


Lauren didn't even mind when she got clothes.  I think I will stick to Matt's one outfit rule in the future!


She even got baby Lenny!


Matt and I quite enjoyed not having to rush off anywhere.  He and I made breakfast together...eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, toast, and tortillas..with OJ.  I love that he is such an awesome cook. I had to snap one pic of him while opening presents.



After breakfast, we got ready and headed out.  We stopped at the cemetary to visit Matt's mom.  Then we headed over to my parents for yummy dinner and crazy opening presents time.  I thought everyone was taking it easy...BUT we got spoiled rotten.  I have such a generous family.  I don't know how I got so lucky.

Lauren in her new hat while opening presents. Crazy hats are in style for elementary students.  She got two hats this year and was thrilled.



My sisters put their money together and bought my parents a laptop computer.  My mom is such a humble person....she thought that her present was just INSIDE the laptop box.  Her reaction was priceless!





Here is a picture of my cute parents.  They are seriously the best!  I couldn't imagine having it any other way!

My little Jamie was such a handsome little stud that day. One of my fears having a boy was how to dress them...but I've learned to steal ideas off the manequins at The Children's Place.  

My sister Sarah got me the fedora that I have been asking for!  What  a perfectly timed picture!  Ha ha!

Here is Matt wearing it...looking none too thrilled. 

Here is Jamie and Zander.  They are such good little buddies...it is adorable.  Zander is always wearing his hat, I love it.

Zander and I in our hats!

My cute sister Sarah and my Jamie!  This may sound weird...but Jamie and Sarah look alike and act the same...and Lauren and my other sister Ashley look and act the same.

My little happy family on Christmas!  At my moms.  It was a good one.  We got home early enough to be able to relax...play with toys...and snack on leftovers...it was awesome!

I love Christmas....(minus all the stressful parts)....I am always a little sad when it is over.

My cute sister and I.  She is such a good friend to me...I love working with her, I know I can talk to her about anything.  **For the record, I tried to get Ashley to take pictures with us...but she wore her PJs all day and didn't do her hair and makeup..so she wouldn't let me**.

My honey and I.  It was such a good Christmas together this year!

 I am pretty impressed with Matt and I's teamwork in that from December 20-January 2 one or both of were off everyday...with the exception of December 27th.  That means that the kids pretty much got to stay home for their Christmas Vacation.  It also meant that we didn't have many days off TOGETHER...but we still enjoyed our half days off together.  I wonder if we could pull something like that off next year.....  Our first week back to work were a little rough adjusting to not seeing each other as much...boo.

December 24.

Christmas Eve I worked from 7-330...which wasn't too bad actually I got off of work and the kids and I delivered presents to the neighbors.  It was a little weird to have NO WHERE to go on Christmas Eve..that is a FIRST.  SO Matt and I decided to work together on my first attempt at Louisiana Gumbo!  I had ordered a Michael Buble CD and the DVD of "While You Were Sleeping" for Matt for Christmas and I wasn't sure they would make it in time...but they arrived on Christmas Eve and I was SOO tickled!  We listened to the CD while we cooked and watched the movie while we ate.  I had to explain to the kids that this was Matt and I's movie...it was one of the first movies we saw together.  It brought back a lot of memories.  I normally don't like pictures of food...but I was too proud not to share.  It was yummy and fed us for a few days!!

I had lofty goals of making frosted sugar cookies with the kids for Santa...but we ran out of time.  Thankfully they were okay just leaving some Oreos.  Lauren set this up and I thought it was so funny...milk in a shot glass..Oreos over the eyes and letters from EACH kid.

It was Matt's family tradition to open Jammies on Christmas Eve.  It is a tradition that I have enjoyed keeping going with my kids.  Here were Lauren's Christmas Jammies.  I thought the mask was so cute.

The two of them together....TOO EXCITED TO SLEEP.  Literally Lauren was begging to go to bed at 830 but at 1130 she came down BAWLING "I just can't fall asleep and I have tried everything".  I can say that it is a first...usually my kids crash and are heavy sleepers.  I think she was finally down at 1230 that was late for her.

My little princess...I love the bunny slippers, so cute!

Jamie in his jammies.  I bought him slippers and a robe too...he usually comes with me to take the kids...so this way he can be warm on the drive. He is holding the puppy from his best friend Gage.  Oh how I love my sweet little boy.

Such good friends...MOST of the time.

The scene after Santa came!  It is one of the best feelings in the world.

I am sure everyone loves their tree, I sure do love mine. 

From the ground.

December 23. 

We went to church...grabbed a light lunch and did some last minute wrapping.  What silly kiddos I have..Rudolph?!

Now, who was it that requested a "Jamie"?

Matt's Dad's Wife's son Trevor and his wife were in town from Maine to spend Christmas here in Utah before next year when they will have a baby.  It was great to have them here.  We celebrated our Christmas with them on December 23rd.  It was actually nice to get that side all done a little earlier. Tina fixed an excellent feast, always super fancy!  We did a white elephant exchange for the adults..we made off with a new ice cream scoop and a martini making set. My kids got spoiled by their Aunt and Uncle and we got spoiled by Tina and Leo.  Hopefully everyone liked what we got them..it was such a present opening frenzy..I couldn't tell.  And I didn't get any pictures!  I also mad these etched pans for our neighbors and family and I didn't get ANY pictures of them either, DANG. Maybe one of them will share a pic.  Thanks to my ever crafty bestie, Misty Rindlisbacher, who coached me on how to make them-I think they turned out perfect!!

I did get a picture of the tie blanket I made for Trevor and Misty's baby...we don't know if it is a boy or a girl..so I thought this blanket could work for both. Lauren thought that I did so well...she asked me to make her a blanket.  Cool!

Here is Bella and Lauren in their Jammies from Grandma TT.  They were matchy-but different...CUTE!  Notice blurry Jamie trying to sneak in the picture.  They are such good buddies. 

We were downstairs opening presents...when suddenly SANTA arrived.  I had no idea he was coming!  Neither did the kids....they were OH SO EXCITED.  Even the big kids got on Santa's lap.  Here is Trevor and Misty.  Trevor got pictures of the kids with his fancier camera, I am hoping he will share them.

Here is my family with Santa.  This Santa was the Santa that would come to Church Christmas parties when I was a kid.  How crazy is that?!

Here is Grandma TT with all of the grandkids...plus Matt's cousin Cristal's son Marcelino.

Even Leo sat on Santa's lap.

Pretty Diana...she got two candy canes!

Matt got in on the fun too. I love his cute smile.

Ethan sat on Santa's lap but wouldn't look at him.  Matt's sister Kristen tried to help.

Jamie sitting on Santa's lap.  Precious.

December 22.

We celebrated Leo and Tina's birthday with breakfast at Kneaders.  I was too busy eating yummy French Toast to get any pictures.  **sidenote...Matt has an awesome cousin, Sarah, whom I ADORE, and she is selling scarves and jewelry to pay for her Invitro Fertilization...I bought two CUTE scarves and a great pair of earrings from her...I wish her luck in her endeavors to get herself a baby**

December 21.

It was the first day of the kids' vacation...and I took my last PTO day.  I knew that I was gonna need a break from all the crazy holiday stress, so I planned a double date with our awesome neighbors, the Rogers. While Matt was working, I was cleaning....when he got off I was ready to go.  I arranged to have our OTHER neighbor's daughter to watch our kids (how great is our neighborhood?)  I was HOPING to check out the new Buffalo Wild Wings and then catch a movie...BUT it was a 45 minute wait...SO we went to TGIFridays instead.  It was JUST what we needed....good food and good friends.  Instead of a movie..we just enjoyed visiting and walking around the mall..just strolling and visiting.  Then we caught some Frozen Yogurt and came home.  AWESOME! Then relaxing with my honey in front of the fire, oh, with the cat too. 

December 20.

SO, I find out the WEEK OF...that Jamie instead of having PM Kindergarten as normal has AM Kindergarten for the school choir performance on Thursday the 20th, the kids' last day! UGH!  I was wondering what I was gonna do when Matt saved the day by taking PTO.  He was a sweetheart and he brought me lunch at work. Jimmy Johns, YUM!  It was also the last day that my bestie, Beth worked so we exchanged gifts.  She nearly cried when she opened the pan I made for her.  She made me these two cute signs ....and some undershirts and some lip gloss.  PERFECT.  She also bought my kiddos these super cute PJs (oh how I love PJs) and the movie "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".  Lauren had just finished the book and wanted BOTH versions.  What a sweet gift. (this pic was taken at my work..cool sunset, eh?)

Of course, they had to wear them that night!  Adorable.

They also brought their teacher's their gifts...my favorite parts were their sweet cards!   

December 19.

Wednesday the 19th the kids had a choir performance that was for the parents.  I used my lunch and ran over to see them.  Each grade sang two songs..and I was lucky that I knew a kid in almost every grade (it made it less boring fun).  I recorded their songs...(too long to upload)...and snapped a few pictures.  Santa came to watch them and Lauren was sooo excited.  (she is the one in the hat...giving Santa two thumbs up).

I snapped a shot of Jamie too..can you find him?  Hint-he is the one with the huge cheeser!! He was happy to see me...it melted my heart.  Every time my kids perform...it brings a tear to my eye.  Next year my kids will be going to a different school and it breaks my heart a little because I love the traditions and history of the school.  I have also gotten close to a few teachers, I will miss them.  Also..Matt and I both changed Elementary schools when we were kids and it was a HORRIBLE experience for BOTH of us.  I hope it isn't the same way for them.

Wednesday I also delivered my gifts to my team and peers at work.  I love these jars, they look like glass-but they are plastic.  They are filled with the best chocolate candy bar mix.

December 17.

I got all of my Christmas cards out on Monday the 17th.  I split up the pictures I ordered and was a little shocked at Matt's changed appearance from last year to this year.  What year do you like best?   What look can we come up with for next year?

December 16.

Sunday the 16th I begged Matt to take me to Sears after lunch and church.  ALL the shopping was done except for his family....we had planned to go to a few stores...but he was D-O-N-E after Sears and mad at me because he couldn't find me.  SO...we went home instead of shopping..BUT not before I could snag these boots with my birthday money (and gift certificate from Beth).  Love them!

My goal was to wrap a little every night...it was SOOO much better than waiting for the last minute.  Matt was great to help me out...he is much faster and better wrapper than me.  Although wrapping took a little longer with this little lady getting in the way all of the time.

December 15.

Every year, Matt's mom's best friend Jewel has Santa and Mrs. Claus visit their awesomely decorated house.  They raise food for the Utah Foodbank.  They are the nicest people ever!  Here are my two kiddos with their gifts from Santa.   Jamie was feeling under the weather....he lost his voice that week and wouldn't get it back until after the new year, poor kid.

Lauren telling Santa she wanted a Pink DS.

Jamie asking for an Amazing Spiderman DS game. Love his chubby cheek smile.   Later that night we went to a B-Boy Battle...he did so good...check out his video on FB.  He loves to dance and it makes me soo happy.

December 14.

My cute friend from work, Melissa, had twins back in November.  I got a funny, frantic text from her begging for me to make bracelets for them after bringing the WRONG baby to the doctor.  Too funny.  Here is what I came up with..adjustable so that they will grow with them.

Also, in less happier news....there was a shooting at an elementary school this day.  Matt decided to take the day off PTO...so I could go in early and work on our MID MONTH mandatory day.  Matt was planted in front of the TV all day, watching the whole incident unfold.  When the kids walked in the door..he ran to them and squeezed them soo tight...crying in thankfulness that our kids were safe.  It really hit home because the kids that died, were Kindergartners...just like my sweet innocent Jamie.  So sad, because kids at that age, only know love, not hate..what sweet little angels.  When I came home and saw what happened, I also held my babies and cried.  I also found this sweet gift on our porch from one of our neighbors.   I couldn't imagine a more perfect gift on that day.  The first thing I wrote was that I was thankful for "safe, healthy, and happy children".

December 13.

The last of my three crazy days off from work was spent getting the LAST of my shopping done, whew!  I also had planned to have the day off to watch my babies perform at their studio's Christmas show.  It is our fifth year doing this...but Lauren was just TUMBLING and not DANCING.  I never thought the words would come...but she said she missed dancing and asked to be in the competition team next year.  I was so shocked, SO thrilled.  AND when I put those thoughts on Facebook...the studio offered her a spot NOW instead of next year...WOO HOO!  She did great at her performance, as did Jamie.  I didn't get any pics of Jamie.  DANG. 

What a cute little girl! (oh and that is my tree)!  After the performance, we went to eat at Texas Roadhouse, it never disappoints!

December 12.

Today was my deadline for myself to get the package ready to send to Louisiana.  I wanted to make sure I gave my package enough time...and I didn't want to pay an arm and a leg.  It was a little sad and strange to send the package to my aunt, as my grandpa was in the hospital and my grandma is gone.  This year Jamie drew Kelsie...my cousin's 15 year old daughter...I wasn't sure what to get her...but I came up with this idea to make her a bracelet and earrings that were her school colors.  She is on the color guard and wears her school colors a lot..so I thought this would be perfect.  Lauren drew my cousin Lindsay's son, Austin and we got him a Scentsy Buddy. 

Every year I make a calendar for my Louisiana family...I made twenty of them this year...and included this ornament.  It is an angel, to represent my grandma, her birthstine is the bottom bead.  The saying reads "I love you all dearly, Now don't you shed a tear, I'm spending my Christmas with Jesus this year."  My calendar looked bear so I decided to color some of the pictures (big mistake)...it took me FOREVER to  complete the pictures and the angels and the cards...I thought I would NEVER be done.  During my three days off I got SOOO little sleep.  BUT it day pay off in the end!

My "legion" of angels.  RIP Maw-Maw!

I love my fireplace and so does my cat.  What a silly little thing.!  She kept me company on my long nights.

This is Leslie..my work pod partner.  She makes me smile EVERY DAY. Here she is wearing lights I bought!  Tee hee hee!

Here I am at work...at my messy/cluttery/insane desk!  EEK.

December 8.

Matt worked...so the kids and I took the opportunity to get some shopping done.  We grabbed some Chick-Fil-A...we ATE in the car listening to Christmas music, they have the best chicken soup by the way.  Then we headed to Dollar Tree, one of my favorite places, and enjoyed a yearly tradition.  I give the kids each a big bag..and let them buy presents for each other and for Matt and I.  Jamie (shopping just like Matt)...made the rounds quickly and them promptly announced "I am done, let's go".   I enjoy my Saturdays with the kids and anticipating Matt getting off.  When Matt was off, we picked him up and dropped the kiddos off at my moms.  I had asked her to watch them so that Matt and I could get some shopping done.  It was the only free weekend we had for a while...and it was AWESOME.  Matt and I got SOOOO much done, we got pretty much ALL of our kids and our nieces and nephews done!  My feet were KILLING me at the end of the night.  We enjoyed a romantic Arby's roast beef sandwich (in the car, AGAIN).  And some coffee.  It really was a good time.  It got me excited for Christmas.  Getting SOO much done early was SUCH a big help.  The kids had a great time at my mom and dad's house.  Zander was there and so were both of my sisters, and they enjoyed making these giant gingerbread men together.  I am glad it was a good time for all.  I should have taken a pic of Matt and I...but I was too focused.  LOL.   

December 5.

This year, I saved FOUR days of vacation and I was SOO glad that I did.  My bestie, Misty, ventured up from Payson to spend the afternoon with we Lovatos.  She brought me my super awesome birthday present...and I sent her home with her Christmas present AND yummy chilli for her family for dinner.  Here are our five crazy kids.  Aaron was upset that one of the lego men I gave him turned out to be a girl.  It is rough to be five sometimes. 

Silly kiddos.  (poor Aaron, still).

Misty and I...look at her amazing blue eyes.  She is one cool chica.

So...her clan arrived just as I was dropping Jamie off for Kindergarten.  We came back to my house and we put all the chili ingredients in the crockpot to cook while we played.  We went to Kneaders for lunch, yummy as always.  Then we went to my mom's to drop off some cookie dough, I was really wanting Misty and my mom to meet...mission accomplished.  My cute mom was very welcoming.  We had to rush out of there to pick up my kids.  We picked up the kids and headed to Walmart to get the final pieces of my present for her and her kiddos.  (Giving them their present early saved me some shipping and some stress).  We came back and I gave her my Christmas present to her...a purple rosary (her favorite color) that I had made.  I also gave her a new series for us to read and a mix CD that I was quite excited about (we are SUCH nerds).   I gave her kidlets little figurines, just a little something.  BUT for my birthday she gave me a Monopoly game that she converted into a Hunger Games Panem-opoly = awesome. She also had a CD for me, which I love.  She also got me my own copy of the Princess Bride, one of her favorite books.  Awww...I miss her so much already.

Lauren snapped some pictures of us...here we are "slouchy".

Here we are trying to sit up straight.

December 3.

I had to snap a picture of my little fashionista before he went to school.  He came up with this look all by himself.  I thought the clip on tie was so cute, I let him wear it..what the heck!

December 2.

After church and some relaxing, we were ALL set to watch the finale of "The Walking Dead"...and then the power went out for SIX WHOLE HOURS!  Luckily, I had just purchased a cool LED lamp.  AND our fireplace can be battery operated.  Thank goodness for my gas stove...I was able to whip us up some soup for dinner.  It is days like today that make us appreciate modern conveniences! 

December 1.

At work the last day of the month is always crazy, busy, long, exhausting...so on that glorious Saturday after November's Charge Off Day, I had the bright idea to head down to City Creek for some family time.  We ate at the Blue Lemon, yummy!  We did some window shopping...and Matt bought me a cool cover for my phone..woot woot.  I love spending time with my little family. They are my everything and I work hard to be able to spend the BEST time with them.  Later on, we rented Men In Black 3...and got ALL the finishing Christmas decor up.  I love having it up early!  

We are cute, huh?!  I know!

THAT is all, folks!  Until next year!  Happy Holidays! Thanks for reading!