Home Depot Workshop

Dominic attended the Home Depot Workshop with Nick and Daddy this weekend. They made a trailer...perfect for Dom since he is always "hooking up" his cars, trucks and trailers! He was very happy with this product!

When I took a picture of Dom with his trailer, Gianna of course needed to have a picture of herself with something...she chose the pillow!

Gingerbread Houses 2009

We have been making these same gingerbread houses since I met Vinny and Nick. Nick was 3 and they lived in a little yellow house in East Olympia. I always made these houses with my second graders each year...milk cartons, graham crackers, frosting, and donated candy! Nick loves this tradition and when I offered to just buy the kit one year he was quite offended! That was not the tradition!

This year Gianna was much more involved in decorating, although I think she ATE more pieces than she placed on the house! Every time I turned around she was asking, " I eat just this one?" HA- just this one?!!

I love this time with the kids.

Decorating the Tree 2009

This night is probably on the Top 2 of our all time favorite Christmas activities. We LOVE the night of decorating the tree. I never thought I would be the mom that stepped back, and said "go for it" but I am. It actually is stress-relieving! We grew up knowing my mom would make the tree look perfect, putting our ornaments from our own boxes on, and letting our mom do the rest...and it always did look wonderful, but now as a mom- I don't want that responsibility! I love how the kids clump their own ornaments in their own ways- by territory, by type, by shiny-ness...it is a joy to watch!

I love watching as each child pulls out their ornaments from their own personal box (this comes from my childhood experience) and comments on EACH ornament-"oh I remember when I got this one, oh Remember who gave me this, this is one of my favorites..." Then they find the perfect spot for the ornament on the tree, placing it ceremoniously on a branch. I know how they feel...all of the ornaments that my Grandma Hayes made-needlepoint, pasta angel, starched doily angel...they create such a deep longing in me of times past, for people I love that are gone...and still here too because of these ornaments. I had no idea these ornaments would mean so much to me.

2009 Ornament Gifting (they are sleighs)

Decorating the tree

This is the first year Gianna has really taken part in the decorating...she fixated on this cookie ornament. She held it gently, gazed at it, wanted her picture with it...she was really taken with this one in particular! Gianna does not take part half-way either, everything she takes part in is with GUSTO!!!

My two guys!

Last year I bought a case of the Thomas Kemper flavored creme sodas for this night...of course I had to repeat after seeing the JOY on their faces! Dom LOVED the Orange Creme...he could not believe his GREAT fortune! Funny that our daughter wants nothing to do with pop...just like her momma!

This was Nick's year to put the star on the tree.

A job well done!

Our three elves!

Day 3 and 4 of the Holiday Fun Calendar!

Decorating Christmas pillowcases was the activity for Day 3 on our advent calendar. We made a night of it with the Glassers!

WOW Payt!

Hope was very meticulous about her design!

All Gianna cared about was Rudolph in her arms...we had to set the timer for every 10 minutes-her and Dom can't get enough of this stuffed animal. Originally, this Rudolph was what Dom wanted Santa to give to him...he was persuaded to ask for something else, (since Santa had run out of these Rudolph characters!)

We found out Dom may have his Mommy's perfectionist qualities...there was a smear of paint and he was devastated! (I can understand how he felt.)

Thanks to our friend Katie we learned about these "curly-q" ornaments. Easy to make and they end up so cute!

Gianna working hard to make the paper curl around the pencil.

Kinzley and Gianna happy with their ornaments!

Basketball season has started!

Nick has made the JV team at his Middle School in Shelton. He is #2!

Go Nick!

Sweet Grandma

Before we left to go back home on T-Day weekend Grandma had a surprise for the kids. Here they wait...isn't Dom's face priceless?!

All three waiting...

Grandma got the kids new sweaters/sweater dress for the holiday season.

Thanks Grandma!

"MAN DAY 2009"

Every Thanksgiving is followed by the traditional "Man Day." This is where "men will be men" and they will eat beef jerky, hike, do all things "MAN." Here they are, setting off on Man Day. This year Man Day is shared with other fellow Mans! (yeah I said mans, not men!)

Look at all of the MEN!

This Man Day included beef jerky, hiking, Wii tournaments, a fire, lots of competitions, and who knows what else...since I am not a MAN!

some of the men, making men faces!

Hanging at the Capitol...Day after T-Day

So usually the day after Turkey Day, my mom and I go shopping...although we go around 10 a.m., get coffee, leisurely walk around asking if any of the "amazing deals" are still there...usually NOT! and then we meet Vinny and the kids at the Capitol around noon for a break. I love the hustle and bustle excitement of the day, and don't usually expect to get any great deals since we don't go early enough, but the day is great the way we spend it, in my opinion! I love this picture of the kids!

I don't know if we threatened Nick in this picture to show his teeth but I am glad he is! So Cute of the two!

My sweet girl!

Little do you know, but right before this laughter Gianna was in a funk, pouting with arms crossed, and Daddy swooped her up...causing her to laugh her way out of "princess-y attitude."

Thanksgiving...

So this is pretty pathetic...I only have 3 pictures from Thanksgiving! UGH! The truth is, my back was spasming and I was in a muscle-relaxing induced-sleep on my Auntie's bed for most of Thanksgiving Day. Thanks to my mom, the dishes I was committed to contributing were ready to eat! I woke up for dinner, and then it was back to bed...so I am not thankful for the health I do not have...but I am thankful for my amazing family and the understanding hearts of those around me. When will my back issues cease? I think that would truly be a Christmas Miracle!

Dominic and Cousin Braxton playing with Hilde...

How did I manage a picture of Dan and Jody and None of My Own Family???!!

Can't wait to find out what they are expecting! That is something to be thankful for!

Day 1 of 24 Days of Holiday Fun!

With the help of my friends I was able to compile a list of ideas, old and new, that makes up our 24 Days of Holiday Fun Advent Calendar. Today is Day 1...reading the Christmas Story while eating popcorn. I wanted to start the season out reminding the kids of the "reason for the season." The kids pull out the "thing to do" each day...sometimes it is a craft/baking time, other times an act of kindness or giving, and sometimes an activity.