1.11.2011

Christmas Day

I realized as I climbed into bed in the wee hours of Christmas morning that I hadn't reminded the kids to come into our bedroom before their excitement drove them downstairs. So I came up with this- which might I add was brilliant (if I do say so myself) b/c I could hear their loud whispering voices at SIX am talking (and plotting) about going downstairs to see what Santa brought them... and then they saw-

THIS!!
Of course, leave it to sneaky Hunter to figure out a way to get around things (or under in this case.) He's just so skinny dang it! Luckily, he also happens to be our most obedient child and he knows that things like this mean business. Also, he can read now and I was counting on that so he could inform Gabriella of why this gate and sign were preventing them (and extending the amount of time) from getting to presents! Haha! I love it when my plan comes together. :)
We didn't have to wait long for Kolea to wake up b/c Hunter and Gabriella were pretty loud in their excitement. We decided to go ahead with things before River woke up so we could focus on the older three for a bit. Merry Christmas!
Kolea had discovered Gabriella's doll house even before Gabriella did.
Good morning sweet pea! Hunter made me my necklace and wrapped it all by himself :)
Kolea is our little Rock Star!
River got a walker!
Hunter had been asking for BIG FOOT for months!!!
Ryan gave me this. It's pretty dope.
This was Ryan's favorite present! We've already played a number of times. It's a GREAT game!
After our morning festivities and Skyping with family we did what most families here do on Christmas... we hit the BEACH! We met up with our same friends that we had over on Christmas Eve. Lili is Gabriella's age. She was building a sand snowman!
This is most of the group! And you can see all of the kids except for River who was sleeping in the background in the car seat. What a fun bunch!
Merry Christmas everyone! We hope it was wonderful for all of you!

Christmas Eve

I thought I'd begin with the before and after tree shots, just because it's fun :)
BEFORE
AFTER

Now let's really begin! For Christmas Eve we decided to invite three families over to be each other's "family" as we were away from our loved ones this season. There were nine children in our home which I decided was PLENTY to do the nativity...
So a few of us dressed them up and attempted the (nearly) impossible-
since six of the children were 3 yrs and younger :)
Here are Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus...
and of course the angel... (while Ryan reads Luke 2 on his iPhone)
what a funny combination of past and present.
Then sprinkle in a few shepherds and wise men...
singing their praises, or laughing, or crying as some were...
and there you have it! The FOUR minute Nativity!
After that we decorated some cookies and visited some more... but then it was time for all to go home and do their own traditions in preparation for Santa to come visit.


Now it's just us, and the kids are getting excited to open their one gift from mommy & daddy. Bet ya can't guess what it is... :)
...and there you have it. Exciting isn't it? He sure was- the little ingrate!
Ahh aren't they cute? All ready for Santa!!
Ta- Da! Everyone dressed and ready!
My little charmer- and it's off to bed with them all!
Don't know why this is underlining now and I can't stop it! Anyhow, then Santa's little helpers came to help get things ready for Christmas morning. Which, by the way, was wonderful!!
Isn't everyone doing such a great job?
Ahhh all done! Time for bed :)

1.10.2011

Silly Putty

This is Christmas Eve...

This is a half hour before our friends (3 families from our ward) are to show up.

This is what happens,

When you do a headstand on the couch,

And there is silly putty in the way.
Never get in a fight with silly putty. It will win.
And this is after. Which also included a few tears from an angry and stressed out mama.
What can I say? I LOVE his longer hair!

This is the FIRST buzz cut Hunter has ever had.

1.04.2011

Gabriella's 5th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Gabriella!

I'm really good at posting lots of pictures. Not so great at witty commentary. So just enjoy the pictures with minimal comment. :)
I love how Gabriella looks adorable and Kolea is totally looking like an orphan! That girl cracks me up- she has a style ALL her own. :)
Make a wish!
Lots o' fun!
Lucky girl...
Game time! First the birthday girl!
Now Lili
Then Ivy with some help from sissy, Velzy
And a little assistance from our lovely assistant, tio David!
Take two for Gabriella! She actually cheated the first time around. It was quite funny- although she didn't find it very funny when everyone called her a "cheater." :) So she needed a re-do and swore she'd keep her eyes CLOSED.
A race to pop 3 balloons the fastest. Hunter won. :)
Ever play this one before? I recommend the kids being at least about 8 yrs old.
First you eat a soda cracker...
Then chew a piece of bubble gum! Whoever can blow a legitimate bubble first is the winner!

The Craft

For those of you who really know me- you know that I'm soooooo NOT crafty. But for Gabriella's birthday I was inspired to do something out of the ordinary.

I'm sure it's because I'm surrounded by some of the most talented and crafty women I've ever known on this little rock of an island- and EVERY birthday party my children go to, there seems to be some awesome craft! So yes, I was feeling the pressure. Well, I succumbed.

And this, my friends was the result...
The idea here was to make a crown for our "Pin The Crown on The Princess" game
The pictures are self-explanatory. :)
I was feeling pretty brilliant as I made up all of this stuff!
I made about 12 of these...
And then let the kids decorate them! Ta-da!
See, I can be crafty. ;)