I'll be home for Christmas!

For months I have been so excited to go home for Christmas! I have been looking forward to being with my entire family, having a white Christmas, and just being at home!

Since we have been in Colorado at Grandma's house we have been doing some fun activities like making snow angels:

Sending our letter to Santa:And celebrating Mason's Birthday by going to a movie and sledding:As we were playing here the rest of my family was stuck in Washington. There was so much snow in Vancouver that Jon and Morgan could not fly here on schedule. School, work, and even church were cancelled! As Jon kept on giving me updates about the weather in Vancouver I thought that for sure the snow would be gone by the next day but it just kept on snowing! I was getting mad because we didn't have very much snow here in CO, my family couldn't fly out, and I was missing the biggest snow storm to hit WA in 40 years! (Anyone that knows me well knows that I LOVE the snow) I then became worried that they were not going to make it here as I kept on seeing cancelled flights each day! Morgan was bawling and Jon was trying to deal with a bawling 13 year old. So when they called me I just added to Jon's stress and started crying also! But we are all here together now! As Morgan was crying to me on the phone she said something profound and I quote "I don't care about the presents and stockings I just want to be with the family!" And I have to agree it doesn't matter about the gifts, the food, or the fact that there is more snow in WA than in CO! We are all here together safe and sound! Have a very Merry Christmas!

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful!

This is a picture from yesterday! The kids were very excited to see the snow! They were dying to get their winter gear on (BTW I had it already packed and ready to go to CO but busted it out for the occasion) and be outside! They loved sipping on their hot coco outside until they decided that 24 degrees is COLD! It was not hard to convince Mason to wear all his snow gear this morning as he headed out the door for safety patrol. This is good preparation for Denver because it's not suppose to get above freezing the entire week here in Vancouver! It could even set a record for the longest number of days below freezing! Bring on those cute scarfs and hats!

Checking Off the List #2!

The Hustle and Bustle continue during this time of year! I can now check a few more things off my list.

-Celebrate Mason's Birthday-Sort of! His birthday is not for another two weeks but we did take him out for his special Birthday Date with just Jon and I. He's been dying to go to our new Olive Garden. The food was great but the service was Terrible! We will officially celebrate his bday on his actual birthday December 22 with favorite breakfast, dinner, and presents!

-Ward Christmas Party- Our party theme was "The Polar Express" Stacey outdid herself once again! It was really fun! We all wore our PJ's which I loved! (I gave the kids their xmas jammies early so they could wear them to the party) We each got a ticket when we walked in and got that ticket punched when we were served our Hot Chocolate! (I forgot to take a a pic of the conductor but he looked awesome) Breakfast was served for dinner, the kids made candy trains, we sang Christmas Carols, and then the kids all left with their "Believe Bells."

-Attend the Union High School Football Game!-This was a new event that was not on my original list. I decided to go to the state championship game last Saturday with Mason!

This is a brand new HS in our area and it is only their second year of existence! So this was a HUGE deal for them to already be in the final playoff game for the State Title. Unfortunately we lost making their record 13-1. Many fans, parents, and players were sad but felt grateful to have gotten so far! I went to the game with several friends from our ward! I called it the party bus because it was filled up with lots of fun people having a great time together! We still love the Titans and are proud of their accomplishments!

-Attend a Piano Recital-We enjoyed listening to M&M(and others) play their Christmas piano pieces last night. They both did great and I'm proud of them. I am so grateful to my friend Christy who has taken them as their piano students this year! She has seriously taken a huge stress out of my life by having them. The past two years with their other teacher have been crazy because the only time she could have my kids is on Wednesday! We would go from Dance Team, to Piano, to YW with no breaks! But now Morgan can ride her bike to Christy's home for lessons and she even comes to MY HOUSE early before school to teach Mason! How great is that! The kids have loved their new teacher and are doing well! Thanks again Christy we love you!

Checking Off the List!

With only two weeks left before we leave for Colorado I am feeling the pressure of the holidays. We are VERY excited to see G & G Baldwin for Christmas and hope that Mother Nature will make my kids soooooo happy by delivering some winter wonderness!!! I have been working hard at my "to do" list and have accomplished many things!

-Thanksgiving Holiday

-Decorate for Christmas-CHECK!

-Entertain Kids During Thanksgiving Break-CHECK! Went to the movie Bolt, Swimming, Hot Tubing @ G'mas, Playing Games.

-Finish Christmas Shopping -Working on it Still!

-Attend the Fred Meyer Sock Sale at 5am on Black Friday- Had a great time with Morgan! As we were driving home she said "Mom how much money did we spend today?" I replied, "I'm not sure yet but don't tell your DAD!"

-Watch the Twilight Movie-CHECK! LOVED IT!!!

-Address/Mail Christmas Cards-CHECK! Mailed by December 1.

-Make and Deliver Friend & Neighbor Gifts-CHECK! Jon and I worked really hard on Saturday to make several batches of the famous Whitcomb Carmel Corn. We then had our little elves deliver them to friends and neighbors! Many people were surprised to be getting gifts so early in the season but with Jon leaving for CA, and then us leaving so early for CO it was last weekend or never!

-Host a YM/YW Fireside-CHECK!

-Take Jon to & from the airport for a business trip to CA-Tomorrow morning at 5 AM!

-Make Christmas Jammies-CHECK! I took Christy's advice (Thanks KiKi) and bought really cute jammies at Old Navy on Black Friday!

-Finish buying snow gear for CO-CHECK!

-Figure Out Teacher Gifts-CHECK! Delivered already!

-Attend Two Wedding Receptions-CHECK! Only made it to one!

-Finish a Holiday Craft-CHECK! (x2) I actually made another one for my sister-in-law for her birthday that's tomorrow!(This is the only new item that I will be adding to my Christmas Decorations this year)

-Attend Pie Night-CHECK! One of my favorite nights of the year!

The next two weeks will be a whirlwind of activities. If I can just finish the rest of that list we will have a fun and relaxing Christmas!