Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas Day

The kids were up at 5:30 a.m. yup you read right 5:30 A.M.!! Let's just say Dane and I weren't very pleased especially since we didn't get to bed till 1a.m. anyway we were able to hold them off till 6 impressive eh? Anyway they sat patiently for me to get the camera;

Don't ya just love the look on Kaleb's face? Ellie was perfectly happy with the candy she got in her sock, forget the playdough and other toys! We had them line up youngest to oldest Kaleb was a little put out by that he thinks it should be by gender, boys in front girls in back! The second Dane opened the bedroom door the kids charged this was the best pic I could get;

Now much to their surprise they didn't see their typical unwrapped Santa gift with their sock next to it, but there was a note hanging from the light. Now I figured when they didn't see their normal gifts they would be upset but they weren't Kaleb explained that the note must say that "I was been a good boy this year!", here's what the note said;

To the Lamps children 3,
just between you and me,
My sack was full I couldn't get in.
What could I do? I said with a grin.
I sat awhile and thought about you,
then it came to me just what to do.
You have been good the whole year through,
so I left something you all could do.
If you will run fast out the back door,
you'll see more than you asked for.
I hope you like it have fun and share,
be good to each other and always play fair.

Santa

The rhyme was courtesy of grandma Clause! Anyway you can guarantee my kids rushed to get their shoes on, again as soon as the door was opened they charged, I wasn't quick enough to get in front of them to get a first look reaction but Kaleb's words summed it up " a PARK in our yard! We have a PARK in our YARD!!!!" of course he was speaking of this swing set;



Santa done did good with the swing set! So the kids played for a bit while Dane and I froze our bums off, once we got everyone inside we let the kids open their socks and 2 presents before church the first being their church clothes the second their secret Santa gifts.

Now there is a little story that goes with the girls dresses, I had been working on them in secret while the kids were at school, but one day I accidentally left some evidence as to what I was up too Ryne quickly surmised that I was making dresses for them so I came up with a quick fib I said I was making them for a friends little girls that were the same age as my girls yeah Harlee and Jordyn were gonna be some lucky girls (I hope ya don't mind Kym :) ). Needless to say Ryne was a little let down but she still thought the dresses were gonna be neat and was soon excited to see the final product. Now I know ya shouldn't lie but this turned out to be the best thing, cause I wasn't able to get them done before the kids were out of school for winter break so I was able to work on them in front of the girls without having to worry.

Kaleb's out fit was a different story I didn't even have his cut out yet! I was able to get his vest done after the kids were in bed on the 23rd. Dana took Kaleb to run some last minute errands on the 24th I had about an hr to get the pants and bow tie done! I didn't have a pattern for the pants so I  pulled a pair from his closet that fit pretty good except the length and went off of those, I have to say they turned out super nice Kaleb was thrilled to have more church pants "and these ones are long!".

So after the kids opened their presents we got everyone ready for church, I did simple french twists in the girls hair, I curled some pieces around their face and called it good. When I was getting Ellie in her dress she smiled and said "pincess, I pincess?" I thought it was so cute and once that dress was on and zipped up she was twirlin around in circles!  I wanted to get pics of them BEFORE we went to church when they looked their best, but we were runnin a little late (Ryne and I were suppose to be early for choir) so I had to settle for after church pics. They were excited to get home to open their presents that I couldn't get them to look at the stinkin camera and smile! We took several shots I finally just gave up and and figured I would work with what I got.



Yeah I didn't have much to work with! Now this is where the pics end cause I didn't take any of them opening the rest of their presents I know an epic mom FAIL!! But know they were thrilled with all their stuff even if most of it was clothes! After presents were open we made our traditional Christmas breakfast complete with little piggies (sausage links) and homemade buttermilk syrup ( thanks sis for the recipe it was delicious)! After breakfast or rather brunch Ellie and I took naps while Dane and the other kids watched some of the movies we got.

We had a great Christmas, Dane and I each only got one present so the kids would have what they needed but ya know I was thrilled with what I got and so was Dana. Dana got a wet/dry vac and I got a beautiful Nativity set. Oh and we also got this painting from my brother-in-law Mike isn't it awesome!?


A BIG thanks to grandma Nancy and grandpa Bill for getting us started with the essential oils and to Uncle Dave and Aunt Becky for the pure vanilla! We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and we wish you the best in the upcoming new year!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Christmas Eve

We were super busy Christmas Eve, I was finishing up Kaleb's church clothes, Dane and Kaleb were doing some last minute shopping, once everyone was home the baking commenced. After baking and delivering our Christmas treats the kids took baths and then got to open their Christmas jammies which was delightful!


 Once they were open we made many attempts to get a nice pic of them in front of the tree, we took so many I had to start deleting them because of lack of memory.  This was like attempt 10!!
 Attempt..... I don't know I lost count!
 This was the final one I took and like attempt 20 ,instead of saying cheese Dane said cookies now that got their attention!
After taking a million pics in front of the tree we did the kids favorite tradition of jumping on the bed and singing Ti's Christmas Eve Dear Santa Clause.


It was a riot watching Ellie trying to jump with Ryne and Kaleb we had to make the older kids stop so Ellie could get in some quality jumping time! One of the best things about the kids jumping on the bed is how much energy it gets out, they all went to bed without a fuss it was fantastic!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011