SANTA CAME!

This year we spent Christmas at my parents' house. It would have been a Tiny Tim of a Christmas morning if my parents weren't so willing to share their blessings with us. We are grateful to have had more than 3 presents under the tree. Actually, we couldn't afford a tree at all at our house! I know it's not about the tree or the gifts but giving is important and fun.

The Skechers they've wanted (thanks to the commercials on NickJr)

Brooke was sooo happy when she opened a coloring book from Emma.

And Emma jumped up and hugged grandma and grandpa when she opened their gifts!

And isn't Owen a handsome little guy?

Emma really wanted this Barbie carriage that turns into a hot air balloon. Thank you Santa!

It wouldn't be Christmas without some kind of melt down.

I made Tyler this rad Jedi robe.

Cori made the girls these SUPER cute tu-tu's!

Emma gave me this boa! Thanks love! She was stoked to give it to me. She is a very thoughtful girl. Grandma also had her and Brooke make ornaments for Alan and I.

Carli likes the Twilight Saga just a little teensy weensy bit.

Cori MADE this bag for mom. Yes, MADE it. Amazing. I think the was the year of home-made gifts because Carli also made me super cute apron that could easily sell professionally.

Tyler and Owen's gift from their parents was this sweet little boxer puppy who Tyler named Leah.

And we played Band Hero for hours.

Good memories, good times.

Christmas Eve at Grandma's House

Wrapping Presents

Eating Candy Canes
(out of dad's container from the 1960's)

My Peppermint Bark which will be a new tradition since it's easy, quick, and yummy!

Carli came home from San Diego! And doesn't she look FAB-U-LOUS?!!

More gift wrapping!

Grandma made Brooke and Emma their own little tree with all pink and purple ornaments and lights.

Making cookies for Santa with grandpa Jeff!

That night we read from Luke chapter 2 and talked about Jesus and his birth. I started tearing up. I'm so thankful for Him.

Who?

Ok Twelve Days of Christmas Elves! You've spoiled with us goodies, candy, fruit, cookies, chocolates, games/ puzzles, a movie, gift cards, music, caramel corn, bagels and cream cheese, cereal, milk, root beer, hot chocolate, a YUMMY dinner with tons of creativity and love, all tied in with the 12 days of Christmas song! We're kind of dying to know who you are. If you're reading this, THANK YOU again!

Check it Out!

The management of our apartment complex held a porch decorating contest last week.

The prizes:
1st place $500 off of January's rent
2nd place $300 off

3rd place $150 off

Honorable mention: $50 off

We really need the money so we pulled out all the stops. We borrowed some of my mom's decor and we went crazy with it. (By the way-- you could fund a small school in Africa by selling all Christmas stuff as she has). Alan put our TV in the window with a screen saver of a fire place on it! And he recorded himself singing in the shower as if he were Santa. We played the recording of it in the water heater closet as if that was the bathroom and Santa was showering in there. Alan also spent 6 hours putting up the wrapping paper on the walls, and I worked on the planning and everything else a little each day for about 2 weeks.

And it paid off because we WON First Place!!! That's right!!! $500!!!

The judges said they loved the detail and thought put into it. I did a little kissing up, too, as I put the names of all the staff members on "Santa's Nice List." We were pretty stoked to win because there were about 20 other participants and some really cute porches. The Lord has blessed us. He gave us the tools and said GO and DO! I'm not a competitive person but man I wanted this!

Close Call

We almost had a close call with our 12 Days of Christmas "Secret Elves," as we've been calling them. The other night one of Emma's kindergarten friends came by with her mom and I went out to the parking lot to say hi. Apparently the elves came right when I was standing there because when I came back in Alan said, "Did you see the elves? They just knocked."

I couldn't believe that I missed them by seconds! I'm glad though because not knowing adds to the fun.

Those elves sure are good!

The Suit

Me as Santa. . . Holla!

Girls Night

Cori Ann had an extra ticket to a Sacramento Kings basketball game last weekend and invited me to come with! It was a ton of fun and I still can't get over how tall those NBA guys are! Thanks Sis!

Christmas Magic

Sunday night I was lying in bed, sobbing about our financial situation--you may have seen an earlier post about it but the hubs wanted me to delete it since it was pretty embarrassing. :)

Alan has been a student for most of our married life (and has 2+ years to go) which has made money a constant challenge. He's done the best he can to balance work and school and I'm so proud of him, but it's been hard. It's also been a top priority that I stay home with the kids no matter what, so I haven't worked outside the home. And Alan works during the day at trying to start a web business and goes to school at night so my options for getting a job are pretty limited, unless I work graveyard somewhere. . . no thank you! I'd be a pretty useless mom during the day I think.

And our house in CO, which we never should have purchased, will likely be foreclosing after all (the bank didn't accept the short sale offer because we have an FHA loan, and blah blah blah). In short, we have ridiculous amounts of debt, declining credit, very little income, and still a long road ahead until graduation, passing the BAR, etc. I honestly don't know how we're making it.

Sunday night I was just so T.I.R.E.D. I haven't broken down about all this in a long time, but as I lay there feeling sorry for myself, there was a knock at the door and Alan came in a few minutes later with a gift basket of goodies and a note informing us we would be receiving gifts/ treats for the 12 days of Christmas!!!

It's a secret, of course, so we don't know who it is. But if it's YOU that has been coming, I want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Or if you know who it is, please tell them for us! It is making us feel so loved and comforted and humbled. The girls are so excited every night and we've certainly been cheered up. We are so thankful for you and we will never forget this! You have been so generous already!

Thank you for bringing some much needed Christmas Magic to our home this year!

I like this

I've been hearing of many divorces lately and it makes me so sad. I like to remember this!