Sometimes....

Sometimes, the best part of being a kid on Christmas break is just chilling in your room...

Christmas morning....

Just a final glimpse of Christmas before the New Year!

First came the stockings....

Here's a big gift of pocket animals!

Dodger just kept sitting in the middle of it all watching and panting. Finally I realized that he was waiting for his gift!! We gave him a Special Christmas Treat and he went on his merry way!!

Here is the second round on Christmas Morning when my parents came over...

Someone has a new coat......

And someone else is excited to get Kaya!!

Now, on to round three when kid #3 and future daughter in law showed up!

Enjoying one of her new games while the grownups open gifts.

Remi decides it's safer on grandpa's lap.

Introducing....

It all began with a little trip down memory lane....

Oldest son made mention that a fond memory of his was getting Nerf guns on Christmas and having gun fights with his brothers. Dad would usually get one, too. They would spend quite a bit of time hiding, shooting, ducking and mostly laughing. (well...they also squealed like little girls...but, I probably shouldn't mention that!!)

Anyway...grandma heard about her oldest grandchild's memory lane moment and decided that this year she would get all the boys and their sister new nerf guns. Now, K has never had the experience the boys have had....but you will see that she is a quick learner.

First, all the other gifts were opened. All the "ooohhhs: and "aaahhhhs" were said. Thank you's were proclaimed. Pictures were snapped. Gift wrap, bows, ribbons, tissue and bags were picked up (for the most part). Then grandma announced, "Oh, we have one more gift to be opened!" She proceeded to hand the three boys and the one girl their own box. They really had NO clue as to what was about to unfold. However, I did! My camera was ready. Shall we look?

Seriously, can you see the funny in this picture. Look at oldest son's eyes as he looks toward a victim...I mean...brother. Then look at K's eyes as she looks at another brother. Oh yeah...they are sizing each other up, for sure!!

That tranquil moment was quickly dashed, as they tore into the packages to get their guns ready. No words were exchanged...there was no need. Everyone knew what must be done.

Even the newbie felt the intensity of the moment. She didn't have the nerf gun handling experience...but something deep within kicked into drive. She handled it like a pro. (notice the dog is lacking that drive...)

Fully assembled and ready to load...you may notice what was once a full living room is now a lonely place as everyone seems to have scattered.

The battle has begun...

Cameras are aimed and clicking away...while kid #3 is seeking cover. (I even think I heard some girlie squeals that did not all belong to....the girl child!)


For someone new to this.....She held her own and then some.

All the older girls attempted to seek refuge in the kitchen...it worked for the most part.

AND NOW

Proudly Introducing....for their first ever public appearance....

CHARLENE'S ANGELS

Christmas Part One

This year our Christmas Celebration was divided into two parts. Part one was the Sunday before Christmas. All the kids gathered here along with my parents and we gave Kid #1 and Daughter in-law their gifts. This was followed by a feast. :) A feast is always a good follow up to a family gathering.

Anyway, there were presents galore and if I thought for a moment about all the gifts crammed in the room I could easily imagine that Christmas morning with everyone would have been mind boggling. I do think it's more fun to celebrate together on the 25th, but you have to do what works. Here are a few shots from that day....

This was the calm before the great unwrapping.

Miss K gets a birds eye view...

My parents....

Kid #1 and Daughter-in-law were quite excited to get this new dog proof trash can....

The dog....not so excited....

Surrounded by goodies...

Happy for some comfy pants....

Dodger just nestled himself against the tv and observed.

The feast included steamed shrimp, steamed pork buns, spring rolls, sushi, potstickers, egg drop soup and general tso's pork.

AND DESSERT WAS BIRTHDAY CAKE!! WHO CELEBRATED A BIRTHDAY??

Audrey and Remi turned ONE!!! Happy Birthday!!!

Not my girl.....

You know over the years I have accumulated quite a few pictures of my kids. Tons of pictures as a matter of fact. Pictures of birthdays, sports events, goofy times, achievements, hanging with friends, vacations and....Christmas mornings. Ahhh, the early morning on December 25th are the best pictures. The boys have tons of memories of waiting in their room, while hubby and I turned on the tree lights, made coffee, and whatever else we needed to do. Their cue to come down the hall was hearing Bing singing "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...." I was always ready in the living room with the camera. So needless to say, I have lots of pictures of boys in pajamas with their hair sticking up and really big grins on their faces. Those pictures bring back such fond memories!!

As you know....the boys have grown and even though one was here with us early Christmas morning, he didn't wait in his room. Nope, he joined us in getting the coffee ready and turning on the lights and whatnot. So, it was just K waiting and waiting and waiting to be called out. Waiting for the moment we cued her down the hall to have her picture snapped in her pjs with her hair all in disarray.... Is that what I got?

Nope....not my girl.....

She came out fully dressed with tights and shoes on! Yep, that's MY girl!!

Homeschool Memoirs #19: Making A List

Assignment: This week I want to set our minds on setting some goals for next year, whether personal, for the whole family, or for school.

Well, naturally this is the time of the year when our thoughts turn to reflecting on our past year. The fast approaching New Year seems to promise to be a fresh start. A chance to do-over, to make things right, ....a clean slate. Now, we really know it isn't all that, but it's still fun to make some goals of things we would like to accomplish for the New Year. I like to think of goals that require me to develop some habits that I would like to develop. So, I worked on some ideas and here is my list.

In the year 2009, I would like to:

1. ...work on getting to bed earlier!! (this is huge, as my sleeping habits have gotten really out of whack...but I know I will feel and function better if I could turn back my inner clock!)

2. ...be more intentional in relationships. People are very important to me, but 2008 was more of a year of keeping to myself. I think I'm ready to get back to looking outward and will trust in Him as He leads the way.

3. ...develop healthier habits. Not necessarily a goal to lose this many pounds by this date....just more of an all around healthier living style. I am looking forward to this adventure....really, I am!!

4. ...to spend more time in study. I want to study His word more deeply, instead of just a quick reading to check it off my list.

5. ...to start a reading log, of sorts. Mainly, I want to jot down what I read and what I thought about it. I find that I can read a book and then a month later I can't remember it at all...unless I go get the book again and start reading it! So, I think a book log would be a fun way of looking back.

6. ...to find time to finally get my scrapbooks all caught up. This is actually my summer goal!

7. ...to continue working hard with K and really make learning fun for her. I want to encourage her and help her develop into the wonderful young lady that she is becoming.

The list could go on....but I think 7 is a good number. :) I plan to print my list and keep it in a visible spot. Then, maybe, I will revisit the list here in the future and give an update.

Hopefully, everyone working on this assignment has enjoyed making a list of goals! I know that I have!!

Really, is there anything sexier.....

Than a man doing dishes?

Just asking!