The past TWO weeks... a BLUR!

Let's start with Christmas...

So I told you about Christmas' 1 and 2 but I still have to fill you in on number 3-7.

The Friday before Christmas we had a gift exchange(Chrsitmas 3) with Kristen (the nanny) she bought the boys' the most adorable clothes (seen in the pictures below) and she MADE us a Keepsake box. She decorated it and decopashed pictures of the boys on it. She also made two smaller boxes to fit in it, decorated one for each boy. We got her a gift card to Pac Sun. I was so excited that she cares enough about the boys and us, she went out of her way to give us and them very nice gifts.

My mom arrived, with 9 dogs, on the 23rd of December. Their Lab had puppies and since there were freezing temps at their home and the pups were only 3 weeks old, they had to bring them. Not a bother, actually it was kind of fun having them. We did our family gift exchange on Christmas Eve (Christmas 4). It was great. There were TONS of presents as always! The boys got so spoiled and we only gave them ONE of their gifts that night. Jim's mom came over and Jim made his homemade beef stew. Jim did really good at the things he got me, even the clothes. But the thing that I got that was the most special was my mom gave to me my Great Grandmothers ring. It is nothing too big or extravagant, but it was so neat for her to pass down something to me that was my Great Grandmother's. After all of the presents were opened and everyone was getting ready to head home I read the book, Twas the night Before Christmas. I hope this year will be the first in a long time tradition that boys can remember fondly.

Christmas morning, (Christmas 5) I strategically got up, woke my mom and Alen up, got Ben's milk ready while Jim distracted Ean from going down stairs until we could by there to see what Santa had left for him. "Santa" didn't wrap any of the presents he left so when Ean came down he was a little awed by what he saw. Ben didn't really care, he was busy drinking his milk. Ean studied everything for a while then slowly began playing with each toy. I went a little overboard and did stockings, which neither of them cared about (except the candy). Santa also left a letter to Ean with a recorded message on it. He was very excited about that and even showed everyone that came over for the next couple of days.

After we got done with that we got ready and headed to my Dad's house to do Christmas (#6) with them. (My parents don't get along so that is why the two separate occasions) My dad made breakfast and we had a great time. They got Ean a tool bench. He might be a little young still for it, but he does love the power tools that they got him.

When we got back home my mom had already gotten the Turkey prepared to go in the oven, made a salad, cleaned up the kitchen and boiled the eggs for deviled eggs. We then finished the preparations for our Christmas (#7) dinner while she got ready, Ben had a nap and Ean started to make use of his new toys. We had dinner about 5pm, we had my brother David and our Friends Greg and Jeni and Paige over. It was a small but very nice dinner.

All in all, I felt really good about our Christmas. The boys got extremely spoiled but not mainly by us. We had a great visit with my Mom and Allen, a stress free Christmas over all eventhough there were seven of them. It spread out nicely.

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Post Christmas...

On December 29th. We had a gathering at our house for anyone who wanted to visit or mainly see my mom while she was here. If for whatever reason you are reading this and didn't get an invite, don't be offended, it was mostly work of mouth and kind of last minute. It was so cool to see some of my mom's friends and some business associates. We had a wonderful time, and we were glad that so many people were able to come.

My mom and Allen left on the 30th (Saturday) to head home. I had a meeting in Fresno early that morning so I said goodbye before I left, but it worked out for me to have lunch with them as they headed through Fresno. It was extra special to see them one last time and visit with no kids or dogs or other people.


They say how you ring in the New Year represents how your year will go. I guess we will be spending our year in bed asleep. I did somehow manage to wake up just as the ball was dropping (since I left the TV on) and was able to get my New Years kiss.


Like I said in my last post, Jim and I have vowed to make 2007 a motivated take care of business year. That is why I haven't been able to make a post until now. I am really trying to stay focused at work and not get distracted with the 15 blogs and MY Spaces I want to check and comment on everyday. I am limiting my Internet and Email time and trying to stay on task.

I did have to take a "few" hours last week and make myself go to Costco. Since the Holidays are so awful in most stores ESPECIALLY Costco I hadn't gone in over six weeks. Most of you who are not Costco goers are probably thinking "ssheesh, who cares about Costco, you don't HAVE to go to Costco to get what you need, what is the big deal". Well this is the BIG DEAL...

I only bought the necessity items mind you. Meat, is so much better AND cheaper there, Diapers and wipes (bigger quantities and cheaper), Oatmeal, Cereal, Paper Towels, Apple Juice, Laundry Detergent, Milk, etc. It took me 20 minutes to arrange it all in the back of my car. People were looking at me like I was crazy, buying so much stuff. It was kind of funny.

Here is just a cute picture of the boys with one of their Christmas presents.