The presents

These were some of my favorites...my favorite is the one of Kolbe hugging Avery. He'd just opened his zune and was celebrating! Just a few moments of what had just laughing for hours!!!

Christmas Happenings...

We had the best Christmas this year. We started the celebration at my parents' house where all of my mom's family met for Christmas Eve. I would never have guessed that many people would fit comfortabley in one home(and perhaps there are those who would argue the term 'comfortabely')...but it was so fun. It is definitely lacking the spirit of grandma mac and grandpa, but I am sure they had a good laugh at all the chaos! I love this tradition...and am hoping that it holds, so that we can stay close as an extended family.

Christmas day was ours alone...which is something that means so much to my husband. It works for me too...because we got home so late from Fairfield, the kids slept in a bit. In fact, when Kolbe yelled that Santa had come, only Kenna jumped out of bed. Eli and Avery would have stayed in bed longer but we carried them out. Eli didn't take long to notice his horse...he said, "YESsssss....and hawsssssss!" And he rode em cowboy all day long!

Christmas manages to just keep getting better. Our kids are so fun. It was fun...the big gifts were the horse for Eli(my garage sale find), microsoft zunes for Kolbe and Kenna, and a doll set for Avery. I think they're pretty much convinced that santa spoiled them wildly!

I am so thankful for my family. Christmas is most definitely more about family...about the role it plays in this great plan of happiness...which centers infinitely around our Savior. I am so thankful for this time of year...for the reminder to focus on Him this intensely all year...not just for the Christmas season.

I'll post pictures of the present opening mess in a bit! Nate's been home 'babysitting' all day and is dying to leave the house...boob!!!!!!!

Computer-less....STILL

Just a few updates...

This past week was wild-in true PItcher form! I turned 31, which was apparently AWFUL luck because my computer officially died. The hardrive crashed, but thankfully we saved our important stuff, like music, pics, church talks, and quickbooks! yeah!!!
...I slid out of the driveway and side-swiped the neighbor's jeep in Nate's baby(his maxima)...the damage was minimal but will cost money to fix(obviously). I have to work something out with our buddy Trevor on the body damage, some small dents and a crease. He already replaced the rod in the tire so the wheel is straight and the car driveable!

I have the cutest pics of the kids in their Christmas Sunday outfits, but obviously its hard to post without my computer(I'm at work now!)The oldest 3 sang in sacrament meeting this week...which I loved. I can't help crying whenever KEnna does anything in public...its such a miracle to see her speak(sing) after so much trouble!

I am so excited for Christmas...I haven't even peeked this year!

Oh...I ordered my laptop...so the countdown is on!

Stinking computer....

Just a quick note to let everyone know that my computer is not well...it advised me the other night it had 39 viruses...AGAIN....so its been in the shop all week and the tech is a bit miffed at what to do with it. So who knows....maybe I'll own a hot pink lap top soon!!! Until then...

Deck the halls...

I personally think this is the funniest picture ever! Eli is extremely difficult to keep dressed now that he's done with diapers. So, this is what he brought the the Christmas decorating...

The kids loved decorating the house...I am always anxious to get it up, but by the day after Christmas I'm eager to have my clean house back. I'm amazed that Eli hasn't bothered presents yet...the ornaments were rearranged a LOT during the first week but now he's left them alone too.

Tonight we're writing letters to Santa for family home evening...the kids have changed their minds a ton so I'm going to have to manipulate the letters a bit!