Opening the Presents...Oh What Fun!!!

I figure by now...everyone is probably sick of reading about Christmas...so I am cheating and making a slideshow of the kids (and me) opening presents *smile* The kids had a lot of fun this year doing the "Dollar-Store Christmas". We had several unplanned expenses so we decided to buy presents for one another at the dollar store! They were able to get lots of things for each other and opening them took a lot longer LOL! They also each got me a present from Hobby Lobby (thanks to 40% coupons, a grandma who insisted and a daughter who contributed some of her babysitting money) Thanks guys!

Santa brings 3 presents for each kid...just like the wisemen brought Baby Jesus. This year they each got a DS game (MORE free time for mom!), a package with a couple books and an Elfen figurine. He also brought a board game, a movie and a Wii game! What fun! They had a blast *smile* It would have been better if their dad could have been here, but we got to talk to him on the computer at least!! There's always next year!

I teased the kids that we were just being eco-friendly since we had such a small Christmas...all of our packaging and gift wrap fit in one small walmart bag when we were done! None of those over-flowing garbages for us!




Anyways...onto the fun pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas morning!

I Should Have REALLY Soft Hands...

When my sister came down to visit us, we dropped her off at her motel in Dallas at the end of the visit. It was an eventful trip to Dallas--since Steven got in a slight fender bender and we got lost pretty good once we got there! She offered me the Bath and Body Works lotion they gave in the room...yummy! Orange Ginger! That could be a stress-reliever! I tried it a couple times when I first got it...but it seemed "kinda slimy" for lotion...and I figured it was just my imagination. Today I decided I would try it one more time and if I still didn't like it, I'd get rid of it. *grin* I just hate to throw anything out! LOL!

Well...I was talking to Steven on the phone and put some more lotion on...yep...still kinda slimy. I took one last look at the bottle when I saw something I hadn't seen before...instead of the words "lotion"...amazingly...it now said "hair conditioner" *smile* I am sure it MUST have magically transformed into conditioner...I am SURE I couldn't have oops'd that badly! It explains though...why my lotion was so slimy LOL!

Pajamas, Grandparent Gifts...and Silly Guinea Pigs!

Another Christmas tradition at our house is the jammies and a book from mom and dad on Christmas Eve. This is what we always give the kids! Everyone seemed to really like the jammies!

Missy and her snowflake polar bear pajamas. Kimmy picked them out for me this year--she was my helper on "all-things-Christmas" *smile* I couldn't have done it without her!

I didn't realize until I was wrapping the presents up how similar the pajamas were on the two girls' gifts! They both had snowflake pajamas! Kimmy's looked so comfy...if she can't find them...check my room LOL!

Stevie just looks too cool in his Mario pajama bottoms. Boys are too cool to wear a top...and I quit buying them a few years back...since all his bottoms would wear out--but the shirts looked new still. *grin* He always just wears his bathrobe he got a few years back with them since I keep the air conditioning cranked up...I hate Texas heat!

Living so far from home is hard...I wish my parents could be here to watch the kids open their presents! I always try to call them so they can "hear the excitement" as the kids open the presents from Grandpa and Grandma! Mom always just sends money and tells me to pick something "cool". This year they were thrilled to get DS games for their gameboy! Missy got Ninten-dogs.

Stevie was excited to get "Age of Mythology" I LOVE Gamestop and their used games! Saves on my budget and lets us look COOL when the kids get fun games *grin*

And Kimmy got "Animal Crossing"! It was great! They were thrilled (once again, Kimmy...thanks for the help LOL) They got an extra treat because Grandpa and Grandma Weatherston also sent money...and they got a Wii game for Christmas too! (I can't spell the title LOL) What a blessing from all the people who love them!! It made a small Christmas seem that much bigger! (And let ME have several days of QUIET while they all played with their games!)

The guinea pigs even got a present for Christmas. Kimmy was very adament that they get a present too! We let them out of their cage to come join the Christmas fun!

Here is their present...a log filled with treats...however...

...Just like kids...they had more fun playing with the packaging! They played in the paper the whole time we opened our presents! Silly piggies *smile*

New Renditions on Old Traditions...

This has been the year of learning to let go of some of our old traditions...and "tweak" a few of the others. Steven promises me that our first Christmas in Idaho after we retire will be AWESOME! I hope so! Anyways...here are a few more Christmas pictures *smile*

We always hear the Christmas story on Christmas Eve from the bible. Some years my dad has read it, some years Steven has read it when he was home. Well this year we had the experience of having Steven read it over the internet to the kids. That was interesting! He got to watch them on webcam and read the story off of lds.org

Ignore my messy desk...but I thought this was a fun shot of them watching the computer screen while he read it. It was very special.


In lieu of a Christmas tree this year...we had the Christmas cactus *grin* but it definitely made for an interesting dilemma of "Where to put the presents??" I finally came up with the idea to put our new cowboy nativity on the little table with my blanket over it, and then the presents under the table. We also didn't have stockings this year...so after much debate, we came up with "Christmas Gift Bags" LOL! It definitely didn't feel like Christmas...but it was okay. We'll figure something out different next year since our stuff will still be in Idaho!

Another tradition in our home is the "Christmas Ribbon". It started with a very curious kid--I had to figure out a way to keep Stevie away from the Christmas tree before we woke up. We came up with the "Magic Christmas Ribbon" that he couldn't go past until Mom and Dad were awake. It worked! Each year after that, we would hang the ribbon and then take pictures of cutting the ribbon in the morning. It has been such a fun way to track how tall they got! Stevie is now MUCH taller than Kimmy even. Well, Christmas Eve, I realized I didn't have the ribbon--it was in Idaho too. What to do??? Well, we came up with "Christmas Chains" and the kids thought that was great! This one we may have to continue instead of the ribbon *smile*

Here is Missy's Christmas Chain. Luckily I have a ton of scrapbooking supplies *grin* and could pull it off quickly!

Stevie liked making his chain too!

Here are the kids Christmas morning before they broke the chain open and could run for the "tree" and the presents. I am sure Kimmy will say she is "slouching" but boy my younger two have grown this year! (Sorry Kimmy)

In years past, I have bought lots of Christmas story books, and then have wrapped them up to have an "advent" of stories we could read each night before Christmas. Well, this year we had just one I bought last week. It is called "The Soldier's Night Before Christmas" with Sergeant McClaus...all about soldiers getting presents in their boots...

...and here would be Kimmy finishing the book when Heidi started to cry and couldn't read anymore *sob* (I miss my soldier)

One tradition we were able to keep was the "Feeding of the Reindeer". Every Christmas Eve, we make a big bowl of "Magic Reindeer Food...to help the reindeer find our house! It's just a bowl of oatmeal with lots of different colors of glitter, but the kids love to do it!

I had a hard time getting pictures to turn out...they were all so blurry! The kids were running all over covering the yard. (The birds really liked us the next day!) Here is Stevie throwing his reindeer food.

You can just see all the glitter in the air on this photo! Kimmy threw what was left of the bowl in the air for me to try and catch a photo LOL!

Making Cookies for Santa...

We have a LOT of traditions on Christmas Eve...each year we seem to add a new one *grin* We are going to have to start getting ready in the morning...just to have enough time to complete them all if it keeps growing!

One of the kids' favorite traditions is the "making cookies for Santa". Normally we make cut-out sugar cookies which we can frost and decorate...BUT...all my cookie cutters are in Idaho with the rest of the Christmas stuff so this year we had plain round cookies *sigh* It definately cut down on the time element of making them LOL! They seemed to still have fun frosting and decorating them!


I cheated this year and just used my snickerdoodle dough recipe--and then didn't roll them in cinnamon-sugar. That way they were still yummy to sneak dough to eat *grin*



The choices...the choices...I didn't go buy any fun candy this year...we just didn't have the extra money to do that...so I let the kids raid the cupboards to see what they could find. The demolished my stash of different flavored baking chips. We had leftover valentine sprinkles, marshmallows, and coconut. I was starting to feel sorry for poor Santa! Hope he didn't get sick!

They all seemed to have a lot of fun decorating (and snitching cookies)! Next year will be even more fun when Dad is home and can help! (Plus...I picked up a new set of cookie cutters on after-Christmas clearance! Whoo-hoo!!)

Santa must have enjoyed the cookies...this is what we found when we woke up the next morning. We had to use one of our Valentine plates since our cute "Cookies for Santa" plate is in Idaho too LOL! He sure made a mess eating them though--I guess he was in a hurry. At least it is better than the year he put big fingerprints all over the front door, the table, the counters, the presents...and even crumbles throughout the house! Santa needs to learn some manners!

Merry Christmas Handsome...

...I miss you and wish you were with us for Christmas. It's got to be hard being so alone over there. Look up at the sky tonight and watch for falling stars and know that I love you forever and ever.

Life in the Sandbox...

I woke up this morning to a GREAT present from my hubby...MORE PICTURES!! He sent me quite a few...so I guess I can stretch them out over a few days *smile* I was so excited to see them! It sort of made up for my crummy day yesterday!

This is the new-and-improved-bedroom! He added a desk and a few more shelves to store all his goodies. He got 3 boxes yesterday and was very spoiled! I am going to send him some collapsible storage boxes to help him get a little more organized LOL

This is the PX. After coming from a HUGE base with 2 big PX's...he thinks this might be a little "lacking". I guess it is better than nothing though. A special thanks to everyone sending him packages though...we're keeping him spoiled rotten and he doesn't even have to go to the PX!

I told Missy this was their swimming pool...and she BELIEVED ME! *grin* She was making faces and saying "YUCK!!" It's actually just the yuck after a rainstorm...all that sand turns into all that MUD!

This is Steven standing in line for supper. I think he does a lot of standing in line...for chow...for a turn on the computer...another turn on the computer...another...(We're hoping they get the personal internet up soon and he doesn't have to stand in line so much waiting for a turn to talk to ME!)

This is his supper. BLECH! I blew the picture up to look at it handsome...It really lacks that special homemade feeling doesn't it? I bet you would love to have some of my "Chicken Enchiladas" or "Shepherd's Pie" about now...Sorry! We'll just keep sending goodie boxes with FOOD in them! I love you handsome...thank you for the pictures...they made my day!

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out...

Last week I was able to take the kids to the play "A Christmas Story" at the VLA. I have to admit it...we have have NEVER seen that "Classic Christmas Movie" that everyone laughs over! The kids thought it was fun--especially Stevie. We are going to watch the movie this week and see how it compares to the play!

The kids favorite part of the play was the little brother, Randy, who kept yelling "I have to wee wee" Unfortunately...I think this is their new phrase of the week since I keep hearing it *grin*

The VLA does a GREAT job with each play...and I am so grateful they open up the final dress rehearsal to the military to come watch for FREE! It helped bring a smile to my kids (and mine) face this sad Christmas without their Dad!

Cooking Can be Hazardous When Sick!

We have been fighting the creeping crud at our house for about 2 weeks now *BLECH* Last week, Kimmy decided she would make banana bread with the bananas that were getting old. She loves to cook and USUALLY does a GREAT job! (Notice that usually part *grin*) In her defense, she feel cruddy! She got her batter ready, put it in the pans, set the timer and sat down to visit with me. About 12 minutes later, we start smelling...a smell...a HORRIBLE smell...the nose-hair curling smell where you run for the oven to see what is going on! Well...I was very glad we had a piece of tin foil under the pans, since the were boiling all over the place! We couldn't figure out what she had done so I had her walk-through the recipe and making it for me. Bananas...check...Brown sugar...check...White sugar...check...Flour...........well she showed me the canister she had used thinking it was flour. Did you know if you make banana bread with no flour--but use powdered sugar in its place, it will boil like crazy all over your oven? By the time we got the pans out and the oven cooled down, I had to clean the over and soak the pans overnight LOL! I sent her back to bed and told her to take more cold medicine--and that we still loved her--even if I did have a stinky house all night! *snicker*


This picture is when it first started making a mess...it got MUCH worse before I got them out of the oven--at least I have a clean oven now :)

She decided to redeem herself once she started feeling a little better and made Chex Muddy Buddies for the kids (and ME) as a treat...not daring enough yet for the oven, but still catering to a sweet craving! Thanks for all you do Kimberly--We LOVE you!!

New Pictures From the Sandbox!

Steven finally listened to my begging and sent new pictures! I told him I just wanted to see "A Day in the Life Of..." So here are a few places that are a part of his day!

This is the laundry--you drop your clothes off and they wash them for you. I love the clothes hung between the tents LOL

This is the MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) tent. The guys can go there and play games, borrow DVD's and books, and just relax. They don't have very many things yet--but they'll get more we hope! I know we're trying to send over some board games and DVD's!


This is Steven's living space--I would be SOOOOO claustrophobic! He has since built some shelves to put stuff on. The person next to him is a female. Co-Ed tents...yikes! I think it is funny they put her next to the two married guys *grin* There are 15 people living in his tent--so it is CROWDED!

Getting ready to go somewhere! We always tease him...whenever he drives the vehicle--it breaks down. Good luck handsome! I miss you lots and lots (and lots) Thank you for the pictures! We loved them!

Another Project Down!!

This has been a BUSY week! Earlier this week, I had to finish up the cards I make occasionally for a company--100 handmade cards! Then...the snowmen *shudder shudder* Just teasing! But after 45 snowmen...my brain is mushy! LOL! Anyways...if you are local friends from church...DON'T Miss the Ward Christmas Party tomorrow night! 6-8 pm! (Hey, gotta have a shameless plug in here somewhere---you HAVE to come meet my snowmen in person!)

This is how our snowmen start out...the painting station! They are just paving bricks that are painted white. I had them in stations...first coat, second coat and then the back. The kids laughed at my "system" but it kept me straight! See what happens when you have an OCD person do a project *grin*

No one is safe in my house from helping. Poor Kimmy not only picked up the homeschool this week so I could have my days free to card and play with snowmen, today she had to help! She got "cheeto fingers" painting noses, and sore hands punching hundreds of snowflakes to sprinkle on the tables.

Okay...normally I hate having my pictures taken...but I realize I have a handsome man over in Iraq who would like to see his wife on here too *shudder* You can see my nice dark circles from not sleeping last night *yuck*



Here is the decoration station LOL! Each snowman needed a fleece hat, a scarf, buttons, and faces painted. Remember my table I had all cleaned off for Thanksgiving? Nope...not a piece of it is clean right now. Poor kids have been rotating who gets to eat at the bare spot! Tomorrow I will be working on the cleaning up part *sigh*

My poor car...if you put 45 bricks in it...it is HEAVY! I tried to get a picture of the tires being squished--but it didn't turn out very well! We cut it so close on time--the four snowmen on top were drying on the way to the church!

This is another of those mandatory wife shots for handsome *grin* I am just setting up the snowmen.

This is the finished table. Each snowman has fluffy snow, snowflakes and then red and green M&M's sprinkled all over the table.

My cute little friend! So...all Killeen 3rd Ward...get up away from your computers tomorrow night and come to the Ward Christmas Party! It should be a LOT of fun!