Spontaneous trip to Denver: part 1

Back story: Derek had to work the Friday before Christmas even though it was technically a company holiday. He ended up using that holiday on the Friday before New Year's which meant he had a 4 day weekend. On Wednesday when he came home for lunch I could tell work was getting to him. I knew that staying home and taking down the Christmas decorations and organizing like we were planning on doing wasn't going to cut it. We needed a vacation ASAP. When Derek came home that evening I asked him what he thought about going to Denver and staying with his brother's family. He liked it, called and a little bit later we were planning on driving up to Denver Friday morning. That's pretty spontaneous for us.

Once we knew we were going to Denver there were a few stores we wanted to go to. Ikea for some nightstands (didn't get any though), American Girl and the Lego store. FYI Albuquerque has horrible shopping.

Saturday we did the shopping

I love Maeley's hair, it was a very windy day.

 Maeley was pretty excited to see her doll and all the clothes and accessories that go with her.

She ended up getting Bennett Molly's dog and Molly's birthday outfit.

It was funny because I had told the girls ahead of time they could choose something they wanted for their dolls. I then asked Zoe if she wanted Grace, Kit's dog. She was almost in tears because she wanted Kit's hat more than the dog. I then explained that she could get both. She was happy then. All she wanted was that hat. On Christmas when she opened Kit once she saw the book her first thing she said was "Where's her hat?" I was so sad because I was debating before whether or not to get it and I chose not. Whoops. I should have known better Zoe likes accessories.

We had such a fun time in this store. It was exciting to see the hair salon and dolls getting their hair done. All the neat things that you can buy for them and admire the quality. I am so glad my girls are into American Girl dolls rather than Barbie's.

After that we went to the Lego store and Chase picked out a couple sets. He got a fire engine and the log cabin.

Derek and I sure are enjoying the toys the kids are playing with now. Chase gets a lot of one on one time with both Derek and I playing Lego's with him. And the girls get plenty of playtime with their dolls and me assisting. Why didn't I think of buying myself a doll until the drive home?

Christmas

Christmas was so wonderful this year. It was nice to spend another Christmas in this house. It's our first time since Maeley was 2 months and 14 months old when we had Christmas at the same house 2 years in a row. It was a big deal to Maeley when she realized it a couple months back. And its kinda a big deal to us too.

Before the kids woke up Lola found her Christmas present.

I woke the kids up at 6:30. Zoe really wanted to go back to sleep...until she saw all the presents downstairs.

The girls couldn't have been happier about the American Girl dolls they got.

Thrilled to have been given flashlights from Great Grandma Clawson a.k.a Grandma Great.

Christmas was amazing this year. The kids are at such a fun age right now it really made Christmas feel magical. After opening presents and talking to the grandparents on Skype Derek made a delicious breakfast while I started to clean up the huge mess. The kids just enjoyed playing. We did finally pull them away from their toys to go to church in the afternoon. Maybe the only time I enjoyed having a late church time.

Maeley is wearing a new dress and Zoe is also wearing a new church outfit. Chase is wearing his new church shoes which I didn't get in the picture. Whoops.

Christmas Eve jammies!

Our first year having all matching PJ's. Best thing ever. I love it!

Back in early-mid November we were at the Disney Store. We got there and they happened to be making Muppet paper bag puppets in the back of the store. They asked if the kids wanted to make some. Our kids quickly told the employee that "Our mom doesn't like the Muppet's". True story. So I shopped around the store (they had given me a great coupon) while Derek helped the kids make their puppets. Once I saw that we could all get matching jammies I was sold. Somehow Derek said it was okay. Didn't have to tell me twice. I was at the cash register in no time.  I didn't want him to change his mind. Not sure if we will do matching pj's again but this year it was so fun.

Kids gift exchange

Every year I want to have the kids do a gift exchange but we always forget. This year I remembered, however only a week before Christmas. I think the kids enjoyed it. And surprisingly they didn't tell eachother what they got ahead of time. Before Derek and I got in the thick of getting dinner ready on Christmas Eve we had the kids open their presents from eachother.

They are holding the present they got for someone else.

Chase got Matchbox cars from Maeley

Zoe got a Tangled Look and Find book from Chase

Maeley got a Fancy Nancy doodle book from Zoe

Christmas sugar cookies

This year we had a lot more plates of sugar cookies to hand out. I think within a week I made between 12-15 dozen. Time consuming but always worth it. I kept the design simple this year.

The story behind this snowman.

This was a reject snowman because it looks like he's cross eyed and has funny arms. Derek thought it would be funny to do something to it. I pointed out that the only icing I had hadn't cleaned up yet was the yellow. He then just had to add pee spots on the cookie and ask "who peed on the snowman?" 

Chase was thrilled to use his Halloween costume again and wear it delivering the cookies.

Today's doings

Maeley received a jewelery box that she could paint from the gift exchange at school. It really was the perfect gift for her. She loves doing crafts. She begged to do it Friday and all weekend long. But there was always something going on and we finally got to it today.

Then after lunch we decided it was time to go build a snowman. Surprisingly the kids hadn't even asked to go play in the snow up to that point.

Ready to go play in the snow.

They are such good friends.

Maeley and Chase with "Frosty".

They decided to add Chase's hat, Maeley's scarf and Zoe's gloves.

Oh man, I love my kids!

Maeley's musical performance

Last week was the Kindergarten musical performance at her school. All the kindergarten classes sang songs together. It was pretty cute. We loved watching Maeley because she was really into it and looked like she was having a great time. Unfortunately when we arrived 20 minutes early apparently that was late because we were stuck in the back of the cafeteria. It was really hard for Chase and Zoe to watch but somehow I could see her fairly easily where I was sitting.

This is just her class. I think there are 6 kindergarten classes.

Afterwards we went out for dinner. Maeley's choice was Chili's. She thought it was so funny that one of the boys in her class went to dinner there too.

More snow

It has been snowing all day long today! Its so beautiful I love it! Its definitely feeling like Christmastime around here.

Ready for Christmas

I'm so excited for Christmas. I cannot wait! That's really no surprise. I have no patience waiting for Christmas to come. This week I have made sugar cookies and spent yesterday decorating them. Today is Maeley's last day of school before winter break. She's looking forward to the party they are having today to school.

On Sunday we all just happened to all match so we took some pictures before leaving for church. Maeley and Chase had their primary program and they both did great. It was hilarious to watch Chase "sing" because you could tell if he knew the song or not. If he didn't he pretended he did. Maeley did an excellent job saying her part and singing all the songs.

Now I need to keep myself busy so next week flies by like it did this week. I think I'm going to organize every room. That should keep me busy. Oh and of course make some more cookies.

2011 gingerbread houses

Derek's parents came to visit last week. It was too bad they had missed Maeley's three snow days.  Thursday night we decorated gingerbread houses. We were initially going to make them by scratch but opted for the kits because of time more than anything. Maybe next year we will make. The kids loved it of course. We also bought one for the adults to decorate but didn't get to it. Maybe Derek and I will go get some more candy and do it next week.

Derek helped Zoe, Papa helped Chase and I helped Maeley