Christmas Day

Christmas was so much fun this year. They are both at such a great age. Logan was really into opening and playing with his toys this year.  Madison was excited to open the gifts, she didn't really care what was in them. We had a great dinner (kid-free- they were at their other grandparents). Both kids went down for a short nap and then they were ready to open. The pictures speak for themselves.

The Before

Madison is ready to go

Madison is trying to help Logan with his new track. She is wearing her new backpack, which was a hit with her.

My aunt Louise showing off her new candle

Madison got some new play food. Make a wish and blow out the candle.

I got Madison this Baby Be Blessed Doll. I highly recommend this company. They are wonderful to work with and the personalized dolls are so cute.

I got Logan this action set.

Madison also got a baby stroller from me.

My cousin Mandi got Madison this cute princess hat

Everyone playing with Logan's new race track

Logan playing with his remote control dump truck that came with this set.

Christmas Eve

Well I am finally getting around to editing my Christmas pictures. We always spend Christmas Eve with my grandma's side of the family. This year we had a huge crowd which was great except for you couldn't move around much to get pictures. As always we had lots of yummy food and a great time. The kids had fun running around playing with cousins they only see about once a year. After a wonderful evening, it was time for the kids to go home and get ready for Santa.

Madison checking out the decorations

A game of Old Maid

Good food

Fun rolling cars across the table

My cousin's husband Steven, My cousin Mandi, My grandma and My aunt Louise

Waiting to open presents

Cookie Monster

I am hoping this past weeks is not a sign of how 2012 is going to go. It was a week of birthday returns( things didn't fit, broke, or wouldn't work), 2 funerals, and car problems! I am thinking maybe I am just getting everything out of the way and the rest of the year will be great!! Anyway there are still lots of Christmas post on the way because I am way behind-See the above for the reason why.

Well I couldn't leave Madison out of the cookie decorating fun. I decided to take her on the evening on my last day of school after an evening retirement party. This sounded better the day before than when I was tired from partying with 7 and 8 year olds. I survived and we had so much fun. She blessed me by sleeping in the next morning and then we started decorating cookies.  After we finished the cookies, I took her to see the nativity scene that I took Logan too. After that I dropped her off and ran to get my hair cut and finsh my Christmas shopping. It was a marathon 24 hours!

Snoozing under the tree

Reading a book

She loves to climb in my tote bags

Gazing at the tree

A little icing

and a lot of sprinkles=

Pure joy

Checking out the nativity scene

These donkeys make funny noises!

Focus

The other day I was driving home and the radio hosts were talking about making resolutions. They were talking about how no one ever keeps their resolutions so they were going to start something new and choose a word for the year. I have seen this the past couple days on different blogs. So that got me thinknig about what my word for 2012 would be. It is not as easy as it may seem, as I wanted a word that would cover all areas of my life. So without further ado, here is my word for 2012...

FOCUS

I want to be more focused on things in my life.

*Focus on getting more organized.

*Focus on studying the Bible more

*Focus more on work while I am there, less at home (this may be the most challeging)

*Focus more on friendships and family relationships

*Focus more on those in need

*Focus more on getting healthy

*Focus more on 2 little cuties

*Focus more on being rested and relaxed during down time

The list could go on but those are the major points. I really like the word after I finally decided on one.

So for all my blog readers out there- What is your word for 2012?

Happy New Year!!!

Chef Logan

The Saturday before Christmas, I planned a day for me and Logan to spend together.  We made cookies and treats then we headed out to look at Christmas lights. He has been asking to make gingerbread men this year and our grocery store had the perfect solution. They sold kits with 3 cookies and all the supplies needed to make the cookies. We also made reindeer cookies out of nutter butters and reindeer noses with pretzels, hershey kisses and M&M's.  He had so much fun helping me in the kitchen. While we were waiting for everything to cool and harden, we made hot chocolate and loaded up the car to go see Christmas lights.

One of the churches in town has a live nativity with animals only so we stopped there first. Logan fell in love with the donkeys. After that stop we drove around and saw lights. We stopped at the town square and then went to see some more.

We came home to sample some of the goodies, it is all about quality control!!! I told Logan he could sleep by the Christmas tree, so we set up his cot and watched Christmas movies. I love the Christmas season.

We saw this house on the way to my house

Decorating the gingerbread men

The finished product

Getting the kisses and pretzels ready to go in the oven

Loaded up with hot chocolate and ready to look at Christmas lights

The manger scene

Walking around the town square

Getting ready to sleep by the Christmas tree

Movie watching

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

A Backyard Disney Christmas

One Sunday evening I was taking Logan home and my mom suggested we go check out a display she had seen in  a local magazine.  My brother and I loaded up the kids and headed out to find the display. It was called backyard Disney. The front of the house was decked out traditional Christmas but their was a sign leading to the backyard. It felt strange walking up someones driveway into the backyard! We went through the gate and found the magic. We were greeted by the sweetest lady and she told the kids to explore. After talking to her for a few minutes, we found out she free hand paints all the scences. Her and her husband did this for years and when her husband passed away, he wanted her to continue this. She gave the kids 2 candy canes each and had a sweet little book to sign and leave comments. You can just tell this brings her so much joy. We were so glad that we found this place.

This last photo is a picture of all my wonderful co-workers. We have never had a Christmas party since we have been in the new school. I decided this was the year for a little Christmas fun. We had dinner and a gift exchange at a local resturant.