Christmas Day Bustle

We'll the day started off especially early this year...5:15 the alarm rang...we didn't get up for another little while but I think maybe we are the only ones who have to actually set an alarm for Christmas Morning. We actually had to wake up the babies first and give them some breakfast, since they aren't quite old enough to be excited about presents. The only thing Corban is excited about in the morning is eating his banana! We had rounds to make, so being up early is the way it is around here! We were supposed to be at Grandma and Crappaw's house at 7:45 and then off to Aunt Debbies at 9:00....but since we were still sitting at mom and dad's at 9:00 we knew the day wasn't going to go as planned. Everything was delayed a bit because we didn't schedule in road conditions when we made Christmas day plans...as it was 60° just 5 days before, who would have expected to get over a half a foot of snow! NOT ME!

Once we got started Corban got the hang of opening presents this year, His birthday is coming up in a month and it should be lots of fun!

We'll after talking to grandma about presents and stuff this year..... ya know the talk I've been having with her every year for the last 3 years or so....how we don't have a whole lot of room for the stuff we have, and I have no idea what to do with a lot of extra things. Since we have 5 kids that even if each child only gets 3 things that's 15 new things...and we do have 8 families that buy them things....which all in all is a lot...A TON of stuff to play with.

So, Grandma made plans this year with all of the adults to exchange calendar's with a few activities written in so we can spend some special times together throughout the year. I thought it was an amazing idea, and we're moving in the right direction away from all this materialism. I was expecting a nice simple Christmas that's not too over done....boy was I wrong! The presents were still stacked to toppling over! I'm thinking maybe she just rearranged the budget to spend it all on the grandkids! GRANDMA!

So, you know how she was sneaky about getting that cool Nintendo DS for Parker's birthday...we'll whoops, she did it again...and now they have multiplied x3....now with games and all the gear a kid could possibly need. Libby also got a "big girl" 20" bike from Aunt Sara and Gramps and GG (grandma pitched in a little too) The boys got a really cool snap circuits set, which we can use to learn basic electricity for School....that was from Aunt Debbie...and grandma as well. We got Candy bags, and wardrobe fillers for the boys (shoes, shirts, pants) and then a few miscellaneous fun toys they were looking forward to, a cash register for Libby, Nerf Tag, Magnetic toys, Aqua Pack (for turning your digital camera into an underwater camera), puzzles and games....Who needs Santa! We went to Aunt Debbie's for breakfast, The Johnson's for lunch. Jeff picked up the big kids around 4:00 and we headed back to Aunt Sara's for Dinner....then finally back home to crash into bed! Whew, Christmas is a lot of work!

Celebrating the Eve of Christmas

Our Christmas Eve Program was small this year due to a blizzard in Oklahoma. Granny says it's the first one ever called in Oklahoma. I guess since we had 40mph winds and 6-8 inches of snow that's what its called! All I can say is that I hope those who prayed for a white Christmas are happy! Dad played pickup and delivery man for the Douglass side, so they all got to be there. Joe and Jeanette made it out as well. The show must go on, so it did!

Libby and Parker sang a song from the Christmas program at church, Perry read a story about Omar the Camel, set to music of We Three Kings. We had the candle lighting ceremony and sang Silent Night as the usual tradition goes...then played "dirty Santa" for the gift exchange. Granny stole my mama's dove ornament and tea mug, Granny's blanket was stolen by Jeanette, and Debbie stole her own gift from me to keep as her own!

We can't have a get together without food and this year we ended up doing something a little different...Frito Pie! Dad J and I dishing up ourselves a plate!

A few random pix of my especially photogenic boys this evening.....

Halloween funtimes

We had a big halloween gathering at Aunt Debbie's house this year. Debbie and Marsha made a HUGE batch of Taco soup, and I brought the cinnamon rolls which unfortunately caused more o a mess than they were worth! It was especially fun this year with lots of families represented I love it when all sides of the family get together. Having daughters seems to bring everyone together, so I better figure out the recipe for a few to add to our side! This year Danielle, Regina and Grandma Johnson joined us as well as the Oylers (Will's parents) We had a parade of 7 kids, and 10 adults...and about a ton of candy after going around the block!

Granny and Gramps stayed in with Debbie and Marsha and passed out the candy, there were over 200 trick-or-treaters this year!

Perry the Ostrich Rider, Parker the Roman Soldier, Libby the beautiful buzzing bee,

Corban the turtle and Clayt the Monkey!


and the cousins came too!

Josie as Tinkerbell and Danielle as a fairy princess

Turkey Day

Well, we all got together for Turkey Day at Sara and Will's house. Eric's family went to Missouri and the big kids celebrated with their dad. It was great getting together with Will's parents and the rest of our people and having all my favorite holiday foods! Eric cooked the turkey and of course it was perfection! I made sure Josie and Corban had some good foods to enjoy...sweet potato, turkey, and avocado, and some green beans! YUM.

Clayt had his first solid food- Avocado. He wasn't so sure about it all, but seemed eager to eat...just like dad I guess!