Christmas Eve 2009

Starting our night, headed to dinner

Opening our gifts from the elves!

New blanket's, Pj's and slippers!

Getting ready for bed


On Christmas Eve our tradition is to go to an early dinner and then catch a movie. This year Grandma and Grandpa Montgomery joined us. We ate at Texas Roadhouse and then we saw Princess and the Frog. It was very cute show and we all enjoyed it even Papa Ned. We were home early and in bed by 9:00. Max has been so fun this year, we have a count down calender that the elves bring something everyday in December until Christmas and he has been serious about how many days until Christmas. They both went to sleep quick and Santa's little helpers were in bed by 10:30, we were very prepared this year everything wrapped and put together.

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY MAX!

7 years ago today, this sweet boy gave me the best gift ever... he made me a Mommy! I can't imagine our world without him. I get kind of sad thinking about how fast he is growing up, but I am so proud of everything he is learning and the adventure's he is having. I love that he is all boy, but has the most caring, tender heart. Happy Birthday Max, I hope you have the best day!

CrASh

Today Jake was heading home to get Max from school and was rear ended on Geneva Rd. It was one of those when your watching in your rear view mirror thinking OMG please stop, please stop..... well that lovely girl did not. The spare tire mounted on the back took most of it but the door is munched because of it so that is where most of the damage is and the bumper is bent. I guess when we take it in to be est for repair will tell more. Nothing like whiplash for Christmas!

If your happy and you know it????

I am so happy that we are all smiling when we walk out the door for church. And I can't say much I am usually the grumpiest.Why does the process have to be so difficult?By the time Max has a fit about combing his hair, putting on church clothes and wearing socks and real shoes. Kate melting down because it is her "fashion day" and she wants her hair in one big piggy not curls and she want to pick her outfit which never goes well. Good thing when we finally get there, attitudes change. Well stupid me, today I thought they looked cute and I would try to get a picture. Well, this is the best I could get today. You should see the others

The REAL Santa Claus!

This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions we have. At my Mom's school there is a "Santa" that works there and they have a little party and he comes for about an hour. It is really neat because he remembers the kids from year to year and little things about them. My kids get so excited for it. I love to capture their faces when he walks through the door. It is priceless. Kate could hardly contain herself. They sing songs, and each child gets some good quality time on his knee.

Santa just walked in!!!! They were both so excited.


Kate was picked to help ring the bells for Jingle Bells

So proud to hear Santa's praise of her fine bell ringing!

Kate was starting to have anxiety that Santa had forgot her. He picks their gifts out of his bag and Max and Kate's were at the bottom. When he called her name she ran up and hugged him.

It was so cute!

Max was so excited to see the REAL Santa. He would not go see Santa at the mall because the guy at the mall is a fake. The REAL Santa comes to Grandma's School. He did so great he almost remembered everything off his list. He only forgot Halo Lego's. He told me he gets kind of nervous sitting right there on Santa's knee.

Kate wants Polly Pocket Olphin(dolphin) and Princess and the frog. I think she was the only little one that really told Santa what she wanted. That girl is not shy.

Max got some new books, "Magic Tree House" books 1-4. And Kate got a Princess and the frog night gown. She nearly stripped on the spot to put it on. My camera died before I got a picture of her.
Here is Santa on his way out. He plays a game with the kids that they can't open their gifts until he counts to 4. Well he gets to 3 a whole bunch of times and then stops to tell stories or sing a song. He finally yells 4 as he is half way down the hall to leave. They love it!

P.S. Santa told us his favorite drink is Diet coke and snack is chocolate chip cookies.

I have so much to be Thankful for and I love this time of year because it makes you stop and reflect on it. We should all take a lesson from our children, I have been asking the kids each night for awhile what they are thankful for and it is usually the very simple things in life that we take for granted: Family, food, a warm house, friends and love. Kate was always thankful for food, and Max did have to throw in his Xbox too. But most nights it was our most precious things in life. I am also very grateful to be a mommy, a wife to a wonderful husband, and that Jake and I have good jobs to provide for our family.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving dinner at house. We were able to have the great company of my parents, Jake's parents, Jake's sister Julie and nephew Braden, and my cousin Shaunna and her kids Brandie and Dillon.I feel so lucky to have both of our parents close to enjoy holidays with them.Jake always cooks a fabulous meal so we are all stuffed and then hung out and watched UP and enjoyed each others company. I am dumb and only took pictures of people eating, that is rude but oh well here they are.

Jake passed out from exhaustion

Kate loving that she has both Papa's in arms reach.

She has them both wrapped around her finger

Kate and Max running off there meal. I think I need to try that next year.

I love Thanksgiving and it is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Jake and I ended our holiday with our annual black Friday shopping, I have been a slug all day due to my lack of sleep. And now on to Christmas I can't wait!

Yeah! Today is my purple birthday and I get to go to Kangaroo Zoo and eat purple cake and have purple balloons and NO MOM you don't have to go to work it's your birthday....I ♥ my Kate! All week she has been telling me it is my birthday soon and she informed me it is today :) When your 3 anything is possible.