1-3-2010 Week in Review

Can I just say how much I miss Summer time? Not just because it’s FREEZING (we had no water this morning) but because I have truly enjoyed NOT having to get out of bed to drag small, barely awake children out into the cold to take other barely awake children to school. No homework to deal with, older children around to help with the smaller ones, Ryan off of work for once, it’s just been nice. Ah, Christmas vacation….I miss you already. And sure enough, Mother Nature is welcoming me back into reality with below freezing temperatures ALL week!! Not the way I wanted to start the whole get-up-before-I’m-ready-and-head-out-the-door-at-the-last-minute day to day routine of the school year. Oh well…..so on with the review….

The boys spent a great weekend with their dad and grandparents. The LOVE LOVE LOVE going there. Not just because they’re computer folks, just like the boys, but because my boys just really love family and any time they can get with them. We caught a family pic before their dad had to head back out on Monday. Check out the height difference here…or lack thereof. I think Dade will have passed his dad by next visit!

Corben always loves to chase his dad’s truck waving good-bye. It’s a tradition.

Tuesday morning we headed out early to have a late Christmas with my mom. We then headed back home to meet my fabulous SIL, Jamie, who was coming over to help me paint my kitchen. We made a trip to Lowe’s to find the perfect color and though we came close, at the end of the day, we still just weren’t sure. After a full day of indecision we finally just repainted all of the trim and called it a day. Jamie then took Dade and cousin, Brinley, to celebrate their birthday’s. Dade spent the night and had a fabulous day all Wednesday. We sure are thankful for Jamie!

Wednesday I just hung out trying to get odds and ends done around the house. Jamie called me to tell me how great she thought Dade was. Mom’s always love to hear that kind of stuff. She told me how helpful he was with the kids and how he kept offering to help even more. Makes a mom proud!

Thursday I buckled down and decided to paint the kitchen a light color that I’d been given since it would at least act as a primer coat until I found the perfect color. I spent most of the day getting it done (pictures to come) and got everything cleaned up just in time for my family to arrive to celebrate an early (8pm) New Year for the kids. Here’s the Princesses all dressed up and ready to go.

Our family has a wonderful tradition of throwing newspaper at “midnight”. (8pm for the kids – don’t tell them.) We make paper hats and then shred newspapers and put them in a big pile in the middle of the room…..it never starts out looking like much……

THEN…..

…..it suddenly fills the entire room!

And it wouldn’t be New Year’s without the traditional stuffed Corben or the Attack on Ryan!

I actually have a short video of this….wonder if I can get it on here…..

Thursday night was also a big day for Dade. It was his FIRST DANCE!! I took some pictures before he left but since I took them on HIS camera they have apparently disappeared….): Anyway, he had a FABULOUS time and even had his first Slow Dance. I was so proud of him. The dance ended at 12:30am but since I didn’t want either of us to be on the roads with the drunks he agreed to have me pick him up at 11:15. He never once argued or complained and came out the door right on time going on and on about how much fun he’d had. I sure have great kids!

We got home just before midnight and Dade went and carried the sleepy Corben downstairs. We found a channel to watch the ball drop just 27 seconds before midnight. There was pure joy on Corben’s face. I sure do love that kid!

Friday Ryan actually had a day off of work….this NEVER happens. He headed out back to cut us some firewood (have I mentioned how much I LOVE our yard?). When this tree fell we discovered it had a few woodpecker nests in it. Ryan cut them out for me so we could set them out in the spring for other birds.

Saturday was just a lazy day…WOW, we never get those! It did start out with an activity for the kids at church. Ella was really excited to meet her new teacher and see her friends. Here’s Sylvie helping Daddy in the kitchen…..

Then it was playtime….

Sunday was COLD. I hate cold. We headed out to church and Ella’s first day in Primary. She was SO excited. She did very well. I’m so proud of her!!

So, now we’re home and trying to mentally get ready for life starting back up tomorrow. Oh, Monday….how I dread you.