Christmas at home

Here's my handsome men in their holiday outfits for this year.  I am a sucker for matching outfits.

Here they are by our fireplace.  It took me a few days to decorate the living room, because that's just how things go these days.  Each day as I put up something new Crash would say, "Thank you mom!  Thank you mom!"  He loved the decorations.  Who knew that would make him so happy.

Another tradition, is sugar cookies.  I make cut out sugar cookies but don't frost them.  I leave the frosting in plastic tubs.  Each night after dinner, they each get to decorate their own cookie.  They can pick what color frosting they want plus different sprinkles, M & M's, etc.  They love it and are so sad when the cookies run out.  Wingman is quite the decorator.  I have never seen so many toppings on one cookie!

This picture is funny for many reasons.  One, Wingman loves watching the 1950's TV show The Lone Ranger.  The Captain stumbled upon it and now he is in love.  He gets to watch an episode everyday while the Test Pilot does math for school.

The second reason it is funny, is because the tree is there with no presents under it.  I normally like to put out as a I wrap them, but as with most things this year I was way behind.  The kids were pretty bothered by this.  Crash exclaimed, "Why are there no presents under the tree?"  He was very distraught.  As I finally did start the wrapping, he would gently shake each one he said, "to see if there were any legos in it."

I am not sure if this is sinking to an all new low or just being the coolest mom ever, but I bought them a Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar this year.  They were in heaven.

Merry Lego Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2011

We traveled to my parents' home for Thanksgiving this year.  Here's my handsome looking men!

We did a little leaf raking before the big meal.  I needed the boys to burn some energy, the boys wanted to earn some money, and Grandave had plenty of leaves.  It was a win, win for everyone!

It was great catching up with the Cline family after a couple of years in China.  We missed them while they were gone.

It wouldn't be a Thanksgiving without the Cline girls asleep on the couch.  I remember when that used to be me and my sister.

While visiting in NM, we took the boys to the Unser Racing Museum.  It was a nice museum, but very disappointing in that it was so not kid friendly.  They have sadly missed the boat.  There were these nice, but pesky docents everywhere gently reminding my kids to not touch, sit, or breath on anything.  There was one small kid area, so they got to run around a bit.  Great for adult racing enthusiasts not so much for kids!  Bummer!

We had a great time there as usual.  Lots of good food and visiting.  Looking forward to our next visit.

Happy New Year

As I mull over the past year, there have been some big changes in our life.

1.  We just finished our first year as being self-employed.  I say "we" because I am now the book keeper, tax person.  I have learned a lot.  It's ironic that the job that just started out as being "a temporary fix until the right job came along" turned out to be the perfect job.  Praise be to God in his continually providing for our family.

2. One year ago, we thought we were moving, but here we are.  I can't say that we would have changed any of the decisions that we made, which could appear to have been "wrong" decisions.  All decisions were made prayerfully, based on the information we had at the time, and seemed to be the "right" ones for our family.  God knew better and we have actually seen how he protected us by forcefully closing some doors.  We have decided it was just part of our sanctification process and just leave it at that.

3.  We have finished our first calendar year of homeschooling.  We have enjoyed it.  It's been incredibly beneficial for our family as a whole.  I feel more confident as the "teacher."  I am learning a lot too.

4.  We have finished our first year of being together almost all the time.  The Captain now works at home all day, the Test Pilot schools from home all day, and the rest of us are there.  I am a person that needs a little space daily, so I was a little apprehensive about the changes.  However, we have made it work.  We have maneuvered schedules so I can have a little quiet space.  Plus, there are just so many benefits to having the Captain at home.  Although, I did have to buy him a pair of sound deafening headphones for Christmas.  Apparently, we are a little loud.

5.  Now, we have to look forward a new addition to our family.  We are already planning.  I know- shocking.  We are planning to move all 3 boys into one room together, but need to do some shuffling first.  We are looking to buy a 2nd refrigerator or freezer for the garage as we are outgrowing the first.  (I have to say that it actually seems easier to cook for 5 instead of a smaller crew.  Just my observation.)  And generally, just planning for a girl and the color changes that will bring.

Who knows what God has in store for this coming year, but we are full of hope as we know that He is in control of all things.  Hope you all have a blessed New Year!

Thanksgiving Feast

Have I said lately how much we love Crash's school?  It's just awesome!  My next big mommy project was to head up the Thanksgiving Feast.  I have never done a Thanksgiving for 65 before and I hope to never do it again.  It was a lot of work, but thankfully I had a lot of help.

Here's the cute little Indians doing their program.  My camera battery died after this so it's the only shot I have of the performance.  Bummer!

I made little turkey cookies and...

Pilgrim hat cookies for the event.  The kids and adults enjoyed them alike.

I should have gotten a picture of the fellowship hall.  These tables were decked out.  I thought I would run up there and decorate quickly.  Oh no!  The Test Pilot and I spent over an hour just setting up tables and decorating.  It was a labor of love.  I was happy to do it, but really ready for a nap that afternoon.  Thankfully, that was my last "in charge" project at the school.  

It's one of those things that I normally would not do, but it was so worth it to see the looks on the kids' faces. Happy Thanksgiving!

80th Birthday

The next weekend we traveled

 for my maternal grandmother's 80th birthday!

Here's a shot of my grandmother and her 4 children.  My mom is on the left.

My mom organized an amazing dinner for the whole family complete with an amazing slide show down memory lane courtesy of my father.  Here is a shot of the whole family.  Other than a handful of people, it's cool to think that I am related to everyone in this picture.  I love my big family!

Here's my grandmother (standing) with her sister on the right and her aunt on the left.  They flew in from Alabama as special birthday surprises.  They had a good visit with each other.  This was the first time Aunt Sara had ever been on a plane.

There was lots of wrestling, football playing, and game playing.  I have fond memories of doing the same when I was a child with my cousins.  Now it's fun to see my kids getting to have the same fun memories.

Lots of cousins up a tree!

We had a great weekend celebrating with Granny Jean!  We look forward to many more years!  

Happy Birthday!

My dear friend

My first weekend away in November was to visit a dear friend that used to live in my town.  She has now moved to Northern Arizona and I was desperate for a visit.  Here's a shot of her beautiful family!

It was just gorgeous where she lives.  It reminded me of parts of Northern NM.  The smells were wonderful, the mountains were majestic, the food was great, and the fellowship was tremendous.

We spent a day hiking in a near by town.  It was chilly on our hike.  It was great to escape the heat for awhile.

It was wonderful seeing her family.  In some ways, things had changed (the kids were bigger and new house), but many other things were not.  Our friendship just picked up where it left off.  I hope our paths cross again soon.  She is such a blessing to my life!

Catch up

I am going to stop apologizing for neglecting the blog, because I am pregnant, married, and have 3 busy children.  Life just keeps happening.  As it so happens, I have a few non-busy days I am going to get caught up and attempt to stay caught up.