Christmas and more...

This Christmas stuff is exhausting!

Hmmmm, Brady is grumpy, Jolee squirmy, and yes, Luke is falling asleep!

Paugh cousins

Grandpa's glasses

These roses smell awesome!

Santa suits!

Totally unaware of Santa delivering the presents!

Thanks Mister Mark! I love my monkey :)

Lets see...how does this work?

Cousins! Oh they might be trouble later on!

Well...not a great pic...but they are all there. As you can see, Leila was moving :)

Miss you guys!

You know, I had a great blog written in my head when I was taking a shower...but between then and now I had to feed Jolee, give her medicine, snag a cookie on my way through the kitchen, get the boys dressed, change Jolee's diaper, get the boys breakfast, snag a chocolate on my way through the kitchen, start some laundry, clean up a milk spill, wipe a bottom, fold some laundry, put the dishes away, put more dishes in the dishwasher, change another diaper...oops, leaked through so make that a change of clothes also, realized I never ate breakfast and it is lunchtime...oh well, snag another cookie (well, come on, those are the only things out on the counter so that is what I grab!) sweep the floor of crumbs so Jolee doesn't eat them, break up a fight or two...well, you get the idea. Here is what is left...

We spent Christmas in Ohio this year...and it was a good one. The boys are at a very fun age right now...their excitement permeated the house. We followed tradition and they slept in their Santa suits under the tree on Christmas Eve. Actually, Brady had his on all day because he was so excited! They slept soundly, so Andy and I were able to sneak all of "Santa's" gifts out without them knowing. They woke up surrounded by presents :) Brady was thrilled with all of the things in his stocking...everything he pulled out received a "this is awesome!" or "wow, I love it!" ...even the chap stick and toothbrush! When Luke opened his stocking, he kept saying over and over, "This is mine? This is all mine? Wow, this is all mine!"

The boys had a great time playing with Grandpa during our visit. Poor Grandpa had to work a lot and he was very tired. Luke would wake up in the morning and say, "Where is Grandpa?" To which I replied, "Grandpa is at work." Luke would respond, "Oh. Well when he comes home he is just going to go to sleep again!" He was pretty sure that Grandpa should not have to work so much. And sure enough, when Grandpa came home Luke would say, "Okay, now go to sleep!"

The boys played nonstop with their cousins and had a great time. Everyone was trying their best to adjust to the absence of Diane, and many things were difficult to get through, but it was wonderful to be together.

We were even able to visit with Court, Jed, and the kids! They were having Christmas with Jed's family not too far away, so we went to visit with them. It was awesome to get together, see the kids, and hang out. We went swimming, played ping pong, and shot baskets. Of course that little visit was way too short, but we were thankful for the opportunity.

And I just have to thank Andy for one of the best Christmas presents ever. I usually don't shop for myself...its way more fun to buy for the kids, and that is usually how I satisfy my shopping craving...although it doesn't happen too often. Well, Andy gave me cash...which he meticulously folded into roses and put into a vase! Then he watched the kids while I took my pocketful of cash out to the after-Christmas sales and scored big time! I spent it all on clothes and shoes for myself without feeling guilty! It was sooooo much fun. I'm wearing new clothes today...not because I'm going out, or because anyone is coming over...just because I'm still enjoying this present!