Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning was so much fun and there was so much going on that I could hardly even take a picture.  The kids were truly excited and we did manage to get a little video.  Below are the few pictures that I did get.

 Coral in her new robe and Fisher as happy as can be as he holds on tight to two chocolate Santa's.

 Shelbie with her new robe and remote control dog.  Fisher with his blanket and still holding tight to a chocolate Santa.  I think Fisher was a little overwhelmed by all the action so early in the morning and most of the time he just held tight to his chocolate and snuggled with me and his blanket.

 Miles with some of his favorite new toys his webkinz.  "Greeny" Miles' lizard webkinz has continued to be his best pal and this year Santa found "Greeny's Dad" a webkinz that is just like Greeny but a little bigger.  Miles was thrilled.

 Fisher was, and is, so cute with Shelbie's new dog.  I'm not sure if he is truly confused and thinks that it is real but it is funny to watch.  He pets it and stares at it and touches it so sweetly.  He just can't get enough of her.  Whenever he hears it bark or walk around the house he is right there to check it out.  So sweet and funny to watch!

SANTA

One of the fun things about Christmas is off course Santa Claus and no Christmas would be complete with out a few threats that Santa will take away gifts if your not nice!  Well, I guess despite the "occasional" naughtiness Santa was good to use this year!  I took a picture of our stockings and each of the kids gifts from Santa.

 I'm sure you notice that only Miles, Shelbie, and Coral have names on their stockings.  I had gotten theirs a few years ago and then two years ago I saw some from the same company on sale half price so I just had to buy a few more.  At that time I didn't even know I was pregnant with Fisher but thought what the heck I get some extra.  Now two years later I keep telling myself that I'll get the names put on Grant and mine and Fisher's and you see how that's coming along.  Theirs always next year right!

 This is Corals new stuffed pony and dollhouse with many accessories.

 Here's Shelbie's doll that looks like her with brown hair and brown eyes and a cowgirl outfit on.  She also got a horse to go along with the doll.  As a side note, Shelbie after going to a rodeo this summer has decided to be a cowgirl and now loves horses.  Coral has followed suit hence Coral's need for a pony as well.  Plus thanks to two of their favorite cousins they now have new bedspreads and pillows and accessories with horses all over them!

 Fisher got a singing pot with play food and a bouncy ball.

 Miles got a remote control helicopter and two drawing pads, Santa must know that he really likes to draw.

Here's the view of the living room and the kids presents sitting out.

The Nutcracker

I was really excited to be able to go on Shelbie's field trip to see The Nutcracker Play!  Shelbie got to sit by a sweet friend of hers and it was so fun to see these two girls interact and whisper and giggle.  Shelbie loved the play and was an angel the whole time.  She just loves to do and experience everything in life and that is one of the many things that I love about her.  Below is a picture of her with her friend and one with me also.

I Got One!

It's been a long time since I have gotten a good closeup picture of the four kids together.  I was really excited when I saw how this one turned out a few weeks ago that I just had to share.  I love these kids so much and the holiday season has definitely served as a reminder of how truly special they really are!

 I caught the kids playing so sweetly the other day with some of their animals.  That had set up beds and play areas for them.  I always love to see my kids use their imagination and just have simple fun together! 

30 minute rolls

We have been thinking a lot lately about food storage and WHEAT.  You see I don't ever make homemade bread because I LOVE homemade bread and if I made it often I would eat bread and bread and probably more bread.  I'm sure this would not be to good for my figure so I just don't make it.   Well, Grant wanted to order a hand wheat grinder cause if the power went out we would need to be able to grind our on wheat without electricity.  So this hand wheat grinder came in the mail last night and Grant, and even the kids, went to grinding.  In the meantime I had just seen this 30 minute rolls recipe the other night while looking up food storage recipes.  After Grant ground the wheat I decided to go ahead and try out the recipe.

Well, It turned out pretty good other then the fact that I had to add at least two extra cups of flour to the recipe cause it was just two sticky with the orginal recipe.  Since I had to add so much extra it made HUGE rolls.  They were suppost to be all whole wheat rolls but since I had to add so much extra flour I ran out of the flour that Grant had ground so I started to add white flour until it seemed to be the right consistenty.

Overall, it was a fun experience and I'm sure I'll be using the recipe again.  I might be using these huge rolls as sandwich buns for the kids lunches.

Our Tree

We put up our tree two days after Thanksgiving.  It's nothing special but the kids helped and it has a lot of ornaments on it that bring back so many fun memories.  Last Sunday I had the kids stand in front of the tree to try and get a quick picture.  Fisher didn't want to be still but the older three were happy to pose in front of the tree that they helped put up and decorate.  I love the holidays and everything that goes with it;  the lights, the tree, the music, baking treats for family and friends, and just being together with everyone.  Happy Holidays Every One!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

It finally has gotten cold hear in Florida, at least for Florida's standards.  It's fun to get to put cute layered clothes on the kids and fun hats.  Here are some pictures of my morning buddies Fisher and Coral.

Giddy-up!

Fisher is always cracking us up!  He loves this cowgirl hat of Shelbie's sparkles and all.  Every time he finds it he puts it on and walks around the house.  What makes it even funnier is that he usually is laughing at himself while he does it :)

Thanksgiving Feast

Shelbie's kindergarten "village" put on a Thanksgiving Feast right before we got out for the Thanksgiving holiday.  I call her class a village because it's three classes and teachers working together and rotating through different stations.  We like it so far and it's a new program that her school is doing starting this year.  Anyways, the kids spent a lot of time preparing the foods and practicing for the program.  It was really cute and Shelbie was adorable!  Below are some pictures of her in her turkey outfit and tail feathers.

New Rule!

Ok, so we started this new rule when we have Family Home Evening that the kids have to sit in there little chairs.  Reason for this new rule is because they haven't been that reverent and able to sit still other wise.  This Monday the kids looked so cute sitting together that it made all the craziness worth it!

Mischief!

Fisher is definitely curious and his mischief was put to the test the other day when I had some food storage sitting out that my sister in law had just brought over the day before.  I had no idea that one of the cans had been open before, meaning the seal was broken but the lid was still on it.  I guess Fisher figured out how to take the lid off and had a blast dumping out the sweet potato flakes.  I was in the next room and heard him playing with the cans but I figured that he couldn't hurt anything cause the cans were sealed.  What I found when I peaked in to check on him was this.  His face was so classic and proud of himself that I had to get my camera!  Even though I had to clean up after him and lost some yams his face is priceless!  I love this boy!

Art Festival

We love our annual city fall art festival!  They have a great kids craft area with free activites.  The kids made crazy hats, painted, made little books, made there own buttons, drew with chalk, got there face painted, and got balloons.  It was loads of fun and beautiful weather.

 I had to include of with Fishers serious face and one with his great smile!