Christmas 2008 cont.

I made a Ham and Uncle Jimmy had the Turkey. Everyone brought something and everything was delicious. The kids could barely wait to open the presents. It was a great Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas morning 2008

Before the chaos started:

Shayla checked out everyone's stocking. The girls' stocking were in their beds. Shayla opened mine for me! Trinity was excited Santa brought her a bike! Shayla and Trinity rode their bikes in the house for a few days before we were able to get outside to ride them. After all the presents were opened and breakfast was ate, we went to Nana's so we could exchange gifts. I let the girls stay in their new pjs to show Nana. They thought it was cool to leave the house without getting dressed. Then we went home and I had less than 2 hours to get everyone showered and dressed. I just about made it! It took the longest time to give Shayla and Trinity French Braid PigTails. It was worth it. They looked great. It was time to go downstairs for Christmas dinner at Uncle Jimmy's house.

Christmas Eve

We went to Neen's house for "picky food" for Christmas eve. The kids got to open their presents from her so they were happy. Coby got dressed for dinner. The kids started tracking Santa while we were there. As he got closer it was time to go home. The kids got to open one present which was matching pj's for them to wear. They would have been happier opening toys but that's for tomorrow. Coby
Shayla opens her new High School Musical Game.

Trinity opens her new sleeping beauty Barbie.

Just little feet sticking out was so cute! Riana got a Little People's carriage and horse playset.

I was so tired after getting the kids in bed that I fell asleep in the recliner watching tv. Shayla came and woke me at 11:00. She told me to go to bed so Santa would come. I got her tucked in and I went to bed shortly after. At 4:30 am Shayla came in our bed and told me Santa had indeed come and there were 2 bikes! She slept with us until 7:15. She went back to her room and Trin was wake. They woke up Riana before I even got out of bed. So I missed thier reactions but it was better than them getting up at 4 am like last year! Stay tuned for a few Christmas pictures.

Pre Christmas Dinner

Before the Christmas activites started we went to Jeff's mom's house for dinner. It was nice for me not to have to cook. We all enjoyed dinner then the kids had fun playing with her dog, Sasha.

Does red eye fix dogs? Guess I'll have to try. Riana talking to Sasha. Jeff's mom and Grandmother.

Santa visit

Every year we have gone to the mall in Milford to see the same Santa, since Shayla was born! This year the days flew by and we hadn't gotten there. So Thursday we went after Riana woke up from her nap. I knew santa was there until 9 pm and he took a break from 5-6. We got in line at 4:45. The worker came up and told me that the 3 families in front of be were the start of the 6 o'clock line. No way was I waiting that long. So we walked around and got a snack. We played with a puppy in the pet store and let the kids climb in the play area. We got back in line at 5:30. Thinking it wouldn't be too long to wait 30 mins. Santa came back at 6:15. another 20 minutes till our turn. Meanwhile, Riana spilled red hawaiian punch on her white shirt. What to do? There were only 3 people in front of us and I had no diaper bag. Quick thinking, I put on her jacket. Riana didn't want to sit on or next to Santa. Hence me in the picture. Then the kids went on the train ride and we got back in the car at 7:10. I was mentally exhusted! But another family tradition done.Riana, Nikki, Shayla, Santa, Trinity

snow play

The kids got snow to play in. They were so excited to wake up and see snow. About 1 1/2-2 inches. I was glad I finally got Shayla new snow pants. So into the cubby hole I went to get out all the snow gear. Jeff was impressed how I had all the right sizes. One of the bonuses of having all girls!
Here is Shayla with a snow mustache. How do you get one of those? My kids lay on the ground and lick the snow. Why? I don't know. I don't remember doing that as a kid. We picked it up and ate it. Trinity was having fun with the pile of snow near the street.
This is Riana and her first time to really play in the snow. I do need to get her some good snow gloves. Where do all the missing gloves go? She loved it! She threw a fit when it was time to go in. Even the promise of hot cocoa wasn't enough to stop the tears.
Here is our naked snowman. I got help this year making him. Usually I do all the work. Trinity helped a lot by giving it hair. She had the most fun with the snowman. Now if I could only find the snowman kit I have.
Then they all went for a swing in the snow. I was glad they all got a good amount of fresh air.
I don't know the date of this because I turned off the date when I was taking the family picture. I will have to turn it back on.

Hoilday breakfast/Toys for Tots

Every year there is a Holiday Breakfast to benefit the Valley Toys for Tots. It is hosted by Jeff's barber. This is the first year I go. The past 2 years I have stayed home. 1 year I had just given birth 2 weeks before, the 2nd year she was only 1 and it was too cold for her outside. This year we went as a family. They serve Egg sandwiches with sausage or bacon, donuts and pastry, Hot chocolate, Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers! Did I mention it starts at 9 am? They have a 50 piece band. Santa comes and passes out bags with snacks and prizes in it to every child. The fee for all this wonderful festive cheer is an unwrapped toy for the local Toy for Tots program.

When we got there it was snowing. It looked beautiful. Then it turned to rain and sleet. Not so fun. The kids had fun with this rock. I don't understand why it was so great. This is Trinity laying in the mud. I had to wash her snow suit twice to get it clean.

Here are the 3 girls, with the rock.
Santa comes on a wagon and each kid gets to sit on his lap. Trinity did a great job.


Shayla got a little shy and couldn't think of anything. She has a list at home I am sure. Riana sat at the end of the wagon and didn't want to get any closer.
We left after the kids saw Santa because it was cold and hailing. One last picture I took was of all the toys that were gathered....This is the front porch, filled to the brim.

Thanksgiving Feast

We are so thankful for everything we have. Healthy Children, Loving Families, Great Friends, food, clothing and shelter. I am Thankful to have my mom, Grandparents, and sister from out of state here. 16 people all fit in Aunt Christine's house! The list goes on.
We had 2 turkeys (one deep fried), ham, lasagna, and all the sides. There was plenty of food to go around. A very successful Thanksgiving.


Riana waiting for the food to come. But we did move her to the highchair. She was so excited and still only ate 1 bite of mashed potatoes and later whipped cream.


This is one of the outfits her friend gave her. She asked if she could wear it today. How could I say no. We pick our battles. So thankful for my little Pocahontus.

Too Cold Parade

On Sunday we went to the Stamford Balloon Parade. They have the large balloons like the Macy's parade. This is our 2nd year going. We left the house at 10 am. The parade started at 12. It takes about 40 minutes to get there. We stopped for hot chocolate on the way. By the time we started to drink it, it was lukewarm. Sitting at the end of the parade route, we froze for at least and hour and a half. Did I mention the high for the day was 32 degrees!!! We came prepared but next year we will set a tempature minimum. I was happy that Jeff offered to stay home with Riana. My Aunt Christine came with us too. I was happy when she asked if we could leave a little before it was over. We were all cold enough. My mom was wearing 5 layers of shirts! (She is from Minnesota) Here are the pictures:

Mom and Trinity waiting for the parade to start.
Me and Shayla, you can tell it is us only by our eyeballs!

Family picture day

Every year we take a family photo at christmas. This has been a tradition for the last 6 years. It is one of the few times we get all of us in the picture. Once Riana was born, Walmart had a hard time fitting us all in the picture. Last year we went to JcPenny. We had to wait an hour and we even had an appointment. So this year I decided to try to take it myself. My mom had offered to take the picture but she was out for the evening and the sale on cards ended tomorrow. The Christmas cards have been ordered so I can check off one more thing on the never ending to-do-list. Here are the 3 girls. They let me snap away while Jeff was getting ready.
After a few shots I thought we were done. Almost all of us got changed. Then Jeff and I decide to try for a better one. We got redressed. I was using the self timer so noone was behind the camera to make the kids laugh or even smile. This is the best one I got:

Riana turns 2

I gave the camera to Shayla so I could get everything set. Riana was excited to have everyone sing to her. Trinity was once again mad that it was some else's birthday and not hers. She was sleeping before everyone came over. When I finally got her up she had Uncle Jimmy hold her while she tried to wake up. She was happy to have cake.
Trinity coming for the cake
Shayla's self portrait
My mom and the birthday Girl
Aunt Christine(Neen) and the Birthday Girl
Wow, A picture of me!
Uncle Jimmy
Nana (Jeff's grandmother)
Memem (Jeff's mom)
Jeff with no head. Shayla did a great job, otherwise.
This is the cake that my mom made for Riana.

Trick or Treat

On the front steps- Ready to go...The CareBear- Trinity (and new snugglebear)
The candy corn- Shayla
The Ladybug- Riana

Here are the girls on Halloween. This year I took them trick-or-treating. Riana wanted to walk most of the way so it took us 2 hours. When we got home I weighed the candy. Almost 11 pounds of teeth rotting fun! I am sure Jeff will eat alot of it too.

Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin Carving was a lot of work for me. Trinity thought she would help but quickly changed her mind. Riana- not a chance! Shayla helped somewhat. She cleaned it out but she got tired of it. Then came time to sort the seeds and I was on my own. They did get toasted and we all enjoyed them. Some of the seeds had started to grow while inside the pumpkins. Something that I had never seen before. Shayla's pumpkin went on to win a prize at the Derby Cultural Commision- Fright Night. (Not because her mom is a committee member) There were only 3 pumkins brought in and we had 3 prizes. Trin's decorated egg had won at Easter so I only brought Shayla's pumpkin. Here is Riana's thoughts:

A new SnuggleBear to Love

As some of you know... SnuggleBear went missing in June. Since then Trinity and I have missed it very much. My plans to put it in a box when she was done with it were gone. Trinity would get sad when she saw a picture of it. We were at my Grandparents last month and it was in one of the home videos. She started to cry. Uncle Jimmt found one on ebay! The difference is it's clothes. They are blue instead of pink. But it was THE SAME ONE. Now that we have the tag info we can ask the company if they have another one. The trouble is that it was made in 2000. So what did this little heartbroken girl think?
She told me she found it on the toliet.
Then she said she used her magic to give it fall clothes.
She said her cousin Inky gave it to her(no such person)
I told her Uncle Jimmy gave it to her.

Did I mention she has a vivid imagination? She is always coming up with stories. I am not sure if she knows for sure if it is the original or not. But it has filled the void just the same. I am going to make a dog tag for it so if it gets lost again...maybe someone will call.
Trinity sound a sleep with SnuggleBear II.

Crafty for Halloween

Shayla wanted to be a Candy Corn Fairy for Halloween. All fine and dandy, but the costume was $56 in the magazine!! Ebay had them going for $30. So I agreed to make the costume and she agreed to be a regular candy corn. No pattern. I thought about it and this is the process..

I traced(with chalk) a dress she had and altered it a little onto felt.Next, I cut some orange and yellow felt and pinned it on. Dragged the sewing machine out of the cubby hole. The kids loved helping me and watching. You can see Riana sitting on the table to get a good look.
I went to 3 stores looking for candy corn ribbon. Finally I found some today. This is Shayla modeling the final product.
We are going to string some candy corn for a necklace.(not shown)
So did I save some money? You bet!
Felt 1 yard of Black
1/2 yard of orange
1/2 yard of yellow........$5.00
Candy corn ribbon.......$1.00 on sale
Candy corn for necklace....$.99

I thank my mom for the sewing machine, My grandmother for the sewing kit box, and my 4-H sewing classes.