Trip to the movies

I've enjoyed the laid back schedule since we've been in West Virginia for Christmas. I just really love doing nothing. :)  We've had some beautiful weather, so the kids have had a lot of time to be able to jump on the trampoline and play outside. I usually keep the little ones in, mainly because of how muddy and wet it is.

Tyler has also enjoyed being able to play with his new Lego set he got for Christmas.  Aunt Marisa helped him build it. He was crossing his eyes in the pic below. :)

He is pretty proud of what he builds and I absolutely LOVE it!

The kids have certainly watched enough TV for the next month!

And, we had another sick one...Morgan was down for the count for a couple days but is now fever free and doing much better

Too bad she passed it on to me :(  So far, Ryan has been spared, but I think its just a matter of time before he gets it too. 

Yesterday, we went to Steak and Shake for lunch and then went to the mall to play in the play place before going to the movie theater, Marisa's treat!

We watched Penguins of Madagascar. Don't worry, I didn't interrupt the movie to take this pic. Tyler yelled at me when I pulled my phone out and told me that it wasn't allowed. :) This was taken before the previews even started.

It really is a sweet perk that Aunt Marisa has a side job of working at a movie theater!  Free movie and popcorn just can't be beat! :)

Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma's house

It was a little different for us to be at my parents on Christmas. We haven't done that for a long time. Normally we wake up at our own house for Christmas and then come later in the day to my parents house. Being there before even the kids woke up did allow for me to get a picture of the tree with all the presents underneath. 

As you can see, I think its safe to say we had a TON of presents!  First things first though...time for stockings!

Everything was a hit!

Ryan definitely didn't understand the whole stocking thing and just carried his around.

Big brother Tyler to the rescue!

After breakfast, it was time for presents! I didn't get many pictures of this process as I had 4 kids to help.  Not to mention, I was anxiously awaiting the phone call I had hoped to receive from Tim! He did call though, around 11:30. Happy tears! It was so good to hear his voice!  It didn't matter what I got, that was the best Christmas present this year! The kids got to talk to Daddy for a few minutes each and so that was special too. I did miss the boys opening their number one present though...these dart guns!

Its what they played with the rest of the day.  Megan got the wings she is wearing (upside down!)

Frozen figurines

Megan got this Elsa dress that she then wore the rest of the day and has worn it every day since as well. 

Boys and their bow and arrow dart things

I don't know why I don't have any pictures of Morgan. I promise she was there and got lots of stuff too! :)

Ryan slept during the main opening presents time but he certainly enjoy opening his presents later! 

 This was his favorite toy...a wooden hammer block thing with balls to pound in.

After presents, it was time to prepare the feast.  Lots of hands to help!

Surprisingly, the 26 people we had for dinner pretty much polished this entire mound of mashed potatoes off!

Lots of love around the table

After dinner, we opened presents with my aunt and uncle and their 5 kids (plus one boyfriend)

Just a little sampling of the environment

At some point in the evening, Tyler, Megan, Daniel, and Cherith got in the hot tub with Zach.  They call it the hot pool. :)  Probably appropriately named when they try to do canon balls in the thing!

We ended the evening with some Just Dance with Aunt Marisa. Here is Ryan's version :) Not pictured in the video is Cousin Ellie and Marisa tearin' it up :)

I am so grateful for the change of scenery this year for Christmas since Tim wasn't home.  The kids had a blast and I know Grandpa and Grandma did too!

Ginger Bread Houses and Another Birthday

My parents wanted to treat me for my birthday so they decided that one of the local Italian places was the place to do it. I wasn't going to argue, I love Italian and small town restaurants are my favorite. :) We had reservations at 6:30 so we spent some time before hand looking at some gingerbread houses that were in some contest at the Blennerhasset hotel. These were IMPRESSIVE gingerbread houses!

And, with 9 kids 7 and under and only 5 adults, I think its great we only broke one before we got out of there! :)

They really were neat to see. I can see us building some fun and elaborate gingerbread houses together as family when the kids are a little older. 

I didn't get many pictures at dinner...the seating arrangement of kids vs adults was not exactly conducive to much of that! Joanna sent this one of me blowing out my candle though.

Happy Birthday to me! :)  31 feels sooo much older than 30. And, lets not even get started for how I feel about Tim turning 32 in March!!  Shew!

And with that, I leave you with Ryan's lemon face. :)  

That's about how I feel about another birthday in the books! :P