Trying to keep the Christmas Spirit

WARNING: I sound a little whiny in this post, so read at your own risk!

I've been fighting to keep my Christmas spirit today. The list of things to do is long: cards, final decisions on gifts (trying to make sure Dave's happy with what we're spending), wrapping, parties, baking, outings with the kids, everyday chores. As many of you know, balancing everyday life with fun Christmas activities while doing all of the behind the scenes work brings out the "BAH HUMBUG!" in many people. That was me today.

Our little family outing tonight helped bring back my Christmas cheer a little bit. We went to see a huge house/nursery that is all lit up with lights that are coordinated to music on a radio station. The kids were pretty overtired and squirrelly, but the display amazed all of us. (The audio on this clip makes me laugh a bit...WOW, were they squirrelly. Great combination with the remnants of a headache!)


Tonight, while all of the kids are in bed, I am staying up late to wrap. Hopefully, if I can cross off something else from my list, I'll feel better. Tired, but better. :)

My Celebrity Husband

I am married to someone who's been in People magazine. Ok, so it was just his name and our house in the article, but I'm still impressed. ;) (Click on the picture to read the article that's in the December 21st issue just released today.)

Is this not the sweetest...

...personalization of a snowblock maker that you've ever seen?!
Dave told the kids that on the first day of snow this year he would give them a present. A couple of days ago, when it snowed, the kids reminded him of his promise. With great fanfare, Dave handed out snowblock makers to each of the kids. The kids were so excited, but quickly noticed that they were all purple. To tell whose was whose, they personalized their snowblock maker with permanent marker. The boys simply wrote their initials. Caroline, on the other hand, decided to sign her full name. I LOVE how she wrote Elizabeth!

The kids have loved having our Elf on a Shelf...He's a scout elf for Santa, here at our house to keep an eye on our kiddos. He reports back to Santa each night about their behavior. Every morning he hides in the strangest places, and the kids all try to be the first to find him.

The kids (in birth order) each gave him a name, and so his full name is fabulously unique. Our Elf's name is Buddy (after Will Ferrell's ELF) Kranslin Fred Zart. Love it!

Two last things:
Happy birthday, Karen! I love you, my sister!
Our article in People should be on newstands tomorrow!

Snow Crazy

The kids in this picture (our's and some friends) have had more than their fair share of playing outside in the snow for the past couple of days. When the kids get home from school, they don't even take their snow clothes off, not even for a snack. They just stay outside.

After coming inside, we warmed them up with hot chocolate, and then pizza.

Guess what their plans are for tomorrow? I almost didn't have the heart to tell them that they have swimming lessons. (Doesn't that sound like a GREAT activity for December?!)

And so it begins...

Snowpants, boots, coats, hats, mittens, scarves, throwing them in the dryer all the time...
Rosy cheeks, snow forts, snow ball fights, sledding, skating, gargantuan snowmen...

Hot chocolate, marshmallows, whipped cream, chili and hot soups...Happy kids! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Woo Hoo!

I just finished creating and ordering our Christmas cards online tonight! There's nothing like putting things off until the last minute.

It feels like it was just yesterday that I was ordering this Christmas card!

I took Henry to get his allergy booster shot tonight. REALLY, it's such fun to bring all four kids to a doctor's office and wait in the waiting room FOREVER. To add to the fun, a woman from People magazine called to interview me for the article about our neighbor's and our Christmas lights. I still can't get over the craziness of this. They are publishing it on FRIDAY! :) So, there I was, trying to keep 4 kids content (especially the three year old) while trying to sound coherent for the interview. I am praying that they only use quotes from Dave and our neighbor, Chet!

I'm off to bed early tonight...Good night all!

What do you want for Christmas?

Henry wants a camera and an IPOD Shuffle.

Seth wants Legos, Legos, and more Legos.

Caroline is requesting a Fur Real Puppy, a Barbie dollhouse, a PURPLE camera,

and TWO LOOSE TEETH.

Evan requested only one thing from Santa.
He really, really wants BUZZ LIGHTYEAR.

And one last picture from today...Here's our 2009 gingerbread house!

LEGOLAND!

We went on a scout trip to Legoland yesterday. What a fun day!