Merry Christmas!!

OK, there are several things worth mentioning this year, I'll do my best to get them all down coherently! First of all I didn't have to work Tuesday, (almost Wednesday -only 4 hours) or Thursday, which was Christmas day. I haven't had that much time off in 6 weeks. I'm sooooo thankful I got to be home for a couple of days. I really needed it to recharge and spend time with my family. I feel so much better now, and definitely more grounded.

The next thing worth mentioning is Christmas morning. Ga and Pa, along with Mark, Beth and Ryan all come over Christmas morning to open presents. We told them to just come on over anytime, after the sun is up! At 7:30am the doorbell rings. Nothing. Light knocking. Nothing. Doorbell again. Nothing. LOUD knocking. Matt jumps up and hurries to the door. We were all sound asleep! Ga and Pa got up at 5:30 am and waited as long as they could before they came over. (Thank you by the way!) Carlie and I stayed in bed another 15 before Carlie finally woke up. I've never had to wake 2 kids up for Christmas before. We must have been so tired. Once they got up we had a great time. I'll post pictures later, and a video.

Honorable mention: Alex didn't get a puppy - like that was a big shocker! But, she did get a Wowee Alive Lion Cub, Some CD's and $100 to go towards her puppy fund from Santa. Not a bad consolation prize.

Carlie got a Wowee Alive White Tiger, horse rug, some horses (once again not alive) and a barn from Santa. Santa just wasn't OK with all the live animals in the sleigh this year. Too crowded. And, finding a live Unicorn for Carlie was too hard, even for Santa!

Definitely worth mentioning: Matt gave me some beautiful antique pearls, and Ga and Pa gave me some beautiful pearls. I love pearls! They're just so pretty with anything. (you may notice this as I wore them all day with my sweatshirt and jeans!)

Matt also hunted high and low for some perfume for me. Thank you! Matt got his jacket he's been drooling over- the North face Apex Bionic.

Christmas night we made a roast for dinner. We had a wonderful day together. I think this year was one of the best Christmases so far because I really appreciated being at home with my family. Thank you, and I love you all!

More from the princess...

New dress, by the tree
Eating her dad's birthday cake...

Looking very Princessy- she put the make up on all by herself!

Playing with princess things

I love you!

Carlie is so much fun to be around! Of course, what 3 year old isn't? Here are a few pictures of her just doing her thing. I'm so very lucky to have you Carlie June. I love you to the moon and back. Better yet, to Luke Skywalkers house and back!

Matt and Carlie

Carlie - very tired! What a sweetie!Carlie and her dad Just playing!
Carlie in her princess jammies

Laughing!

This is funny! She can navigate the computer like anything- but notice the bottle? I never thought a kid with a bottle could navigate on a computer. Bella Sara is her favorite site!

There is always a silver lining to every cloud. Matt lost his job about two months ago. I should more accurately say the company he was working for went under. While it has been very hard financially, there have been an upside to the whole deal. Carlie and Matt have been spending a lot of time at home together, they've gotten a lot closer. I've gotten a second job at Walmart to help save and pay off some debt, so they really are home a lot alone now. The other silver lining is that Matt sold his house he had when we got married, so the money from the house has allowed us a few months without real hardship. In an ideal world we could have saved the money, or paid off the back porch, but at least the house is sold and that's one less bill each month. It couldn't have been better timing. Someone must be out there watching over us. In the meantime, enjoy your little girl dad, because I'm hoping I get my turn soon!

Within 10 days...

Believe it or not, all these pictures were taken within about 10 days of each other. That's Denver for you! The first 2 were taken before snow- about 65 outside. The next two were after it melted, about 55 degrees. The last ones, well you can see!

And there's Alex...

Alex running from her sis and the "water tabloon" Alex in pink at Thanksgiving
Here she is!

I would write down that she used to wear these anklets ALL the time, she NEVER takes them off! But I know she'll remember because she'll still have them on when she's 30!

Alex is the sweetest little girl. She puts up with so much from her little sister! But, I guess some of that is just a part of having a younger sister. Alex has such a kind heart, and is always trying to help me. Thank you sweetie. I love you.