White Christmas

We had such a great Christmas this year. I woke up early because I was supposed to work a couple hours in the morning, but it was slow enough that I didn't need to work! So, I got ready and made breakfast, and FINALLY got my two lazy heads up by 9:30. It was fun opening presents with Isaak, he didn't really understand anything and couldn't figure out how to open his presents, but he seemed pretty happy with his new toys.
I don't think we've had a White Christmas for at least 7 years. It started snowing out at our house around midnight Christmas eve and kept going ALL DAY. My poor parents tried to get to my house on Christmas, but ended up turning around and going to my brother's house instead because our roads were so bad. If we didn't have the truck, there's no way we could have left the house for a couple days!! They didn't even shovel our circle until the evening after Christmas.....
Here's all of us at Ric and Jo's on Christmas afternoon. They had so much yummy food and it was so much fun seeing everyone. We had to open presents downstairs this year because there are too many of us to fit upstairs anymore!
Isaak got spoiled this year, but the poor guy was exhausted half the day.

I had to include this picture! Isaak does NOT get excited about food. He's a good eater, but he's just the type that eats to live, not lives to eat. A couple nights ago, Shaun gave him a taste of his eggnog, and the kid went crazy!! He got all excited and kept reaching for more and would get mad when Shaun would take it away. I've never seen him get excited about ANY food before!

Eggnog face!

Family Christmas Party #2!

We had my family Christmas party yesterday. My sister Kim hosted it this year and we had such a fun time. We ate lunch first, then had our traditional talent show, then left right gift game and chimes! The above picture is my niece Melissa and and her husband Levi. They're moving away in a few days and I'm gonna miss them!
Here's Joshua and Jane..
Jessica and Isaak..
me and Isaak...
my fabulous Mom and Dad ...
very pregnant Alisa, Cip, and Miyuki...
Chris, Robert, and Miyuki...
Every year we play Christmas songs on the chimes. For a long time my Dad borrowed them from a friend, but then Shaun actually made some for them as a Christmas present a few years ago. (isn't he so handy!? :)
These two handsome guys are my nephews, Jordan and Jared. I am so blessed to have such a great family. I love having a large family. (there's 8 of us kids!) All of my brothers and sisters are such great examples for me to follow. I hope they all know how much I love them and how thankful I am for all they do!

Family Christmas Party #1!

Yesterday we had Christmas with Patsy and Jay and all of Shaun's brothers! It was at our house and was so much fun. I just had to post the picture above. I guess Shaun had begged his Mom to buy him that Cabbage Patch doll when he was really little. You have to admit, the resemblance between that doll and Isaak is pretty striking!
Here's Isaak with Adam. It was a great night. We had Lasagna for dinner (so delicious!). After we ate, we all sat around talking and watching football. Then we all exchanged presents.
Here's Patsy and Jay.....
Lauren and Isaak.... (she's going to be a fabulous babysitter!)
Scott and Jae, Brett and Tracy....
US!...
And here's Isaak with a basketball toy he got. We all got such great gifts and had such a great time. Thanks everyone for a fantastic evening!

Too quick!

My baby is growing up too fast!!! Yesterday I put him behind this walker and he spent the next hour walking all the way from the far living room wall to the end of the kitchen. As soon as he'd hit a wall, he'd do his pterodactyl scream and I'd turn him around. He doesn't bend his knees so his legs just stay straight and walks with his feet turned our, but it's SO CUTE! At the rate he's going, he won't need the walker much longer.......

Too cute not to post!

Isaak all nestled snug in his bed.....
Our living room trees......
Isaak under our tree with an ornament.....

I just LOVE that hat!

I've just got to write a little brag about Shaun. Lately he has been putting in such LONG hours to support our family. He's still selling insurance, but he's also picked up another insurance job on the side, PLUS he's studying super hard for all his tests to become a Farmer's agent. He took his property and casualty test about a week ago and got one of the highest scores they've seen! People usually have to take that test a few times before they even pass, but Shaun aced it on his first try! In January he's going back to school with two classes. He stays up late every night studying and works all day long with his two jobs. Even with how busy this fabulous guy is, he still finds time to spend time with me and spoil me. Last night he watched Isaak while I went to get my hair done. When I got home, the entire living room was transformed. He had taken all the cushions off the couch and had set up little caves for Isaak to crawl through. SO CUTE!! I'm so lucky to have such a fabulous, hard working guy. I love you hon, thanks so much for all that you do for our little family, you're the absolute best!

My long term project

I started making these stockings about five years ago. Each one takes from 6 months to a year to finish. When I made Shaun's he came with me to the store to pick out the cording that goes around it. First he chose bright, bright yellow. I immediately regretted that I was letting him choose at all. Then he chose the cording that's around it now. I still hated it, but it was better that bright yellow. When the stocking was done, I was shocked! I think it actually looks pretty good with it. His is the most detailed and was the hardest to do.
Yes, I know what a lot of you are thinking.... "She made one for her dog?!" Well, he's part of the fam. Besides, Shaun really wasn't happy till Rusty had one too.......
Isaak's is by far my favorite. I love the color combinations.
This is the first one I did and definitely the easiest. I have so much fun making these, I'm already about halfway done with our next kid's.....