Glory of Christmas continued

Glory of Christmas

So, I am working to get our photos done for the year. We went to the Crystal Cathedral to see the Glory of Christmas. If you have never gone, go! It is amazing. The live animals, the singing, the dance. It was kind of late, so Emma was a little over it, but Zack loved it!!

Christmas card 09

This was the back of our card. For some reason, a few cards got kicked back to me! My most awesome cousin Leo for example. Three straight years. You would think I would have his address by now!! LOL!! I used MPIX and the photos were done by an amazing photographer Kristen Bons. http://kristenbons.com

Quick! Catch up!

Today, I delivered a sweet babe. Yes, I am on leave (vacation for those civilian) but I followed her the entire pregnancy and went in to deliver her.. Labor was great, delivery BEAUTIFUL.. then I realized I never posted her day! The full meal spread.. I tell you we all know how to cook!

The table set
Mom to be

Yes, my cake. Amidst the cookies for the enlisted, the turkey and ham for the Nurse's, and my own family, I made her a cake. It was very well received. :)

Christmas Eve 2009

And the stockings were hung, no chimney tonight, but by the books read many a night..

Cookies were decorated, and eaten quite quick. Frosting galore and them begging for more...

Presents were stacked.. plenty for all to attack.

Emma sweet and not, took mom yelling to get this shot..

and alas, the one who never lets mom be done. As always; a face to grace the camera.. finally learned to not be naughty?? Where are the others you ask? ahh.. mom still has that task. Until then, good night.

Christmas Eve cookies

We had a lot of fun with cookies this year. My kids love Gingerbread cookies, and I think Santa enjoyed them this year as well. They made a mess, but had a blast!!

Reilly

I had to show this.. can her ears be any bigger? I swear she is happy go lucky.. :)

The Ranch

So, I am a little late with these, but got to them this afternoon. I have a lot to go through as I did the church Children's Pageant today. whew.. lots of photos there! Okay, so this is at the ranch, and yes, we had a great time. You know you are in the middle of no where when On Star tells you, ma'am I don't know where you are.. hmmm?? YIKES! :) Yes, sorry this is a dead deer. They got one while we were there, and Zack was fascinated by it. 10 pointer (which I am told is great). Grandma Nancy and Zack Grandpa Richard and Zack

The bunk house. This is right out the back of the house. The view I have to say is amazing.

Shed horns

The bluest blue sky..

Emma and Uncle Rory.. she LOVED him...

Zack bummed post jeep ride across the ranch..

Zack on the jeep ride at the ranch..

Some of the property..

more property..

Grandma Nancy and Reilly

The "big" house..

Christmas Pagent

So, this was Zack's acting debut. He did great. He was a lamb with his Shepard. He listened well, and it was TOTALLY adorable. His Shepard was a little boy named Gavin. Tell me they don't look so sweet?? I took a bunch of photos of the event.. I have posted a few. :)
Lambs frolicking

Little lamb

One of my favorite things...

So, every holiday season, I look for this email. Not sure why? Some will call me sentimental, some will laugh. But, every time I read it, I am very moved by it..

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,

and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,

No tinsel, no presents not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand.

On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,

A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,

I found the home of a soldier once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone.

Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,

not how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,

owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play,

and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year,

because soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,

on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,

'Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;

I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,

My life is my God , my Country, my Corps.'

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,

I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still

and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold dark, night,

this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,

whispered, 'carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure.'

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.

'Merry Christmas my friend!

and,

to all a good night.'

Playing around

I recently got a new program for my "photos" I thought it would be cool to try it out on Reilly. What do you think? Have very bad laryngitis. Off to bed, but wanted to post these. More to come this weekend. I need to get the rest of our trip in TX posted.. Where does the time go?

Thanksgiving 09

We went to our dear friends Andrew and Heather (Reilly's God Parents) and we had a great time. Andrew soaked the turkey for 24 hrs and then cooked it.. It was the best I think I have ever had. So moist and so tasty.. YUMM!! They have 3 kiddos as well, and I think our kids all went to bed very, very tired.

Sneak Peak....

The morning of a MOM!

Okay- so once I heard a story/received an email about this.. but I have to share this..
It's 0445.. my alarm goes off. Great. Ugh, tired but ready to go for a run

• but, Reilly wants to nurse.. okay.. settle in nurse..
• Get up finally at 0515.. met in the hallway by Emma who "needs" chocolate milk and donuts...
• Okay, finally out the door at 0530 cause even the dog didn't want to go for a run
• back cause it's cut short due to Emma and the dog.. only to be met at the door by Zack..
• "YOU LEFT ME!".. I am like dude, went for a run??
• Get him breakfast, refill the dogs bowls, fill the dishwasher, make coffee, start making my lunch, clean Emma so she can go get dressed.....
• Reilly is in the living room with Larry talking a mile a minute.
• Now, my turn to get dressed, but no, Emma wants to go first.. okay she is dressed..
• Finally, my turn, get ready working on finishing up, mom!!
• Emma peed all over the bathroom. (yes she is potty trained but when she has to go, it's like a fire hydrant) now, need to change her clothes again..
• IN the meantime.. mom where are my clothes! Is Zack..
• Seriously?
• Finally get her cleaned up into her room for new clothes
• Clean the bathroom
• Now to Zack's room. Help him with his shirt and sweatshirt.. MOM!
  Emma can't get her pants on right... okay help her..
• In the mean time.. Reilly now wants to nurse?
• SERIOUSLY?
• Go nurse Reilly quickly.. MOM!!!
• Emma has now gone #2..didn't ask for help..and let's just say we need to clean up again and change clothes..
• Now this is all before 8.. I need to go back to bed, I already put in a full day.. and I was like? I need to go see patients all day long! UGH!!

But, I wouldn't trade it for the world. My kids are great!

Emma Thanksgiving

Okay- so this is a little behind.. but I have not had time.. work full time, baby showers, call, Christmas, a 3 month old, etc.. seriously? :) This was Emma at Thanksgiving. Some of my favorite shots.. she is totally sleeping with these shoes on.

Catching up

With a 3 month old and two other kids on the go.. I am trying to catch up! We went and visited our amazing friends Andrew and Heather for Thanksgiving. (Reilly's Godparents). And we had a great time. Andrew will be deploying soon, so I was trying to capture him with their GREAT kiddos!

Reilly's announcement

This is not the best photo - but wanted to share some things! I am a little slow the last few weeks. I will update with more photos from Thanksgiving!

Photos of Reilly 2 months!

I had these in a great collage for the blog, but alas, 3 kids, working full time, going away for Thanksgiving, grading papers.. I somehow deleted it. I will do it at a better time. But, for now, here she is 2 months old. Who does she look like? Emma or Zack? Jack Nicholson?

Zack?

Emma?

4am

So, when you have a newborn that still has trouble nursing at night, two demanding kids during the day and evening when you get home, 4 am is the quiet time.. Until they hear you in the kitchen making coffee at 6am.. lol. I did get some photos edited and will post soon.

Tired

I am sorry to all of you who are now following my blog.. LOL! I am back to work as of last Monday. It has been interesting to say the least. I am averaging any where from 4-6 hours of sleep. Plus, the kiddos all got the crud (no swine flu) and are now just feeling better! So, I promise to get back into things when I finally am not double checking myself to insure I have matching socks and shoes.. LOL!

Finishing Projects

Well, it is my last week at home on maternity leave. I am saddened to see it gone, but also glad to be going back. So, I finished lots of projects, and have a few left to do.. These were some of the cookies for Halloween that the kids and I did for my work. I had a bunch of kids and Larry was in Washington, so I couldn't go to the potluck, but this was my contribution.

Final box of wrapped cookies. Larry said these were better than the last batch. I have tried a bunch of different 'sugar cookie' recipes. I took it in when I went in for my last check up.

This basket was full of wine, Godiva and Sees chocolate and home made chocolate chip cookies. This was for the doctor who delivered Reilly. It is very hard to get someone something when they have everything that says thank you. Plus, I wanted to thank his kiddos and wife for letting us steal him away on a Sunday to deliver Reilly. So, this is what we came up with. Personally, I think it turned out pretty good.. and I loved the cookies.. yummmm.. :)

BOOOO!

So, this year it was the dino theme.. okay- again solo parenting to get three kids dressed, candy handed out, dinner cleaned up, dogs secured and on our way.. Yes, I had a glass of wine by the time the night was over.. okay 2 glasses.. Our dinos- no, they would not look at me or cooperate. And, I was to tired to argue. And, there were a million kids out running around. The cool thing about base, is all the candy and all the kids.. It was insane.. Zack was NOT Barney as he kept telling people but T-Rex. He was very miffed and kept asking who was Barney (no they have never seen the show nor will they ever). It was very cute. He even kept making his little arms small to show people he was T-Rex.. :)

Just one of the houses in the neighborhood. There were 2 haunted houses that we DID NOT go in. Zack was freaked out enough. And as it got dark out, Emma did not like the scary big kids. We were home by 1930 (7:30pm) whew!

Zack totally psyched about his loot. Every house I got shown the candy stash that was growing...

Emma smiling (she is getting better for the camera).. still wasn't sure about going up to strangers. I have been telling them be careful of strangers, don't take candy from weird people, and then tonight I am like go take candy from strangers.. She thinks I am wacked..

My boo baby getting ready for dinner. Is this not a great little photo??