Catch Up Time

Again, I have let to much time slip by without blogging, so this post should catch me up:)

Ok, starting back on Dec 16th..... Kaleb had his carol sing at his preschool and he did so good. He looked so cute up there singing, I was very proud of him. Here is the video of that.

The next evening Dec. 17th, my wonderful brother Derek got everyone tickets to the NCSU basketball game!!! We are all huge NSCU fans and basketball fans, so it was a win win situation. I so wish I could afford season tickets, b/c I love going to games! The kids were great they cheered, ate popcorn and overall had a blast. Stephen and I had a fun time too:)

The weekend before Christmas Stephen the kids and I all had a campout downstairs. We watched a movie and roasted marshmallows. I think we will start a new tradition with this, because it was so much fun!!!

I guess the next thing would be Christmas. I really think this was the best Christmas EVER!!! A few days before Christmas my Aunt Ellen, Meg and Anna came down for a visit. We did something different this year with them, we had a "white elephant" gift exchange. That was so much fun and I think it is going to be a great tradition. Ellen, Meg and Anna also got the kids some awesome clothes. We did our usual Christmas Eve baking (we made peanut butter cookies w/ kisses in the middle) and then that evening we took them to are friends. When we got back we all opened one present(pj's) and took some pictures and then it was off to bed to wait for Santa Clause. The kids didn't get up till about 7:15 and then waited ever so patiently to see if Santa came. Then like a thundering herd, they ran downstairs to see their spoils. Best line ever "This is just what I wanted!!!" Santa did a good job. We all opened our gifts and then had a delicious breakfast and waited for Derek and Amber and the boys to arrive. After they got there we exchanged gifts again with the kids and then let them go off and play with their new loot. The adults did our exchange where Stephen and I got the best surprise.... We thought everything was done, but my parents told us we had one more gift. They brought us a package that looked like a new comforter (which we said we wanted), but when we opened it it was some old pillows. I thought ha ha, there must be something small in the middle, then my dad says "oh well if don't want those, this might be better." Stephen and I look up to see my brothers holding a new TV!!! I lost it, I stared crying so hard (thankfully, I don't have any pictures). Stephen actually got a little teary eyed as well. We both could not believe the love my family has for us. I loved the TV, but I was so overcome with gratitude and love I just couldn't keep it in. This past year was a hard one for us, with Stephen being out of work for so long, and a new baby. My parents have sacrificed a lot for us and I will be forever thankful. I love my family and I am so grateful for the blessings they bring to my life. The rest of the day was pretty relaxed. My brother Kyle called home, which was wonderful! I loved talking to him, he sounds so grown up. He loves serving a mission and is doing awesome. His back was hurting him, but that is better as well. Ambers parents and younger brother Taylor came over and we had a delicious dinner. After all was cleaned up, we headed to bed, to have sweet dreams of this truly blessed day! I am so thankful for my Savior, I have learned that I cannot do everything myself, but with Him I can do anything! That knowledge has helped me so much to let go of things and leave it the Lord's hands. I know that he will always take care of me and my family, and I look forward to this New Year!!

*You can click on the picture to make them bigger*