December 2012 Highlights

We had an eventful holiday month!
First on the list, we sold our Jeep :(   I had been dreading this day since we bought our new car in September. I was having such a hard time letting it go that we kept it around for a couple of months to ease the pain. And so I could still drive it. I LOVED that car. I like my new car, but I haven't bonded with it like I did my Jeep. I still miss those comfy seats. On the day we sold it, I actually teared up giving the keys to the new owner. I need help, clearly.

Here we are, posing with it one last time, pretending to be happy about it.

On a lighter note, Oliver had his kindergarten Christmas program. This same program has been a school tradition for something like 27 years. They've got it down to a science! Oliver did not disappoint. He screamed sang so loudly, I thought a vein in his neck was going to burst. He had everyone around us rolling!

Hudson got this Iron Man helmet for his birthday, and I caught him just sitting on the couch watching TV in it like no big deal. I'm going to miss when he doesn't like costumes anymore. I got a phone call from him the other night while we were at dinner with some friends. He yelled into the phone in this really desperate voice: "Mom! I really want a ninja costume! I don't care what it looks like...if it's pink, or purple, or any color; I just really want a ninja costume!!" He kills me.

We went on a sleigh ride to the North Pole. I have to say it was a little anti-climatic without all the snow we were imagining would be there. We made the best of it though.

The boys wrote letters to Santa.

They were so serious reading him their lists!

 

Penelope didn't want to sit on his lap, but she was thrilled with the "special gift from Santa  we were promised when we bought the tickets online. A dinky mini candy cane. Yep, that's it.
Not even a full size one that costs about 8 cents.
I'm not sure we will be going to the "North Pole" next year.

On the last day of school before Christmas break, Hudson got to have a Polar Express party. He got to wear his pajamas (although he didn't stop there...he donned his robe and slippers too) and watch the movie while having hot chocolate. Oh to be a first grader!

On Christmas Eve the kids opened their annual Christmas jammies from Mimi. This is one "clothes" present that the kids are always excited about. They love their jammies--especially Hud.

Pippi was just as excited!

Teal had Oliver's name for the gift exchange, and he gave him a Spider Man matching game that he got for him when he was in Belgium this summer. Ollie was ecstatic!

Hudson could hardly contain his excitement over his new Hero Factory guy. He lives for those things.

Teato, Car Car, and their wanna-be child Penelope at our Christmas Eve shin-dig at Margarita's house.
They look like quite the coordinated, happy family don't you think? Matching outfits not planned, but so cute! 

Ok, time to get to sleep so Santa can come!! Goodnight!

Yaaaayyyy! Christmas morning! Oliver was so excited about the Spider Man/Peter Parker action figure Hudson gave him. They are so cute!

Oh Olf,

He cracks me up with his theatrical excitement.

I had Hudson's name, and he was so happy about his Transformer guy he'd been wanting. 

And Penelope was so happy with her new princess ride-on toy that she even gave it a kiss!

I'm glad my kids are grateful...most some of the time. 

We'll pretend they weren't disappointed at not receiving other things they were wanting from their Christmas lists. But Santa had his own ideas of what he thought would be fun! And Santa stops making toys by Thanksgiving, so anything submitted after that doesn't really count....right?? 

Santa might have blown it this year.

Next year, Santa is going to read their lists a little more carefully and at least get ONE thing from it. Even if they toys are already made, and even if Santa is sick of spending money.

Moving on.

 Penelope spent most of her time eating her Pop Tart (Steve's family stocking tradition) and sitting in her new doll stroller. She was in heaven!

We spent the rest of Christmas morning at Jeanne and Dave's house. Hud got an Iron Man book and puzzle 

Oliver got a mitt and some balls

And from Steve's parents, the whole family, including Penelope got our own sleeping bags to use on a trip to my family's cabin up at Bear Lake this summer.

  Have you ever seen a little baby sleeping bag like this? Too cute! She LOVED it.

The End.

Merry Christmas!!