Christmas, Etc,

Let's see if I can recap the past week or so.

The week of Christmas we spent getting everything ready. My brother and I swapped kids one day so we could each have some time to get last minute shopping done. When I got home from my shopping, If found him on the couch with Hattie and Luke asleep on him. It was cute. They just zonked out watching TV.

Last week was bittersweet as we said goodbye to our cars. We've had a lot of memories with those cars--especially Brian's! We are enjoying our new car though--it's a nice ride and much smoother than the one I test drove.

On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed time together at home, then in the evening we grabbed Burger King then went to Brian's parents' house. The kids acted out Luke 2, then we had cookies and hot chocolate. It sure didn't feel like Christmas Eve! We came home and Libby actually fell asleep on the way home in the car. A Christmas miracle! She has been doing well at bedtime lately though, so that has been nice. Eliza got Santa's treats out and ready, then everyone was sleeping.




I wrapped a few more gifts. I had tried to do it the couple nights before so I wouldn't have to be up so late on Christmas. I like it that way much better than pulling an all-nighter! We got everything done and were in bed by like 1. Eliza woke up first around 5 and came into our bed. We made her go back to sleep for a bit. Most of us ended up awake around 7. I put the egg casserole in the oven so it could be getting ready. We watched TV until the everyone else woke up. My parents came over around 7:30 and my girls couldn't wait! We let them into the front room to see that Santa had been there. They got to see their special porcelain dolls and got to open their stockings. They all got sunglasses and gum in their stockings. They still couldn't wait (we were going to eat breakfast first, then open), so we opened the presents from my parents. The girls each got a couple presents from them, and then we got a family gift--lots and lots of DVDs--mostly for our car since it has a DVD player--a first for us. We hurried and ate breakfast, then started into the presents. We had a great time. Hattie was cute and loved opening her gifts. She was so patient and didn't expect any more gifts after she opened the first one. Eliza was cute this year in that she was adamant that she get a gift for everyone. She made Brian a coupon book, she arranged to have my mom make me a corn bag/heat bag using an owl print fabric, she and Libby wrapped up their little light sticks they had gotten at a parade for Ellie and Hattie, and she got Libby a tiny little stuffed animal. Libby's gifts melted my heart. She gave me a gift that she had made at school--a little penguin ornament. Then sometime--I have no idea when--she wrote notes to each of us and put them in envelopes and put them under the tree. In a couple she had taken an ornament off the tree and wrapped it in the envelope as a gift. The notes were darling--she told Brian thanks for taking her to school every day. In Ellie's she said, "I'm sorry I didn't buy you a gift. I love your smile." Total heart-melting notes. The girls had a great Christmas--Eliza and Libby got iPods. Ellie got a new Barbie bike and Hattie got a Little People castle. Overall it was a great Christmas. My parents got my girls Bop-Its...those have provided some fun times this past week. I got a few pieces of cookware--I am trying to slowly replace my cancer-causing non-stick ones, LOL, some perfume that I've been wanting for the past year and a couple other little things. Brian got a soccer ball, a soccer net, a couple shirts, a flashlight for camping and a book he has been wanting--The Book of Basketball. We went to my in-laws in the afternoon. We had lunch, then we did our gift exchange among the grandkids and siblings. Then the grandkids got to open their gifts from Brian's parents'. The kids had fun playing the rest of the afternoon. As always, Christmas is over way to soon, but it was fun while it lasted!











On Saturday afternoon, we had a family dinner with Brian's mom's side of the family. Right when we got there Ellie acted sick. She ended up throwing up, so we skipped out early. She seemed better the next day, but we kept her home from church. She was better that day, but threw up again Monday morning and was a little sluggish yesterday. Today she is much better and seems back to normal. On Sunday Brian and I had to speak in church, so my parents came over in the morning and stayed with Ellie and Ruby so I could go. My talk was about prayer. I was grateful for the time I spent studying up on prayer--it was something I needed. I'll have to share some of my favorite things I learned in a separate post. After sacrament I went back home to relieve my parents--although they stayed over till after I picked the rest of the girls up from church.

We started potty training Hattie on Sunday afternoon. She is funny--I think she thinks that there is actually a "potty train." Any time I would bring it up, she would whine and say, "I want you to go on the potty train with me." So funny. So we started just saying that she was going to learn how to go potty on the toilet. She has been doing great!! I think I am being blessed since Ellie had such a hard time. Hattie has only had two accidents--both times she was outside and I'm sure just forgot to come in. But she'll just go in by herself and do her thing. I am SOO glad.

This week we've enjoyed not having to get up and get the girls off to school. They have been playing with their new toys/things from Christmas, helping me with Ruby, helping me potty train, etc. Brian came home early this afternoon and we went hiking. Brian's dad and brothers came with their kids. We hiked West Wing Mtn. I pulled out the baby sling thing that we bought when Ellie was a baby and I put Ruby in it. Not two minutes of me putting her in, she fell asleep and she slept the entire time! The hike took longer than my morning hikes, but everyone finished and had a fun time.

Ward Council Party, Christmas Sunday and Christmas Dinner

On Saturday night, we had Abbie come babysit and we did some shopping, then went to a Christmas party for the ward council. We had a yummy dinner and then played two truths and a lie. I can never think of anything to put for that game! Then we did a white elephant exchange. We took a crocheted duck that you fill with M&Ms, then you squeeze it and they come out the hind end. We also took Brian's Tiger Woods hat that he doesn't want to wear anymore. I ended up with an over-the-door wreath holder, but the only reason I wanted that was that it had a darling hair bow/flower on the outside of the wrapping. Brian got a doozie--Andes Mints and two boxes of enemas. Ha! No one wanted to take that away.

I always look forward to Christmas Sunday. Unfortunatly, Hattie complained of her ears hurting durning the night, so I ended up having to take her in to the doctor. She has an ear infection and got antibiotics. My girls got to go but not Hattie or me (or Ruby).

Last night was our annual family Christmas dinner. Everyone came including my Grandpa Bert and Aunt Dovetta. We had a delicious meal--ham, rolls, salad, a yummy rice pilaf dish, dill potatoes and more! Libby miraculously even tried the rice and potatoes and loved them both. The table was set so nice and at each place setting, my parents' had had Pam (Sweets Unlimited) make a sugar cookie with each person's name on it. That was the place "card." We had battery powered candles for effect. After dinner, we cleaned up and did our nativity scene. All the kids had a part and some of the dads even got to join in. It was really cute. Then we had our ornament exchange. It was fun to watch everyone open their ornaments. Then my parents had gotten each grandchild an ornament that related to something they did that year--Eliza got one of a girl soccer player, Libby got a golf ball with a Santa hat to remind her of going goofy golfing with my parents, Ellie got one of a chicken on a nest, Hattie got a girl in cowgirl boots since she likes to wear hers and Ruby got a wire angel that had little ruby jewels on it. Finally, my mom and dad handed out the gifts for the grandkids--their PJ pants that my mom made and a corn bag that matched. They all turned out so cute! Before we knew it, they all had one pair of their new PJ pants on. We had dessert--peanut butter balls, 7 layer bars, and several fancy desserts by Pam--then we called it a night! I'll update with pictures when my mom gets them off her camera.

Sheesh!

Here I am again...behind! It's definitely a busy time of year. So here I go again doing another catch up...

I started back into my hiking routine. It's hard at first to get up and it's cold. But when I'm done, I feel great. The first day was a little tough, but it's gotten easier. Yay!

My girls got out of school for winter break on Thursday. On Friday my parents came over with Abby and Luke (Dallin got his tonsils out) and we made peanut butter balls for our Christmas dinner. After they all left, we loaded up and made a few deliveries of Christmas gifts. At Becky's, she invited my girls to stay while I made a couple other deliveries. They had a fun time. When I came back, I took two of her kids home to my house so she could get some things done. Brian had a camp out Friday night, so I was happy to help and it helped pass the evening.

This week we've also been car hunting. We thought we found one, then we decided to look at our neighbor's car which is similar to the one we were wanting. After looking at the back seat, we realized it's the same size as the back seat in our van. We were like--why are we getting a new car then, if the back seat is the same size and if we'd get captains chairs? So we decided to go test drive the three we were looking at. We first drove a newer version of our Odyssey. I LOVE that car. It is like driving a car. The problem if we were to get the 8 passenger version, the 8th seat is so tiny. We could never put a car seat there or someone wouldn't be able to sit there very long and be comfortable. Too bad because I loved how that one drove the best. Then we drove the Yukon XL. More room if we got a bench version, but drives like a truck. Last was a Sienna. The 8 passenger version is more of a true 8 passenger. The middle seat is bigger and Brian could sit there comfortably. I just didn't like how it drives and it's not my favorite look. Grrrr! So what to do??!?! We wished they made an Odyssey with a better 8th seat or a Yukon that drives smoother. We also peeked in the new Sequoias. Those are so nice! I actually liked that one the best but there is not enough room behind the back seats. So I wish they made an XL version of that car. Too bad moms don't design the cars! If I had 4 kids, I would for sure get a newer Odyssey, but I told Brian we have kind of limited our selection by having 5 kids. So we are opting for a Yukon XL. We found one through a neighbor's brother-in-law. It should be here tomorrow.

Last Saturday was our ward Christmas party. Ren and Zana did such a great job! It was a brunch. When we got there they had a high school honor choir sing some Christmas songs. Then we ate. Last there were three "stations" you could go to--candy houses, decorate sugar cookies or photos with Santa. It was a nice party with enough to keep the kids entertained the whole time.


Ellie had a little too much fun with the frosting!

That night I watched Brian's kids while they went to his work party. I took Abby, Dallin, Eliza, Libby and Ellie to my parents' ward Christmas party. Brian stayed home with Luke, Hattie and Ruby. My mom was asked to take the Santa photos at their party, so I came along to "help." Happily it went quickly and was pretty painless.


Last Friday night was Brian's work party for his clients. This year he had a pie social. His office was full of his clients. It's always fun seeing them again or meeting them for the first time. They enjoyed seeing our girls. One of his clients looks like Santa--and even works at Arrowhead mall as Santa--so that was funny to see. Libby had a name tag on and he said to her, "You must be Libby." She got bright eyed and was taken aback (she forgot she had the name tag on!).

2 Months

This week I took Ruby to the doctor for her 2 month check up. It was actually at the 10 week mark, but we called it her 2 month well check. She is 10 lbs. 4 oz and 24" long. She got two shots and one oral vaccine. Poor girl. She was uncomfortable. I gave her some pain reliever later in the day and that seemed to help. She is so fun and we love being around her! She smiles some, loves to be held and swaddled, loves to be talked to, has big blue eyes, loves to look around, and is getting better about riding in her car seat!

Gingerbread Houses

Tonight my parents came over to make gingerbread houses with my girls. It's a tradition that they do every year and it's something my girls look forward to! So my parents came over right before Brian left for mutual, armed with a house, icing, and a bucket-load of candy to decorate with. Then they went to town! They would tell my mom where they wanted the icing and they each contributed to a fabulous house. They had some creative ideas. They made a sled from candy canes and then Eliza broke one of the gingerbread cookies in half so it looked like he was sitting down on the sled. It was cute. Hattie snitched the candy most of the time and had a blast doing that. It was a fun time!

Today I took Brian to work, then did a few errands before my visiting teachers came over. This afternoon, Eliza, Libby and I went to Karolyn's for a mom/daughter cookie decorating and gumdrop tree party. So cute. We added gum drops on toothpicks to a Styrofoam cone to make trees. She is always so creative.

Tonight I worked on a little album for a baby who passed away. Becky called me today to see if I could put one together. Of course I said yes, but I was grateful to help out. It actually came together pretty quickly and I was able to think of page designs rather quickly, so that was a nice blessing.

Coming Up For Air

I feel like I am coming up for air before heading back into the busy-ness of life. I wish I would have documented what I did so it's not so hard to remember! Some things I remember:
We went to the annual Pribyl Christmas party on Saturday night. We had arranged for Libby to be with my parents that night so we didn't have to worry about any problems with her and a babysitter. Eliza ended up joining her. They had a blast and a day full of fun. They went to DI and bought lots of books to read in the car. They also went to Casa Grande to see Emma in their town's electric parade. They froze but had fun! Then they got to spend the night.

We had fun at the party--Italian food for dinner and the anticipated gift exchange. We took a purse and a nice leatherman tool I had gotten at Cabelas. We went home with a pair of iPod headphones and a Subway gift card. It was a fun time and fun to visit and catch up with some friends.

Last night I had a training for the YW presidents. We had to train them on the 2010 theme so they could teach their class presidents. Then they'll teach their classes at ward conference. I had to speak about how they could work with their girls in creating an engaging lesson based on the new theme. I also worked all weekend, making these visuals that the wards could use to go with the theme. I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to make them. They took forever!!! I am glad last night is over.

Now I can focus on getting ready for Christmas. I can't believe it's only 2 weeks away. That makes me stressed out. I have too much to do before then.

Last Friday Eliza and Libby participated in the fun run at school. Brian and I were holding our breath that Libby would actually do it. She knew we were coming to watch and she wanted us to come. When we got there, she said, "I'm scared." We thought oh great--here we go. But before we knew it, she was running off to the starting line. She did great! Ended up getting 5th place out of all the 1st grade girls. Eliza ran next. Her race was a fun one to watch. She ran well but one little girl was in front of her the whole time. I thought, "Well, it looks like she'll get 2nd this year." The mom and some of the mom's friends of the girl in the lead were standing next to me. I was cheering for Eliza and they figured out I was her mom. They asked if we thought about putting her in club track and we said yes but that they don't start the kids until they are 8 years old. They went on about how this little girl in the lead was in club track, etc. etc. But in the last lap about 3/4 of the way around, Eliza zipped past her and won the race. It was so fun to watch. I know this is just a fun run--not the Olympics--but it was still fun to see her win that.

Here is Libby running. We didn't dare make a big deal of taking pictures or we thought she might just run off the track! LOL. She is in the red shirt and gray pants--she even let me put a ponytail in her hair before she ran.

Getting ready to start...

Pulling ahead (might need to click on it to see her)

Winning!

I hope I can keep up better this week!

Pictures and Glendale Glitters

On Friday I had good intentions of heading out early for some shopping. But the need for some sleep prevailed. I didn't get out of the house until about 7:45. I went to Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Old Navy and the Quilted Cactus. I was surprised that Old Navy and the fabric store were the worst of all of those places. The lines at ON were crazy long--I decided to leave just as quickly as I went in. The fabric store had 40% off their fabric and I was in line for about 45 minutes. It wasn't that crowded but they only have one register and it went slowly! After I got home we hung out at home before getting ready to get our family pictures taken. Terri took them and I can't wait to see how they turned out. I snapped a few pictures, too, while Terri was busy with the other girls. I love this one of Ruby...


It also happened to be the night of Glendale Glitters when they turn the lights on. We decided to just stay for that. It was fun. We split a couple of hamburgers from a vendor, then walked around for a bit waiting for the official flip of the switch! We enjoyed the lights a bit, then headed home.

Teeth

Libby lost two more teeth this week. She lost one of her top teeth on Wednesday I think. She lost that one out back and we couldn't find it! We search and searched on the patio but couldn't find it. Then on Thanksgiving, she was riding in my parents' car to the park and as they were getting out, my mom noticed something on the seat. She picked it up and it was a tooth! Libby had pulled out her tooth and just quietly placed it beside her. Funny girl! She looks so cute with her toothless grin.

Thanksgiving

We had a fun Thanksgiving this year. In the morning, Brian went to the Turkey Bowl, but only like two people showed up, so he came home. Our ward sure is different than it was last year! Not as many younger folk! When he got home, I went walking/running. It's been too long! Then we got things together for lunch. We had lunch at my parent's house this year. Dan and Chris were just at their house and Brian and Kamille were at her brother's house. We had a delicious lunch! We had smoked turkey. Every year they take it to a long-time friend's house who has a pit in his yard and each year he smokes several turkeys. It tastes so yum! My mom made her yummy stuffing along with squash and those scrumptious rolls we tried last week. I brought mashed potatoes (a good recipe from The Pioneer Woman), vegetables and a butternut squash puree. It all tasted so good and it was all over too soon! After lunch we played Scrabble Slam--which is a really fun card game. While I fed Ruby and my dad cleaned up lunch, everyone one else played the Pictureka card game.

Doing the wishbone

After a bit we loaded up and headed to Ahwatukee. We met up with my brother and his family at a park. The kids played and the rest of us visited. We also had our dessert there--yummy pies! It was a lot of fun!









From there we went to Scrapbooks Etc. They were having a special sale and cookies and Santa. We actually got a picture of all our girls with Santa. Libby didn't want to then we told her she got a sucker after, then she zoomed up to stand by him. Ellie and Hattie were a bit hesitant, but they did it! I can't wait to see how it turned out. They gave out the yummy big suckers that they sell there, so they were loving that. They also had sugar cookies, which they liked, too.

We got home way too late but it was a wonderful day.

4

Ellie at age 3

Age 2

Age 1

Ellie at 5 days old

Yesterday was Ellie's 4th birthday! In the morning, she got to choose between Lucky Charms or Pop Tarts. Two healthy choices, I know! She went with the Lucky Charms. I let her open two of her presents before church--a new dress and new church shoes. She looked so darling in her new outfit. (Blurry picture but you get the idea.)


After we were all ready, we headed to church. After church, in the car so Brian could watch, we let her open another gift--the new Tinkerbell movie. I knew they would like to watch it after church, so we did it then. She was excited. We came home and they ate lunch and watched the movie. She also got to open her final gift--a new pair of tennis shoes. She has really needed a new pair, so she got some. We went to Brian's parents' for dinner. The kids had fun picking up pecans from the ground, chasing the chickens and playing out back with each other. For dessert, Chrystalyn brought cake and ice cream. Earlier Ellie had helped Sara frost the cake with pink icing and purple sprinkles. She was in heaven!


Overall I think she had a great birthday. She is so funny...Ellie has sucked her thumb at night as she is getting to sleep. We have tried to get her to stop, but she would always say, "I'll stop when I am 4." She was doing it the other day and I asked her to stop. She said, "I'm not four yet." Since yesterday though, Brian and I haven't noticed her sucking her thumb anymore. Hopefully it'll last!

Here are some favorites of Ellie right now:
--loves clothes. She changes her clothes a few times a day. She loves to put together some fun outfits--pants under dresses. I think she is going to be a fashion diva like Eliza.
--loves to play with dolls. LOVES them.
--she is a pack rat!!! We'll find stashes of toys and books and stuff everywhere around the house--in corners, in backpacks, in strollers, in the car, etc. She loves to have lots of things in one place.
--she is such a little mom. She loves to help take care of Ruby. She knows what might be wrong when she is crying. She loves to hold her, doesn't care if she gets spit up on or if Ruby dirties her diaper while she is holding her, etc.
--she missed her terrible twos--they started when she was about 3.75 years old. I am hoping by age 4.1 she'll be out of it!

We LOVE having Ellie in our family. She is so much fun and very loving.

Eliza and Libby put on matching PJs from some hand-me-downs we got a while back. The thought it was fun to be match-y!