Christmas and Birthday

Let it SNOW!

So its been a really busy couple of weeks for us. Because of the snow and road closures, we didn't get to go cut a tree this year. Instead we hit a local tree lot, it was still only about $20 (a tree permit is only like $5). The boys had fun decorating it.

I bought the boys Lightening McQueen light-up stockings when they were on clearance in July--they were a big hit too. With all of the excitement (and expenses) over the last few weeks, we decided to keep it simple this year.

Chris and I didn't exchange gifts or have stockings (although a couple of anonymous stockings arrived on our doorstep on Christmas Eve from a "friend" perhaps Santa). We gave the boys new PJs and fleece blankets. Santa brought Dallon the toy he begged for for months--the "Mater and the Ghost Light" Screamin' Banshee! Santa brought Jace an army helicopter, jet, and flight crews. It was soooo nice to keep it simple this year. So much less stress about how much we spent, or when we could get to the store and back without the kids seeing!

The boys also got some great gifts from family members. Jace is a dino lover, and also enjoyed some books, stuffed animals, and cars. Dallon got Handy Manny stuff! He is a Handy Manny fan (from Playhouse Disney on the Disney Channel).

The day after Christmas is of course Dallon's birthday! And boy was he into it this year! This year I really reflected on the year he was born. It started snowing just before Christmas, which we spent in Pendleton over the mountains from La Grande. Then on Christmas day we took a very long (2 hours instead of 45 minute) drive home on the snowy roads. I was in labor by the time we got home! He was born on a Friday, and his bday fell on a very snowy Friday this year.

We invited a few friends and had a snowman theme. We decorated cookies, made a craft, opened gifts and the kids played for a while. It was only about a 1.5 hours, and I'm so glad the weather and the holiday didn't keep us from having a good turn out. We had 8 kids and several parents there. I can't believe that he's 5! Where did the time go. He got more Handy Manny stuff, and lots of other great gifts from family and friends. Thanks to everyone who sent him a little something extra for his bday!

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We've settled in nicely with Bianca. The first couple of weeks were filled with "testing." We've been trying to be really consistent, and it seems to be paying off. We went tracking a couple times since the weather has improved, and yesterday she did great. I'm still getting use to having a dog follow me around the house. She and the cats are doing alright--only a few not so pleasant run-ins. Generally things are going really well.

So Happy New Year to all of our family and friends.

May this year bring you all great challenges and blessings as 2008 did for us! We're hoping to be able to travel a lot more in 2009--gas prices are much better, and we're no longer fundraising. So hopefully we'll be seeing many more of you in the months to come!