Christmas Morning

We have had a wonderful 4 (oops now 6)  days of playing with new toys, watching movies, eating treats, and being together as a family, with a few outings thrown in here and there.  So finally I'm getting to post our Christmas Morning pictures.

On Christmas we let the kids come out to open presents at 7:30 am but they had been awake much earlier than that.  I caught Mer sneaking silently into my room at 3:30 am to get the iPad so they could watch movies in their rooms.  Evidently Max had woken everyone up and they couldn't get back to sleep so they thought they would just watch a show and wait. I didn't think that was such a good idea so I sent them back to bed in the dark.  I don't know who went back to sleep for how long but Doug said they were awake at 5:30 that morning when he got up. 

 Anyway 7:30 finally  came and we took our annual picture of the stair steps, and let them in to open their stockings.

I found the video of  the stocking opening but I'm not having luck uploading it. So here are some pictures of the kids playing with all their new toys.

It was a Lego building heaven all day long.  Max also got an iPod shuffle which he says was his favorite gift.

Mer designing clothes

sporting her Messi t-shirt and Barca earrings.

Jack's Agents Playmobile

More Lego

Sweet rides.

And Hotwheels of course.  Actually Luke bought this one a couple of days after Christmas with $$ from Grandma Bev.  It has been his favorite of the week.

And here is the Quilt that Mer designed and sewed for Doug.  He is a bit obsessed with Diet Mountain Dew right now.

 The wrapping paper pile proved to be pretty fun as well. 

And that was our Christmas.

And since it is New Years Eve... Happy New Year!!

Christmas Eve

My friend Stephanie made me this cute sign this year. It's a quote from Buddy the Elf.  I thought it was an appropriate for my family who loves to sing loudly whether it is to spread Holiday cheer or just to annoy.   We carried on the Markos tradition and went caroling Friday night.  The family wasn't too gung ho for it this year but we had a great time once we got started.


Saturday night we had the Samuel's over for Christmas Eve dinner.  Doug grilled Steak and Chicken wings, after dinner we acted out the Nativity with everyone.

They brought the kids some fun gifts... Slingshot flying monkeys, a pocket knife, and a grabber.
After everyone left, the kids all quickly got ready for bed and set out some cookies for Santa.

Then something really fun happened.  Doug sat down at the Piano we all sang Christmas songs together.   We went through almost every song in the Hymn book and in Primary book.  Even the boys were singing.  It was a pretty neat experience.


Then of course it was off to bed, because Santa couldn't come until everyone was Asleep.  I love Christmas Eve.  It is practically the only night all year when the kids willingly go to bed with no excuses.

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school.  The kids have officially started their 2 1/2 week winter break.  I am excited for a little time off with no commitments.  Max came home today super excited.  He got to bring home a Nook Color for the break.   He says he plans on staying up reading in the dark a lot at night this break.

 Mer had a 6th grade picnic today where everyone brought in foods from around the world to sample.  Mer made Greek Kourambiedes.  Today they announced the results of last month's Jog-a-thon.  Both Mer and Jack won prizes for running the most laps in their age groups.  Mer won movie tickets and a sports bag and Jack won a pedometer. 

I guess running home from the park everyday pays off. 

Last Friday Jack had his Holidays around the world concert.  Jack's class sang "Santa Claus is coming to town".

They had a surprise visit from Santa and Luke got to sit on his lap.

He even came to visit the classroom afterward.

 Sunday we had invited friends over for some Ginger bread House Decorating. 

It was so much fun.  And well worth the consequence of a sticky kitchen floor.

And Finally, yesterday was our 14 year Anniversary.  How time does fly.  We spent the evening attending Mer's Chorus concert and then ripping apart the back of Doug's car so he could change the brake light and open the trunk, which has been stuck shut for the last 2 months. We actually celebrated our anniversary already by treating ourselves to a trip to Orlando on Friday night.  We saw La Nouba, went to dinner, and did some shopping without children the next day. 

And now Christmas is upon us.  We have a couple more activities to check off the list and a few more gifts to buy.  Excitement is mounting and Sunday can't come soon enough.

And now I must figure out a healthy dinner to whip up to counter act all the sweets of the week.  Ciao!

Checking in for December

There is someone in the neighborhood who has a countdown to Christmas and apparently there are 11 days left.  We are slowly getting ready for the big day. Decorations are mostly up, packages and Christmas cards are mostly mailed.  Amazon Prime has been my best friend this season. Online shopping is just so easy!  I'm putting my feet up after one busy day of real shopping, a teacher conference for Max, chorus practice, basketball practice, Activity Days, and a primary meeting.   Sorry I have been a little absent lately, December came and let's just say I've been a bit busy. 

What did you miss during our 3 week absence?? Well Luke was sick for a week and we didn't go anywhere, then Jack was sick for a week and he missed 3 days of school. Luke loved having his big brother home to play with.  They did crafts, had fun lunches together, watch movies and mailed off their Santa letters.

Jack made an ornament to send to Santa.

 Thankfully everyone is well now.  Jack is glad to be back at school because they are learning about Holidays around the world and they get to do a craft for each country.  He is in heaven.  He brought a boomerang home yesterday that he had decorated.

We made a few efforts to take a family picture.  This is probably my least favorite task.  Most of them look something like this...

The big kids have been working on their science fair projects with Doug.  Max's has to do with determining the critical angle of a laser as it shines through various liquids.  Basically he is figuring out what angle you have to hold the laser at to make it bounce up and down like this.

Mer is testing the bounciness of bouncy balls.  Finally two physics projects that I don't have to help with. Thank you Doug!!

And Doug has been working record hours at work.  We are just happy to have him home when we can.  That's enough for now.  I'm tired, in case you haven't noticed, and it's time to get some shut eye.  Good night!