Christmas Morning!

I always used to worry that if I couldn't go home for Christmas with my mom and dad that Christmas just wouldn't be the same. I remember how magical Christmas was when I was growing up. I have since learned that having my own kids and seeing their faces on Christmas is just as magical.

We started out our Christmas celebrating with spending Christmas Eve at Jim's parents. A few other family members didn't have any plans for Christmas Eve either, so we decided to get together. Ron made crisp meat burritos for everyone (compliments of working at Taco Time for several years). Jim made some homemade tortilla chips and I provided the banana party punch. The guys played guitar hero and then we played a few card games. After watching the weather on TV and seeing how close Santa was, we headed home. The girls were very nervous and excited. They wanted to hurry and get to bed so Santa wouln't miss them. After reading the Nativity Story and sharing about some service we had done for each other the last few days, the girls settled down and went to sleep pretty fast. Then, the magic of Christmas began!!!! We all slept downstairs. I think I slept the least. I was remembering how I used to wake up every hour when I was little, hoping it was time to go see what Santa brought us. The girls hardly stirred in the night. When I looked at the clock at 6:45 I was quite surprised that the girls hadn't woke up yet. I was determined that they would be the ones to wake us up, so I got back into bed. At 7:30 Jim's Mom called to see if they could come and see what Santa had brought. They were quite surprised to hear that the girls were still asleep. About 15 minutes later Brindley started stirring. She asked if it was time to get up. I told her if it was 6:00, she could. She looked at the clock and thought it said 1:45, so she was headed back to bed. She then looked again and realized what time it was. So, yes, by the time we all got up, most every one else was done opening presents.

I only got one picture on Christmas. Like others Jim and I ended up undoing packages and wires and stuff.

(This picture is for you, Dad!)

As Lexie says, "I only like Chocolate and Caramel!"

We had our traditional breakfast, (Thanks for the ham, Amber!) and spent most of the day in our PJ's! Once again, it was a very magical Christmas!

Chrismas Dresses!

One thing I have really enjoyed doing every Christmas is getting my girls a new Christmas dress. The good thing with having all girls, I can just pass the dresses down to the next one. This year I only had to buy one dress...for Brindley. The dress that Lexie is wearing, Karissa wore it about a month ago. Ya, it was kinda short on Karissa and long on Lexie, but it works!

Random Pictures...

I have been so lucky to have Jim home for this whole holiday season. He has helped me so much and has done some fun things with the kids. Here are just some random pictures we have taken over the last few weeks.

These pictures were taken the day of our first snow storm. We were all so excited to have the snow. Jim got the 4-wheeler and sled ready while the girls bundled up. The wind was blowing and the snow was still coming pretty fast. The girls loved it though. In the first picture Lexie is giggling, not crying! You can see how crazy the snow and wind were in the second picture.

Brindley started piano lessons this year. This is a picture of her at her recital. She was so excited and nervous at the same time. She was the very first one on the program and did an awesome job. She has really picked up piano pretty fast. She loves it and loves having Amber as her teacher.

I have this little helper that is so determined to do everything herself. Here is one of her random things she likes to do. She has to open every cupboard and drawer in the kitchen at the same time. Although I think her dad helped her with the ones up high.

On Christmas Eve we had the cousins come out and go tubing. I didn't get pictures of all of them, but here is a few of them. I wished I would have gotten a picture of Uncle Rich doing his acrobats off the tube. I've never seen him do any moves like that before.

She's home!

Mom made it home in time for Christmas! I think it is the best Christmas present any of us "Normans" could ask for. We all appreciate the prayers, love and concern from everyone. We (her family) have quaratined her to her house and have told her she can't have any visitors. We want her to recover as fast as she can without any other complications. We are all excited to have Mom get back to a stronger, healthier Mom!

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

There are a few things I wanted to post on, so I will just put it all in one.

First of all.... Mom is still steadily improving. It may be small amounts, but it is something. We are hoping she will be able to go home in the next couple of days. She was moved out of ICU on Monday. She is setting records by the amount of laps she does in the hallway. It is hard for me to keep up with her when I am there helping her. I lean on her IV pole more than she does. Her heart is still getting used to actually being able to pump. For quite a while after surgery her heart had an irregular beat. A week ago they shocked it. She was very nervous about it, but since has said that it wasn't that bad. Of course they gave her enough medicine to knock out an elephant, so she wouldn't feel anything. I guess you can say the shock helped. It didn't work on the part of the heart the doctors wanted it to, but it helped. Mom and Dad have endured alot through all of this. Especially being away from home for so long. I know this Christmas will be a special one for them. Love you Mom and Dad!

Second...

So, yes, I reached another year of life yesterday. Thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes. It was an enjoyable day. I started out with a checkup for the baby. Everything is looking good. Lexie loves to hear the heart beat of the baby. After my checkup Jim, I and Lexie went and did a little Christmas shopping. Not many days left, but still lots to do. For lunch Jim dropped me off at Fire house where some friends took me for lunch! Thanks girls. It was so enjoyable to sit and visit. I am so lucky to have such awesome friends! After lunch Jim and I continued some of our shopping. I am so glad that he is here and can help me. He bought me a footbath for my birthday and a case of DR. Pepper!!!! He filled the footbath twice for me yesterday and said he would do it all week. What am I going to do when he goes back to work?! He took me out for a yummy dinner and bought me a cheesecake to eat at home! Like I said, it was an enjoyable day!

Oh, I had better not leave out that he did the dishes for me also! Thanks Jim! I couldn't do it without you!

The Life of a Three Year Old!

It's crazy to think that in less than a month my baby will be in sunbeams!!! I subbed in primary yesterday and the nursery leader brought in the ones that are going to be in sunbeams. They only stayed for a couple songs and the opening prayer. They all had a blue Book of Mormon to hold too. It was too cute.

The other night we took the girls to see Santa. Lexie was hesitant to get to close to Santa. Jim helped her up and she sat next to Santa. Santa could tell she was nervous so he asked her if she wanted to hold his finger. She held it then quietly asked for a baby doll. She was so excited to have talked with Santa once it was all over. As soon as we got home she came running in the house saying, "We need to go see our presents!" I wasn't quite sure if she was just pretending or what. She ran straight to the tree and was disapointed to see that her baby doll wasn't under the tree. She thought that Santa had brought it right after she had asked him for it. I kept telling her not till Christmas Day and she would tell me that it is Christmas Time!

So here is the big news of my three year old. I didn't want her going to sunbeams wearing a diaper. I think we have finally reached that point! She has been wearing panties for a week now and has only had a couple of accidents. She is excited that she is a big girl now! Jim and I are excited too!

Christmas Tag!

I got this in an e-mail, but thought I would blog it instead. It's always fun to see what others do!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real ofcourse
3. When do you put up the tree? right after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? If it's dry, soon after Christmas, if it is in good shape we will leave it up through New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A new doll every year
7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents
8. Easiest person to buy for? Little ones
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? That is not possible!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?I really like the traditional Christmas Cartoons...Rudolph, Frosty, etc.. I also like Smokey Mountain Christmas with Dolly Parton and Home Alone
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Homemade Candy! Boston Cremes, Caramels, Peanut Brittle
16. Lights on the tree? colored
17. Favorite Christmas song? Thistlehair the Christmas Bear, by Alabama
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Depends on the year
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Goes to fast
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I like the colliage of ornaments that we have collected through the years.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We do Christmas breakfast with ham, orange rolls, turnovers, cinnamon rolls (all pillsburry pop), egg nog, orange juice, chocolate milk. Yum! Yum!
25 What do you want for Christmas this year? A job for Jim and Mom home from the hospital.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this?
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? We'll see