Presents

I am sitting here writing when I should be cleaning the house and doing a million things still on my list of things to do before Christmas.  I am listening to the girls discussing the presents underneath the tree.  Monday night I wrapped up a bunch of the kids presents and put them under the tree.  In years past, I have not put the presents under the tree for a couple of reasons. First, I have always had a little one who will open them (not to mention older ones who "notice" a rip in one of the presents).  Second, they drive me crazy asking me to open them every 5 minutes.  I thought that this year I would try it.  So far, they are still asking me every 5 minutes to open an "early Christmas present."  They also have already guessed what everything is.  Ella is telling me right now that one present is a computer (it is flat as a pancake).  I hope she is not disappointed that it is a sticker book :).  Growing up, my mom used to put a code on the presents so that we would not know who each present belonged to.  I really should have done that, but I was too rushed in my wrapping ( I sent Ryan over to the dinosaur museum for 2 hours and I still was not done).  I also don't think the code prevented us from touching, shaking and ripping the presents before Christmas.  I am also reminded that my Dad always knew what his presents were.  Each year he would guess each present.  One year, we bought him something that we thought would stump him.  We got him a sumo doll.  He actually guessed it.  I still don't really know how (I guess I should ask him).  I also don't know what ever happened to that sumo doll!  So, the picking over and counting the presents will continue for another couple of days.  I may give in and let them open something on Christmas eve.  For now, I think I will just watch and listen to them dream up what might be inside the packages.  

It's been a while!

I had decided to give up on my blog for a couple of reasons. First, I had the excuse of no time. With my full time volunteer role as PTA president this year, blogging is not a high priority. Second, I started to worry that people might not really want to hear and see everything that goes on with my family. I kept asking myself what the purpose was for having a blog. I was talking to my sister about this dilemma the other day and she mentioned that some people use blogs as their journals. Then she mentioned that you could actually publish your blog in a book. Journaling is something that I feel like I need to do more of. So, I have decided to start blogging again so that I can eventually publish it into a book for posterity. My main goal for this blog is to record the events and experiences relating to my kids. It is amazing how much I forget already. I would like them to know a little about their childhood. So, here is an update.

Riley:
10 1/2 years old
played football this fall (no injuries thankfully)
5th grade
still loving video games
accidentally wore his sister's pants to school (there were hearts on the pockets too!)
an expert at teasing his sisters
growing up too fast! :)


Mia:
7 1/2 years old
doing gymnastics
loves anything crafty (takes after her mom)
2nd grade
very emotional and does not like being teased
into American girl dolls
growing up too fast! :)

Ella:
3 1/2 (almost 4)
going to pre-school (2 in fact!)
very artistic and smart
loves, loves, loves to color (unfortunately on everything)
loves to sing
loves to dance
a little shy with others
loves crafts like Mia
wants to be like Mia
growing up too fast! :)

Carving Pumpkins!

Karen came over and carved pumpkins with us last Sunday! The kids had a great time and even helped a little. I carved Riley's because it was difficult (Ryan printed the pattern off the internet!). Karen also decided to carve a difficult pattern of a pirate skull! Ella's is the happy one with no teeth and Mia's is the one with teeth (and missing teeth)! I really love pumpkins (especially pictures of pumpkins) for some reason.

Pictures in between the rain!

Conference weekend we went to Ryan's parents and I shot a few pictures during the few minutes that it wasn't raining. We tried to get all of the grandkids together but one of my nephews was terrified of the camera! We will try again sometime.

Carter Family BBQ 2008!!

My mom and dad came into town during August and so we had a BBQ at my Aunt's house. The food and the company were wonderful! The kids had a great time. I have put some pictures up for all to see!