here is after! What fun! Thanks Santa. 

Here is the before pic........ 

Finally, Christmas Day! Photo taken at 5:07am.

 

Do you think the kids were excited or what? 

Christmas Eve

 

At mom and dads we played chess, ate fondue and had a wonderful time with all the kids. Mom decorates so beautiful and it really felt like we were all home and with people we love and love us. We all had a VERY Merry Christmas Eve. 

Grandma and Cedar. 

On Christmas Eve Pat had to work until 3pm so the kids and I went to Grandma Cynda's for dinner. Great Great Grandma Palmer and Great Grandma Jeanne were there and Grandpa and Grandma. We had a great dinner, but both Cedar and Oakley had a bit of the flu and didn't eat much. Here Oaks and Grandpa are playing chess with Oakley's new Star Wars chess set. The next pic is Cedar and Grandma playing with her new Lite-Brite Cube. We had a great time and then we picked up Pat after work and headed to my mom and dads to celebrate Dad's birthday and have some Christmas too. 

Pat really loved this crawfish, he had to give him a smooch goodbye. 

The guys on the way back to the truck, it was a beautiful day to be out. 

December 23rd: The kids didn't have school today so we all went to American Falls and my Dad took us on a little adventure. Cedar stayed home with Grandma because she had a fever and was feeling terrible. It was just Dad, Pat, Oakley and I. We went out to the Snake River, we had to drive out on a dirt road that was flooded in many parts because of the warm weather, it took about 45 min, then we walked 1 or 2 miles, nobody really knows, and then we get to the river. The water was mostly iced over and it was so beautiful. I had never been at this part of the river and never at this time of year. We had to climb a few little lava rock cliffs to get to the water. While we were walking we found lots of shells and claws of crawfish, Oakley thought it was pretty cool and so did all of us. I found a crawfish that was walking slowly along the mud and ice. That was amazing. We loved the walk and finding little treasures and surprises along the way. My dad's birthday is on Dec. 24th and he turned 69 this year, he is the most active and fun person ever, we love him so much and are so happy to get to spend time with him like that.  

We all made Christmas treats at Cindy's, Yum! 

My 39th Birthday!

 

December 7th was my Birthday. I had a wonderful day. First of all the kids and I went to Hollywood Video and they noticed it was my birthday so we got a free rental, I picked out March of the Penguins. The night before Harold and Cynda came over and I got bithday money and Christmas money, Mom and dad sent a card and more birthday money. Kelley sent me 2 shirts, a day planner and a little purse it was so sweet. Then Cindy surprised me by just stopping by and she got me an Office Max gift card, I can't wait to go spend it. Then that evening we went to dinner with friends, Steve and Nancy, we ate at Buddy's (which I love!) and then played a little pool. They gave me a book and an awsome candle with oils. I was completely spoiled. Nancy took this pic of Pat and I and I love it. Pat and the kids gave me more money to do something I want and I will probably make a cake this weekend just for fun. I can't believe I am 39 years old, but I know that whatever that number is now, this time in my life is the very best. Thank you everyone.