Happy Christmas

It was a lovely Christmas for sure. Chris really surprised me this year. We agreed (and even shook hands on it) that we would not buy more "stuff" for one another, and simply pay off some little things that needed to be paid off. Not exactly romantic, but certainly practical. As we got closer and closer to Christmas I realized I didn't LOVE that idea, but really thought it was the right thing to do. Plus, we had agreed. I almost made it, but snuck out on Christmas Eve day and picked up Madden 09 for the Wii. Chris has been saying he wanted it since Gretchen gave us the game system at Thanksgiving.

Well, apparently Chris didn't like the idea of no gifts either, because about halfway through present opening, I saw a large box under the tree. Let me just say that Chris Hunt is really good at a few things. Christmas present selection is one of them. I've only wanted a KitchenAide mixer for 17 years. I've only mentioned it a thousand times. Tah Dah! I love it. I'm mixing things right and left now. Come over and I'll make you a pie!

Delaney loaded up on clothes and "can you believe I'm not a baby anymore" things like CD's, and a satellite radio receiver, and cook board pants and ski gloves. She got a Paula Deen cookbook and whipped up some scrambled eggs and ham for me for breakfast today.

Cameron was dissapointed that Mommy gave him shirts and pants and thermal underwear. (practical, practical, practical) But Santa made up for it with a remote control truck and Wii games galore from Grandpa Steve and Rita.

Chris spent a few hours on Madden 09 yesterday, and read an entire Patrick McManus book. We all ate too much ham, took a nap, and spent the rest of the evening playing crazy 8's at the kitchen table. We do love a little Christmas "togetherness."

Today we are heading out to do a little sledding, and maybe see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. (What's more festive than Brad Pitt?) I'll have more pictures and updates soon.

Love to you all, and Merry Christmas...

Is it almost Christmas?

I can hardly wait for Christmas!!! I guess I probably shouldn't have started getting ready on October 18th - now I feel like I've been Christmasing forEVER! I shipped everything to Colorado that needed to be shipped today (and LA and UT) I have a couple more little treats to get for the babies and all the deliciousness for Christmas dinner and we are officially all done. Chris and I are trying to decide what to have for dinner.

*Ham

*Prime Rib

*Turkey

*All of the above

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight,

Big Fake Christmas Tree

It was easier than I thought. My whole life, I've never had anything but a fresh cut, smells good, "how are we going to make this fit" evergreen Christmas tree. Fireman Jeff finally convinced me that the safety of my home and family was more important than that smell. (and he got me a wall plug in thing that smells just like a Christmas tree)

When we first headed out and started looking at artificial trees, I did have a little heart twinge. I little moment when I thought "am I really an artificial tree kind of person?" I could hear Fireman Jeff's voice in the back of my mind.

My poor little Delaney didn't have just a twinge. She was REALLY sad. A few tears were shed as we walked through the parking lot at The Home Depot. I just kept telling both my children that Christmas is in your heart - not in your tree, or the lights, or the presents. I told them about Christmas 1997 when Chris and I had left Colorado and were living in Northern California. First year with no family. First year with no snow. It was a year with a lot of firsts in it. I told the children that we had Christmas Eve dinner at Denny's and I went to bed almost sad and scared of what the next day would feel like.
But the truth about Christmas is, when you wake up on Christmas morning...It's Christmas. The magic was there. The joy was there. The excitement was there. It was CHRISTMAS.

We actually spent that Christmas day on a foggy beach in Northern California having a picnic and watching the surfers. We threw sticks for our dogs, and walked for miles (and smooched a little bit) I will never forget that amazing day.

But I'm off track.

We left The Home Depot empty handed and headed to Lowe's to see if we could find a tree that made our hearts sing. All of a sudden Chris is saying "I think we have 9 foot ceilings"
WHAT? Do we? Do we really need 9 feet of Christmas tree? Will it fit in our living room? This is CRAZY!

Cameron, Delaney, Chris and I dragged a huge box, with a 9 foot Pre-Lit, "fresh cut" Frazier Fir Christmas Tree out to the back of the truck and headed home. The instructions said we could assemble our tree in 10 - 15 minutes (HA!) As we put piece A on top of piece B and so on, the tree really started to look nice. I couldn't believe how BIG it was. I don't think we've ever had a 9 foot tree before. It was amazing. (and can I just say to the guy who invented "pre-lit" I LOVE YOU)


We made popcorn and hot chocolate, and turned up the Christmas music as loud as we could stand it. We got every ornament we own on it. It looks gorgeous. My house smells good - thank you Fireman Jeff. All is well. And even Delaney said about halfway through the decorating, "I love this tree."

It's Christmas at our house. It's in the lights, and the tree, and the decorations...but mostly it's in our hearts. And my heart wishes yours a very Merry Christmas this year.

Delaney Little Miss Rigby

Again this year, Delaney came home from dance class with an information sheet about Little Miss Rigby. This is a funny little "Beauty Pageant" in Rigby that is a fundraiser for the Rigby High School dance team. She insisted that she wanted to do it again this year. Nana came from Cedaredge to visit and play and see the show and Delaney was awarded Little Miss Sunshine by her assigned "Big Sister."
Our video camera wasn't charged (damn it) and we didn't realize it until the show was about to start. Here are just a couple of pretty stills to show you how lovely she looked in her very grown up and sophisticated dress.

Delaney's 1st Acolyte Service

It's the first Sunday in advent and Delaney was an acolyte for the first time today. Royal Hunt Balcom would be proud.

Happy Thanksgiving

Pink Eye

Let me just start with an apology. I'm sorry I haven't written more. It's not really a good excuse, but we have been RIDICULOUSLY busy this week. Delaney is in Little Miss Rigby again, and Cameron has basketball, ans swim team continues, and it's the Festival of Trees, and Chris is in Denver, and my Mother-In-Law arrives tomorrow AND I managed to get Pink Eye!

Now, obviously that isn't a real picture of my eye, but you do NOT want to see my real eyeball. It's pretty gross. The funny part of the story is I had to get Delaney to watch the Doctor put the drops in and see how to do it because, for the life of me, I can't put drops in my own eyes! LOL She's a big help!

We have lots of activities this weekend and hopefully Sunday things will slow down and I'll be able to tell you some great stories with pictures and video.

I'll leave you with one little gem from yesterday. I picked Delaney up in Rigby and when she got in the car she looked at my eye and said "Ewwww Mom, what's going on with your eye?" I told her I thought it was pink eye and she said (and I'm not making this up)

"I'm pretty sure that's a corneal abrasion."

LOL - What??? What 10 year old talks like that? (mine...my 10 year old talks like that all the time.)

Love,