Merry Christmas!

This year, we spent Christmas Eve at home. After dinner, the kids acted out the Nativity. Ainsley was the angel, Kaylee was Mary, and Landon was Joseph. Ainsley read her parts right out of the Bible and had fun singing "Joy to the World" after she spoke to the shepherds. Kaylee was excited to play the part of Mary and was very loving towards our baby Jesus. Landon was an adorable Joseph. Once we finished the nativity, we set out our stockings along with milk and cookies for Santa, and readied the kids for bed.

This morning Ainsley came into our room a little before 6:30am to show us the pajamas Santa had left for her on her bed. Once she showed off her new pj's, I asked her to go read in her room until Kaylee and Landon woke up. She told me she'd already been reading for an hour. She was in and out of our room for a half hour or so and then I heard Kaylee's door open and close. I got up to see if Ainsley had sneaked in there. She hadn't. Kaylee was sitting on her bed with her blinds open waiting for it to get light outside. I'd told the kids they could come into our room once it was light out and she'd become restless waiting for the sun to rise. I think she must've been up for a while. What a good listener! We waited a little bit longer for Landon to wake up and then the festivities began.

Today has already gone by so fast! Presents have been opened and toys have been played with. In just a little bit we'll be heading over to the Beeson's house for dinner. We're grateful to have friends here that are like family away from family but we really miss the family members who are not with us today. It's hard living so far away from our loved ones. I think about how I struggle with not being able to see my family as often as I'd like and it makes me realize how grateful I am to have the knowledge that families are eternal. I think I'd be thoroughly depressed if I thought that we'd eventually be permanently separated. Merry Christmas!

Disneyland

We just returned home from a trip to Disneyland! All three kids came home sick with strep throat but fun times were still had. We spent four days at Disneyland. Chris and I both thought that by the end of the fourth day we would have had enough. That was not the case - we definitely could have stayed and played longer.

Some ride highlights were: Ainsley and Kaylee both loved Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. Landon was partial to It's a Small World, the rockets, and the Matterhorn. They all loved the teacups. Uncle John talked Ainsley into riding the Indianan Jones ride - she did not enjoy it.

Some non-ride highlights included: Cookie decorating, the Rainforest Cafe, a Disney princess lunch, dancing with pirates, Jedi training, Christmas decorations, and what Chris and I were maybe looking forward to the most - The Nightmare Before Christmas themed Haunted Mansion! The girls saved up their allowance for souvenirs and both purchased Star Wars Polly Pocket type dolls and Landon came home with a WALL-E plush. 

Naptime vs. Playtime

I've been noticing lately that Kaylee and Landon seem to be enjoying each other more. Today when I announced Landon's naptime, both Landon and Kaylee objected. She explained that life is very boring for her while he's napping. How could I resist? That request has never been made before. I did end up letting Landon forgo naptime today, but he WILL be taking a nap tomorrow. 

The Christmas Tree Incident

During the past few weeks, the girls finished their soccer season, we took family pictures, I turned 30, I've just about completed my GIS class, the turkey has been eaten, and yesterday we took down our Thanksgiving decorations and brought out Christmas. We had fun listening to Christmas music while decorating the tree and the house. Landon got to put the star on top of the tree for the first time this year (the kids take turns from year to year). Everything was going our way, until . . . The Christmas Tree Incident.

As I hopped into the shower this morning I knew I should hurry since Chris was on the roof putting up Christmas lights and our newly decorated tree was so attractive to Landon. I was only in for a couple of minutes when Kaylee came running into the bathroom yelling that Landon had knocked over the Christmas tree. My first thought was, "No, not the big tree. It must have been the little 8 inch tree the kids like to decorate." Once Kaylee confirmed that it was indeed the big tree, I told her to run outside and tell Chris what had happened. Unfortunately he couldn't hear her from the roof. I quickly finished my shower, ran out into the living room in nothing but a towel and there was our tree lying on its side with Landon sitting next to it and a bunch of fallen ornaments. I ran to the door, stuck my head out and yelled for Chris. Once he was on his way in, I went to get dressed. By the time I was clothed, the tree was standing again. 

Our Christmas tree has now been decorated twice this year. Fortunately there was only one ornament casualty and it was merely a flesh wound. A little bit of glue did the trick. We couldn't get too upset with Landon because according to him it was, "an accident" but we did tell him he shouldn't crawl behind the tree anymore.  

Ainsley For President

Last week in school, Ainsley's class spent a lot of time talking about voting and running for President. Apparently they spent some time campaigning too. This is what Ainsley would do if she were to become President: 

Lower taxes and gas - More medical centers - Buy colleges for kids - Make sure food is not as expensive - No smoking - Speed Limit 25

I'm not so sure about the whole "Speed Limit 25" part of it but the rest sounds pretty good. So, come next election remember to, Vote Ainsley For President!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Buzz Lightyear, Astronaut Kaylee, and Ainsley the Pirate Queen!  

Watch Out NASA, Here Comes Kaylee!

A few months ago Kaylee suddenly became extremely interested in our solar system and astronauts. I decided to feed her interest so we went to the library to check out books on the subject. She was fascinated by everything that had to do with outer space and space travel. She memorized everything in the books we checked out and then we went back for more. She can recite an amazing number of facts about each planet and she completely understands what she's talking about.

From her studies she's decided a few things. When she goes to college she's going to major in Astronomy. After that she's going to get a job at NASA and become an astronaut. She wants to be a Mission Specialist because they are the ones that get to leave the shuttle and work in space. She is also going to be the first person to walk on Mars. Oh yeah, and she wants a space themed party for her "fifth year old" birthday. She is a kid after all. 

The other day she was wearing her old candy corn costume and a safari hat. When I asked her about it she replied, "Mom, I'm not a candy corn. I'm dressed like the planet Jupiter."

She built a solar system that is now hanging in her room and she's going to be an astronaut for Halloween. So yeah, this kid is going places.

Pumpkin Festival

This past weekend we went to a pumpkin festival at a Christmas tree farm in Elgin, Texas. It was pretty fun! There were farm animals, a hayride, games, a hay maze, and of course pumpkins.