January 4 2015 Christmas, New years Eve

We got snow today and so I let the kids go outside and play because I knew it wouldn't last long.  For New Year's Eve I decided I need to get the twins healed completely, they both have had Croup and Bronchiolitis, so I decided I until the cold season is over, no more activities with friends at the house. Eric was home so we played some games and had a countdown.

  Eric had planned on working Christmas but then we decided that it is more important to have the memories than the money. Ben at one point (he didn't know that Eric had it off) asked me how much he would need to have to to get Dad to take the day off. When I told him how much he got really sad and said "We only will have $50.00." it was so sad and I was grateful that Eric was secretly taking the day off. Anyway, as Christmas present to the kids we told them that Dad still had to work. So Christmas morning Eric stayed down stairs and when they came down stairs he was there. We were both hoping for a different reaction from the kids at seeing Eric but throughout the day they kept saying they were happy Dad was home.  We had a wonderful Christmas. Christmas Eve we spent at the Neil and Christine Rawlins with there family. We had an enjoyable time.  I am mad at myself that I didn't get a picture of Joseph and Ben's toys. I usually take a picture for their scrapbook. Well they are old enough maybe I can convince them to write down what they remember receiving. Well on to a new year. 

Eric did some type of exposure on the camera while the kids had the light up necklaces and this was the result. 

Isaac Gift

Allison gifts

Andrew's gifts

Emily's gifts (or most of them)

Isaac was very excited to get his Violin (here is an okay pic of the legos I mentioned later)

For some reason Eric had pictures of me that I think he was trying to get a good picture but I kept making faces, not on purpose.  I guess since he made the effort I will at post a decent one. 

Ben wanted Emily to have a sword and shield like he got from the Ren faire and Dad making him. He asked Dad to make the sword and then with very good supervision he cut out the heart shield and painted it himself.  

Ben also made this dagger for Isaac. 

The boys reaction when they found out all of these legos are for them. (I wish we had taken a picture of the thousands of legos we received from the Weide's)

Isaac was upset because he didn't know he got a gun from Santa too. 

Ben asked for Laser Chess from Santa

Emily and Allison matching pajamas

My beautiful hope chest that Eric made!

It is a weird expression captured but before that he was screaming with joy. He got the xylophoe he asked Santa for since he couldn't get him the Marimbas. 

Ben, Andrew, Isaac and Joseph matching pajamas

Matching pajamas

Eric took the pic to make it look like Joseph had Antlers

Reindeer

December 2014

These are some events that have happened over the past couple of weeks.  

Ben's very first Christmas program. He is in between the microphones, 2nd row. He has a red sweater on, Santa hat, and black ear muffs under the hat.  

Ben, Scouts

Isaac at the dentist

Andrew and Ally

Trying on her new Christmas Bow

I really like this outfit and thought she was cute even if she was mad. 

Ally

Ally

Ally

My friend Wendy bought this years ago. Zebra baby!

This is how Dad watches Andrew :) 

Halloween and Thanksgiving 2014

I decided to make a family yearbook. I was looking over the year and I cannot believe how fast it has gone by. Last night was the Law Enforcement Ball. We didn't' go because Eric worked, which was good because I am not near the physical appearance I was last year and I would have been unhappy. Anyway, as I was looking for pictures I came to my blog and I can't believe it has been months since I have posted.  I have posted to face book but not my blog.  We didn't do as much this year for Halloween because we had the twins. The twins didn't even leave the house. Sister Taylor and her daughter stayed at our house and took care of them while we went to the church for trunk or treat. It was really hard for me because I wanted everyone to see the adorable costumes Grandma Jill had made them. The twins were Raggedy Anne and Andy.  Emily was Elsa from Frozen, Isaac was a little ninja, Joseph was Gi Joe snake eyes (again) and Ben was a pirate. After we came home, Me and the kids walked around the neighborhood for about 30 minutes and everyone but Ben was done. The I brought them home and Eric took them out.  

Thanksgiving, Eric worked, so we celebrated on Friday. Joseph was heart broken, but at least he could eat the meal. Last year he was so sick with the flu he didn't even eat Thanksgiving.  I was so excited because we have been watching this show about being a Chef and so I was motivated. I brine my turkey, practiced making homemade pumpkin pie, and even used fresh green beans.  Well the pumpkin pie I had made the night before and the kids and I snacked on it Thursday night. It was awful. A couple of minutes later my friend asked if I wanted some left over pie and stuffing. She sent over two fresh pumpkin pies. It was awesome.  Friday my brine turkey burned on top after two hours of cooking, Thank goodness I had read to flip the bird opposite in cooking because that saved the chicken breast because it wasn't burned. I will not be brining again. Green beans were hard, and the recipe called for spicy, very unthanksgiving. All in all I will not try new things again for thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was good in the past. We didn't do a movie at the theater either because of the twins and we wanted to stay together as a family so we just watched a movie together as a family here at the house. It was fun.  As we head into Christmas I amazed how the year has flown because I was just saying I can't believe how fast 2013 has gone by and here it is the end of 2014.  Happy holidays.  

Twins 3 months

                                     

Family at Thanksgiving

                                     

Thanksgiving Dinner

Halloween 2014

October 2014