The Santa Party

Grandma Broderick, every year, puts on a Santa party. This year was our first year. She even invites Santa. This was cool. the grandkids gathered and all sang "Here comes Santa Claus.." and then he came through the door. "HO HO HO. Merry Christmas." Each grandchild sat in his lap and got a present from him. The little kids thought it was awesome. I think the big kids love the party too. What a great memory for them.
There was also food and games, and lots of fun with all the grandkids. I am always impressed with how awesome this bunch of kids is...So good with the little ones.

The Christmas Card chaos

So every year since Zac was born we have taken a picture of the kids in front of the tree in Christmas jammies. It  is getting harder! I bet we take 100 pictures and we really didn't get one where they are all looking and smiling. Oh well, we did get a lot that were cute anyway!

Jenna's Christmas program

Jenna's School Program

Jenna had her first grade program this past Thursday.
 She was very excited about her part. She is a "doll" that was instructed to wear pig tails and blush! She was cute. First grade is so fun. You should have heard these kids sing "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth"...so many of them with their toothless lisps!

 She did a great job and just loves first grade!

Did you see Turner? He is the cutie in the glasses.

Steve, the BIG 32!

Happy Birthday Steve. I had SUCH a good night with Steve. We cooked a new recipe at home and it was goooood! The kids were good...it was just one of those nights that went really well!
 We decided that as long as we live, we will put as many candles as years we are old...even if we have to stick the candles out the sides, and even if it sets off the smoke alarm! It is fun!

I get the hint!

So Friday, I went to walmart to pick up a few things. I have the 2 little ones with me. Trev is in the back of the cart and Gage is in the car seat riding in the seat part of the basket. I was minding my own business and walking along and saw a very attractive Hispanic woman and her friend walking toward me in the isle. She then stops me and asks me to attend an event 30 minutes away for weight loss and beauty. Hum, "well thank you but we have a Christmas party tonight," but I will be sure to wear a bag over my head. So that was that. Saturday Steve's parents made it possible for us to go out to dinner for Steve's birthday at the Roadhouse. Steve ordered the rib eye, and I ordered a half rack of ribs and baked potato. It was delicious. The waitress comes up all young and chipper and asks if we need a box...we looked at our plates that were very much clean and said no. She peered around my diet cokes and exclaimed. "Wow, I'm impressed!" I think "really!" What kind of dumb waitress are you to cheer for me cleaning my plate! Why would you say that?! It was a HALF rack after all! Monday, Steve strokes my face in concern and tells me I have a black eye and what happened? I didn't have a black eye. It is 10 pm and I have dark circles around my eyes, apparently worse on the left eye!
So, I need my roots done in a desperate way, or at the very least a trim. My clothes fit weird on a lumpy post partum body, and I have been out of Mary Kay concealer for months now!
Sigh, I know that it's not them, it is me! I need a makeover. This is your invitation to put me on What not to Wear, or 10 years younger, or your own "show"! Or you can send a gift certificate for Mary Kay, a terrific salon and weight watchers for 6 months (It's $40 a month now!) Thank you!

Because they make me smile!

"Hug Group", as Zac calls it.

Jenna loves to hold Gage. She is forever touching him, kissing him and wanting to hold him.
She  loves to make him smile.

I love that Zac is genuinely excited about his baby brother. What a huge heart he has.

 I love pictures that capture the feeling that they love each other. We aren't the poster-child-family for the song "Love at Home". We have tears and yelling and time-outs and melt-downs, but there are tender moments of happiness, sharing, joking, hugging and joy here too.