the end of the Christmas coverage...

The last thing the kids got was all their karate gear.....they couldn't have been more excited!!

Well, I was a little worried this year about Christmas. About money, and really dumb things.....I have just been so stressed out and basically forgot about what the Holiday really is all about. Seth and I chose to really scale back, and only get the kids three things each, and do stockings. I kept going in and out of feeling guilty about not doing more, blah blah, blah.....And I got pretty lucky because I didn't even go out shopping until the Saturday before Christmas. (that really helped me from going over-board!!) So, all in all we had a wonderful holiday, and a nice Christmas break. The kids go back to school in the morning and I am really surprised at how fast the break went. I actually think I am going to miss the laid back, wake up whenever, clean the house whenever lifestyle. I do however thrive on a schedule, too. So I am sure that missing those lazy days won't last for long.

We have been really keeping busy at the shop. We have done a mystery quilt day, a Friday night sew-a-thon and lots and lots of projects I am trying to keep up with. I am working on keeping that blog updated as well. So check it often and leave me a nice comment or a mean one.....if that's how you roll. :)

I hope that everyone had a good Christmas and that you had a safe and warm holiday season. I for one am grateful for the simple blessing of safety. Having heard about Jake and Misty's ordeal was quite a humbling experience for me. You know, you just never know when it will be your time to go, but I sure know how devastating that could have been for our family. I am grateful for the Lord's hand in their lives.....that everything happened how it did and that they are safe.

We sometimes just sail through life without thinking about how blessed we are just to be here. Let us not forget to look on the bright side, be positive and enjoy where you are......If I know anything, it is that wherever we are doesn't last very long, that life is constantly changing, and that if we could just learn to be content, we wouldn't wish so much time away.

Uncle Tom's big 50th

Aunt Wendy and her girls had been planning this big 70-80's surprise party for Uncle Tom. It was a blast. Wendy did so much decorating and preparing, everything was wonderful. Megan pretty much rocked the house with her hair-do. I want to have another party just so I can see that again....and JD, that mustache....mmm-hmm. WOW. We all had a great time disco dancing and YES I did sport one heck of a side pony. (and some blue eye shadow!!) Good times.

Annie....

was super lucky this year too! Her main thing she wanted SOOOO bad was a camera. I was afraid we wouldn't be able to get her one, and I came across another awesome deal....and Wha-la, Annie got a camera and some Aeropostale clothes. It is so weird that she is past the toys.....and now wants clothes and electronics. It has definitely been a good Christmas for us all.

Jared...

was one lucky boy this year! He got a new coat (i got an awesome deal) a bakugon set, (supposedly the newest cool, boy thing) and a air hog helicopter! He pretty much doesn't think it can get any better than this!

Katie....

got the one thing she wanted SO bad.....an I-dog! That was her big, big thing she just had to have. She also got new shoes, a friendship bracelet making kit, a book making kit and a polly pocket. She has been rocking out ever since.

Ella...

was also very excited about Christmas and her list would seriously crack you up. (i will have to scan all of the lists, they are pretty funny!) Anyway, her presents this year were a backpack with a sleeping bag and flashlight, a real tea party set and barbie Mariposa. (the barbie with giant sparkly butterfly wings!!) She was so happy.

Jason....

thought Christmas was the best thing ever! He very quickly caught on to opening presents and LOVED it. His presents this year were a riding toy firetruck, some clothes, a noisy music thing and some shoes. He was in pure heaven. Oh, and he got some candy in his stocking......best thing ever. Just ask him! :)
Look at the picture of him second up on the left, hahahaha, he was SO into those presents!! That is the picture this year that just makes me laugh over and over. This sweet little guy has brought so much joy to our family!

Christmas morning....

the kids really did pretty well, they didn't wake up until about 7am. I remember waking up at 3am then every hour after that to beg our parents to let us go out and get our stockings!! I am glad I have good sleepers! They loved everything in those stockings!!

The Christmas Eve tradition....

new pj's for everyone. Jason was so tired....all he wanted was his bottle and his bed. But, I had to get a picture of all my babies dressed up and ready for the long night of waiting for Santa!! Aren't they cute!? Man, they are all getting so big. I am still not ready for my kids to grow up. I like them little....I am not sure if I will like them big. :) Just kidding, kind of. :)

A Swedish Christmas....

Christmas Eve at Gramma and Grampa Fish' this year was so nice. The food was Deee-lish (of course.) and the slush was amazing.....we definitely did not have enough of that. :) bummer for us late eaters. I still need a slush fix.
Anyway, the dancing around the tree and house is always a hoot. We missed Alan and his loud singing.....'newly,yewly in, a newly yewly in, we Swedish people like our pasta.....hey hope-sa. hey hope-sa, we sure-a eat a lot a pasta.' Just my little rendition of the old traditional song.
Sorry Gramma Fish for butchering the song.....it is just how I hear it! :)
I still can hardly believe that Christmas is over.....it went so fast.

The Doan Family Christmas....

So, I am sitting here at my computer, looking through pictures.....Where do I even start!?!?

I have been extremely overwhelmed and busy lately and have been slacking on my blogging BIG time. (not to mention all the other things I have been slacking on too!!)

Anyway.....CHRISTMAS. It was so nice. For Christmas at my Mom's house, it was supposed to begin at 6pm.....I was last minute shopping in the city and got stuck in traffic thanks to an accident and we didn't get there until 7:45pm

Not to worry, everyone was still nice to me, and we had a wonderful time. The food was great, the company even better. I just love how the cousins love each other. They can hardly wait to give each other presents. Oh, and Jake made truffles......OH my.....at one point during the night Seth walked up to Jake and hugged him......yeah, they were THAT good! :)

Katie.....

Lost her first tooth!! WOW!! She came home from school, with a little wiggly loose tooth and by dinner she was whining, saying she couldn't eat......Seth told her he would pull it out for her and she agreed. WHAT the!??!?! He yanked on it about three times and it finally came out. Katie didn't cry once! Crazy girl! (Dec.17) see how far behind I am!!?!

fifty five, MAN ALIVE!!!

Happy Birthday DAD!! You don't look a day over 20! (You don't act like it either!!) hehe Thanks for all the love, laughter and for setting such a good example to all of us kids! (and ALL of your grand kids!!) You make being patient and kind look easy.
Hope you have a fabulous day! Love you!

Christmas Program 2008

The Hamilton Elementary had their Christmas Program on December 8th 2008. Jared and Katie both participated. This is a tradition we all look forward to, and was reminded how fast it goes by (Annie is now TOO old.....stinkin' 5th grader!!) So we loaded up and went as a family to enjoy hearing the kids sing a few Christmas songs to start the Holiday Season!


*thanks alan for the pictures.

Something we could use a little help with....

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Gifts-for-People-Who-Bug-You



......there are a few people on my list. just sayin'.

How about you? Did you find this useful? DO tell!

The Gingerbread Extravaganza....

and what an extravaganza it was! Cindy (seth's mom) does gingerbread houses every year with all of us for her big Christmas party.....we always have such a blast. Each year the kids get more and more into it......usually we (seth and I) spend a lot of time 'helping' the kids out, and this year they were doing most of it themselves!! Good times, for sure!

Daddy made cookies....

and Jason LOVES them.....sneaky little guy had one for breakfast.

Smart kid.

Baby Jackson.....

is a beautiful baby. Hillary and Baby Jack are doing great. It was an honor and a joy to be there and witness his birth. I am so happy for them.....having a boy in a sea of girls will be quite a fun experience. Congratulations Sperry Family. WE love you.

Thank-FULL.....

What a wonderful time of year!! Again, I am amazed at how quickly time passes. We had a great Thanksgiving. For breakfast we got together with the Galbraith's. Had Yummy waffles, and enjoyed every ones company. The kids played basketball and ran around like crazy.
Then that afternoon we had My Mom and Dad, Alan and Spenser over here for the BIG meal! It was a lovely day. I didn't take any pictures, but i will steal some from Mom....I think she got a few.

We had a big Black Friday sale at the Shop and we were busy.....we had two more quilts come in to be quilted and made quite a few retail sales. Always exciting! Things just get better and better. Dad, Seth, Alan and Spenser worked more on the building and put up our AWESOME signs Natalie painted!! (seriously, awesome job!!) Hillary and Alex came later in the afternoon, and I conned Hill into sewing a quilt I laid out, and Alex put up Christmas lights for us! We didn't finish the quilt, but I am quite sure I can sweet talk Mom into finishing it for me, er the 'shop'. Teheehheeh! Who knew I would love putting quilts together? I just love fabric. I still haven't mastered the whole 'sew a straight line' thing yet, but I am an amazing iron-er! :)

We had Jared's Baptism yesterday, and I will do a complete post on that when I get the pictures from Mom. Let me just say, it was wonderful!

Have a great week....