Where have I been???

I've been wondering that myself. It seems like I just finished making Halloween costumes and then all the sudden I am puting away my Christmas decorations! There was so much in between, I've hardly been able to catch up from it to move on to the next event!  Around here, we are just barely functioning with our daily routine and adding anything puts us more behind and in the end, we have to give in to the eventual chaos. For us, "caught up" means we got the kitchen cleaned up at night and the toys pushed into a safe zone for a fire exit. You know, safety first :-).

Thankfully we have escaped most random germs, minus of course the quick stomach flu 4 out of 6 of us got before Christmas. I'm telling you, in 7 days I did about 25 loads of laundry and sanitized the house 3 different times, no joke. Plus of course we had to send it home with Grandpa.  It happens when you are lovin' on the kid that's not sick - then by evenings end - IS sick. The stomach flu is like that. Spares no victims. 'Cept Agent P and I (and yes, Gramma). Some how we were spared. I'm betting it was all the praying and begging I did. I sure did a lot of that. And, God is Good!

But I want you to know, we survived Christmas. Not only did we just survive, we really enjoyed it. I absolutely love the holidays when we have family get togethers. It just warms my heart (and often tests my patience with my kiddlets).

We had several Christmas celebrations, cuz we are just partiers like that.  We enjoy food we didn't cook, and eating at places we don't have to clean. We are gracious and grateful!  I'm pretty sure we left a wake of mess behind us, but so far no one has uninvited us for next year!

My kids of course made out! They got to see their cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and all sorts of other people who spoil them multiple times. They got sweet presents and even presents that require several adults to figure out (they should not even be allowed to SELL Transformers).

A-Dog's big gift was a Wii. I'd like to say it was for him, but really I wanted Wii Fit. SO, in return he got a game for the Wii. It all works out, and now so can I. Have you ever thought of the logistics of attempting a workout with a 4.5 yr old who has decided that he no longer "needs" naps and a set of 2 year old twins who believe their purpose in life is to see how crazy they can make me :- )?  Anyway, we now own a Wii.  A-Dog also got clothes and stuff - and other odds and ends.

Agent P got some hunting clothes, a new lunch box for school, games - and sadly, 5 Transformers that I cannot for the life of me get back into the original shape.

Mini P and Monkey got new chairs. Mini P got coloring books and some Dora things. Monkey got trucks. He got other stuff, but his main focus is still on the trucks.

All in all, it was a success and now I'm trying to clear out toys they've out grown and find homes for all their goodies!

I will get pictures up soon, but here's a few to tide you over...

LOVED watching the train!

You decide - Nice or Naughty?

A typical family photo (yes, it was December and 2 of my kids are in shorts.)