December 31, 2014

They came in one by one, rolling their eyes at my t.v. show choice.  Guess they didn't disapprove of it that much...

 Jeff was working tonight, so I had my obligatory New Year's Eve sundae, and then went to bed at 11:30.  The girls were disgusted at me.

December 29, 2014

This movie was cuter than I thought it would be.  Everyone liked it!

December 26, 2014

Syd's new furry friend, Peanut Butter. 

December 25, 2014

Christmas awesomeness

 This race track was a hit with everyone.  Quite addicting.

  When I was about 8 or 9, Santa brought me a new doll with p.j.s to match mine.  I loved it.  This was probably the last year that Syndey will ask for a doll for Christmas.  Luckily Santa brought matching pajamas for these girls too.

December 24, 2014

Look at all these happy people whose gingerbread houses turned out just as they planned.

No comment. (This picture may win "Worst Picture of Jodi in 2014.")

Our traditional pizza dinner on Christmas Eve, after the gingerbread mess was cleaned up and my ego had recovered a bit.

December 23, 2014

What did I get myself into??

  I introduced the kids to Monopoly with this special A Christmas Story edition.  We began this game about a week ago.  We play for about an hour, then put all our money and properties in envelopes, to continue the game at another time.  Today we finished.  Do you think they'll believe me if I tell them it can only be played at Christmas time?

December 22, 2014

 Growing up, Rudolph night was one of my favorites, right up there with Christmas Eve night.  Thirty years later nothing has changed.

December 20, 2014

  Erik as thus far never expressed any feelings of inequality because of the fact his birthday is just five days before Christmas.  If anything, the other kids think he's lucky to have a Christmas preview.

 He's actually happy here, thanking Syd for her gift by tackling her.

He asked for a cake shaped like a castle.  I'm glad this picture is blurry so you can't see the pathetic castle I made.

December 19, 2014

Last day of school Christmas parties

December 18, 2014

  When Jeff and I go on a date here in Amarillo, our activity choices are usually limited to dinner and a movie.  About a month ago I saw an ad for a Broadway Christmas concert stopping in Amarillo before hitting the big city of Lubbock.  I snatched up some tickets for Jeff and I, thinking it would be fun to do something different and festive.  Tonight was the concert.  I can't say that it wasn't what I expected, because I honestly didn't know what it was going to be like.  Basically it was five Broadway has-beens, singing songs from their most famous roles, and a few Christmas songs mixed in.  It was a little corny, but thankfully they all had really great voices.  I'm pretty sure the average age of the audience was sixty years old.

Outside the concert hall, in front of the massive Christmas tree.

December 17, 2014

A random picture we needed of Bailey for a project.  Her shirt says, "So adorns."  So true.

December 16, 2014

Christmas band concert

  The beginning and intermediate bands also played tonight.  It's amazing how all the squeaks and wrong notes played as a beginner go away with just a year or two of playing.  I'm so glad Shelbi has band as "her thing."

December 15, 2014

  When Erik was two, my parents gave him this Little People nativity set for Christmas.  Every year I put it out somewhere where the kids can play with it, the only rule being all the pieces have to stay on the table.  It is a favorite and I have chosen not to remind the kids that it, in fact, belongs to Erik.  

 Bailey, in particular, has enjoyed it this year.  I'm not sure why she has the cow hanging from the lamp, though.

December 13, 2014

  There was a change of venue this year for the piano/guitar recital. I liked it much better.  It seemed like more of a performance, than just playing around for some people who happen to be in the same room.  

It was a fun recital.  Both girls are really past the beginner stages of their playing.

December 10, 2014

'Tis the season for school Christmas concerts.  Stay tuned for more...

December 9, 2014

  Another spelling bee on the books.  The girl who won as been the winner the past three years.  Hard to beat that, but Shelbi still did great.

December 8, 2014

This is Elsa.  She's at our house a lot these days.  This is her natural pose.

December 6, 2014

A favorite Christmas activity of ours is to go to the Breakfast with Santa at the Discovery Center.  The wait to see Santa is long (sometimes we skip it), but the food and activities are really well done.

Here Jeff and Ryan race the "scientist" and Erik to blow up this plastic tube.  I think she cheated.

December 4, 2014

  My strange daughters' favorite new spot.

December 3, 2014

One of many selfies taken today while waiting at the orthodontist's office.

December 2, 2014

  This year I may have committed Christmas tree overkill. This is the third tree you can see if you're sitting on my couch.  But I don't care.  I've always envisioned a slim little tree here in my foyer.  This one is flocked, with only a few ornaments, and I love it.  Perhaps it will replace our big one next year.

December 1, 2014

Writing some very important letters to Santa.

November 30, 2014

Why is it that every year I forget to take a picture of the decorating of the Christmas tree until the very end, when Jeff is putting on the star?

November 27, 2014

  Thanksgiving rivals Christmas as my favorite holiday.  All the delicious food and time with family packed into one day.  Plus, Jill makes the best sweet potatoes.  And I was never a fan of sweet potatoes before tasting hers.

This picture begs the question, why was no one sitting by me at the end of the table (that's my plate of food there in the front)?

  What I'm about to tell you is going to make you all want to join us next year for Thanksgiving.  This year Jill introduced High Stakes Bingo with fabulous prizes.

She even had a fancy number caller.

Erik seemed to be the big winner. Not only did he win this "No" button, he also scored the fart whistle and fake mustaches.

  You can see how intense the competition was.  A new tradition is definitely born.

November 26, 2014

  Jill and family very graciously hosted us for Thanksgiving this year.  Today was spent making pies, playing at the park, last minute grocery shopping, delicious dinner out, and this very cute craft Jill had prepared for the kids:

 Cute, fun and delicious.  An awesome day.