Catching up..

Yes, behind again in the bloggin' thing.

I am starting at Christmas eve.

While I was getting the food ready Jaya was helping me but her baby was acting up so she put her in "time out".

This is Makayla and Andrea gave her to Jaya for Christmas. It was a nice thought but I may have to send this doll to Andrea's house if it doesn't shut up. This doll has sensers and can respond to sounds and touch. She asks for food, water and to play. If you want to see what it is like to have another child to take care of, you may borrow her. You have to rock her for 10 seconds to get her to go back to sleep. I can tell you, when you are in a hurry, this seems like a long to time to be rocking a plastic object.

Jaya, evidently, agrees because she was putting her in time out a lot on this night.

Mimi, Reagan, Emily, Drew, Papa, Grama and our family were all at are our house, on Christmas Eve. It was relaxing and fun and the Honey Baked knock off ham from Fresh and Easy was delish! We hung around and got caught up a little. The best part was making S'mores outside around the fire pit. I broke sticks off the tree that hangs over our fire pit and hoped they weren't poisonous. Don't worry, I made sure I watched everyone else eat theirs before I tried mine. ;)

Mimi brought the kids this really neat machine that opens and has brass strikers that hit about 9 different bells. It plays all sorts of songs and the kids love it. This did not get put away yet(see below)!

When it was time for bed (for the kids) and my side of the family left, it was time for Santa's elf to get to work. I helped Grama get all of her gift wrapping finished too. Josh, Rachael and Grace were going to come over in the morning so we had our Johnson Christmas at our house Christmas morning. Unfortunately, it was nuts once the first wrapping paper got torn off and I didn't get many pics at all in the morning. You know, everything needs to be wire cut or screwed out of its packing materials. It is like trying to get through the airport with more than 4 oz of water. Then, once you get it out of the packing stuff, it needs batteries. Now that there are 2 kids, this process must move along quickly and efficiently, like an assembly line. So, there was no one left to take pictures. This was the only one I got :(

When I went to sleep Christmas Eve. This is what I left downstairs.

Grama and Papa got Josh and Rachael this recliner/rocker to rock Grace in and this is what was in it before they got it, in the morning.

When Jace did wake up and come upstairs, he asked my why he was in the chair downstairs? I said I didn't know but that is where I left him. I guess it is comfy, guys! It was pre tested. Then Santa left his footprints as he came out of the fireplace. Hmmmm....

It was a really great Christmas even though it was the first time we have ever missed the Swaine get together on Christmas morning. I sent all our gifts with Mimi so she could take them. It was way to crazy at our house to try and take the kids out of there so we just enjoyed the morning at home. We loved every minute of it and all while being back "home". Life is good and God has sooooo blessed us.

So, most of you that know me will not be surprised at this at all..... but remember all those pretty lights and tree that took hours? All put away and stored by 5 on Christmas. Did I mention that I was a little obssesive/compulsive, liked things in there place, or get tunnel vision about getting things done? Well, if you know me at all, you already know this! So, yes! It was all put away and clean as a whistle in our house before going to Grama and Papa's for dinner. It was like Christmas did not happen in our house that morning. Now when we see lights or decorations other places, Jaxx wants to know why they still have their stuff up since Christmas is over!? I know I am crazy but it just takes a hold of me, grips me by shoulders and forces me to get the mission done! WHY wait? I mean, after all, Christmas IS over so the purpose is done. On to the next holiday! Bah humbug!

On to the 2009!!!

Cortney K.