When to take down the Christmas Tree?

I've always taken my tree down the day after Christmas.  It's just the way we've always done it growing up.  But I see so many keep there tree up until early Janurary.  I am not superstitous at all so I'm in no fear of bad luck if I take it down.  I beleive that the Lord blesses us based on our actions and character and not on some superstitious belief.  But as I research why people keep it up I feel a little inspired to keep it up.  I didn't realize that the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas day.  It's just one of those things I never took upon myself to research until now.  Does keeping the tree up really keep the "spirit" of Christmas in my home a bit longer?  If that was the case, I would keep it up all year long!  The spirit of Christ is maintained by continuous teaching, family time, scripture study, and prayer.  With that said, the tree stays up until after New Years.  The kids decorated it all by themselves with minimal help from me and it is a work of art they created that deserves to stay up a bit longer.  (It also gives me a little more time to relax and enjoy my collection of Christmas decorations a few days longer).

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas 2011

After all the fun and craziness accompanied with wrappin paper, I had all of the kids collect as much as they could so I could get a picture of them with their gifts.

Tristen prepared his before I even made it to him.  Notice how perfectly organized it is!

Joey really spoiled me this year.  Crystal glasses!  I only said something once about not having any nice dishware so I was completely surprised. 

Aside from the gifts, Christmas this year was peaceful.  We missed our family dearly but also realize how blessed we are to have been able to spend it together with just our little family.  I really attempted to stress the "true meaning" of Christmas to my children through numerous lesson's and converstations.  As a parent, I'm so lucky to have so many resources available to me to help assist me in teaching them.  I understand the importance of conversation with my children and try to take advantage of every opportunity I'm given to teach them of our Savior.  Technology (youtube, mormon messages, living scriptures, etc) is just an added bonus that helps bring our conversations to life.  I love my savior and I cherish my relationship with him.  The more I learn of Him the more peace fills my soul.  It is through Him I find peace, joy and love.  It is through Him, I am Me.  My happiness is souly dependant on my relationship with my Heavenly Father, and His Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Christmas Sunday

My Crazy bunch in their Christmas attire!

This is how crazy it gets when you put Tristen in the mix

Unfortunately for Tristen.....this is the life of being the only boy.  The girls are always ganging up on him!  That's what he gets for being such a teas.

Every Day I'm Shuffling!

Halloween 2011 was great!!

We had Strawberry Shortcake!

A cute Mermaid!

A Sassy Vampire!

And our very own Shuffle Bot!

Tristen was the Halloween Highlight this year! Everywhere he went in his costume he got attention! "Look! The Shuffle Bot from Party Rock!" Is all we heard all night.  The girls were pretty proud of him.  Everytime they heard someone say that they would say, "The Shuffle Bot is my brother!" 

Tristen loved every bit of it.  He even had three people ask to get a picture of him and another recorded his small son with him shuffling.  It was great!

But Tristen didn't stop there.  He really hammed it up by shuffling door to door. He had an ipod band attached to him at all times with a set of small portable speakers that were going the entire time.  So not only did trick-or-treaters see the shuffle bot this year.....they got to hear the Party Rock Anthem as he shuffled along. 

EVERY DAY I'M SHUFFLING!

4th of July

Last year we were stuck in a hotel....

This year we headed to Husky field on Patch Barracks to watch the fireworks!

I just love this photo of Daddy and his girls..

They are crazy about him!

Waiting in line for some of the fun Kahmea poses for the camera...

Fun Fun Fun

Tristen wanted to take on rock climbing!

He made it pretty high before he fell.

Poor Naya.......

This is high as she made it.

She tried though:)

Kayleena waiting for the fireworks to begin..

All of our bratts!

Happy 4th!!!

Easter 2011

So we didn't get around to coloring easter eggs this year so I tweeked the hunt with candy.  You can't get better than that!  The kidds loved it. 

I came back in the house from the garage really suprised and excited to tell the kids what I just saw.

"I saw the Easter Bunny hopping away and guess what?  He had a hole in his bag!"  "He said he didn't have time to clean it up and wanted you guys to have what dropped out because you've been so good this year!"

They all darted for their easter baskets and headed out the door to a trail of goodies the easter bunny left behind. 

In the hallway....

LeeLee wasn't interested in stocking up her basket.  She was more interested in getting it all in her mouth.

Into the elevator....

Waiting and waiting to get to the main floor....

That easter bunny even dropped some in the hallway leading to the playground!

THERE WAS CANDY EVERYWHERE!!!!!

I got my candy...I'm good....time to play!

My loves!

Crazy kids!

Sisterly love!

Happy Easter!!!

Bringing in the New Year!

We hosted New Years Eve this year and had some good friends over and some good food.

MiKail and Kayleena we getting there groove on and shaking their tooshes.  There staired and each other and danced for a good three minutes!  It was the cutest thing!

Then more kids joined in the dance party.

We found some crack at the party....lol

Then the amazing Yasemin (my awesome hairstylist and good friend), painted the girl's faces.

Ham and Joey just chilled in the Living room and the other boys were glued to the Xbox.

Me and my Sexy Mamas.

Time for sparklers on on the balcony.

Me and my love

Muahh! Love him!

We ended the night watching the Germany light up the sky with all the fireworks.  It was better than the 4th of July!  Joey and I finished off the night with a stroll downtown and back home again.  Truly an unforgettable night!

Happy New Year!!!!!