Christmas 2013 - Mosley

Since I am approaching the last day of January and I don't feel like going to the basement to put in a load of laundry, I will attempt a few more blog updates.  It's only been a month.  2014 has started out with January being flat out cruel in the weather category.  The children have had maybe 6 days (I lost count) of school off for either blowing snow conditions or Antarctica type of cold.  There has not been 1 full week of school this month.
I am going to go back to December when it wasn't so cold to our Mosley family Christmas celebration.  Jamie and Dana hosted our gathering.  Barely get out of your PJ's kind of party.  Those are the best. The kids played and fought, played and fought.   As they usually do when together.  This is a rare sit and chill opportunity.

The best chance to get them to cooperate to take a pic - just before gift opening.  "Sit and take a picture and then you can open your gifts".  But even with bribery it turns into pulling teeth.  Especially with our child number two.  (I won't mention any names).

This year I believe the order was youngest to oldest.

Morgan's first turn.

 from Aunt Ashley

for the baker - her own donut baking pan and some cupcake liners

Shelby got some Stylus pens for her DSi

The kids draw names.  Ian had Shelby and Noah had Morgan.  They both received this year's number one gift.  The Rainbow Loom.

Papa and Nonny's gifts were next.

Roller Skates and Snow Boards

Can you say - rubber suit please???

Uncle Luke gave them iTunes cards which are always a big hit.  And to wrap it all up stockings full of treats and little gifts from Papa and Nonny.

While the big meal of steak, turkey and shrimp was cooking, Jeremy, Sarah, Ashley and Papa took all the crazies to the park down the street with a ginormous hill for sledding/snow boarding/break your neck or leg kind of fun. (All remaining pictures via Ashley.    Thanks!)

check out this crew!

Morgan & Caleb

first wipe out

Shelby Snowboarding

 Morgan Snowboarding

Morgan & Caleb

2nd wipe out

a little help back up the hill

They had fun and some not so much fun.  And once that sun went down it got pretty chilly.  All of that didn't help my two go to sleep any earlier than usual.  Being away from home throws any type of routine we have out the window.  Before we hit the road for home on Sunday, there was some more Air Hockey to be played.

 she won

 and some family photos

It wasn't Christmas at home, but the older you get the more you realize it isn't always about where but with who.  This Christmas weekend wrapped up our celebrating for the 2013 season.  

Christmas 2013 - Our Family 4

In my Christmas Eve post I mentioned that for the second time in our married life, we were in our home on Christmas morning.  The little peeps slept in a bit but they tend to do that when they do not go to bed the night before.  I barely had my camera ready before Morgan came flying around the corner.  In fact, I didn't and had to make her go back and do it again.

 Shelby - Take One

 don't mind the blurry pillow pet

 Shelby - Take Two

Take One was blurry

the wonders of digital

 They headed straight for their stockings and to see that Santa ate the cookies & milk.  We had an issue because in my family we always did stockings AFTER opening gifts.  In Nate's family, they always did stockings BEFORE opening gifts.  Fortunately, Nate probably could really care less so he let us do it my way. :)  Here are the crazies waiting for their first gifts.  I hand them out one at a time as I happen to know what is in each and they open the same things at same time to avoid ruining any surprises.

They chose to open the gifts they bought for each other first.  Shelby bought Morgan bands for making bracelets and Morgan bought Shelby this impossible 3D piece together bear that she wanted.

I didn't take a picture of everything but they got the usual:  2014 calendars, Christmas books, 2013 ornaments for family tree, Mario Bros. Wii Game & Despicable Me 2 to share....

Last but not least, Santa left them two gifts each. Another reason to hand out the gifts.  The biggest, most wanted, most fun is always the one they try to open first.

I didn't even get a picture of them opening cause I was too busy watching them.  They each got their own laptop that they had been waiting for since summer.  Modern day children expect instant results to pretty much everything electronic.  My old laptop long ago stopped working in such a way.  And for my own sanity, they got their own.  Daddy even got one too.  Santa's other gift was a computer case for protection.

They opened their stocking gifts and then it was time to figure out the laptops.  We settled in all cozy to watch Despicable Me 2 before our big meal.  I had to take a picture to prove that I do cook something once in awhile.

It turned out to be a lazy, comfy stay in your PJ's all day kind of Christmas.  Can't believe another has come and gone.  Merry Christmas 2013!

First Sleep Over

Three months.  Not sure I have ever taken that long between posts but life happens.  To get reacquainted with the old blog I will start small.

Over Christmas break, Morgan had her first sleepover.  If I remember correctly Shelby was gone that night as well.  When I returned from dropping Shelby off, Morgan was standing at the front door waiting.  She was so excited.

She spent the night with one of her classmates.  They headed down the street to ISU for a basketball game.  She had fun and it didn't bother her at all to say adios to her old mom and dad.  This one is a social bug for sure!

Christmas Eve 2013

Hello Again.  Still here and again so, so far behind.  So far in fact, I am going to start with the present and work my way backward.  Forgive me as it is in fact what they call the busiest time of the year.  With an unexpected event or so mixed in.  Stayed tuned for a future post for more on that.  Today being Christmas means, yesterday was Christmas Eve.  I have calculated that in 17 1/2 years of marriage, this year was our 2nd in our home on Christmas morning, and last night the 1st Christmas Eve here.  Crazy!  We are usually on the road.
We went to the 4pm service at our church and then out to eat at Swingers Grille.  The girls were all dressed up and had lots of curls in their hair.

Then home to get ready for the big day.  Before heading to bed, the girls made their final pleas by writing their first letters to Mr. Clause.  Perhaps just a tad bit late as the jolly ole soul had to be half way around the world already.  But I wouldn't be the one to burst their bubbles... this time anyway.

Shelby's Letter

In case you can't read it, she said:

Santa ~ (Mr. Chris Cringle), I might be a little older this Christmas, but I will never get to old for Christmas!  I bet you know already that I'm pretty good with technology/electronics.  Which is true, because I would like a new set of headphones, a computer, and a few new video games.  Buuuut, I would like a telescope and a checker game.  But most importantly, I would like a home for my BEST FRIEND (underlined 11 times), Pershia.  A home.  And last but not least, something that my Great Grandpa Calvin doesn't really need, because he has the best present of all, Heaven.  Love, Shelby M & Mr. Chew.

If you are wondering:  Pershia is the neighborhood cat and Mr. Chew is Shelby's imaginary friend that is a fly she likes to draw.

Morgan's Letter

Dear Santa, 2013 Christmas has been fast (Its gone by fast) That's what I mean and I'm glad it's tonight!  This year my cousin inspired me to believe in you because before that I really didn't believe in you but she inspired me to tell everybody that you are real.  And that's why I'm writing this letter right now at 7:42 p.m.  Love, Morgan  P.S.  I hope I'm on the nice list!

They put their letters in their stockings and headed off to bed.  Later when I filled the stockings I took out the letters and played clueless today when they asked about them and playing the part said, "Santa must have taken them.  I didn't see any letters".  So, If you read this, don't say anything about the letters.  According to them, last year Santa wrote a response.  Santa has a poor memory!

the stockings are hung & filled by the chimney with care - check

 Santa's treats & milk left and consumed - check

 Santa's gifts were wrapped in the same paper and placed on the side of the tree closest to the chimney (for a quick get away) - check

I did my best without overdoing the Santa thing

Shelby went to bed fairly quick but little Miss was still awake and just getting comfy in my bed when I headed up.  Too excited I guess.  At least late to bed means late to rise, right???

School Holiday (CHRISTMAS) Party

I thought I was all caught up on my Christmas posts when I realized I hadn't included the school parties.  Both girls had fun as usual.  Here are some pictures to prove that!

make your own ice cream sundae was the snack

 Morgan with her friend Anayah

 filling a plastic mitten with layers of colored sand

 Merry Christmas Hello Kitty!

 mustache tree

 ring toss on the reindeer antlers

 cute little craft

 4B - Shelby is in there somewhere!

MERRY CHRISTMAS OAKDALE!