3 Foot Hole

Today I had the fun experience of helping dig two 3-foot holes in the backyard. It was oddly enjoyable. I think the challenge of it and seeing the progress and working toward an end goal made it all worthwhile. It was a nice way to burn off some holiday calories, say a good 624 of them per hour (no really, I looked it up). I figured out the best method is to get a nice pointy shovel, step on the top of the shovel head with all your weight and wiggle the shovel around to get the dirt loose (you'll need shoes for this). Then I used the kids' plastic sand scoop to remove the loose dirt. It took at least a good hour. Plus, I now have a greater understanding of just how tough it would be to tunnel out of prison. Three feet is a lot deeper than you might imagine, especially in this thick clay-rich TX soil. Just to give you some perspective how deep it really is check out this video.

Oh, you might still be wondering what the holes were for... we're building a swingset for the kiddos.

Bad Idea, Santa

Well Santa thought a couple presents were too big to fit under the tree, so he left them in the garage instead. Turns out that wasn't such a good idea. As soon as Cali spotted the half-eaten cookies & carrots and the pile of presents under the tree she pointed out that there was no bike under the tree. The ONE thing she had asked every Santa in town for. We convince her we should open all the presents first and maybe we'll find it. She' s fine with that and we have a good ol' time opening all the gifts and playing with them as we go. They had drifted into the living room playing with all the new toys when Cali got up checked back under the tree and came to us in the saddest voice... "Mommy there are no more presents under the tree... My bike isn't under there..." and proceeds to cry the saddest, biggest tears you ever did see. It broke my heart and as Dave tried to explain to her maybe Santa put it somewhere else she just cried harder so I said "Just take her to the garage - quick!" So there was the bike and all was well. Next time she asks Santa for something we'll be sure he sticks it right under the tree though!

Dinner's Ready

I swear I'm not an organized person but somehow I managed to have my entire Christmas dinner done (minus baking) by 9pm this evening AND fit it all into my fridge.

If you can believe it there are mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, a large turkey breast, pumpkin pie, and a pumpkin cheesecake in there! I didn't even plan on doing ALL of this tonight I just got started and figured I should just get it all done. My motivation? I don't want to miss a minute of the kids' excitement tomorrow. Especially when this shows up at the front door...


I want to wish all of my friends near and far a wonderful Christmas day. I hope your day is filled with joy and laughter, surprises and giggles, fun and happiness and lots and lots of love to go around. Merry Christmas to all!

Proof

My nephew called me from California this evening because he didn't believe Grandma that I really have been to the North Pole and been to Santa's house, seen his Reindeer, and met the man himself. Since he isn't the first one to ask for my proof I thought I'd share it here. Cali was about 14 months old, I was 6 months pregnant with Diego and it was at least -25*F this day. Brrrr! Santa's house is a mere 20 minute drive from my parent's house and we've been there many times. And to answer Jacob's other question yes I have also seen the Northern Lights many, many, many times but they are very difficult to photograph. They are a beauty you really have to experience in person.

Siblings

I'll let these pictures speak for themselves...

Vipers

I'm telling you this girl has a plan for everything... Driving around town looking at some awesome over-the-top home Christmas displays and the kids must be excited because they start laughing uncontrollably for about 5 minutes straight. Pretty hilarious. They finally calm down and Diego starts acting like a lunatic by opening his mouth really wide then taking deep sighing breaths at the same time. I ask "What are you? A viper?" So then Cali wants to know all about vipers and I tell her they have very big, very sharp teeth. "Why?" So they can bite "Oh, are they not nice?" No they are not nice, they will bite you. "If we see a viper we will have to stand close to the side of an elephant." Oh really? "Yes, elephants will protect you from a viper." Ok honey I'll have to remember that.

Sharks

My Aunt Zodie has been visiting from Florida but had to go back home today. We were telling the kids she had to leave but maybe we could visit her sometime in the summer and go swimming in the ocean. Zodie mentioned there are a lot of sharks. Cali thought about that for a minute then came up with a plan. She said we could bring a bowl to put over the sharks mouth so they can't bite us. "We will make the bowl out of paper... Mommy do we have one of those?" No dear we don't have a shark-mouth-bowl-cover we will have to make one. "Oh Ok."