Post christmas

We had a great Christmas, we really did. It started with a ski trip to Utah and ended with Brent back to work and me left with a house full of kids, even kids I don't own or recognize, and a huge pile of mess. I guess I will just jump right on into it and let you know some of our highlights.

Skied 4 days in Utah, the last day the Binghams met up with us and we had a great time with them.

Lauren sprained her wrist on the first run of the season, we had the ski patrol wrap her wrist and he told me he highly recommended her not skiing anymore and I laughed in his face and said, "wrap it up tight buddy, this trip cost me a lot of money!"

Brent didn't fall off the ski lift this year, bummer, good times when he does!!!

Ashlen spilled an entire Soda into my new Coach purse on the airplane. I won the purse at a raffle for Laurens volleyball fundraiser, I guess I really only spent 10 dollars on it but still, not fun and everything is still sticky.

We stayed at the Grand American hotel one night while we were in SLC and the kids couldn't get over how nice it was. Ashlen kept calling it a princess castle. I guess we really never take the kids to nice places.

We got to see Amy and Brent, Clay and Dawn, Grandpa C. and Grandma C. and all the Utah cousins. They had a blast playing together the night before we left and we got to eat good food and play, "what if". I think I heard someone snorting while laughing so hard....no comment grandma!!!!!

Brent and I went to Wally world (Walmart), together with the rest of the losers on Christmas eve. I really just went to get a gallon of milk.

The kids slept in until 7:30 on Christmas morning, I had been asleep about 4 hrs. at that point.

Ashlen ate the treats we left for Santa and the reindeer.

Peyten wanted a friend to sleep over on Christmas night. Funny, it was the same kid who slept over last Christmas night.

I made pancakes for Christmas dinner.

Peyten got two airsoft guns so all the neighbor kids have been having wars in the street since Christmas. It's like we live in the ghetto.

Austen beat the crap out of one of the neighbor kids who wouldn't stop shooting him in the face. He told me it was self defense. I guess it was cause the kid, who usually cries to his mama, has been unusually quiet.

Ashlen showed off her new underpants to her whole nursery class at church. They were Dora, so you know.

I only said about 5 swear words all Christmas break, pretty good for me. One was yesterday when I almost rearended someone and Lauren yelled at me to, Watch out." I was just demonstrating what not to do.

Well, I have to end this cause I have a 3 year old yelling at me. Happy new Year.

Ok... so I took the kids to this beautiful historic house to take our Christmas picture. The kids had the patience of a 3 year old, which is awesome cause we have a 3 year old. I wanted to strangle them when I was done so it is so ironic that we put lovely pictures of our kids in Christmas cards and tell all these wonderful things about them so everyone that reads them feels like crap cause their family isn't nearly as perfect. (major run on sentence). Anyway, I am not going to write that letter this year, I want to keep it real. Here goes people...

Ashlen brought LICE to the family reunion this year. Yes, my daughter. Still don't know how she got it, but she did. Brent was in charge of her the previous two weeks before we left for the reunion, so I of course blame him.

I read two entire novels this summer while driving a golf cart. Brent would call me during the kids golf tournaments for updates and I would have to make half of them up cause I really had no idea what was going on. He of course busted me everytime, but I did read the books, that was the point I was making.

I have 4 kids in 4 different schools. Early morning Seminary is enough to kill me. It takes 4 alarms to wake up Lauren. Brent usually has to got up and finally get her out of bed. Once she is up she is fine. I am soooooo grateful that Brent drives her every morning, he has been out of town all this week so I have had to do it and it as been a challenge.

I am "that" mom who always forgets to bring Ashlen her necessary stuff to preshool. For instance; I do not have time to copy 3 pictures a week for the letter of the day, nor do I want to. I am also in the 5th, 7th, and 9th grades, I don't want to do preschool again. I also can't do play groups, I am way older and much wiser than the normal mom of a 3 year old. The other moms may not call it wiser, more like lame!!!!!

Brent and I went on our fun trip this summer to Costa Rica. We stayed at the four seasons, my favorite hotel, and only left the property once. My motto is, if you are at the four seasons is there any reason to leave? I did go out snorkling by my self twice and got major fried on my back. Next year the trip is to Argentina.

The boys have taught Ashlen some fun new words that I won't repeat here, but I can guarantee you she knows more locker room talk than most 3 year old girls in a pink TuTu. I usually have to look for her in the mornings because she is always being stolen from her bed at night from the older kids. They love to snuggle with her.

In all seriousness, we are doing good and have had a fabulous year. Texas continues to bless us and we are blessed to be here among great people. Brent and I talk all the time about how much we love it here and love our super friends who are more like family. We miss our family and friends who live far away like crazy, but feel lucky to see them often. The new year brings promises of tons of sports games, crazy Houston weather, girls camp for the 4th year in a row, hard work at the dealerships, kisses and hugs and prayers.

Love to you all.....The Texas Christiansens