Christmasy!

So since I can't think of anything creative to blog about, I'll just share how our Christmas went. We had our annual Beardall party in the Big Horns the weekend before Christmas. Lots of fun. The kiddos got to play with their cousins, and we went sledding and swimming and exchanged gifts. Yup. Fun fun fun! The kiddos and Ryan got out of school on Wednesday afternoon, and we've been chillin' at the house and just enjoying break! On Christmas Eve we had dinner, swiss steak and pasta, and had some sparkling cider in fancy glasses and ate on real plates with a tablecloth and everything! Just so you know--that's WAY fancy for us :) The kiddos acted out the Christmas story, complete with robes and towel shepherd hats and we talked about the real meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate the way we do.

We let the kids open a few presents from us, including the traditional gift of new jammies for everyone. Then we loaded up in the truck and drove around touring the lights. This of course put Jarom right to sleep, and the other two followed suit fairly quickly. Lo and behold, Santa came to our house! Blake woke up at 4:30 to use the potty and came running in to tell dad that Santa had come. Dad's reply? "Go back to bed, it's not time to get up yet". Which he did. Such a good boy. But by the time 6:00 rolled on by, Emmalee had woken up and everyone else joined right in. We all opened presents, the kids all got the pillow pet they wanted, Blake got his Wii game, Emmalee got her barbie video girl, and Jarom got his Thomas. And of course a few other things as well. They had a good Christmas. Even Sammy got into the Christmas spirit:)

We spent the morning lounging in our PJ's, eating junk food and playing with new toys. We went to Ryan's sister's house for lunch and to play with cousins, and then we headed over to visit my sister and Ryan and Frank went bird hunting while the girls and the kiddos chilled at the house.

The New Room

Since we're running out of room at our house for more children and we have one on the way, we decided that NOW would be the time to finish out the rest of the basement. Yup. So years and years and months after talking about it, we've started our renovation! The new room is:


*Framed


*Electified


*insulated


*partially drywalled!


It's not pretty, but it's getting there! Wanna see?

Now on to getting it actually done. Well, we've got a deadline now. And Christmas break:)

Isn't Pink supposed to be a happy color?

So I really used to think pink was a fairly happy color. Now I don't. Ugh. I got a phone call from the school Thursday morning asking me to pick up Emmalee from school because she had pink eye. Apparently it has been going around like mad at the school. Lovely. SO I had to send my tendees home early, pick up my daughter and head to the doctor's. Friday, Jarom started to get it, and first thing Monday morning Blake got it as well. So, five days, 2 doctor trips and 2 bottles of nasty no fun expensive eye drops later... Maybe there is an end in sight? Ryan and I both haven't gotten it yet. We're praying we don't. Maybe we'll get lucky. Or not. We'll hope for the best. Ever had to give kids eye drops? Just in case you haven't, let me tell you exactly why you don't ever want to have to. It sucks. 3, 6, 8--- they are ALL horrible ages to have to put eye drops in. I feel as though I have been literally torturing my kids. Seriously. Ryan has been helping me hold them down and force the drops into their eyes. Not fun at all. For them or me. And then of course they have to keep their eyes closed for a minute and not rub them. Darn near impossible with a three year old, let me tell you! You would think there would be an easier way. Grrr... Oh well. We sent Emmalee back to school this morning. She was cleared by the doc to go back today. Her eyes are much better and we should only have one more torture session to go tonight. Jarom will have another 2 days and then of course Blake will be through Friday with the drops. Blake should be able to go back to school either tomorrow or Wednesday. YAY! And Jarom will be good for preschool tomorrow. Yippee! For now, bring on the movies and Wii and we're chillin' at home. Wish us luck!