HELLO? *Echoes*

I know, I know. I'm horrible. But really, who ISN'T crazy busy this time of year? I don't even know what it is. So, what have we been up to this past week...

For starters, I've been selling toys on Ebay. I do this every year and it usually pays for our Christmas. I buy them on sale or even at retail and sell them, usually above retail. Usually each year there is a 'gem' but this year its been hit or miss. I've made some money but its just been slow in general. But that takes a lot of free time, shipping and all that.

Last Thursday, Abby had her Christmas program. How fun! It was 60 Kindergartners struttin' their stuff on stage! I have some pictures but they are still on the camera. So, you'll just have to wait.

Don't be impatient. It will happen. Sooner or later.

So after that, we rushed home because I was hosting a Cookie and Ornament Exchange. I must say, it was not ME that was the poor planner. I had this planned for YEARS...well, I guess really just weeks, and then we got a note on MONDAY about the Christmas Program on THURSDAY. So blame it on Chester Elementary. There were 12 of my friends here for that. It was fun! I ended up with a little buck toothed Nutcracker Ornament.

Friday was Pete's office party. It was...well...free food and a night out with my husband without kids. They've done better, much much better! Some friends watched the kids, which was really great. We traded. We are just frugal, what can I say! Actually, it was Mary's idea, not mine, so I didn't feel TOO bad trading her our 4 kids for her 5 year old twins.

Saturday, we had a HUGE snow. They predicted 11 inches and we got about 1 1/2 or 2. They're fired. They let me down. Big time! I was looking forward to making snow angels! Well not really. Pete was looking forward to skiing down the driveway though! He did get to do the first annual snow blowing. Jealous, dad? The kids had fun.

Again, pictures on the camera.

I know. I'm a slacker.

We did a photo shoot of some friends. You can see them on Pete's website (peterboden.com) or his flickr site I'm sure. That was fun as usual! Then we watched the C and the S of the Colby CLAMS. And took a picture of the L and the M. They were kissing. Shhhhh...don't tell!

Lets see. I forgot what day it is. See why I can't blog? We are just too busy!

Oh yeah, Sunday. Pete turned 33! Can you believe he's that old? Crazy. That means he's still just one year older than me. We made him a nice lemon cake and ... yup, you guessed it, pictures on the camera!

Maybe I should go down and pop that little flashcard into the computer. Nah, too lazy.

Monday....I guess we didn't do much. Oh the boys discovered they enjoy the cinnamon/applesauce oranaments on the tree. We made these at playgroup on Friday. They are just made of, well, cinnamon and applesauce (duh) and you roll it out and use a cookie cutter to cut a shape. So non toxic.

Well, Aaron and Tyler decided to start LICKING them. Aaron has even gone back for a few hits today. I asked if it tasted good to which he responded '"YUMMY!"

I think I'll just let this one slide.

Then last night another cookie exchange with my MOPS group.

Now its Tuesday. I have Gingerbread cookie dough and Sugar Cookie dough in the fridge waiting to be cut out. I learned a cool trick, well read it. Roll the dough between parchment paper while its very pliable THEN refrigerate. So now, all I have to do, is take the dough 'sheets' out and attack them with cookie cutters. Clever, huh?

I wish I could take the credit. But I can't.

Oh, we've also made some special things this week, which I can't share because it would give away Christmas presents :) After Christmas, I'll post some pictures of our neato creations!!

So, while we're in the mood, here are some decorations. I LOVE decorating for Christmas. I love my decorations. I love my cozy house. I love the subzero temps outside. Ok, maybe not the last one. Oh yes, it was 9 degrees when I was taking Ty to school this morning. Nine. NINE. NINE!!!!!!!!!!!! Its supposed to be - 16 on Friday. No, not 16, MINUS 16. Now that is cold.

Anyway, here we go...

The lovely tree! Its real. Really fake that is. I got tired of never finding the perfect tree and it was a challenge taking the kids out for a tree in the icey cold weather and snow. So we bought the perfect one from Costco. Its 9 feet tall and pre-lit. It has those real feeling and looking needles on it, so its not all fake-y looking. Someday, when the kids are a bit older, we'll go back to getting a real tree.

But it will be THEIR tree. For downstairs. I'll keep my perfect looking fake tree.

During the day:

Nighttime with lights...oooooh, pretty!!
The fireplace/mantle area during the day. Do you like my digital picture frames? I do! Even the stockings are hung by the chimney with care.

And with the lights off. Taken by my cool husband doing his photographer thing that I can't figure out how to do:

Lastly, a funny picture of the stairs. It was too hard to take a regular picture so here is a wierd one! I love these, you can see them out the big windows from the street too. Which is good since you can't see the candy canes anymore since the kids knocked them over sledding.