Santa, baby!

"Taking your own photos require a minimum purchase"
I am the fool who paid $15 (the cheapest purchase available, argh) for a 4x6 photo so that I could take my own pictures. I need to find a Santa next year who doesn't charge an arm and a leg, and lets me take my own photos!! Mike was mad at me though because I brought my old camera. Is it that crazy that I didn't want to bring my big camera to the mall a couple weeks after getting it and risk it being dropped or getting stolen?

We went to the mall on the 23rd after the kids got out of school. It was Maddie's first time ever sitting on Santa's lap. We don't talk up Santa a whole lot; enough that they know who the big guy in red is, of course. Maddie was super excited after watching "Letters to Santa" on PBS the night before, she was certain that she, too, would be on TV. SO she asked for a toy and a surprise. Wow, easy enough, huH? Cal and Kaycey asked for Packers jerseys, something they had never mentioned. That meant a trip to the store for Mom after seeing Santa...

Christmas #1, Dec. 20

okay, so my pictures do upload!! there must have been a problem with the site or something. it does take a little bit longer for them to upload, but the other day they weren't uploading at all.

So Christmas #1 on Dec. 20--with Mike's immediate family; his parents & siblings and their spouses and kids. Here are all the cousins. It is crazy how chaotic it is when we are all together.

The 10 cousins. Seven girls, three boys. Cal is the oldest, then there are nine under the age of 7. Kaycey and Julia are 7 yrs old, and they are 2 months apart. Then Ethan & Isabella are 5 (4 months apart). Then Maddie and Jacob are 4 (2 weeks apart). The four of them are 10 months apart. Then Grace is 3. Norah and Sadie are 4 1/2 months apart.

The six of us.

Maddie and Gracie, best buds. They are 14 months apart.

For Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa, Cal got a new desk, a case for his mp3 player, and a cool Baltimore Orioles wall hanging. Kaycey got a movie, a small chest for her American Girl doll clothes, and a new game. Maddie got an easel (a household favorite!! I can't believe our kids never had an easel!), and some Calico Critter playsets (super cute little animal families and furniture). Sadie got a "johnny jump up" for the doorway, which it won't be too long now that she'll be able to use it!! She is already getting so big...her cheeks are so chubby, and some of her clothes are already too tiny and have to be packed away!!

Merry Christmas!

Attempting to blog with a babe on my lap...we'll see how long this lasts! This is the first time I am on the computer since Thursday. Wow. I think that is one of the longest stretches ever without the computer. and even that day, I only checked the email the school principle sent us to see what time the kids had to be at church for their program Christmas Eve night. Which was AWESOME by the way. 100 kids singing (the whole school 3k-8th grade) and Maddie was easily heard over everyone :) what a ham. I would love to post the video as soon as I figure out how. We got a new camcorder from Mike's parents for Christmas. Actually we had forgotten to bring it to the first service. I made Mike go back to the 2nd church service with camcorder in tow to record the songs because it was that great.

Maddie loves the commercial for some insurance company with the song "I'll be there". She says it is her favorite song.

Lunch time...Maddie is requesting pickles, cookies, and candy. Ha.

I've taken prob. 1000 pictures with my new camera. Even figured out how to get them onto my computer. Too bad I don't know how to shrink them so I can post them to my blog, or anywhere else for that matter :(

Took the kids to see Santa Wednesday. It was Maddie's first time ever to sit on Santa's lap. She asked for a toy and a surprise. And she thought she was going to be on TV. She is so entertaining it's ridiculous, in a funny way of course.

Looking forward to posting pictures!!

Happy Anniversary to Mike & I!

a moment to blog...

I've fallen off the face of blog earth! But that's okay. I've religiously made notes for each day for my December Daily, but have not physically done it...(sigh) But quite alright. Honestly, I don't really think it's the having a baby part that has been keeping me busy. She's the easy one (for the most part anyways : ) I think it's the running around for the other three kids--be it sports, other after school activities, baking for the open house at school, etc...and the fact it's the holidays. I think there's just alot going on this time of year, and attempting to see friends or blog or whatever gets vetoed by things like cleaning, decorating, and shopping. I haven't decorated much at all this year (other than the trees--one real, one 6ft fake for the kids, and 2 mini trees). And honestly I don't think I will bring out much more this year, other than the Nativity. It's already a week till Christmas, I can't believe it!! That means my lil' baby is almost 6 weeks old already!!

I've been trying so hard to futz with the new cam. And I'm trying to be patient. I wish it came easier to me. I'm not very technologically competent; not so much that I'm not at all, but I really have to learn things and go step by step to get it (much like anything I do involving the computer). I was so proud of myself tonight...I did take some pictures with a blurred background, yay me! But my pictures are looking kinda yellowish to me. Guess I haven't gotten to that part of the manual...

Well, because I haven't posted much of anything I will post a picture of the tree (from my point and shoot camera...haven't put the software on my computer yet for the new camera). We are figuring this tree is over 10 ft tall. And to see Mike cut it down and haul it to the truck by himself was quite a sight indeed. But he did it!! It's decorated now, but I haven't uploaded any of the pictures. Mike is off of work tomorrow so maybe I'll get some computer time in during the day : )

Merry Christmas!

a bit early...

while I have lots to post about (including our big tree, no mice for 48+ hours, etc...) I had to post my early present from *Santa* (aka, Mike). A DSLR Canon EOS Rebel T1i/500D. He also got a separate zoom lens (55-250mm). We really do not exchange presents for holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries. So it was a bit of a surprise that he bought it. (The driveway can wait ; ) He had told me my wedding rings were going to be my present for the rest of my life. Wow, what a jokester!

Now do I take a class to learn everything? Or just play around on my own?? I've been reading the manual all night, so much info...but I can't wait to play around with it!!