C.MJ.23

Any guesses? C wanted a Michael Jordan birthday this year. He is a little obsessed with MJ right now. He had a MJ tshirt that we had given him awhile ago. My mom gave him a pair of shorts and some socks with the logo on it. Then with some of his birthday/Christmas money he bought a pair of MJ shoes. He was all decked out. Aunt T made the cake and as always did a great job. We had quite the houseful for his party. Including us there were 18 people! He made out. More money, a gift card, a new football, some puzzles, and from us a full size portable basketball hoop. After everyone left, E spent the night and the 2 boys got to play video games. We had told them they could stay uo til 2 am playing games. Daddy didn't think they would make it that long. They did. Next morning we got Dunkin Donuts before dropping E back off at home. I think C had a good time. I'm very thankful for good friends that made C's day a little more special.

Notice the shirt and the shorts and the socks and the shoes.

Nice Kraiger.  Only him.

Happy Birthday C!

I just realized I never blogged on C's birthday.  Oh dear!

Happy Birthday to C! It's so hard to believe that he is 9!  He is learning so much (he started algebra in school today) and trying really hard in all he does (he got a very nice email from his basketball coach saying how well he listens and how "coachable" he is).  That's my boy!

Happy Birthday to my new SIL, Sydney and one of my very good friends, Malia too! 

"The" door

So we have this door in our house.  If we were to ever move, the door would have to go with us.  To start with, we'd have to replace it cuz there is a big hole in it where my son pushed the door stop through it in a fit of anger.  Wow; that was a long time ago.  Daddy was not happy.  On the inside of our pantry door we have measured the kids since they were little.  It's a keepsake.

Since Kalei was really little: 4 months.

Since C was almost 4.

Aforementioned hole.

How I hide aforementioned hole.

Only thing:  Sissy and her hubby and EJ and my mom were here the week after AND I FORGOT TO MEASURE THEM ON THE DOOR!

And look.  We got Kalei girl on her lat birthday.  Definitely a keepsake.

Visiting Kalei girl

Thanksgiving day we took those on Daddy's side of the family that had not been, out to see Kalei girl. Grandma and one of my niece's released balloons.  It was nice to go see her; it had been almost a month since I had been out there.  But it always drains me when I go.  There's a side story about C not wanting to go and then wanting to go and I hate that.  But that's not what this post is about.  So I"ll end here.  It was nice weather. And the next day we celebrated Christmas (see previous post).  Christmas:  the reason that one day I know I'll see my girl again..

I think this is the 1st picture of her stone here on my blog.  It's so perfect for her.

Thanksgiving

We had a houseful for the week of Thanksgiving.  Daddy's parents got here ........ Hold on, let me start with Monday morning.

I had a lot to do Monday:  shopping, finish cleaning, more baking, laundry.  'Bout 8 am I got a text from Daddy "Did I leave my wallet at home?"  "Yes"  "Could you bring it to me?"  "Really.  A one way trip is 45 minutes.  OK.  Here I come."   Good thing I had already cancelled school for the day. 

OK.  On to later in the afternoon, Daddy's parents got here around 4.  His sister and 3 of the 4 children (The oldest is at PCC; only 17 days til he is home!) got there after dinner Monday night (dinner was at yummy Squealers).   Tuesday was ........ hmmmm.  I don't remember what we did Tuesday during the day.  I know dinner was at O'Charley's and that evening was Rock Band (only cuz i asked Daddy what we did)  (Check at the very end of the post for video.  Video is not so easy to move in this here new blogger format.)  Daddy's brother and family got here around midnight.

Wednesday was our Thanksgiving.  But just as importantly, we went to Chik-Fil-A for lunch.  My one niece loves it and so does Daddy's sister.  So my niece treated her two favorite aunts.  Then some of us went to see Kalei girl.  Same said niece as above brought balloons for her and Grandma to release.(see next post)  After seeing K girl, we went home and got our big, yummy meal ready.  I never did have dessert that night.  I was too full.

Thursday was our Christmas.  After breakfast, we opened presents.  It was the year of gift card--for most of us.  I got some Rachel Ray utensils and baking dishes (side note:  they are heavy!)   Daddy got a new pair of crocs.  Hoss got a new donut shaped bone, which he promptly demolished.  We gave everyone else, well I can't tell you because my side of the family hasn't opened their presents yet.  (check back for a post on the story of those presents and pictures)  We also started a new tradition (ooooo, aaaah, yeah!)  Later that afternoon, one family left.


Well, these weren't exactly a gift cards.

Grandma opening THE present.

This is what the 3 younger boys did.  Not sure who or what he is supposed to be.



Their Kalei thank you card; again, a future post.

Friday was black Friday.  We left the house at (drum roll) 10:30.  And still got most of what was on our list.  And for lunch we had (drum roll again) CFA!  That evening was Wii Fit. (Again, video is at the bottom) I won't describe exactly what happened; I'll just say there was a lot of laughing.  A lot.

All the visitors headed home Saturday.  We cleaned.  And our little house breathed a sigh of relief.  Our trash men did not.