Christmas Vaca Reno Style

We are having a relaxing time here in Reno. Christmas was busy and restful at the same time, so good to be around chaos, kids and friends who are our west coast family. We went sledding today and had a blast and I hope to do it again at Mt. Charleston in Vegas. Last night 21 people (10 adults and 11 kids) went to see Alvin & the Chipmunks. We got to the theater early and stood in a line set up just for us and then picked the best seats in the theater. We brought some treats from home so all we bought was popcorn. It was a pretty cute movie. Raine recognized the song All the Single Ladies and said "We know that song, can I dance?" She was too antsy to sit and watch because she ate about 15 blue M&M's. 8 adults are going to see Sherlock Holmes tomorrow night. I can't wait to see Robert Downey Jr. in that, he is some yummy eye candy (next to Mo of course)!!

The woman who truly intends to live a good life is already living phenomenally since intent is part of the achievement.

~Maya Angelou

I don't feel like I live phenomenally but I do enjoy my life. Our Christmas season created an emotional roller coaster within my heart this year. I was a very weepy mama the entire week leading up to our saviours birth. Everything seemed to make me teary; songs on the radio, tv commercials, Christmas cards, texts, phone calls, Christmas gifts, church, my kiddos and even my spouse. You name it, I cried over it. (No I am not pregnant.)

Mo's parents offered to fly us home during winter break but we decided to stay here in Las Vegas instead. I was upset about that decision and probably a bit depressed too. I would try and persuade my hubby to drive to the east coast, but deep down I knew that wasn't happening either. Prayers are an amazing thing, I strongly recommend it. I prayed for contentment & PEACE in my heart, since I really wanted to go east and see family. God answered and although I have cried a little bit each day, it has been a really content and peaceful holiday.

We attended the 4:00pm Christmas Eve service at Canyon Ridge church with two very dear families the Baldwins and Boardmans. The Russo's were supposed to join us but we switched the time on them so they were impressed with the 6:00 production. Reece was in service with us which was extremely special as well. I felt bad Raine was in her classroom and felt an urge to pull her out to sit with us.

We ran out of there abandoning our friends to put lasagna in the oven and give the kids the Wii. It was super exciting.  On Christmas Eve evening, I made my hubby help wrap presents, yes in years past I did it all, so I changed that this year! It was fun working together on that. I would go put them under the tree and he would ask how many more... We were in bed by 12, so it wasn't too bad.

While tucking the kiddos into bed they were told to hang out in their rooms until daddy and mommy were ready, so I wrapped a couple toys up with a bow and put them outside their doors.

We had a slow going morning, ate some fruit first and then unwrapped a bunch of presents from the relatives. It was a slow morning with lots of awesome faces. I took a lot of video and mo took a ton a pictures. Now I just need to upload them all....

Happy Christmas Break

I love this time of year so much! Two weeks off of school to spend with the ones I love so dear. I am really excited about Christmas morning because my kids are starting to understand what it all means and how gift giving works. Our whole family from the East Coast sent out presents for the little rascals plus they received a few from the neighbors and friends. We will open them tomorrow Dec 21st and let them play with them for a day or so before we head up to Reno to visit the Brewers and Dahirs. Mo & I plan on bringing five presents from mommy & daddy up to Reno with us. We won't really be mentioning Santa because we believe Jesus is the reason for the season. We will be making him a birthday cake and singing Happy Birthday Dear Jesus...
No, I am not a hypocrite, I do too believe in Santa and I help my kids believe also, but he only brings a couple of presents and he will be delivering those to Vegas because he didn't get our letter that we would be in Reno. I get to watch my darlings open presents three times this year, Dec 21st, Dec 25th and then Jan 2nd! Now I'm off to wrap the bunch we are traveling with!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Visiting Santa

Raine was checking out the Rudolph stuffed animals.

Reece just wanted to see Santa and play with the toys they had on display.

Yay for Christmas!

Look how cute they are with Santa & Mrs. Claus!

Today we took a trip to Bass Pro Shop to visit Santa & Mrs. Claus. It was so much fun! Reece and Raine saw Santa at Bilbray last Tuesday but it was nothing like this. The store set up the cutest display and a whole section of fun for the kiddos. They were able to play with remote control cars, a nerf crossbow and some crafts while I waited in line to see Santa. It was quite the neat set up. Raine couldn't wait to tell Santa that she wanted a Pooh Bear toy because she forgot to tell him that when she saw him on Tuesday. Reece told him he wanted Power Ranger toys, too bad Santa's helper hasn't found any yet. We strolled through the store and then let the kids pick out their special ornament for this year. Reece picked one with two labs laying on their dog bed. Raine chose a brown bear holding a big star christmas cookie. They loved walking around the store with them and would barely hard them over to the cashier to purchase. It was a really nice experience.

REI at the District was our next destination. Mo told the kids we were headed to a surprise, but Reece wasn't too please when he read the letters REI. He had a ball hanging out in the tents and climbing on the rocks. No really great deals were to be found there so we headed to some of the other shops. Ann Taylor Loft was our next stop, where I was hoping to find some new jeans with the Christmas money my mom sent me. Mo was such a supportive hubby while I tried on clothes and then even found me the cutest Christmas dress, on sale no less!

As we were heading to some more shops, we ran in to a very lonely Santa just waiting for kids to chat with. Reece and Raine were so excited to see him again! They chatted quite awhile with Mr. C and walked away with some paper antlers. I ran into Gymboree to check out the sales and find some mittens for Raine. The kids were getting restless and hungry so we headed to Cheesecake Factory for an early dinner. Mo & I share our favorite Buffalo Blasts and a new dish called Bellaigo Chicken which was scrumptious! While enjoying some bread, Reece asked everyone how their day has been. He said this dinner was the best part because he was so hungry. On the way home, it only took 5 minutes for both kids to cash out. It was an extremely enjoyable family day, maybe we will make it to the Santa train ride in Boulder City tomorrow!

Christmas cards

Wow, It's December and I am still so behind in my posts. I am sitting here sipping an Irish coffee staring at my pile of Christmas cards wondering where I put that extra box. I wrote out 60 cards and still need to write about 20 more to all those college friends who need to see how cute our kids are. I chose to use an old school christian themed card and develop a single pic of Reece & Raine with Mickey ears on. I am pleased with our cards this year because the pic of my joyful babies is priceless. I scribed on the inside, "We hope your Christmas is a magical as our 1st trip to Disneyland." Your card will be in the mail tomorrow after school. I found a slew of old 41 cent stamps so it shouldn't cost me that much to mail all of these off. I never realized how expensive Christmas cards could be until Mo asked how much I needed from our Christmas budget. It will be interesting to see what it all adds up to since I am using cards I bought a few years ago, stamps I have had laying around and a single simple pic. I am hoping under 20 bucks...

Christmas shopping

Tonight after my class I went to Toys R Us to buy some fun stuff for my babies. My mom called and left me a message about the one day sale; thanks Mom! I got some great playdough and crayola sets, buy 2 get 1 free. My kiddos are so crafty they will love that messy stuff. I found a Transformer soccer ball on clearance and a classic Transformer firetruck for 10 bucks. The best deal of the night was the green Vtech Nitro Notebook computer for $24.99, half off. Reece will be so excited because he always wants to play on ours. I found a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse laptop for Raine. I hope she loves it as much as I think she will. It has some really cute games and songs. I also found her a sweet little pack n play for her baby dolls, some mini diapers and bottles. She loves to play with her babies and stuffed animals. I really enjoy watching her play mommy, she would make a great big sister. I found some good deals and am done shopping. I have a few presents already stashed away for the kids. Our trip to Disneyland really was supposed to be their present but I couldn't help picking them up a few things tonight. I know my mom would love to take credit for the laptops, plus then she wouldn't have to shop! We'll have to see what the tag on the gift says when it's under the tree.

Oh Christmas Tree...

How bout this one guys?

Lil tree strapped to the Vue.

Jingle Bell Rock was playing and the kids started rocking out.

A bit snuggle because she was still a little sleepy.

Family fun was had this morning! We were out the door by 9am to pick out a Christmas tree and build a wagon at Home Depot! The kids had a ball running around the Christmas tree lot, playing hide n seek with their dad! I snapped some cute pics and then we found the perfect lil tree for our home. Mo watched the highschool helpers tie it to the top of my lil Saturn Vue. We ran the tree home, let it open up in the garage for a few hours and headed back to the Home Depot for a kid clinic.

We were meeting my friend Traci and her cute boys. It was our first time building something at the kids clinic and Reece & Raine loved it! Daddy helped Reece with his lil wagon and I assisted the stubborn "I do it" lil lady! Mo took over helping Raine and I snapped some pics. We had a ball building our wagons. The kids couldn't wait to take them home and paint them. Reece chose to paint his red like a traditional wagon and Raine chose her favorite color, blue! They tow those little wagons all over the house.

After a few hours of decorating the house, Mo was home from landscaping, and ready to decorate our perfect little tree, well sort of. I started decorating while he cooked some delicious pork chops. Reece loved hanging ornaments but clumped them all in one spot! I had to keep rearranging them. A few minutes later he found the red and silver bulbs full of glitter. He would rub his hands all over the bulb then wipe the glitter on his face and say look mom I'm sparkly.  I love Christmas with my lil family.