DECEMBER

As usual December was crazy. I thought I was ready in November, and this year would be easy. "Santa" bought the big present (a Wii) back in October, and all the Christmas shopping was done, I thought. But, oh yeah, I needed gifts for my staff, plus the girls at the office, Ty and Bryton's teachers, and don't forget all the family birthdays in December I didn't buy for. So more shopping. Last year at this time we were opening the office and too busy to decorate for Christmas, so this year was really the first time to decorate, and I needed decorations. Although the pictures looks like Zach did the decorations, don't let it fool you. He complained so much about how stupid it was that he just did the pillars, and then I told him to go inside while we finished. I climbed on the roof and started stringing the lights. Zach must have been worried I wasn't coordinated enough because he came outside to hand the lights up to me, and I'm sure he thought I would tumbled off at any minute.

I bought the cutest book this year at Kohls that had a lot of different christmas stories in it and every night we would read one story. (BTW, The Match Stick Girl story, worst Christmas story EVER!!! I read it to Ty because my mom said it was a cute story. I question her judgement. The little girl dies on Christmas Eve. I cried, it was awful.)
Zach didn't want us to get a Christmas tree because he said since we were going to Nanny and Papa's for Christmas we didn't need one. So, Kimber, our dental assistant, had the kids over to her house so Zach and I could go out alone, and our kids help her and her husband decorate their tree and make ginger bread houses.

But then, just like last year, Uncle Josh came to the rescue. He brought the kids a tree of their own. Ty was so excited. He said 2 or 3 times, "I just love you Josh!"

You would think, by the way the tree looks, that the kids decorated it by themselves. Actually Uncle Josh helped :-) I guess on Alvin and the Chipmunk movie they put toothbrushes on the tree, so it wasn't our cheesy idea (just since we're dentists) to put them on. We just had a bunch extra at the house so Ty did that on his own, and it was about the most annoying thing to go try to find his or Bryton's toothbrush each night.

Then it was time to head to Rexburg for Christmas. Bryn and Luke surprised us by coming home. We didn't think they'd be able to because they are both doing their 3rd year rotations in Med school. We had lots of yummy food, with great family company, and yes I turned 30. Thanks Mom and Dad for only putting 3 candles on my cake :-( I think with some of my temper-tantrums that's how old they all think I really am. Just ask Trey!!! Sorry buddy.

Singing Happy Birthday

Bryton playing Mancola by herself All the Grandkids in order of age

And then came Christmas morning. My kids were spoiled -- mainly by my parents and not Santa. Ty got his huge bubblegum machine he wanted, some games, a GeoSafari and books from nanny and papa and a Wii for him AND mom. Bryton got a leap frog learning train she loves, a baby with a stroller, and a cell phone from crew she plays with constantly (it looks real). Then came my turn, which I have to say I was spoiled. I bought the Wii for myself of course, but then my Mom and Dad bought me ....
and my parents-in-law and Bryn and Luke bought me...
It was the best Christmas. I also got a ring that had been my grandma's, which I love just for the memories. Thanks mom ... plus so much other stuff I'm really am embarrassed. I have to put in a request for next year. No more presents for Christmas or my birthday. Although, I loved them I feel guilty -- I make my own money and I've stopped having birthdays.
I have to say the Wii has been so much fun. I love all the games, and the Wii fit is kicking my back side, but even though it's fun to play, it's way more fun watching other people play.

Christmas in Rexburg was the best just because of the snow!!!! It came down non-stop I think. My kids had a blast. We shoveled and shoveled.

Then, we went sledding. Bryton loved it. She would go all by herself, and screech with laughter the whole way down the hill

Zach and Ty

Bryton getting ready to go down.

Tyger
Josh and Bree

We also had some not-so-great times. Jace broke his arm sledding so Judd and Becky spent one day in the ER, and Ty and Josh got Strep throat :-(

(Isaac, Gabe, Mori, and Ty on the snowmachine)

On New Years we did another sledding trip with Zach's family and this time with snowmobiles.
And this one ended up not too great either. At one point Zach put Ty in the back part of the machine that has a metal cargo holder and just as Zach took off Ty got scared, stood up and flipped out of the cargo area -- hitting the metal bar with his mouth. He was screaming that he cut his lips when I got to him and was bleeding everywhere. He wouldn't let me look, but when he calmed down I took a peak and saw this...

a purple line above his left front tooth. So I wiggled it and sure enough it was loose. I deal with this every day and yet I still freaked out. Since then we've taken an X-ray and actually, both front teeth are fractured up in the root. So, we are just waiting for them to turned dark and if they abcess I'll have to have Zach take them out 'cuz I won't be able to.

Bryton on her train. She's watching Kung Fu Panda and it kills me she sits like this.

All together it was a great December. I'm now furiously trying to find things to plan for the next 4 months until it gets warm enough to enjoy outside. I hate being cooped up.