Nice weather we're having

My Mega Monday clean up is finished, my kids are in bed, the dishes are done and the laundry that has been on the bed is actually put away. Can I get an OH YEAH! Now I am sitting on the couch in my favorite Wildcats sweatpants wrapped in my favorite cozy blanket getting ready to watch a movie with my favorite husband. I noticed I haven't blogged in awhile-so I decided tonight is the night!

This post is really about nothing- just random pictures. The beautiful weather we have been having has been the perfect play weather for the kiddos. So, really if you wanted something good to read, you're kinda SOL on that. BUT, if you wanna just check out some pictures of the fam- you are so reading the right blog:)

Daylen got a yo yo for Christmas and the littles thought it was the coolest thing ever! They LOVE when he is at our house:)

Brody's face, Opie spit, Delaney ready for the snap- perfect picture.

Sandy Kelley-Mikkelson striking a pose

Big brother to the rescue!

The kids can chow an apple. And the face is priceless

Yes I know her eyes are closed, but the point of the picture is that she is eating an apple while her feet are locked at the top of the slide.... seriously, this girl is gonna give me a heart attack one day!

Playing drive thru...

Checking the temp in the hot tub

Sweet face (even with the spit)

My girl

Good times, my friends, good times.

New Year's Rockin Eve

I was a little bummed that we had nothing planned for New Year's Eve this year. Not that we have ever really done anything since the kids have been born, but for some reason, I felt the need to do something. So I tell my super sweet husband that I want to dress up in fancy clothes, have a fancy dinner and game night and he says, "OK". He left for the afternoon and that gave me some time to get ready for our fancy dinner. I put a red table cloth on the table, with our silver chargers and all. Candles were our centerpiece and I got out the fancy glasses. I went upstairs to get us dressed and got kinda excited! I decided on wearing the Maid of Honor dress I wore in my sister's wedding. I quickly changed into it, sucked in all my breath and zipped it all the way up- couldn't breath and I may have looked a bit pregnant, but this rockin momma got zipped it up. Delaney went for an Easter dress and Brody, well I went to put on his clothes from Danielle's wedding, but couldn't quite get them zipped, so I opted for the shirt, vest and umm.... diaper. Yep, that's how we roll.

For dinner, I made the ever fabulous Macaroni and Cheese with cut u hot dogs in it. Eric got home just in time to get in his fancy clothes and pop open the Safeway brand of sparkling cider. I eloquently filled holiday bowls with our dinner and set them on the chargers. We all sat down and had a little toast, followed by many many cheers between the kids.

A blurry cheers:)

Nothing but class here folks.

After dinner, it was time for a rousing game of Candyland. The kids did a great job taking turns and Delaney legitimately won. Fancy time was over, the kids went to sleep and Eric and I watched Bridesmaids and bet who would fall asleep first (I always win- he always falls asleep). Turns out, we did actually watch the ball drop and toasted to a great new year and took a minute to be thankful for the blessings in our lives.

Planning her strategy

And yes, we are total nerds. And I. LOVE.IT.



Christmas at last

Christmas morning came early. At 7:30 Delaney was ready to go downstairs. The big kids spent the night and we told the littles to go wake Kaylie up- super fun! We went downstairs, the kids completely missed all the present s that took over our living room and went right to where the cookies and milk had been set out for Santa. They were shocked to see that Santa had eaten the cookies and the Coors Lite glass that had once been full of milk, sat empty next to the plate. It was then that they turned around and saw that Christmas had come with a vengeance. This is the first time that we have had all four kids on Christmas morning. I have to admit, it is difficult! I had a hard time paying attention to each kid! Daylen got a new scooter, Kaylie got a pair of socks with some money in it, Delaney got the Strawberry Shortcake Berry Bitty Market and a Strawberry Shortcake Doll- and let's not forget about the dinosaur she wanted (it was stuffed with no babies in it's belly) and Brody got an airport table and a firetruck. Oh and Opie and Sandy each got new dog beds!

Delaney noticing that Santa came.

Brody's airport

The big kids checking out their Santa presents

Can't drag Brody away to open his stocking

We let them open their stockings and then it was on! Christmas paper was a flyin'. Brody was very diligent in his opening. He pretty much made confetti by the time he was done with each package and each time he would say, "Dat's what I wanted!" Delaney wanted each new toy out of the box immediately. After the last present had been opened, we "cleaned" up and had breakfast. Eric's mom and step-dad came over mid morning and the kids opened more presents.

Kaylie with her sparkling cider and new shirt that says, "Cool story bro, tell it again", a phrase that she used constantly not to long ago

The big kids left around 2:00 while the littles were napping and we prepared for round 3. My family came over around 3:00 with a CRAP ton of stuff. Our little living room became teeny tiny fast. The kids were totally excited! We must have opened presents for an hour and a half. Sadly, I only took 3 pictures due to the fact that I was a crazy person opening presents, passing presents out, opening presents that weren't even for me- whew-crazy lady.

Christmas again!

Brody's helmet

And another blurry picture of Brody man

Dinner was at our house- paper plates and all. I could not believe the amount of stuff that we got- our kids are BLESSED- no doubt about it. I want them to know and understand how lucky they are to have a family like they have. The kids went bed early that night and Eric and I crashed on the couch shortly after.
It is so exhausting having kids and doing Christmas, but totally worth it.

Christmas- part deux

Christmas Eve came outta nowhere. Like for real. As much as I thought I was ready and full on told people that I was totally done shopping and wrapping and ya know, pretending to be Superwoman.... I wasn't. But at a certain point, I knew I could do no more. Christmas Eve morning, Delaney and I went to my mother-in-law's house for our annual baking get together. This was the first year Delaney got a chance to help out. I have no pictures, not sure why.... but still a good time.

Church was at 5:00 that night. Of course we end up sitting behind the one scrooge in Tucson... so Brody was hacking a little bit- so was the lady right next to her and she wasn't giving her dirty looks. And yes, when Brody tells us to "be quiet" he is saying in a voice that is just below a yell, but it's Christmas and he was excited. I think he dropped his cup half a dozen times, sat on everyones lap in the family and had a crap load of popcorn, but that's okay. He's two. Delaney sat with Kaylie- she misses seeing her sister more. When it came time to light the candles, I get all teary eyed. I literally memorized the moment realizing that they will never again be 2 and 4 on Christmas Eve. My moment was cut short because Brody was on the verge of catching my mom on fire with her candle, so I had to think fast. After church, I made everyone brave the cold weather and take a picture, cuz that's how I roll.

Waiting for the service to start with Mimi and P-Paw

Telling Kaylie that he sees Christmas!

My family.

After church we always go back to my parent's house for chili and White Christmas. This year was a little different because my dad was on a trip, but got to come home Christmas Eve! My mom went to pick him  up while we ate! I wish I had gotten a picture of when my dad walked through the door. He was still dressed in his uniform (airline pilot) and Delaney says, "Wow, look it's pilot Granddaddy!" She was so cute! Anyway, while we were at church, one of Santa's elves left some cozy Christmas jammies for the kids so it was time to change into them, but not before I snapped some pictures because I just loved Delaney's dress and I know that I probably won't be able to get away with dressing her like this for too much longer.

A little dark, but I love this picture!

Joe, Danielle and my little nephew in there

Our kiddos:0)

Kaylie and Me

Mimi and the boys

My grandparents with my kids

Mimi with all the girls (except mom)

Daylen and Brody

Delaney in her new Christmas jammies. I love this picture.

Brody's new face- constantly.

My kids with my grandparents:)

Eric and the kids throwing the reindeer food on the driveway

Christmas Eve was a success. When we got home, we put on a pot of coffee and finished wrapping presents and Eric being the great dad he is, stayed up until 2:00 am putting together Brody's Santa present:)

I love it.