White Christmas

On Christmas Day it snowed a ton. I love the snow as long as I don't have to be anywhere. We actually didn't make it down to my Mom's for Christmas dinner (we resceduled). Mark and I put on all the gear and started clearing the walks and digging out a few stuck cars. Some people are crazy trying to drive a little car through the 3 foot drifts!! It was nice to stay home and relax on Christmas Day.

Christmas Morning

Santa Stopped Here!

Jacob got the AT-TP Walker from The Clone Wars. He can fit 3 clones in the AT-TP and shoot missles at his remaining clones.

Iree got Baby Alive... It pees and cries and she absolutly loves it. She loves playing mommy.

Mason got a wooden train set. He loves anything with wheels!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at my brother Andy's House. We did the traditional nativity scene and the kids loved it. We stayed late playing games and having fun.
We headed home about 11:30 and Jacob and Iree were so worried that Santa had already come. We checked the "Santa Tracker" online and it said he was still in Montana so the kids hurried to bed. It is so fun to see their excitement

The whole cast:
Joseph, Wanda, Andy, Ireland, Heather, Chuck, Mark, Liz, Kathryn, Tianna, Scott and Jacob.

Ireland was Mary and felt so special... Jaquelyn was the donkey and Joseph was Joseph.

Mason was a Shepard but he tore off the robe before the performance... He helped me take pictures.

Kirby family Christmas Party

We had our Christmas Party at Heidi's house. We all slept over and had a blast. We stayed up laughing and talking until 2 a.m. and then crashed in various rooms of the house. The kids all slept on the floor downstairs.

White Elephant gift are always a big hit. My mom got these giant underwear.

The kids played Dance Dance Revolution for hours.

The kids all had their gift exchange and got some cool stuff.

Girls putting on make-up with Sammy's new make-up kit.
Aren't they Pretty!

Mark and I got Brogan's room. Of course Mace had to sleep between us so it was a tight fit.

Here are all the kids crashed out on the floor.
There are now 22 under 12 (It's getting a little crazy at these parties)

Grandma and Grandpa gave all the Grand kids new pajamas... they love having matching pj's with the cousins.

The Mace Man's Surgery

Mason has had a rough two months. He has had a chronic ear infection and has been on several antibiotics (which scare me) but it just won't go away. The doctor suggested ear tubes and a adenoidectomy (removing the adenoid) something I didn't even know existed.

He was loving the little gripper booties they gave him.


Dad is always great at explaining what is happening "Mace, they are going to put tubes in your ears... long ago they didn't put tubes in kids ears and kids were fine... oh yeah but back then lots of kids died... anyway you are going to be fine."
Always helpful :)

Had to bring the favorite monster truck "The Grave Digger"

Our matching tags... they wanted to make sure we took the correct child home. Don't worry, we got him and he is doing great!!!

Finally a Snowstorm!!

It has been a mild fall... warm with no snow... but it is here now.

Iree is all smiles out in the snow.

Mason, Maelyn, and Iree tubing.

Mace and Jacob

Mace throwing a fit because he wanted to stay outside...

Efficiency!!

I don't know about you but Sunday mornings are a little hectic at our house. It doesn't matter if we have church at 9:00 or 1:00 we are always rushing to get the cushoned bench seats instead of the metal chairs.
Jacob had the idea of swimming instead of separate showers/baths. That way no one gets a cold shower. The kids had fun and I got my hair done while they played. I had all kids and myself ready with an hour to spare...miracle!

Make room for more!

I have finally cleared my computer of thousands and thousands of pictures.
I took a break here and there to play around with a photo editing program so here are a few of my favorite ones. I am a little obsessed with Sepia plus a little color.

Cute now... blackmail later!

So I was doing a little work in the office (my room) and when I came out Iree had Mason dressed up in her ballet leotard. They were doing gymnastics and I just had to take a picture.
When Jacob got home from school his face turned red and he was saying "Mom! take it off him... he looks like a little girl!"

Well, while looking through pictures I found this... So... Mason is not the only little boy to dress up... I knew this picture would come in handy some day. :)

Jacob 2 1/2 or 3

A Little Photo Shoot!

My friend Melissa is a photographer starting up... She did a great job and is trying to get some business... check her out at Missy Lee Photography.

Congrats Todd and Anna!!!

This is the best news in the WORLD!!!

Claire A. Kirby
Born Dec. 3rd

Todd and Anna
brought home their new baby girl today!!!

I just have to say...

For those of you who don't know Todd and Anna... let me fill you in! They have been married for almost 10 years (I think) They adopted Nate just over 4 years ago... he is great, full of energy and very happy. They put their papers in for another child quite awhile ago and now here she is... This little baby Claire has no idea how blessed she is coming into a home like this!!

Todd my brother is great... He is fun, smart, humble, and a hero to many. He has been through a lot in his life and keeps on going... with a good attitude. He works hard for his family. I look up to him in so many ways. He is a great guy with a great family. He is an awesome dad to Nate and I know Claire is going to love her daddy too. Love You Todd!!!

Now Anna, She is amazing. Me describing her wont do her justice. She is giving, thoughtful, smart, funny, friendly, loving, stylish, and an awesome mom. She handles our "odd" family perfectly. She has been the person we all turn to in any medical situation... During my mom's heart attack she calmed us and explained what was happening so we could understand. She did the same through my brother Dave's tragedy. She put stitches in my foot and in Jacob's head. She gives me advice on the books I read and I love them all, she helps me think of decoration ideas and colors because she just has that gift. Anna gives, and gives, and gives to everyone that knows her. She is great. How lucky these two little kids are to have such a wonderful person as their mom. I love you Anna and wish you the best!!

And also a heartfelt thanks to Claire's birth mom who choose to give her child a wonderful life.

Wow, what a great day!

$30 dollars anyone?

Jacob created this "imperial walker" this morning. For those Star Wars fans you know what this is. Jacob loves Star Wars. He has many figures and is constantly thinking about what he can build next to carry them around. He is pretty proud of this one. He said, "Mom, after I am done playing with this I think I will sell it to some other kid." I asked, "How much are you going to sell it for?" He confidently said, "Thirty dollars." Any takers?

Wondering why I haven't posted in 2 weeks?...
This is the reason!

I have been chasing my little Mason all over the house trying to give him medicine!!! He hates it and tries to hide when I mention it. He has been so sick the last two weeks. I have been to the doctor's office twice (edit... now three times) with him and up in the wee hours of the night for many nights. I finally think we have a handle on it so he was playing more today rather than clinging to my hip.

It makes me so sad when the kids are sick... I worry, I stress, I second-guess everything I thought I knew and I lose lots of sleep. I am so happy to see the end of this nearing... we had such a healthy summer...I am not looking forward to the sick season quickly approaching.

Happy 30th Chucky Ducky!

Heather's husband Chuck got hooked up this year with gifts. Thanks to Mine and Heather's clearance rack shopping. She got him all the things he has wanted for years... problem is... now I have to help her decide what to get him for Christmas.

By the way... my vote goes to keeping the beard!!! It just looks so warm and toasty! This is a 3 week beard, Mark and I want to see what a 7 week one looks like. :)

Projects, Projects, and more Projects...

So this is the time of year Heather and I take on more projects than we can handle. We do it every year so why change this year. It is becoming a tradition with the late nights leading up to Christmas. I am so excited for the holidays... all the smells, good food, music and family parties. Mason was up past his bedtime and helped Heather and I with our first coat of paint. What a good little helper.

Finished Product!!!

Go Vote!!

Hey, No complaining if you don't go vote!

Halloween Night

Mason was so excited he ran to each door, said trick-or-treat, and thank you in his little 2yr old voice. People loved the miniature bee that could talk. It is a little shocking, considering his size! Iree needed a little more pressure to let go of my hand, go on the porch, and get her candy. She loosened up after a block or two. We have some cute video I will work on posting.

Jacob went out with his two buds, Nash and Spencer. Spencer's dad took them around and they had a blast. Jacob would have been a little impatient with the speed we were moving at so it is a good thing he was able to go with his friends.

Nash, Spencer and Jacob