We went to see santa at frys last week for a free night with santa party. It was fun and close and free:)Owen freaked out of course and didnt want to be close at all to the jolly man. He is pushing away from me in this picture I had to laugh. It was the saddest looking santa I have ever seen. You could totally see the beard strap on his cheek and his black eyebrows it was hilarious. In my head I was picturing Ralphie in the bunny costume totally tortured by wearing it and thinking Caden is probably feeling the same way about "santa". Does anyone else feel stupid or bad about duping your older children into believing?? I mean when do we tell them? Caden already asks too many questions and I hate lying. I finally told him the tooth fairy wasnt real with this last tooth he lost. I could see the wheels turning in his head but he didnt ask about santa. except how was santa at every frys Mom?? Arggh anyways I think 8 years old is the magic year to know what all us grown ups know. So Olivia was Mary and she was beautiful and perfect:) Gma and Gpa Merrill came to watch and that was great to have them around for this stuff finally. The countdown is on 5 days left......

December

Its been too long since my last lame post. We had a great turkey day going over to the Pearces with Marks family and then hanging out with the merrills too. The Lanes were here from Cali so that was fun to be with them. They were brave and took our 2 oldest to grandpas cabin in prescott for 2 nights. woohoo that was fun just going around with little O. He is so sweet by himself. We have been busy going to movies watching them at home and other christmas shopping fun.(I say fun but Mark not so much) I just love the holidays because of all the traditions that are so fun to do. We did gingerbread houses with my family and we will be doing enough nativitys to last a year:) olivia landed the role as Mary so she is excited about her school program. once again Iam stumped on what to get the man who buys himself everything. I hate doing the whole cliche of shirt and tie and slippers blah blah blah. I wish I could be really creative and think of something really great but I dont want to shock Mark too badly. We are trying to think of where to go for our anniversary. So that will be fun to get away with no kids. Anyhoo just trying to survive this joyous season and loving being with family. I dont have many pictures of myself but heres one of me and my great sister who had her birthday this week. Im grateful for her as an example to me.