Mine and Olivia's is very different. You can tell I don't buy all that let the kid be creative and do what they want crap! I directed her in a happy way towards the areas I thought needed candy. You could say there are many many underlying themes going on here. My house shows how my real home looks when I am in charge of the kids and Andrew's house reflects what my home looks like when he is babysitting. My home shows how I eat healthy and exercise. Andrews shows that he spends no time taking care of his body. Spirituality..... Brain capacity..... You get the picture.

Fireplace

This is my firs time ever owning and operating a fire place. And I guess my first time really needing or wanting a fire. But it got cold enough this past week that the forecast included snow. So we bought some logs and started a fire. It really does warm up a whole room and the ambiance was great. Its the perfect thing at Christmas time. This Christmas we have so many ups and downs but I think that part of growing up is figuring out how to stay calm and relax during those times. We also have scaled back so much this year. We used to buy the kids more presents than they had the energy to open. Now we limit it to three max and a few stocking stuffers. I think its better for them to learn that life isnt about stuff. A lesson some times you don't want to have to teach your kids cause it sucks but...again its time for me to grow up. Lets just say at least Andrew is happy with the adjustment.

Ho Ho Ho

Who would have thought my dad would be willing to play Santa but he said yes and it was crazy. He is chubby but hardly a jolly old elf. He is moody and has the mouth of a sailor. So when our first Santa bailed. I was hesitant. I knew he would look the part but I was thinking the only way he would know how to talk nice to kids was if I had que cards in the back ground. He ended up being perfect. Cause he was a very funny Santa and he was real good with the kids. What a sweet guy I love him to death. I know your wondering if my kids noticed. And yes Dallin and Addie did. But now they just think that their Grandpa is super awsome cause he is Santa on the side.

He calls me Odie. Its been my nick name for years.

The River Walk

We went to San Antonio this past Saturday to see the River Walk. Its this cool part of their downtown that has shops, restaurants, and hotels that are right on the water facing the river. Kind of like Venice. You can walk along the side walks or ride on these boats. We have been there before but this time we wanted to ride the boat. They light it all up for the Holidays for a little more family fun. It was well worth the trip. Andrew loved it and the kids really liked seeing the lights. Its now on our list of things to do each year around Christmas time.

The lights

I know pictures don't do justice to the awsome lights we saw that night but it gives you a general idea. It was so much fun!

Waiting.

I am calling this post waiting because there was a ton of waiting that evening. Waiting in the car on the drive there. Waiting to meet up again after we parked on a different level. Waiting in line for tickets. And the most annoying was my mom decided right when we were next in line to get on a boat that she had to go to the bathroom. I don't know what she was doing in there but we had to let people go past us as we waited for what seemed like hours for her to come back. Lets just say little miss bathroom breaks is not getting invited next year. Notice the picture of my brother looking at his wife hoping she is not as pissed as the rest of us were. Lol :) Check out the other pics I got while we were waiting.