Christmas with the Batsons 2008

On Sunday, the 21st, we opened a few presents since Eric was going to be leaving us for Christmas. The boys were thrilled with presents from the Grandmas! Star Wars Action Figures, Duplo Blocks and planes are just what our kids love!

Christmas Morning 2008!

Christmas is so fun and chaotic with tiny kids! The "babies" were up several times through the night so by 6 something they were ready to go! Unfortunately, Kendall and I were ready to GO back to bed! My mistake for leaving the christmas tree lights on through the night and putting all the presents out....Yeah, even half asleep Eli notices stuff like that!

Well, we got ourselves semi-concious and let the ripping begin! They tore those packages open with wreckless abandon and didn't care one bit what the tags said! Somehow we got it through, at least to Eli, which toys belonged to which kid. Ah, who am I kidding? They all go in the same toy box and Eli steals everything from Noah no matter what we say!

12-26-08

This one's for Megan! Noah was "reading" the newspaper while I was talking to you!

Snow, yup that's it!

We have apparently received more than 4 feet of snow all total since it started snowing on December 17th. ( The kids started their Christmas Vacation a couple of days early)

I love it! I think it is beautiful and I'm so glad I have nowhere I absolutely have to go. I'm super glad we decided months ago to stay home for Christmas and I'm even more glad that I have a husband who has a few weeks off from school! Yay!

Sometime around December 19th!...The snow days have all run together now.

It did take a while to find the van!

This is after the 2nd full day of snow. Well, that's old news, we've had more than 2 feet more since then!

Christmas Eve Excitement in North Spokane!

Our Eldest Snow Angel...It took him a while to get up out of that fluff!


Yeah, it really was relaxing. I can't believe how much I am loving this snow! Maybe it is because I am way UNDER-scheduled these days. I'm just relaxing and enjoying. Yes, there's some cabin fever going on, but that is remedied by my escaping child-less for a couple hours once in a while....last night it was to to the bookstore to just browse, uninterrupted! Oh and thank goodness for my huge Carhart coat! I'd never wear it anywhere I want to look cute or anything, but it sure is great for out in the snow when it's like 10 degrees!



Eli thinks he's in heaven!


We were both ready for a nap, he was fine with lounging on my legs in the snow. I'm pretty sure that his face was the ONLY part of his body that had a clue that it was cold outside!


Now...for the crazy part of the week! - Christmas Eve Day to be exact!
This is a picture of the building that is right next to and in line with ours. Notice the big section of railing that is missing?



This is the SUV in the "ditch" or whatever you would call it between the retaining wall and the apartment building. Apparently the lady couldn't stop. My question is this: How fast would one really be going when pulling into a tight parking area when there's tons of snow? Hmmmm?

It took a really huge tow truck and many hours to get the car out. I'm impressed they could get it out at all without a huge crane!

This week...

This is from May of this year. The boys have grown so much in that short time!


Thanksgiving Dinner - Grandma and Grandpa Batson were here and the boys were so happy to see them. Kendall did the bird and it was delicious!


Eric was in heaven with a meal where he could eat as much and as long as he wanted!


Right on cue we had snow on Friday. Not tons, but enough to play in and to have a great snowball fight! Noah did pretty well stomping around in boots that were 3 sizes too big!


We don't get many photos with our entire family. Out in the snow will have to do!



Gregger's birthday party. ALL the 3 year old boys wanted to blow out the candles. Eli was thrilled when they were all blown out and he yelled, "I did it! I blow the candles!" (he actually didn't)



Double take of Eli, but I couldn't resist...he now loves to say cheese for the camera and has learned how to fake smile.

Eric so grown up.

Happy Holidays from us!

If I'm not screaming, I'm laughing...

I think that's what it is with 2 year olds. They make you scream or laugh nearly all the time. Today I was trying to give Eli a project to keep his mind and hands busy. I made a nice swirly design on construction paper and lined it with glue. I suggested he put beans (a variety of colors) on the glue to make a cool picture. It only worked if I worked with him of course. If I took my attention somewhere else, there was bean throwing and glue smearing. The cutese was when he kept asking for more "blue". "Need more blue mommy!" I thought I'd try to teach him how to say glue..so I said "it's glue...g - lu" "Oh, g - blue!" From then on it was g-blue. Well we're getting somewhere, right?

questions

I stole this from an old mission friend's blog. I thought it was kind of fun and simple to do. The instructions are to answer with just one word....I challenge any of you do copy the questions and give your own answers....liz, nik, shaila, mandy, meg, april, sherin, gina.....yeah, all you sisters!

1. Where is your cell phone? nightstand
2. Where is your significant other? bed
3. Your hair color? brownish
4. Your mother? home
5. Your father? retired
6. Your favorite thing? babies
7. Your dream last night? unsure
8. Your dream/goal? music
9. The room you're in? closet/office
10. Your hobby? papercrafts
11. Your fear? dark
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? home
13. Where were you last night? date
14. What you're not? asleep
15. One of your wish-list items? ipod
16. Where you grew up? Moses Hole
17. The last thing you did? facebook
18. What are you wearing? jammies
19. Your TV? smudged
20. Your pet? nonexistent
21. Your computer? friend
22. Your mood? denial
23. Missing someone? yeah
24. Your car? van
25. Something you're not wearing? jewelry
26. Favorite store? Target
28. Love someone? Kendall
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? recently

Noah's book.

Well, it took me almost a year, but I finally made Noah's little brag book. Carolee was so kind to make one for Eli and I just had to have one for Noah too. Obviously I still need to add the pictures, but I'm just so glad to have this much done. I'm sure this is only interesting to any of you who are into papercrafts or scrapbooking, etc., but I had to show it off anyway, because it is a huge accomplishment for me.