Christmas Eve 2009 Part II

Yes, I am well aware it's March. I've been busy! and Krazy. I've named this blog well. Okay, back to the story at hand.

So my family has had a tradition for years. Early in the wee hours of Christmas Eve you must be careful to be the first person to "get someone's Christmas Eve Gift". I think once upon a time if you yelled it at someone before they yelled it at you, you received a gift. Someone thankfully removed the actual gift part from it, I think my Grandfather, and it just became a game of "I got you first".

The Marine and my mother are very serious about this game. To the point of 12:01 phone calls to disoriented sleepy family members. Waking people up just enough to get their Christmas Eve gift as they struggle from slumber. It's just wrong, but my husband has embraced my family's tradition and run with it.

Santa Clause decided to engage Elf #7 many years ago when I was little. I think he felt bad we didn't get a gift for all our hard work to one up one of our family members. So on Santa's way to some unknown part of the world he throws a bag of gifts out to us. Either during or after our Christmas Eve dinner. The kids run out, drag the bag in, and then pass out gifts.

It can be scary running out there in the dark if you're the oldest grandchild. I'm just say'n. Too many old embarrassing stories to tell about my formative years involving "THE DROP".

So my sister and her family, her daughter, son, and husband arrived for dinner. I have 0 pictures of her husband. He will pay for that. And since he doesn't read my blog I can plot openly about his payment....

Here you see Recruit 6 and his cousin. They are 11 weeks apart. Bear, the cuz, is going to be much bigger than Recruit 6, but he is a sweetheart. Recruit 6 evens the playing field by not being a sweetheart.



My sister's oldest. She is a feisty little thing. She will be quite the mover and shaker as she grows up. Recruit 1 will probably be a good advisor for her. They are soul sisters.

My sister. Hard to believe she is younger than me. I know Right? Okay, whatever, she points out my crows feet every time I come home.

Since my sister and her family were spending Christmas day with my bro-in-laws family they did their gift giving with Grandmother before dinner. Bear is quite pleased with his gift and it's not even unwrapped yet!

Grandmother, Big J, and Recruit 3 hanging out. Big J is my mom's boyfriend. Weird I know. He is super fabulous. I am so glad he is around since we aren't. Not sure why he has to hold the mug so close to his face to read it.

Recruit 2 looking bored.

Traditional picture of the table and room prior to us blowing it up with dinner. We had a second table by the tree. We don't all fit.

THE DROP THE DROP!!!! The youngest Grandchild runs out to wrangle Elf 7's bag in. He's been our Elf from the beginning. Very cool little dude.

Recruit 3 steps in to help. Oh what's that family members reading this post are asking? Where am I? WHERE DO YOU THINK I AM??? You scarred me for life. I'm IN THE HOUSE. Yes, I'm talking to you Aunt L and Uncle D. FOR LIFE!!!

Gratuitous picture. I think she's pretty.

Passing out of the booty. Crazy thing is, no matter who has joined us for dinner, there has always been a gift for them. Seriously is Elf 7 rockin' or what?

Scar face. He is in awe of his gift, or wondering if that's all he got. Oh my gosh he's cute!

OH MY GOODNESS. The brother in law is in the background. Yawning, yes, but he's there. We've captured his presence for posterity's sake. I still plan on plotting. It's what I do.

The almost Newlyweds. A ball thrower for the dog. Who ate it 10 minutes after this picture was taken.

The spicy cousin with her loot.

Big J got a magic 8 ball. That didn't work. Next year I'm sure Elf 7 will make up for that. I'll send a note.

The bag is empty. We set it out with the milk and cookies and Santa takes it back to the North Pole. Very big into recycling up at the pole.

Totally into zebra print this one. She's not my child.

Apparently Recruit 2 is digging her zebra stuff too. Or just torturing her. The latter I'm sure given the following wrestling match.

Notice how only a few look on. Sad statement this a normal occurrence.

He's going to gurat her with that scarf if she doesn't move away.

Spicy girl tries on her winter fashion accessories.

Big sis comes into help rescue her ear warmer headband thingymabob.

The three little guys got cute books with the main character stuffed animal. I was happy they were happy.

Gratuitous cute girl picture.

The kids. It was my almost son-in-laws first Christmas with us and I'm happy to report he survived and still married Recruit 1.

Now it's time for the passing out of Christmas pajamas. A more recent tradition I started awhile ago. It's getting expensive.... Recruit 1 is in charge of her new family's pj's. She said her pj's are going to kick our pj's butt's next year. She was born competitive. Good thing she was first.

Recruit 4 is still trying to make the magic 8 ball work. IT'S BROKEN, but go ahead.

Mad elf? Elf's gone bad? What's up with this face?

And more happiness.

I have to tell a funny story here. Sorry Bear, gotta do it. See all the envelopes on the tree? Well those were from my Grandmother. They have money in them. (duh) Anyway, my sis and her family got theirs. Bear must have thought he needed an extra one. My sister found a fifty dollar bill in his pocket, the kids only get twenty. IT WAS MINE!!! Muwahahhahahah. I'll get you in fifteen years my little nephew.... He was so cute. He really was. We'll all be watching you next year little man!

I thought Henery looked cute here.

Dish duty. It's me.

More clean up. blahck.

THE MAGIC 8 BALL IS BROKEN! Oh my gosh, like there's a secret to making it work. No one listens to me.

I love my family!!! See this is why I give out pj's. How cool is our Christmas Eve picture? Check out the one from last year.

And to all a goodnight.

Christmas Eve, 24 December 2009 Part I

Christmas Eve, as always, is my favorite time. When we were able to go home to my Mom and Dad's for Christmas every year, the Marine and some recruits would build us a manger out of old cedar logs. The kids would act out the traditional story of the night Christ was born.

When Mom moved, she brought with her the cedar logs. It's been six years since we spent a Christmas at home. Living so far away and with so many children it is hard to go back every Christmas. This was the first Christmas to be back home since my Dad passed away. It was also going to be Recruit 1's almost husband's first time to spend Christmas with us!

Usually our Christmas story is done on Christmas Eve. The weather was turning colder and unpredictable, so a few nights before we all wrapped up in blankets against the cold air and read the story from the book of Luke while sitting in the manger. Later the horse trampled the trees and knocked down our manger. Next time we're home hopefully the rest of the fencing will be up and the boogers can just stay on their side of the property!

So when Christmas Eve came around, we decided to stay in town at Mom's house and not venture out into the cold. It was a wonderful relaxed day. We puttered around in the kitchen and some of us took naps (The Marine), and I enjoyed having both my mom and The Marine's mom.

Dad was missed.

Everyone helped cook. Sort of. Here is Recruit 5 helping with the fruit. He is such a funny kid. I don't know if I've ever met someone so kind. However, much to my chagrin the world and hard charging brothers are influencing his kindness and I see the steel that I'm sure has always been there. I have been praying the Lord strengthens this dear son of mine and helps him influence some of his tougher siblings. Hmm. more musings about that some other time.

Recruit 1 and 3 and Grammy, who is always working in the kitchen, but doesn't like her picture, is The Marine's mom. It's our first time to ever have her with us for Christmas and we very much enjoyed her being part of our holiday! I hope she does it again! And I love having her in the kitchen!!!

Here you see Recruit 3 chopping strawberries. She is our strawberry expert. For some reason I always have her cut them. I think it's a tradition now. She won't like that, but what can she do? It's been proclaimed a tradition.

I think she is the punch girl here in the picture below. Oh and shhh, it's Grammy in the picture again.

Recruit 1 is almost not mine alone anymore... I have to give her over to her fella in a few days.

Recruit 1 made her first pies. I think the whole married thing has all of sudden made her much more domestic. The pies turned out very nice. We eat pumpkin pie for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack times. It was frightening when we heard the pumpkin might be in short supply. Maybe I'll plant some pumpkins for next year...

Others did other things. The Marine is sleeping upstairs but I didn't include his picture because he looked scruffy. Not very Marine like. When I went up and asked him if he was sleeping, he grunted and said he was " resting his eyes." He was sleeping.

Here are some other activities going on while we cooked and we had a few looky-lou bystanders while we creating the delectable concoctions. Check out his cheek. It's his battle scar from fighting the manger with cedar limbs placed on it. He lost the battle.

Little Red. He has an interesting adventure, but that is a few days down the road from Christmas Eve, so you'll have to wait. I promise I'll get there.

We had four dogs under our feet the whole time. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but Mom would probably tell you it WAS as bad as she predicted.

The good thing was we had as many boys as we did dogs. Yes I said good thing, however there were moments... Below you see Recruit 2 working with Prince Henery. That is the newest member of Recruit 1's pack. Recruit 1 was impressed that he learned to sit so quickly. Recruit 2 gave her a disgusted look. It took him about 30 minutes. Now Henery sits and sort of stays. He is only 9 months old. He is part of Little Red's adventure.

Hmm. First picture with Recruit 4 in it. Wonder where he's been. NOT in the kitchen where I could give him repeated orders. They learn to run and hide.

There were other events going on too while we slaved in the kitchen. This is one of those moments. Can I just say sometimes the dogs are better behaved than the boys?!

And the Recruits' cousin joins in to "wrestle" Recruit 2. What monkeys. You can see Recruit 6's head and body on top of Recruit 2 and you can see the cousin on the bottom underneath Recruit 2.

And someone must have de-tangled the bodies. Not sure who or what, but here you see all is well again, if not somewhat subdued. They are probably watching TV.

I just have to say right here what an incredible big brother Recruit 2 is. He gets annoyed, angry, and very bossy, but he loves his little brothers and I often find him sitting with them playing games or watching movies. Usually after he's tied them in a pretzel, but life's not perfect.

No much later my sister and her family joined us. I'll have to stop here because I need to shower and get moving with my day.

Let the Games Begin, And the Insanity

23 December 2009

First let me apologize for no pictures. I will get them posted as soon as I get them from my mom and sister. My camera was not available for the Bridal luncheon today. I'll explain later on.

The day started early. I'm working every morning so I can have the rest of the day and evenings free to get Christmas together and any wedding issues.

Today Recruit 1 and her Beau needed to leave early to go get their marriage license. I was up at 0600 working and so was Recruit 6. He was up, and working. Working on me to give him an ice cream cone from the freezer.

I did not give in. He has had a terrible cough and fever. dairy products are not what he needs right now. Honestly otherwise, I would have let him have the ice cream. Don't tell The Marine. He hates it when I let them have ice cream for breakfast.

Seriously, it can't be worse than Captain Crunch or other sugar cereals.

Recruit 1 rolled out of bed at 0710, started to get dressed at 0719 and left the house to meet her fella at the county clerk's office to get their marriage license. You have to have it for 72 hours.

We received a call from her not long after she left. They were closed. They couldn't get in until Monday which would mess up the necessary 72 hour waiting period.

They hung up and I left to go pick up the grooms pants from the alterations lady, fretting the whole way. And why the heck were they closed today? I mean seriously!!!

Fortunately Sequin had a county clerk who was actually working and they were able to square everything away. Thank goodness!

So now it's time to dress for the Bride's maids luncheon. I was wearing black slacks and a white fancy top I had worn to the Marine Corps Ball.

The zipper broke. With me in the jacket. so my mother in law finally got it open all the way so I could get out of it. Thank goodness for her!

I quickly switched fashion gears, raided my mom's closet and jewelery box and away we went.

The luncheon was at a winery called Mandola's. It was beautiful and delicious. Mom did a great job pulling it together. Recruit 1 had both her Grandmothers and her Great Grandmother at her lunch today.

Leaving for the luncheon I forgot my camera. Recruit 1 called and I told her I didn't have it. She had just left the house so she turned around to go get it. I called Recruit 2 who was at home with Recruit 6, both of them not feeling well, and told him to start looking for the camera.

He didn't find it. Recruit 1 was supposed to be helping look for it. I just found out about thirty minutes ago she wasn't helping she was running around with a curling iron in her hand trying to fix her hair again.

I went into the room I'm staying in and looked about 2 seconds for the camera. Found it. Recruit 2 is not doing the well in the finding department lately.

Immediately after the lunch I took Recruit 6 to the doctors (the ER) since we are away from our regular medical facility.

He has pneumonia. I thought hit had been way to long for him to have this cough. He was a great trooper. We hung out together watching Sponge Bob and finally after three hours left the hospital.

We went to Walgreens to get his prescription. While there he had another coughing fit, so sever this time he started throwing up. On me. On the floor in front of the pharmacy and snot was coming out his nose.

Not a cool experience.

The pharmacy tech gave me some kleenex and I asked for a bag. I cleaned up the floor and myself and my little man. There was a woman in hospital scrubs waiting behind me and she came over and helped.

We started to leave and as we left the pharmacy area, Recruit 6 starts getting ornery. We had not yet visited the toy aisle. I told him I was not getting a toy and we needed to go, he was a walking viral infection.

He didn't get it and started getting upset. So we cruised through the toy aisle and I quickly escorted him out of the store. He was not happy he did not get "just a little toy".

After we arrived home, I held him a while and he fell asleep.

He woke up not long ago.

He just had a blessing, motrin, a bath and some Young Living oils on his feet and chest. Recruit 1 did all that and put him to bed on his pallet.

Oh and on a side note. The big scratch across his right cheek was the subject of much attention in the hospital. When I first came in the triage nurse asked what happened and I looked puzzled because I hadn't said anything yet. Then I realized she thought we were there for the face.

I laughed and said, oh that? No that's not what we're here for. Of course Recruit 6 was asked several different times by several different medical personnel about it. When we told them he was leaping from one bale of hay to another across a fairly wide expanse, more than one of them said oh yes I used to do that. Only in Texas.

It's been a good day. I have two wonderful men in my family who both hold the Priesthood and can provide blessings for my children and mother. I have two wonderful moms, mine and the Marine's.

It's been good a day.

Shopping Shopping and More Shopping

21 Dec and 22 Dec 2009

The last two days just don't rate pictures. We were CRAZY shopping. I had left many things to be purchased here in Texas so we didn't have to haul them across the country.

The result? Lots of stores. It's actually wonderful. I am so excited and tired. South Austin has really grown since we lived here 13 years ago. One shopping complex has more stores, more options, more everything than the whole town we live in!

Recruit 3 and I had lunch today at a place called Mama Fu's. It's Asian cuisine. The guy taking our order at the counter started to tell me about some club we could sign up for. I stopped him and said we don't live here.

He asked where we are from and I said we are FROM here, we just don't live here right now. My husband is a Marine.

One of the Chefs grunted out a big "ERRRRR" and I yelled back "Oooh Rah!".

I asked him when he had gone through boot camp and he said in 87. I said are you a West Coast Marine or East Coast Marine? He said the best, West Coast but had done time at Camp Lejuene as well.

He spent 8 years in and got out as a sergeant. I love Marines. I love Texas Marines. It's a tight group. Even if you only get a bowl of chicken Teriyaki and some noodles and cross paths for a few minutes.

While Recruit 3 and I were smokin' in shopping mode The Marine and Recruit 1 drove over to Houston to pick up Grammy, The Marine's mom. Recruit 2 stayed back at The Grandmother's house with Recruit 6 who is running fevers, coughing, and generally not feeling well.

Recruits 4 and 5 are with my sister and the cousins for the night.

Oh one more cool thing about today. I was in Wal-Mart and I had passed an aisle and from the very back corner of my eye I saw a woman standing there and it caused me to do a double take. I thought I recognized her. I walked backwards, and sure enough it was her! I hadn't seen her in years, but have kept in touch and she and her family are coming to the wedding.

We stood and talked for about 20 minutes or so. She took a picture to show her husband because she said he wouldn't believe her! They are great folks and good friends and I really miss having them around.

I am exhausted and ready for bed. Tomorrow is my little daughter's brides' maid luncheon. I'll have pictures of that for sure.