Christmas Day 2008

This has been a most memorable and joyous Christmas season for our family. Much more laid back and enjoyable then last year's--that's for sure. Last year we moved 2 days before Christmas and then left for California Christmas night. It was a stressful holiday on many levels and it was so nice to have all those, as the song says, "troubles be miles away." We have much to be grateful for this year.

Christmas Eve we had my sister and her family over for a turkey dinner. Then later in the evening all of Josh's family came over for our Christmas program. We sang songs and of course told the story of the birth of Christ where the kids acted the Nativity scene, a tradition in homes all over. The kids really look forward to it.
We had hot chocolate with fixins, egg nog, and homemade brownie sundaes with crushed candy canes on top. So yummy! The kids also did their annual Christmas gift exchange with their cousins, always so fun for them.
Christmas morning started around 6:30 a.m. The kids came running into our room and were ready to see what Santa had brought. We like to be there when the kids see all the presents for the first time Christmas morning, so we tie up a sheet across the opening of the family room so the kids can't see anything until we take it down and let them charge in. I of course have to have my camera on and ready, fireplace on, Christmas tree lights on, and potty trips done before starting the festivities. Then we pull down the sheet and let the unwrapping begin. The kids got some much needed clothes, games and the game I said we would never own, the Wii. So far it's been really fun. Hope I don't regret it.
It was fun to lounge around the house and play with the kids all afternoon and then later get ready to go to Josh's aunt's house for lunch/dinner. We later came home played some Skip Bo, watched a movie, played a little Wii and tonight we are going to end the evening with watching The Christmas Shoes which a friend is letting me borrow (thanks Marilyn!). This has been a great Christmas! Hope the Spirit of Christmas has brought you and yours a Happy Christmas Day!

Let it Snow!

You're looking at this year's annual Bradshaw Christmas card picture. It was the easiest Christmas card picture taking ever! And probably one of my favorites. I didn't have to worry about hair, clothes, positions--they just plopped down in the snow and smiled. It was the first picture I took. The kids love playing in the snow, which is good because it sounds like we're in for another big storm this weekend!

Katelyn's Piano Recital

Last night was Katelyn's Christmas piano recital. She played "Up on the Rooftops" and did very well. She said she messed up on one part, but I never even noticed. I hope she always enjoys piano, and with a piano teacher like Stacy I'm sure she'll grow to really love it.

Here Comes Santa Claus!

The other night was our Ward Family Christmas Party. It was really nice. They had the kids go from room to room as they learned about the birth of Christ. I thought it was well done. Then at the end of the night there was a surprise visitor...Santa Claus. The poor man was mauled by almost 200 kids all waiting for a chance to sit on the big man's lap.

Here's Katelyn asking for the Nintendo DS she's been begging for. We've told her no MANY times, so she thought she give Santa a try. Don't think it's going to work on him either.


Here's Emma asking for some random doll that I've never heard of until that night. Leave it to Emma to change her mind very last second.
And here's Mason asking for I can't even remember what. He gets so nervous he just says the first thing that pops in his head.
And sorry no pictures of Riley. She was absolutely not having any of Santa that night. We had just woken her up from a nap so she was in a crabby mood most of the night. Hope Santa understands.

May Your Days Be Merry & Bright...but TURN OFF THE LIGHT!

A couple of months ago Josh and I had decided that our electric bill had gotten way out of control. We had kids that were leaving lights on all throughout the house, leaving televisions on, CD players, you name it--it was on and running most of the day. Something had to give. So we brought the kids together and told them that things had to change. We told them that if we could get the electric bill down $15 by the next month we would have a pizza movie night. Now I understand there goes my $15 I saved, but better habits and a lesson learned, so we hoped. So the kids really got into it. They were really improving. We noticed a significant change very quick. By the next month we had made our goal! By the following month after that we went down almost ANOTHER $15! That's almost $30 savings! So last night we surprised the kids and followed through with our pizza movie night. It went a little something like this:
Large Pizza...$10.99
Movie Rental...$1.00 (Gotta love Redbox!)
Treats...$0.00
Teaching the kids a valuable lesson on conserving energy and saving money...PRICELESS!

Decorating the Tree

We finally got around to putting up the tree the other night. I know putting up the tree is a time-honored tradition that creates fun lasting memories for most families. But for me, it's not my favorite thing. I decided I was going to try to make the evening as pleasant as possible by first letting the kids decorate sugar cookies-always fun, but always such a mess! This actually was a distraction for the kids while Josh was assembling the tree-piece by piece. We've learned in years past that the kids aren't that helpful in that department. So once my kitchen was covered in frosting and sprinkles and the tree was assembled it was time for the kids to start decorating the tree. I usually have Christmas music playing to set the mood, but couldn't find ANY of my Christmas CDs. So I resorted to turning on Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer which was playing on T.V. Close enough...right? But there seemed to be more commericals than movie and all the Victoria Secret commericals didn't seem to add the special spirit I was looking for. Okay, no T.V. So as the kids pulled ornanments out of the box, it was fun to see their reactions to ormaments they had made in years past. That part is always fun. But then the youngest kids don't have as many or any that they have made. So they are always a little sad (a.k.a. Mason). Then there's Riley who is eating the very old candy canes and pulling off all the ornaments off of the tree. And the decorating of the tree night wouldn't be complete without the "I want to hang that one up!" or "I haven't got to hang up hardly any!" Needless to say, the decorating of the Christmas tree isn't my favorite thing to do. But the kids love it and look forward to it every year so we must be doing something right.

Well, then the night took another turn. As the kids were pulling out ornaments one of the ornaments had broke. "I can fix that, let me go get my glue gun," I said trying to have an upbeat positive attitude toward the evening. Well, I looked and looked and my glue gun was no where to be found. I ended up unloading 2 of my closets looking for it. There was stuff sprawled out everywhere! So now in addition to my kitchen covered in sprinkles, Christmas decorations all over, now I had my closet mess to deal with. I was too tired to deal with the the closet mess that night. But by morning, I was feeling unusually energized about organizing my closets. Now this is not something I EVER get energized to do. I hate it! But I drove myself down to Walmart and bought tons of storage containers. But by the time I got home...I was too tired to do it. Hey, I am pregnant-cut me some slack! So the next morning, today, I was totally ready to get the closet mess under control. And I did! They look so great! Josh can hardly believe it, this is usually his department. It feels so good to have it all done. Oh, and I never did find that darn glue gun! Now, if I could just get unpacked from our California trip...

Thanksgiving 2008

Well, we made the long drive to California, once again, to share Thanksgiving with my family. We had a wonderful feast. Every year my dad makes his prize winning (not really, but you know what I mean) yams, and my mom makes the BEST turkey ever! My contribution was the pies, the one time a year I actually make homemade crust. I made a boysenberry pie and a coconut cream pie. Now the boysenberry pie was very good, but let me elaborate on my coconut cream if I may. I got the recipe from a neighbor and let me tell you-it was so good I couldn't take it!! Now this wasn't made from a pudding mix mind you, which in years past in my opinion was still very homemade--this was completely from scratch. I made the crust, the cream, toasted the coconut-everything. Now this may not be a big deal for all you great cooks out there, but for me who likes to simplify and loves all things coconut, this pie was simply delicious! Okay, enough said. Thanksgiving was a great day! We spent the rest of the week shopping (you think Black Friday is scary in Idaho??) movies, John's Incredible Pizza, and lots and lots of food! A great time was had by all.