Sweet Surprises!

Each year, our kids celebrate the holidays with one specific tradition...trying to catch Santa Claus. Cristian started this when he was about two years old, and the tradition is still going strong. He loves inventing new ways to try to trap Santa so that he can see him in person. Well, this year, he got a special surprise...

He wanted to use the camcorder to try to sneak some video taping of Santa. We got everything all set up, prepared the special plate of cookies (and carrots for the reindeer, of course!), read "The Night Before Christmas," and tucked the kiddos into bed. Once they were asleep, Brady and I got to work. When reading another blog, I was turned onto the most amazing website! It's called "Capture the Magic," and is located here. You take a picture of a room in your house, choose from hundreds of Santas, place the chosen Santa into the picture, and viola! You have proof that Santa has visited your house! Let me just say that this was the most fantastic way to make sure that the belief in Santa is rock solid! Cristian was beginning to question Santa's existence, and now we have him hook, line, and sinker! Check out the picture!


This is Santa next to the milk and cookies on Kourtney's princess table. :)

It was wonderful to be woken up that morning to, "Mom, Mom! He was REALLY here! Look was he left us!" I can definitely say that the picture will now be part of our family tradition! While there was a small fee ($9.95) for the picture, it was worth every penny!

We hope you all had a lovely Christmas! I'll post more about how we celebrated the holidays later, with more pictures. I promise!

Family

Everyone knows that family is the most important thing in my life. I am so incredibly blessed to have such an amazing family. It was frightening to think about how little I would see my family once we made the move to Roseville, but in all honesty, I think I see them more now than I did when I lived in Victorville...especially my mom.

Because of Brady's work schedule, we are unable to make the trek down to Southern California to be with family this year for the holidays. Well, my parents took that into their own hands and came up for the weekend to visit us. It was wonderful!!! The kids had a blast baking with Nana, and watching football with Papa. Last night, they got to open their presents from Nana and Papa, and let me tell you, I don't think I've ever seen them more excited about the gifts they received. It was so neat to see them jumping up and down, yelling and screaming about the special surprises that Nana and Papa had for them.

Unfortunately, my parents had to leave first thing this morning to head back home...to all that snow! I am so sad to see them go...I miss them dearly, and it's only been an hour and a half since they left.

Christmas will be a bit lonely this year, as this is the first year that we haven't been around ANY family for holidays. But, I'm sure the kids will keep us hopping. I can already envision myself putting Star Wars Legos together for the rest of my life, once Kieran opens his presents. And, of course, there will be My Little Pony to play with, and Bakugans to transform. It will be a busy day, I'm sure! Let's hope it starts sometime after 4:00 in the morning...maybe we could even hope for daylight before anyone gets us out of bed! I doubt it, but there's always hope!

May each of you be blessed this holiday season with my love, peace, friendship, and family!