Christmas Hit

Sometimes Christmas gifts I think are going to be big hits end up being the duds. This year I Santa got one right:




Barbie and all her camping glory with the Barbie Glamour Camper. Yes, it is pink. Yes, it has GPS, a large screen tv, back of the seat DVD player, ipod, and chandelier. What camper doesn't come equipped with those basic necessities?


Santa brought the camper and the Kelly and Stacie dolls. I had looked for the "Camping Barbie" and almost bought her, but I knew Leah was getting a different Barbie for Christmas. The Barbie she has now has three outfit options for camping--a denim mini-skirt, a short, pink one shoulder dress, and a purple, form-fitting dress. Because there might be a formal event in the forest.


The camper also comes with its own shower and toilet that flushes. We also have a Ken doll who gets to go camping (you need someone to start the camp fire) and it is funny to watch them with Ken. The other day I caught Ken going to the bathroom just like a guy should standing up. At least he flushed and put the lid down. Ken, however, doesn't drive the camper--darn legs that don't bend.

I can see that we will be adding to Barbie's extreme lifestyle throughout the year. Right now it is the toy of choice and keeps both the girls entertained for long periods of time. Maybe she needs a small home to live in when she isn't out camping:

Word of the Day

Today's word is:

agnoying -- a combination of annoying and ignoring.

Leah sitting next to hubby at the table to eat her snack. Hubby is sort of trying to work from home while sitting at the table. Leah wanted him to pay attention to something she was saying/doing. Hubby was obviously annoying and ignoring her (maybe not so much the latter, he likes to tease her)

"Daddy, quit agnoying me!"

About right!

It is beyond cold, and it is just going to get colder. Seriously? A HIGH temperature of -2 on Friday? And we're sending our kids out in this. Builds character, right?

Yay, Vacation is Over!!

The girls are going to school tomorrow--happy dance! :)

It has been a pretty good vacation and they have done very well playing together, but this Mom needs everyone out of the house again!

From the funny farm

Yesterday I was in our master bathroom to dry my hair. Leah comes running in and asks if I can help her go to the bathroom downstairs. Umm, yeah no. Why? Because she had to run upstairs into a bathroom to ask me. You are here, why not take advantage. She did.

She then proceeded to tell me she was having a bad hair day. A headband fixed her right up.

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Emma made her own "low-tech" Fasebook (her spelling). She drew a profile picture in a box on the chalkboard. Her status was "I wishe it whas sumre bcose I like popsiks very much. :)" She then drew a box/profile pic of her good friend and his reply to her status was "Me too!" Considering it was -18 degrees this morning, I would have to agree.

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Yesterday the girls were playing in Leah's room. One time I went to tell them to be quiet, they had their shirts off. The next time I came in to tell them to quiet down, they were down to their underwear, rolling around on the floor. I didn't ask. Then before bed last night Emma showed me a sign on the door that I apparently missed:

Emma v.s Leah

Wresling mach

today starting

now

I think being cooped up in the snow and cold is taking its toll on us. ;)

Farewell, 2009

We are in the last three hours of 2009. Another year, come and gone and what to show for it? The same 5-10 lbs lost and gained again. The girls another year older. Days filled with the same chores of laundry, cooking, cleaning. Days filled with time on the computer (Facebook, anyone?).

Time spent with family was definitely the highlight of the year. From basketball games with my parents to family birthday celebrations to our traditional 4th of July trip, we saw lots of family. Even a funeral brought the family together. A week-long trip to the in-laws capped off the year. We saw hubby's side of the family more this year than we have in a long time since we are spread from Iowa to South Dakota to Colorado to California.

Hubby's highlights include sporting events. He went on a much-talked about, finally-taken "guys" golfing trip to Nevada. They four guys even got to re-live one of the golf courses on a Wii game over Christmas. It was fun for them, but I guess you had to be there for the "Remember on this hole the wind was from the northwest" type of stories they told. Hubby was also able to go to a Cardinals baseball game in St. Louis which he has been wanting to do for a long time. Now I just have to get him to Denver to watch the Broncos play. He also went to most of the Cyclone football games this year--wish we could've been there tonight in Arizona to watch them win the Insight Bowl. Hubby got to play softball this summer which he loves to do and hasn't done for many years.

For me, I did a few new things. I trained for a 5K and beat my previous time by a good 10-13 minutes. I expanded my cookie and cake repertoire and even made (very) little money. Maybe that will be something to continue in 2010. Like I said, I lost and gained the same 10 lbs which is frustrating. Must be something about being 30 and having had 2 kids--I try every year with the same result. I just read a Facebook update of a guy who set and reached his goal of losing 50 lbs this year. Wow.

Emma also had a very "sporty" year. She did soccer in both the spring and fall, softball in the spring, and swimming in the summer. I think she is great at all of them, but she thinks she needs a break from soccer. We'll see about that. ;) I can no longer spell out words in front of her because she is too smart for her own good. She is growing her hair out and becoming more mature.

Leah was my greatest cause of stress and also one of my greatest sources of joy. Sometimes it is hard to know what are "typical" health issues and what should we be concerned about with her. Thanks to 3 CT scans this year, multiple x-rays and other Dr visits we met our deductible once again. ;) She has the cutest voice and a smile that will make you light up. She continues to go down the path of princesses, Barbie, ballet, and all things girly. New territory in our house.

What will 2010 bring? I hope more family time, continuing to find new adventures, and another year of watching the girls grow and learn. Maybe lots of new blog followers and posters (although I'm not sure why!) A few less pounds would be good, too. ;)

Happy New Year, everyone! May 2010 be a great year full of promise and good things!

Merry Christmas!

We have been up at the in-law's since last Sunday and the week can be described by one word: LOTS. Lots of:

• noise--10 adults, 4 kids, multiple TV's, pianos, Wii games, and other things all going on at once
• food--too. much. food Snacks and treats and goodies galore
• drink--we've polished off a few bottles of wine, more beer, and even some Vodka
• presents--no one is leaving empty handed. Presents from Grandma/Grandpa, aunts/uncles, cousins and of course Santa. Only a few have to be returned/exchanged. Good thing Best Buy and Target carry the same things Santa brings.
• snow--all the Christmas songs have come true: "Let it Snow" and "White Christmas" could definitely be used to describe the weather outside. We've gotten at least 12" of snow and it is still snowing. The two main interstates that run through the state are both closed. The airport was closed all day today and was supposed to open at 10am tomorrow (Sat) but that may not happen either. Not good news for the Californians here in the house whose flight was at 6am tomorrow. The earliest they could fit them on a flight was Tuesday. The brother/sister-in-law from Colorado will also have a hard time getting out West. Even we will have to wait and see when we may be able to leave.
• fun--there has been golfing and bowling and poker and light sabre fights and progressive rummy and trivial pursuit. And the little kids played games, too. ;) Hubby, Grandpa and Uncle took the girls sledding (before most of the snow!). We decorated sugar cookies.
• family--it has been great having everyone home from this side of the family. It is a rare occasion and now with the snow our time together may get extended even more.

I hope your Christmas has been just as memorable. I know in the Midwest the weather has definitely changed some plans and even made Christmas different in some houses (no electricity, no church services). Merry Christmas--enjoy!