Our First Christmas Eve at Our New Home

Christmas Eve morning we opened our presents as a family of five (can't forget Toby).It's nice knowing that we will celebrate and make many Christmas memories in this home for the next 20 years or so, God willing.


Showing off their candy canes.



Marissa loves her new kitchen.


The Q Crew checking out the kitchen.


Dad opening his 1930's radio repleca.


The Darth Vadar lap top... the best present ever according to Roo.



Toby thanking Mommy for his Christmas toy.

One of Roo's Favorite Presents...

...was also one of Jose's. :)



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We had a great Christmas at my mom's. We are actually still here. We will be headed home tomorrow and I will write more about our Christmas and post more pictures.

Deb's dad is still in ICU and things are not looking good. He has had another stroke and two big heart attacks. So please continue to keep him in your prayers.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I can't wait to catch up with you all soon.

Three 4 Year Olds, a 2 Year Old & Lots of Sugar

Josh and Jake came over today. We made brownies, ate hot dogs buns, and decorated giant ginger bread and snowman cookies.




Marissa ate way more candy than she put on her ginger bread man.



Jake got a little crazy with the pink.



Mr. GQ (Josh) and his prized snowman.



Roo inspecting his work.



The boys were using their buns for telephones. Goofy little fellows.






And the most important thing is... Marla and I made it out alive and we didn't even have to break out the bottle. :)


It's awesome to have a friend who just gets it, it being what real motherhood is like and someone who knows sometimes you just do what works.

Thanks Marla for being such a great friend. I'm so glad you gave a complete stranger me your number in the mall when the boys were a year old. :)

They Refuse to Cooperate

This and That

We spent the weekend at mom's. Jose and Deana went to the Casino boat in Evansville on Friday. That was their Christmas present from me, money to gamble away :)
They had a blast and Jose went in with $100 and came out with $180. Deana did not do as well, but she had a great time.

While they were gone on Friday, Mom and I decided to give the kids a present. If we could, mom and I would exchange presents on the day we buy them. We have never been able to wait. The kids opened their remote control cars that mom and Deana got them. Ruben LOVES his. He said it was the best Christmas present ever. Marissa's was a bit smaller and less complicated but she loves it too.

We leave Wed. afternoon to go back to mom's for Christmas. I was going to let the kids open all their presents Wed. morning. But then they would not get to play with them long before we leave to go to mom's. And I'm just not dragging all their loot to moms to have to drag it back again. So I decided they could open one present every night until we go to moms. I realized I'm the adult here and I can make and/or break the rules if I want to. :)
They opened their shopping carts last night.

So maybe that is a new tradition we will start. That way they really get to enjoy one thing before moving on to the next.

I really am enjoying the holidays this year. I am trying to live in the moment and just enjoying being with my family and making sure my kids know the real meaning of Christmas.

Every year we buy toys and donate them to toys for tots or our church. This year I decided to do something for people that we know. There is a single mom in my life who is a great friend and wonderful mother so we are doing some things for them. I won't go in detail about it here because it's just not necessary but I am really thankful we have been able to help this Christmas. It's such a tough time for everyone right now.

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On a sad note, my best friend, Deb, called a little while ago and her Dad, Ernie, had a stroke last night. He has been in and out of the hospital the last month or so. But we all thought he was doing better. This family really has been through so much lately. Elizabeth is back in jail and we still don't know the status of the baby.
I feel so torn because I want to be there with Deb and the whole family because I consider them my family as well. But it's Christmas and I don't want to leave my kids either. Hopefully he will be fine and I can go the weekend after Christmas.

Please keep them all (Gouge Family) in your prayers.

Our Friday Night in the Park

Every year we take the kids out for a long drive to look at Christmas lights and then we walk through the park and look and the lights and take pictures.
The camera was being difficult this year and it was freezing out. My poor kids, I insisted that we go on Friday night, it's important to continue traditions even in 22 degree weather. :)
Roo took his camera too, I think his pictures came out better than mine but I haven't yet taken the time to figure out the software to download his pictures to the computer. He has only had the camera since his birthday, 8 months is not that long is it? :)

Before leaving our house, Marissa checks out our carousel.



Marissa was so excited to see Snoopy at the park. She has a stuffed Snoopy that she loves.



Ruben did not like being in front of the camera since he brought his, I had to beg and plead for him to let me take his picture.



Marissa was in awe of this deer, his head moved up and down.



Marissa and I were petting the deer, Ruben just standing there with camera in hand. :)

Daddy's Office Christmas Party

This first picture was a miracle!
It's rare to get them both looking at the camera at the same time but smiling and hugging...well I thought it was impossible until tonight. :)




Such a handsome little guy.



Marissa hamming it up!



She gave me this look when I wouldn't let her have a glass of coke that was on the table. lol

Thank You

I can't seem to find the words tonight as I look through pictures of the last two years. I think the song that is playing sums it all up...Thank You.
Thank you God for giving me this little girl, for watching over her.
So often I forget just how very blessed I am.

I'm so very grateful...thank you God for everything.