It started out by me taking my first ever trip away from the family. I met a friend in LA and we ended up going to Santa Barbara for the weekend. I was having some anxiety leaving...being my first night ever away from Owen. Audrey had spent the night at the in-law's and a couple friends' before, but still it was the first time I left her. I called the kids at bedtime both nights I was away and they were having a blast doing fun stuff with Papa. I was gone from Friday morning til Sunday night, which apparently wasn't long enough for me to be missed too much. {Paul's words.} The house didn't get too messy and I left a refrigerator full of leftovers. He said maybe if I was gone for 4 or 5 days and it was during the work week when he'd have to get the kids transported to places while he worked all day, make dinner, etc, then it would be different. I took that to mean I can go away for a little longer next time! And if we are to be blessed with Baby #3, that trip might have to come sooner than later. {And does it make me a bad mom if I admit that I did better than I thought I would and wasn't constantly teary-eyed about being away from them?} My camera made the trip...but the battery was still charging at home. Only have a few phone pics:
The first weekend in December is usually when we get the house ready for Christmas. I had hoped it might happen even though I was gone that weekend--at least the outside stuff that Paul's in charge of. Nope. I was a little sick and out of it for a few days after I got back so I wasn't any help. Then the 2nd weekend Paul started not to feel well and then Audrey & Owen too. No time for decorating. It then rained for like 2 days straight and neither of us wanted to trudge through it to get to the shed and unload the Christmas stuff. Rainy, cloudy days are sometimes nice but this time just brought on more mopey, grumpy and lazy attitude from me. I also hadn't shopped except for a couple things bought online and something for my sis-in-law that I grabbed in Santa Barbara. I was feeling very "bah hum bug" and I hated it! About mid December I finally got back in the swing of things by working a few days, getting the Christmas stuff up, Christmas cards ordered, baking, etc. I felt productive and was feeling myself again!
Then the visitors started rolling in, starting with my stepbrother Will flying in from VA on the 19th, and it's been non-stop fun since then! My dad, stepmom & other brother Kyle flew in from TX on the 20th. My stepmom's Grandma was also able to come out here, so it's been so neat for the kids to see Great-Great Grandma Husman again. Paul's oldest brother & his wife came in from Hawaii, so we had the whole Neerings family together this year and took pictures Christmas Eve morning. We've spent a lot of time at Paul & Randee's, as the twins are still little and are best safe at home and not out and about. They've had lots of visitors! Audrey & Owen are getting in a lot of play time with cousin Jay...and observing the twins. Audrey has even held Sophee. Owen smiles and points to them and says "Baby Macs" and "Baby So-pe" and stares occasionally when they cry, that's about it. Apparently I did not do a good job at taking pictures...I'll have to get my dad to send some.
Mama, Great-Great Grandma Husman, Grandma Giberson, Audrey
Audrey & Grandpa Giberson
Grandpa Giberson w/Max, Great Grandpa Giberson w/Sophee,Great Nana,
Jay & Audrey {Owen ran away}
My Grandpa Giberson {dad's dad} & Nana Karla were able to come up and so we spent most of the 27th with them, as that was their only full day here. It was short, but so wonderful to see them and of course, play games while they were here! It's what Gibersons do best, you know! ;o)
My brother Kyle met up with his marching band on the night of the 27th. They are playing in the Rose Parade on Monday and it worked perfectly that they passed through Phx on their way to LA so he could hop on board for the trip. Will went back to VA on the 28th, his 21st birthday! The kids missed their uncles (and me too...they sure keep the kids busy!), but Grandma & Grandpa Giberson were here until the 1st.
My brother Kyle met up with his marching band on the night of the 27th. They are playing in the Rose Parade on Monday and it worked perfectly that they passed through Phx on their way to LA so he could hop on board for the trip. Will went back to VA on the 28th, his 21st birthday! The kids missed their uncles (and me too...they sure keep the kids busy!), but Grandma & Grandpa Giberson were here until the 1st.
We did 4 Christmases this year: #1 Christmas Eve with the Neerings; #2 Christmas Morning at home, just the 4 of us; #3 Christmas Night with my mom, stepdad, Hunter, Paul & Randee & kids, and Auntie Paula joined us again this year; #4 Christmas with my dad, stepmom & brothers. Santa brought Audrey the new sleeping bag & tree tent she had been wanting and he brought Owen a mini trampoline. {Santa must know that O has a LOT of energy!} Mama & Papa gave the kids games, books and clothes. Owen got a special couple items to help him along with some things: new Cars bedding to hopefully keep him in his bed instead of on the floor on his Cars rug or in bed with us, and a Cars potty seat to maybe get him interested in the potty! We'll see.
P.S. He can still be found sleeping on his Cars rug, just covered with the Cars comforter now. Sigh.
With Grandma & Grandpa Giberson around to babysit, I spent the better part of a whole day making some treats for families in our neighborhood that help me out with the kids while I work a couple days a week. I made Chocolate Fudge & Red Velvet cake pops {they were mixed with peppermint frosting}, and dipped/drizzled pretzels. Of course they are NEVER as cute as they are in the book...but it takes practice to become your own version of 'Bakerella'. Trouble is I can't bring myself to do it more than twice a year, it takes sooo much work!
One thing Audrey wanted for Christmas was to get her ears pierced. I wasn't sure she'd go through with it, as she asked to do it for her 4th and 5th birthdays and both times she decided "next year". But on Dec. 30th she did it! And without even a tear!
Now it's time to start another year! Happy 2012!
2 comments:
Wow! What a month! And...Kyle is 21 already?!? There's no way!
The treats were yummy and they all look wonderful in your photos. You make a great Bakerella! It was good to see you over the holidays. We'll have to get together more.
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