Joy to the World Mackenzie style

Mackenzie busted out singing "Joy to the World" It was the cutest thing I have ever heard. Here is her version:
Joy to the World, the Lord is good. The earth recieves the day. Let every heart, that every room. heaven and nature sing, and hhheeaavveeen nature sing!

Christmas Eve

A big snow storm hit Lubbock the day before Christmas Eve which followed a huge rain storm which equals ICE and lots of it! I was getting depressed as church after church was cancelling services. That is my favorite part about Christmas Eve. Luckily our church didn't. After getting home from church we had our usual Christmas Eve snack style dinner. Then the girls ripped into their gifts.We all took family pictures by the tree and had a blast seeing Christmas through our children's eyes! I love Christmas Eve!!!

she preferred to eat her sister's tags

Tori, Lexi, & Presley got matching head scarfs

does she look exhausted or what?

Reinhard, Lynn, & all of their grandkids

The Says


Sorry Heald family. I missed your picture somehow, so please send me a copy!

Merry times

We went 90 miles an hour while in Lubbock. We went to Marmi's class Christmas party. It was a pajama party, and one of the girls in her class had on the same jammies. Mackenzie and her thought it was so funny! Mackenzie spent 2 half days with Marmi at school experiencing kindergarten first hand!
Our cousin Tori sang at the Cactus theatre one evening. It was amazing to see all of these kids perform Christmas songs. They were so so good! Definite American Idol contenders when they grow up! Here are a few links to see a group of 4 of the singers called the "Cactus Cuties". My mom has been telling me about these girls for years, and I am so glad I got to see them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czmHZAyAVUI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXLI9vrSbeQ&feature=channel

Marmi's class party

pajama party

Cactus kids performance

Tori & Mackenzie

Make way for the 15P

Every year my family rents a 15 passenger van and drives around looking at the Christmas lights in town. This year was the first year that we got to participate in this fun tradition. We stopped at the movie theater for 4 large popcorns (1 per row) and Sonic for Route 44 drinks. They added a stop this year...the convenient store for some candy per Mackenzie's request. Presley crashed shortly after we started which is exactly what I wanted. I was nervous taking her out after her bedtime. We could have easily ruined the whole night for everyone! We saw lots of Hummer limos out looking at lights too. I told my dad next year if we make it in time for the light viewing, we need to upgrade!

beautiful tree

Mandi, Presley pie, & me

Uncle Reinhard, dad, & mom

Mackenzie, Tori, mom, & Aunt Lynn

Scott, Lexi, sleeping Shayla, Matt, Amanda, & Linda

Polar Express & Santa Land

the conductor

Tori, Mackenzie, & Lexi

Our first few days in Lubbock have been full of Christmas activities. Mackenzie & I went on the Polar Express with our cousins Tori & Lexi and Rondi. It was tons of fun. The cooks danced up and down the aisles with the theme music playing. We arrived at the North Pole which was full of lights. Santa and his elves boarded the train to visit with the kids. The conductor was just like Tom Hanks. The girls had a great time singing and dancing in the aisles!

Our 2nd night here we went out to Santa Land. The line to see Santa and Mrs. Klaus was over an hour, so we just took pics with some characters.

Ballerina in training

Mackenzie had her half year progress show at dance. She did so good! They danced to Mickey Mouse's birthday and Finger poppin'. The girls were so cute. They just giggled and giggled throughout the entire thing. I can't wait until the big recital in June!

These are a few of my favorite things....

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the shopping, the parties, the traveling, the no rest, etc... I always get a little depressed when January rolls around! So in honor of my favorite holiday I would like to share some of my favorite things many of which I am reminded about when I travel back to the place where I grew up.....

My family

1 of my mom's 10 trees (I made the tree skirt a few years ago!)
This one is in the garage! (BTW: who has a tree in the garage?)

my dad's amazing snow village

Christmas cards

Our "elf on the shelf" tradition. His name is Twist.

wrapping presents

cookies

Christmas outfits

New traditions (making a gingerbread house)

pottery painting projects

My Uggs (I had to put one trivial item)

Hopefully this makes everyone forget about the craziness of the holidays and remember some of your favorite things!

My VW Vow

When I was leaving the outlet malls my car started making a horrible noise. I felt like one of my biggest fears was coming true. I always worry about my car breaking down when I have both kids with me. I drove it about 1 mile to a grease monkey while people starred at the strange siren noised car coming down the road. I got 3 stories from 3 different people at grease monkey. Story 1: your power steering fluid is leaking from somewhere. It was completely drained. I would call the VW dealership and ask if they think it is safe to drive or if you should have it towed. Story 2: well we replaced the power steering fluid. If you want to drive it around for the day and finish your errands then just bring it back so we can top it off if it makes that noise again. Story 3: The guys in the garage said it looked like a rabbit got ahold of the fluid hose. I wonder if it was a rat. They do like to get up in your undercarriage.

Seriously???

Who do I believe? So I decided to try my luck and drive home. That way Kevin can deal with it later. I got about 8 miles and the sirens returned. I made it another 5 miles home and saw a huge puddle of fluid under my car.

As the quotes role in to fix my beautiful VW SUV (just 2000 miles out of warranty) that I wanted so badly, I have learned another life lesson. Never buy a foreign car that was designed by Porsche. Not that this is the 1st time I have learned this lesson. The $4500 brake job at the beginning of the year really sealed the deal!!

Santa sweeties

We headed to the outlet malls for me to return some stuff. I promised Mackenzie she could visit Santa when we were done. She absolutely loved this Santa. He was so sweet! I will definatley go there again next year!

I should be sleeping but.....

Mackenzie was quite busy upstairs last night while I was down in the basement and couldn't hear her.

taking makeup sponges out of mommy's bathroom and writing on them and then proudly displaying them in her shoes

doing puzzles

displaying objects on the landing

Ready for Christmas at last

Finally we have finished decorating for Christmas. I decided to forget about the basement tree. Who would see it anyway?? I am so glad I put everything up and we are leaving in a week!