Christmas Time is Here (I Mean Over)

Christmas came and is almost over. It was a wonderful celebration at the Darrington home. We had plans to go to Jed and Annie's house, but at the last minute plans changed and we stayed home. We were lucky enough to have both grandmas stay at our house on Christmas Eve and Morning. We also had the treat of having Uncle Quincy. Dace said that Quincy is his "playground", and he was treated like one.

As always P.J the Elf came through for us again with some very fun Pajamas. Here are some highlights.



Reese was not happy with his pajamas. He was trying to convince Quade to trade. Quade was having none of it. So when Grandma offered he jumped at the opportunity. Don't worry he changed his mind and they traded back.Early in the evening we got a strange phone call. A man was on the phone taking a survey of how many people in Enterprise had a Wii gaming system, and wanted to know if we had one. I told him sadly we didn't have one. He said "Well you do now!" We won a Wii from a drawing at the local grocery store. The kids were totally stoked. All of our traditional Christmas Eve plans flew out the window, as the kids spent their evening playing away on their new toy, and yes even some of the adults were able to play.
Christmas morning came sooner than expected (thanks to Morgan Jeffery secretly setting the alarm on my phone to go off at 3am.) Luckily the kids were still sleeping. They didn't roll out of bed until 5:30am. Then they woke Grandma up to see if it was time to open presents. They lined up on the stairs and the celebration began.Lots of great homemade gifts this year. Dad got an awesome M&M machine from Reese. And I received a beautiful new desk Royd has been slaving over for weeks. It is perfect. I have a wonderful husband.

Rock Band was a hit at our house. Everyone had tons of fun rocking out.
Later on we had the Pickerings, Chafin, Mirinda, and Washington over for a yummy Christmas dinner. I am ready to call it a day. It was a good one!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

As most of you know I have a hard time deciding anything. I am the queen of indecision. It's not that I don't want to decide (I do, that is part of the problem) it is that I want to make the very best decision. This little quirk I have came into play big time when choosing this years Christmas card. So, I made two. I ordered one from Costco with one of our Yellowstone vacation pictures (this is the one most people received.) I also made one on photoshop. So this is the card I made that only a few people were able to see.

Have a very Merry Christmas

Love the Darrington's

He Got One!

This weekend Royd and Quade went on Quade's first elk hunt. They had tons of fun hunting and riding snowmobiles. Quade was able to make his first big kill. He was so excited. Thanks to everyone who helped make his first big game hunt a success.

P.S. He wants to jerky the whole elk.

Gingerbread Houses

Last Monday for Family Home Evening, we invited the Pickerings over to make gingerbread houses. Being domestically challenged, I opted for the pre-made kits from Costco. Not only do they required very little preparation, they are also cost effective, and just as much fun.

The end results were very cute.

This is one of the few moments Royd actually let the kids touch the project.
I think he had more fun than the kids.
He had a great design planned.

After some initial problems, the Pickering had their house up in no time.

Taya was a little concerned. She didn't know if LaDawna new what she was doing

(she has a little of her dad in her.)

Royd did allow the kids to hand him the candy to be put in just the right spots.

Dace made his very own Gingerbread Man.

Taya could watch the Pickerings no longer.

She had to jump in and save the sinking ship.

In the end they turned out very cute.

The Pickering House!

(Can you tell who that hand belongs to? Hint: it has missing a finger.)

The Darrington House!

Dad had to leave to go to a basketball game. Mom gave the kids free reign of the house. Resulting in odd green icing on the roof, some very decorated lawn ornaments,and some awesome window treatments.

P.S.

The houses lasted until Wednesday night untouched.

Dace came up to me crying "I'm so so so sorry Mom. I couldn't help it. My gingerbread man jumped in my mouth, and I ate him."

Do you think the house jumped in his mouth too?

Quade is a Deacon

Quade was ordained a Deacon today in church. We are so proud of our boy. He also looks pretty spiffy in his new suit.

Never To Late?

I know football is over, but this boy was one cute player this year. Quade played hard, and had a good time. Go Wolves!

Reese Update Pictures

Poor Reese!

Reese was complaining of a toothache. I told him to tough it out. He complained and complained, said he was dying. I gave him the old standby "Reese if your going to die die quietly." Sunday we ran into his dentist at church. He told us to bring him into the office. He had an abscessed tooth. It was pulled, and I thought we were done. WRONG! He was still complaining. I was getting annoyed. I stayed home with him and Taya (who was puking all through the whole tooth ordeal) on Monday. Tuesday I told him he need to toughen up and go to school. He fell asleep on the couch just as we were leaving. I left him there. Royd was going to check in on him every few hours, and I would come home to See him for lunch. When Royd came home to check on him Reese's face and neck were extremely swollen. Royd rushed him to the dentist, who immediately sent us to an oral surgeon. They were concerned that on infection was causing swelling that was affecting his airway. The surgeon was able to do an outpatient surgery to drain and irrigate the infection, and sent us home with the instructions to take him to the emergency room if it didn't start to improve. What did I learn from the experience? I am an awful mother. Poor Reese!

That a Boy Quade

Quade: Mom I want to be a vet when I grow up.

Mom: I didn't think you liked animals that much.

Quade: I don't

Mom: Why do you want to be a Vet then?

Quade: I wanted to be a doctor, but I think it would be better to have an animal die than a person.

a minute later

Quade: I changed my mind. I think I want to be a TV show host. When that guy on America's Funniest Home Videos dies I could take his job!

I Have Two Hands?

Setting: Quade and Dace sitting on the couch watching Super Hero Squad.

Dace: Cool! That guy has two hands!

Quade: Dace, how many hands do you have?

Dace: (Looks at one hand) One! (looks at the other hand dissapointed) Oh, I forgot about that one.

Quade Is Entering A New Stage

"BRACES"

Two years of monthly payments.

Halloween was a Success!

Good times!

Other than that I have a gianormous bowl of candy in my kitchen calling my name every time I go near it.

Dad did the make-up this year. Superb job Dad!

My 1st Deer

Sum It Up!

This was our 3rd year spending Labor Day on the beaches of San Diego. We love this annual vacation. It is a nice break from the begining of the school year. Thank you Eric and LaDawna for letting us Join in on your party. This year the Johnson's, and Grandma Darrington were able to come with us. Here is a little sum up of why this vacation is a keeper.

Building "A Hundred Million" Sand castles, then wrecking them.

Waiting for the next wave.

Laughs and Smiles

Football on the Beach

Finding Crawley Things

Finding Slimey Things

Resting in the Sand

Hunting For Shells

Looking Off the Peir

Spending Time with Family

More pictures on Facebook and My Hobby Blog.